A while back one of our pastors felt like he had had enough of office time and talking to people so he told the next guy who walked into his office, "Come with me – we're going to have some fun!"
They grabbed a couple of bags of groceries that had a map attached along with a supply of diapers for a newborn. At Vineyard Community Church in Cincinnati we encourage church members to take a bag or two of groceries with them on the way out the door and deliver these dry goods over the next day or so with their family – to model mercy ministry. We have done this for years. A whole generation of young people have been raised with this value present in their Christian life. It's rich.
The pastor and the young man with him drove for about five minutes into another neighborhood away from the church. They followed the map to the address, but when they arrived they couldn't believe their eyes. In front of the house that needed food was a sign that advertised "Madam Sheila – Occult Readings."
They knocked on the door and sure enough, Madam Sheila's daughter was a single mom who was in need of some help. This young girl was, by all appearances, very open to the message of Jesus' gospel -- and she wasn't the only one looking for answers. There in the waiting room of Madam Sheila's were about six people waiting to have their palms read or have a Tarot card reading.
"I'm here to bring Madam Sheila's daughter some bags of groceries," the pastor said. "I wonder how many of you would like prayer while I'm here. I'm a pastor." Every single person raised their hand.
He got them in a circle holding hands. He prayed that the Holy Spirit would reveal Jesus to each of them in a profound way. Then he said, "With each head bowed, I wonder would any of you like to give your lives to Christ?"
He explained what that meant. He said, "This is something you do instead of seeking help from Madam Sheila. It's something you do for the rest of your life." He said look up at me if you want to make this radical, lifelong decision. To his amazement four of the six in the circle, including the daughter, looked up to receive Christ that day.
The pastor gave them all follow-up information about how to grow in the Christian life. He had discipleship materials in his car. And he invited them all to church that weekend. He promised them that they would all fit into our church. They came. And they continue to come.
That was a bad day for business for the occultist – she lost money. But it was a day of great gain in the kingdom of God. The kingdom went forward – all over the tiny excuse of some groceries and diapers.
Steve Sjogren is the founding pastor of Vineyard Community Church in Cincinnati and author of numerous books on evangelism. Sjogren now speaks at conferences and consults with churches interested in the sort of outreach anyone can do. Contact Sjogren at stevesjogren@mac.com.
