In Duluth, Minnesota, sits a small, quaint community church. On three heavenly Sundays during the three years I attended, I experienced the three best days of my life.
“How?” you might ask. Well, about four years ago, I suggested/encouraged (okay, so there was manipulation as I included an all-you-can-eat-breakfast) the first of three friends to join me in "checking out what Jesus has to offer" at this little church.
Each was in desperate need of the Lord's love. One worshiped alcohol and drugs. Another lived for sex and partying. The other lived for absolutely "nothing," as she put it.
From my own experience giving my life to Christ in this church, I knew the power of God's hand in it. So I came up with a plan. I would pray for the strength of the church and its members. I would pray for the pastor and his sermon. I would pray for the choir and the songs. Most importantly, I would pray that God would reach out and touch each of my friends' hearts on the very day I brought them to church.
Each of these young teens publicly gave her life to Jesus Christ at the front of that little church on the day of her visit. I'm a big guy with a big heart, but I have never wept like I wept on those three days. I wept out of joy. I wept out of thanks. I wept out of amazement. I wept because I had just witnessed a miracle.
Each of my friends had an opportunity to tell her story in front of the church a few Sundays later. Each time, I saw smiles and tears as I looked around the congregation.
I have since moved to another state to continue my education. It will be one year tomorrow since the last of my friends gave her life to Christ. As far as I know, all three are still attending. All three are actively involved in groups. All three are bringing new believers to Christ in this very church. None of them knew each other before, but they all came to know and love each other through sharing their ironically similar stories about a young man who introduced them to the Lord (I still don't think they know that it was the same person).
Nothing in this world has made me as proud as introducing my friends to Christ. Nothing can bring a smile to my face, or tears to my eyes, so quickly as that experience. I pray that God will continue to bless their lives, their church, and their world.
May God bless you in similar ways. Thank you for letting me share my story. If you get the chance, see if you can find this church.
Matthew Wickstrom is currently working in an Ed.S (Educational Specialist program), in the School of Psychology, University of Wisconsin-Stout. Read the incredible story of how Matthew was introduced to the Herald on page 22.
