It all started with a campus minister and a former Hindu who is a recent convert to Christianity. The two shared the gospel with an Indonesian man, who responded by giving his life to Christ the night before departing America for his homeland. The new believer left South Carolina carrying a Bible and his new faith, intent on sharing both with his family.
A Baptist Collegiate Ministry student first shared the gospel with Devdarsh,* who became a Christian two years ago. Devdarsh met his friend Ankur* at the Thai restaurant where they worked (*names changed). That’s also where Tracy Turner, BCM minister for Spartanburg area schools, met Ankur when Devdarsh introduced them. Turner, who sometimes brought his family along for a meal, built a relationship with Ankur over the last six months.
“There is no such thing as irony or that this relationship just happened,” Turner said. “God is drawing lost people to himself. We just have to be open to him and build those relationships to be faithful in what he is doing.”
Ankur had come to the United States to earn money for his wife and two children in Indonesia. When Ankur told his friends he would return to his homeland on March 16, Turner and Devdarsh asked to meet with him.
“We shared the gospel with Ankur, and Devdarsh shared how God has changed his life. Ankur said he understood that Jesus is the only way to God, and we prayed with him to receive Christ,” Turner said. Turner gave Ankur a Bible and some colored bracelets that he can use to share the gospel. He specifically asked for two bracelets for his children, so he could tell them about Jesus.
“Discipleship happens through relationships. Devdarsh is so excited about Ankur’s decision, and he is becoming contagious for our students. We need non-Christians in our lives so that we can build relationships in order to share Christ with them,” Turner said. – SCBC