Witnessing as Jesus, Wesley, and Denman Did
by Royal Speidel, Distinguished Evangelist in Residence, General Board of Discipleship

Carolyn served me at a Nashville airport restaurant as I returned home from the Congress on Evangelism. The other customer in the upper tables left, so I was the lone customer for the waitress. Seeing her name tag as she brought my check, I asked, "Carolyn, how did you get your name?"

Smiling, she replied, "From my mother." I responded, "I like the name, Carolyn. I know several wonderful Carolyns." Then she queried me, "Do you know what the name means?"

I said, "No." "It means Christmas carol," she said. Accepting her version of the origin of her name, I asked, "Do you walk with the One who gave you your name?"

Carolyn responded, "I sure do. Many times he has to carry me. There is only one set of footprints in the sand." "Do you worship God?" I asked. "Yes," she said, "At home and in my own way."

"Carolyn, I am sure that are some very happy and healthy congregations near you." She said firmly, "I wouldn't go to a church around here. You don't need a building. You just need him."

I said, "There are very loving people in a church around you, who would welcome you and care for you."

"Yes," Carolyn said, "I know there are some good people in there. But I don't need it."

Trying to come up with a meaningful response while remaining soft in my approach, I said, "Carolyn, Christ is the head, but the church is his body."

"Well," she said laughingly, "Then I am going to be damned some day." We concluded the conversation laughing with each other as I affirmed her. I pray Carolyn's consciousness was raised and she experienced prevenient grace during that brief afternoon conversation with a customer. Hopefully, one of these days she will allow God to bless her through Christian fellowship.

Our job as Christians is to make disciples for Jesus Christ, but disciple-making always begins with a witness. Neither John Wesley nor Harry Denman waited until people came into the church doors before they began witnessing. They did it out in the highways and byways as their Master did. If we are going to spread "scriptural holiness across the land," it will begin with kindly witnesses for Christ in cabs, airport restaurants, and other encounters outside the church building.

Posted 2-18-04.