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Pray For Daryl
Posted by Chris Johnson in Baptist Life, Bible & Theology, Church & Missions, IMPACT Features
One thing that does not keep me up at night is wondering if we can have a great commission resurgence. What does stay on my mind these days is Daryl.
It was on a Sunday morning about six weeks ago that I first met Daryl. Our congregation in Hermitage meets to worship together at the community center in a section of the town just behind Summit Hospital. Every Sunday I roll up to the community center with our small trailer of stuff we use to prepare the nursery, the rooms, and the area we use for teaching and worship.
So on a Sunday morning a few weeks back as I was strolling through the park next to the community center, I discovered a young man sitting on a table, alone, minding his own business. Of course, I like to go and make people my business, so I calmly made my way over to this young man and found a way to introduce myself. At first… Daryl, a twenty one year old, thought I was a policeman. He said, “I thought you were coming over here to ask me to leave”. I told him that I wasn’t a policeman, but I was coming over to meet him.
We spoke for a few minutes and I told him why me and others were at the community center that morning….to set up some chairs and make some rooms ready for children, and prepare a larger room for worship. When I invited him to worship with our congregation he was a bit surprised, but none the less I could tell he was warming up to the idea. Daryl’s first push back was,… “I can’t go to church lookin’ like this…what will the people think ”…. I told him they wouldn’t mind and as I was pointing to myself I explained “this is what I wear”. He grinned, and said “let’s go then”.
About ten minutes later we were walking together, a couple hundred yards or so, back to the truck ready to be unloaded. On the way into the community center, I told him to please feel at home with these folks. I said “They may be asking me a lot of questions, since I am a pastor in the congregation (he seemed a little surprised), so I told him to just mill around and meet some people.” For the past six weeks Daryl has helped me and others every Sunday to prepare for our time of worship to our Lord. Daryl shows up in the same set of clothes. His clothes don’t smell very well, but his heart is very attractive.
Luke 14:22-23 “And the slave said, ‘Master, what you commanded has been done, and still there is room.’ (23) “And the master said to the slave, ‘Go out into the highways and along the hedges, and compel them to come in, so that my house may be filled.
What will a great commission resurgence look like to you? If you have an opportunity today….Please pray for Daryl. He has a Sister, and she has two baby girls. Pray for them too! Pray for me as well, that I am ready and willing to be a slave in this world.
Blessings,
Chris
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When Daryl said, “What will people think?” I have to admit that I was eager to read your reply. A shepherd has to be confident that his message and teachings have gotten through to his people to say what you said. Additionally, the people of the church must also have the same confidence in order to invite anyone to come to their church. If the “Great Commission Resurgence” succeeds or fails it will be due to the maturity of the existing congregation to receive such people. If the foundation of a church has not be properly established nothing will work. I have to believe that a majority of SBC churches need some type of reform in this area before pushing the Great Commission. The reason why is found in the promise, “And lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age”. Certainly, if Jesus was in most churches today we would not have to have a resurgence of any kind.
I have prayed for Daryl. Someone needs to get him some fresh clothes. Great story. Thanks, Chris.
Chris,
Thanks for sharing. I needed something encouraging like that today. I may even have a new excuse next time my wife asks me to dress up for church
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In all seriousness though, your story reflects some of the best experiences I’ve had sharing my faith or inviting people to church. I think I need to develop more of a “just do it” attitude.
Thanks also for the verse. Again, confession time, I need to think of myself more often as a slave and share in my Master’s joy by completing the tasks He’s set before me whether I feel that I have enough courage/knowledge/wisdom/strength or not.
Brothers Bruce and Andrew,
Thank you for praying for Daryl. I too believe that the commission does not require us to wait and see. It is a privilege to simply go and do (and not very expensive I might add).
If we can only envision the table that has been prepared before us, then we would begin to know the joy that David had in his heart as the 23rd Psalm was penned. Daryl does need another coat, shirt and pair of pants (so that he then can wash the clothes he does have). We are having a fellowship this coming Sunday and some men in the congregation have some gifts for Daryl that I think he’ll be able to use.
Matthew 25:44-46 “Then they themselves also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry, or thirsty, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not take care of You?’ (45) “Then He will answer them, ‘Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.’ (46) “These will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”
Resurgence is in the heart that sets its attitude to share the gospel of Christ. It does begin in the congregation.
Heb 2:11-16 For both He who sanctifies and those who are sanctified are all from one Father; for which reason He is not ashamed to call them brethren, (12) saying, “I WILL PROCLAIM YOUR NAME TO MY BRETHREN, IN THE MIDST OF THE CONGREGATION I WILL SING YOUR PRAISE.” (13) And again, “I WILL PUT MY TRUST IN HIM.” And again, “BEHOLD, I AND THE CHILDREN WHOM GOD HAS GIVEN ME.” (14) Therefore, since the children share in flesh and blood, He Himself likewise also partook of the same, that through death He might render powerless him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, (15) and might free those who through fear of death were subject to slavery all their lives. (16) For assuredly He does not give help to angels, but He gives help to the descendant of Abraham.
Blessings,
Chris
Great post! It is these type of things that make up a great commission resurgence. There is no task force or sermon that brings about the great commission nearly as much as a pastor leading his congregation by example to reach out with the Gospel of Jesus Christ to those who are right in front of us.
How many Daryls are there in my neighborhood that I simply didn’t notice because I was too busy “unloading the trailer”? Thanks for the encouragement and the mirror.
Brother Olon,
Good point…. Sometimes we do get busy on less important things….
As I was reflecting on this and the GCR reasons for needing a Great Commission Resurgence (found at http://www.pray4gcr.com/why-gcr/), I discovered that some of the reasons are simply not reasons at all.
The churches of the SBC are not really “yearning for a new day of Great Commission awakening and commitment”. Most think they are doing just fine. Maybe a handful do have some concern, but not very many really are “yearning for”.
The GCR also points out that “a new generation of Southern Baptists is ready for deployment in the service of the Great Commission – and waiting to see if Southern Baptists are ready to send”. If this new generation is “waiting to see”, then they have been trained improperly by the local church.
The other reasons the GCR gives as a need is based on statistics, including more ethnic groups and simple stewardship. Statistics are not really a good reason for a decision to resurge. I do like the idea though of not leaving anyone out in the cold as we share the gospel and being a good steward of the resources God provides is always a good thing.
All in all, the GCR is really about maturing the local body and loving our neighbor. Then the body will know the joy of the gospel.
Blessings,
Chris
Chris,
Thank you for this post.
Brother Benji,
Thank you sir….you also reminded me of a wonderful truth.
2 Corinthians 2:14-17 But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and manifests through us the sweet aroma of the knowledge of Him in every place. (15) For we are a fragrance of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing; (16) to the one an aroma from death to death, to the other an aroma from life to life. And who is adequate for these things? (17) For we are not like many, peddling the word of God, but as from sincerity, but as from God, we speak in Christ in the sight of God.
Blessings,
Chris
Last night I was invited to go with our Hispanic deacon to visit a guy who had been attending our Saturday night Spanish service because he was having some trouble with his wife. The conversation barely touched on the topic of marriage troubles and we dove heavily into the gospel. The man accepted Christ and I led him in a prayer. Praise God! He’s not done bringing “babies” into this world. Chris, your post was on my mind and helped encourage me to speak up! Thanks again.
Brother Andrew,
Praise the Lord! The Gospel of God is powerful!
Blessings,
Chris
Outstanding post, Chris. Goes right to the heart of the matter – People. Swindoll, the master of recycling, posted his parable on his blog this week. I think it coincides with this very real post. For those who’ve not read it, you can find it here: http://insightforliving.typepad.com/dailydevo/2009/12/a-parable-saving-lives.html
Amen! Brother Rick,
When we realize it is people (not institutions) that Christ came to save, then a resurgence looks a little more in focus. Thank you for the link…I love to listen to Swindoll.
Blessings,
Chris
Perhaps your congregation could buy Daryl some clothes.
Yes Mary,
Those plans are already underway. Daryl will be attending a fellowship in one of our members homes on the 20th and I believe that he will see that he is loved, with the gospel, and with some gracious gifts he can wear on the outside as well.
Blessings,
Chris
Thank you for praying for Daryl and his sister. I was able to meet her and the two children last evening. What a great time of sharing! She will be joining us in worship this coming Lord’s Day as well.
Daryl received a few clothes and a some other folks in the congregation provided him with a much needed nice winter jacket.
What a privilege to pray and knowing God’s will.
Blessings,
Chris