As Stephen brushed his teeth after a wild night of partying, he noticed the “O-L-D S-K-O-O-L” tattoo on his knuckles. He attempted to wash it off, but the damage was done.
Across the state, a mama was praying a powerful prayer she would echo for years: “Father, send someone to share the gospel with my son, Stephen.”
When Jesus sent out the 72 in Luke 10, he said, “Pray for the Lord of the harvest to send laborers.” Pray.
Rachel entered Stephen’s life. She had gotten involved in a small-group Bible study to find friends and wanted to go to their church, Awaken Church. Rachel urged Stephen to go with her. Reluctantly, he went.
Stephen and Rachel
That same morning, Stephen’s mother was lifting him up to the Lord, and the guest speaker happened to be pastor Brandon Bowers, who was pastor of Awaken Church. She urged him to seek out her son, who lived in his town. God was a little ahead of them.
“The sermon was OK, the music was too loud, and the AC was broken, but the men there seemed to care about me and wanted to know my name,” recalled Stephen. Chris, one of the men of Awaken, invited Stephen to breakfast.
Jesus said in Luke 10, “When you enter the city, heal the sick.” Care for people enough to listen, respond to needs, and know their name.
Chris listened to Stephen’s story while they ate breakfast and talked about how God’s story had changed his story. After breakfast, he invited him back the next morning.
Jesus said in Luke 10, “Tell them the kingdom of God is near.” Share the good news of the life of the kingdom.
Morning after morning, the two men had breakfast and conversation. After two weeks, Stephen gave his life to Jesus. He and Rachel were baptized. In only a few months, Stephen was back in the baptismal pool, baptizing his friend. He is now serving as a leader at Awaken Church.
Maybe you will be an answer to a mom’s prayer in 2017. Pray. Care. Share. It’s an old-school strategy to begin discipling those far from God. Pray, by name, for 3 people far from God; Care for at least 2 of them; and Share the life Jesus gives with at least 1 of them. 3-2-1 … Go!