Every movement we make in response to God has a ripple effect. Its gentle waves spread out and extend far beyond its source. Most of the time, we don’t know the reach of the ripples, or the impact they have on the lives of others.
But, sometimes, we do.
KirklandTake Eastview Baptist Church in Rock Hill, for example. In June, the church received an e-mail from a man named — well, let him tell the story.
“My name is Edward Collins. I am sure that you guys do not know me, as I live thousands of miles away from you in the Philippines. I am a medically retired Marine who loves to read. One day, I went to a store that sells old American paperbacks by the box full. Over a year ago, I bought a box of paperbacks, and in those books I found a New Testament.
“The New Testament I found is called ‘Good News America, God Loves You.’ On the back was the Bible verse, John 3:16, and under that it has the name of your church stamped — Eastview Baptist Church, Rock Hill, S.C., Henry C. Simmons, pastor.
“Well, I always read every book I buy; I have made that a personal rule. And I had always promised myself never to read the Bible. But since I bought this book, I followed through with my personal rule — and I found that the book touched me.
“I am not sure what giving your life to Jesus is, but since I read the book, I want to know him better.
“I looked you up online to see if your church was even still around. I really want to thank you for this book that touched my heart and seems to have made me less angry about the wounds I received in the Gulf War that have made me, for the most part, a home-bound cripple.
“The book was old and worn, the pages yellow with age. The copyright date was 1983. I guess the book traveled quite a ways to get to me. There’s a woman’s name, Becky Reel, written on the inside. I wanted to thank that pastor, Henry Simmons, and Becky Reel, if that is possible.
“Please excuse my letter writing; I am having a hard time typing. This tough Marine is crying.
“I really do not know what to do now. I have read this book through twice and I’m guessing I need to buy the complete Bible. I also guess I need to go to church, but I have not found an English-speaking church in my area. It would be painful for me to sit still that long, but I really want to go to church.”
Rick Martin is pastor now at Eastview. He wrote to Collins, “You certainly brightened our day at Eastview when we received your e-mail. Pastor Simmons moved on to Florence, S.C., as director of missions for the Florence Baptist Association in 1991. Becky Adams has remarried after becoming a widow, but still lives in the area. I have forwarded your e-mail to them. Even though they are no longer at Eastview, we want to continue the ministry they began through a simple New Testament.”
In his reply to the retired Marine, Martin explained the way to salvation as outlined in Romans. He closed with what believers refer to as a sinner’s prayer. He promised to send a copy of the Bible along with other books to aid Collins in his spiritual growth.
Henry Simmons called the story “amazing.” He said, “What has taken place here has little to do with me. When I was pastor at Eastview, we had an evangelistic emphasis that included Bible distribution. I am not sure of the dates. I think it was the mid-’80s. We stamped church information on back of the Bible, I think. This is how Mr. Collins found the website of the church. Becky Reel, now Adams, was a faithful member of the congregation.
“I am reminded that the seed we plant grows. The Bible says, ‘My word, which comes from my mouth, is like the rain and snow. It will not come back to me without results. It will accomplish whatever I want and achieve whatever I send it to do’ (Isaiah 55:11). Jesus told the parable of the mustard seed and how it grows. Sometimes, in unexpected ways, word comes back to us that the seed that was planted is bearing fruit.
“It was amazing to me to get the e-mail from Mr. Collins on the day after I returned from Romania, where I had heard from some people who told me about fruit that had come from seed planted 10 and 11 years ago in our partnership. God is faithful. We will never know this side of heaven the harvest that has come as a result of being faithful even in the small things. Occasionally, He gives us encouragement.”
Simmons said he has been in recent contact with Collins, who has found an English-speaking church. “He told me,” the Florence DOM said, “that he had given his heart to Christ and prayed the prayer at the back of the New Testament. His new relationship gave him the impetus to seek a church family.”
Eastview’s pastor, Rick Martin, said the RAs and GAs at Eastview intend to write letters to Collins and his wife “to encourage them.” The church also will send additional Christian books “to help him and his wife grow in their walk with the Lord.”
Replying to the letter from Martin, Collins addressed the congregation of Eastview Baptist Church. “I am glad I made your day,” he wrote. “You have made my life.”
Every movement in response to God has a ripple effect.