I hope this letter finds you well, preparing your hearts and minds for a season of thankfulness. I am thankful as I type this. We just returned home from another spiritual pilgrimage in the Holy Land. We enjoyed a wonderful time of sightseeing, fellowship, and growing closer to the Lord.

While we were there, I had the opportunity to experience something that I had not before. While visiting the Jordan River, we were preparing to baptize people in the very river where Jesus asked John the Baptist to baptize Him. As we continued to prepare, a man walked up to me and said, “I would like to be baptized too.” Obviously, I asked this man, “Well, why do you want to be baptized?” The man, who was looking for the right words to say, responded, “I don’t know. I guess I want to be closer to God.” As you very well know, I have been in ministry for a while now, so I asked the man the single most important question of his life, “If you were to die right now, would you spend eternity in Heaven or Hell?” At this point, this became much greater than a man seeking to be baptized in the “hopes” that he may get closer to God. The man, who was placing great thought into our discussion said, “I don’t know.” The opportunity was before me and the calling the Lord laid upon my life a long time ago is the same on the banks of the Jordan River as it is in Virginia or at any of our Victory Weekend events, to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ, whether it is to one thousand people or just one! I asked this man if he would like to hear more about Jesus and how his soul can be saved. After explaining the message of hope and salvation, I asked if he had any questions and if he wanted to pray and ask Jesus to take up residence in his heart. He said, “Yes!” We prayed and he made a decision for Christ. After the prayer, I asked him, “How do you feel?” This young man, filled with excitement and joy overflowing, looked at me and exclaimed, “I feel amazing!” Following this special moment, we baptized this young believer, reaffirming his newfound joy in the Lord.

This unique experience is further proof that as we represent Christ we must be vigilant. At any time when we least expect it, an opportunity to radically alter the life of another, may be waiting. I encourage you to pray about joining us on this journey of a lifetime in the future. You will never forget an experience like this!

Blessings,
Steve