![]() There was no burning bush, but today our ordinary classroom became unmistakably Holy. For a few moments, with the typical smell of pizza, the movement of students coming and going to class, and as two local pastors answered the faith/spiritual questions of students over lunch, our conversation turned from inquisitive questions about theology, faith, and the spiritual realm to "What is sin?" which ended up turning into a conversation with one student about the Gospel. You remember "Holly."* She "found" our FREE LUNCH in January because there was FREE FOOD. She admittedly has no faith/spiritual background or comprehension. She came back today, for the second time, because she was curious to know more. As our conversation progressed, I glanced around the room at other students, mostly Christ followers, and by the looks on their faces could tell we all felt the energy of the room change as we realized that for about 15 minutes this conversation became a Holy conversation. A seekers conversation. The conversation moved from the most basic: sin, to an intro into 10 commandments, to who was Jesus, why He came in human form, why He died, our response to Him, & how to make Jesus the boss of your life. Tears came to my eyes as I witnessed the beauty of the Holy Spirit pursuing Holly. After lunch, she and I chatted in the hallway. She mentioned that she knows there is a God, a "bigger Being." Although she does not understand and know that "Being" she wants to. She's unsure about religion and skeptical of Christians. She asked, "How do you pray?" So I told her the cool thing about God is that he's all about friendship (not religion) and showed her how to just say what's on her mind. We prayed in the hall with our eyes open, "God, I don't know you but I want to. Show me who you are." Lastly, I asked if she had a Bible. "No." I asked if she wanted one. "Yes." So I showed her the youversion app and ended up giving her a Bible. She said she had never held or opened a Bible, so I gave her a quick tour explaining the division of testaments, books, chapters and verses (ALL completely foreign to her). I booked marked the book of John with my business card and challenged her to read chapter one by next Tuesday. Then I handed her the Bible. Her face light up with awe as she held HER Bible for the first time, "There's something special about this book!" I responded, "There's no magic in it, but it is a very special book." PRAY FOR HOLLY:
* the names of individuals in this story have been changed.
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It's the time of the year for an update on BSM! We're in a good place and it's all a God thing! Here's why: BSM Montgomery is a ministry of volunteers & we are blessed to have AMAZING VOLUNTEERS! I received the following text from my friend who attends our lunch regularly to help build friendships in what can be a very fast event. It's nice to have help making personal connection so students don't slip through the cracks.
"(Free Lunch) felt so different today! I saw lots of community forming! Loved having (a student) give announcements and the Valentine prep created a fun energy! Glad I got to talk to the two new girls before lunch and SO THANKFUL to meet "Holly,"* who only came because she saw our sign on campus about FREE LUNCH and now she has exposure to the gospel for the first time! I'm already praying for her." What she experienced is the result of what I can only be a direct answer to your prayer. If you pray regularly for BSM Montgomery, YOU are a powerful and vital part of what happens on campus. Your prayers are bringing fruit:
WHAT'S NEXT?
*names have been changed |
Tamara Brooks
is a Texas Baptist Missionary, raising 100% of her salary to serve on the college campuses in Montgomery County, Texas. This blog is an effort to keep you posted with what's happening on campus monthly. Please consider becoming one of Tamara's financial partners (of course it's tax deductible). Archives
January 2019
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