Monthly Archives: June 2008

I learned a lot more in college than I remember. I know I did! Much of knowledge stored and facts memorized have long since left my brain. I don’t even remember all my professors. One, however, is permanently etched in my mind: Professor Tom Allen. It’s not his classes I remember (I think I had him for Pauline Epistles … or was it one of my doctrine classes?). I don’t remember him because of some eccentric behavior or dress (as opposed to my speech teacher who always reminded me of a crayon or my Poetics teacher who did unusual reenactments of venereal diseases). I’m sure Mr. Allen was a great teacher, but more than any of his lectures, I remember his passion for the Gospel. I remember his sincere, uninhibited desire to see everyone come to know Christ.

I remember him telling of a time when he was in college when his car broke down on I-95 and he needed to hitch a ride to make it to class on time. The guy who picked him up wasn’t too keen on God. He told my professor if he mentioned the name of Jesus one more time, he would stop the car and drop him. He did and found himself immediately stranded on the side of the highway.

Last summer in our alumni magazine Mr. Allen wrote an article entitled “Accidental Evangelism.” There he described a literal accident that turned into a veritable opportunity to share Christ. He hit someone with his car then had the brazen courage to share the Gospel with him while they waited for the authorities to arrive. The other driver listened attentively and even called later with questions. Before long he went to church with him and eventually came to know Christ.

This is the type of courage I want! This is the character I want to emulate. I’m always praying God will give me obvious chances to serve Him, but when faced with these accidental encounters, I lock my lips. Why? Just this weekend I cowered in the face of opportunity.

While checking out at the grocery store, Ellie pulled a Bible from my purse. (I have one of those cute little pocket-sized Bibles I keep with me always. It’s good reading while waiting in the doctor’s office!) The cashier was so curious. He stretched and leaned trying to decipher what she had. With surprise he asked “Is she reading a Bible?” I confirmed, yes, then made some cynical comment about it being more effective if she actually knew how to read. He said something about there being much in there to learn, but I didn’t respond. I didn’t say anything! could an opportunity be any more obvious? I could have shared the Gospel with him or at least invited him to church, but I didn’t. I simply encouraged Ellie to be careful with the Bible and continued stuffing sacks of food into our cart.

I read two great posts about courage in evangelism today. They challenged and encouraged me. Take a look: Do you have the courage to teach? by Marcus over at GoodwordEditing.com and Second Life by Heather A. Goodman.