Tears in the Baptismal Pool

It was one of those special moments in life.  Hard to describe in mere words.  Jacob Winston, the former alcoholic stood in the swimming pool next to myself and Charles Porter. 

 "Jacob do you believe that Jesus Christ is the only Son of God who is the only hope of salvation?"  "Yes. I do" came his soft voice.  "Do you renounce all allegiance to your past life as well as all satanic influence in your life?"  "Yes I do" he reiterated.  

"Upon confession of your faith we baptize you in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit".  We gently guided him backwards as he went under the water.  

Just 2 months ago Jacob was a violent, angry, argumentative man by his own admission.  He couldn't hold down a job because of his alcohol addiction.  He has gone through two wives.  He was living in a one bedroom flat with four other people.  He finally landed a job at the local theater as the inside sweeper.  

For several months he watched as every Sunday morning people came at the crack of dawn to set up the equipment for church.  A few conversations here and there, but mostly just watching. One Sunday in July he decided to participate in the service.  As God's Presence came down, so did his pride.   Jacob repented of his sin that morning and asked Jesus to restore a life in shambles.  And Jesus is the master restorer.  

In the swimming pool a few minutes away from the theater where he first encountered Christ, he was being baptized.   As he came up out of the water, the Lord had another encounter in store for this young man.  The Presence of God fell in a very tangible way.  I looked at Jacob and tears were streaming down his face.  My heart melted as waves of Christ's love swept over him.  I was riveted by God's goodness and nearness.  

Yes, the eyes of many are watching.  Some for months.  Some for years.  They are looking to see if there is something different.  Something real.  Something genuine.  They've heard our words.  They want to see our lives. The really just want to know if this Jesus we serve is alive in our lives.   

The Unknown Evangelist

A young man- we'll call him Mutungi-  stood in line at the ATM to get some much needed cash from his account.  A stranger approached him.  In good Tanzanian fashion they exchanged a few words. The conversation shifted directions.    The stranger talked about the church that meets in the cinema located on the same property with the ATM.  "Your should really go over there!  God would change your life"  the stranger insisted.   "Maybe, one of these days I will" replied Mutungi.  

A couple of weeks passed. 

8AM on Sunday morning several people gathered together in the cinema to pray prior to the 9.30 gathering.  Several needs were shared including the desire to see people give their lives to Christ.  Prayer began to rise before the Lord. "Lord bring people to know you!" "Father draw lost people to yourself".   As the pray-ers continued seeking God no one noticed Mutungi slip into the back watching and listening to what was happening. At the close of the prayer time the young man came to talk to me.  "I want to give my life to Christ" he said.  God had answered prayer in a matter of minutes.  

Since then we have talked many times.  He is a member of the special forces of the Tanzanian military.  He has had a very turbulent past, but God is doing something really powerful in His life!  Last week when we talked he said: "it's interesting I have come to church many times now, but I've never seen the man who talked to me at the ATM".  (We only have 100 people in the church).  It's a classic case of an unknown evangelist.  

Would you please continue to pray that God would raise up more unknown evangelists here in Dar Es Salaam?  People with a very simple message- "God can change your life!"  And please pray that many more like Mutungi  would be touched by the Spirit to surrender their lives to Christ! Finally, can I challenge you to be an unknown evangelist to people around you?