As I maneuvered the proof copy of last week’s front page around the screen of my phone checking headlines and giving the story about the foster care crisis in Alabama a final glance, an area business owner sitting near me noticed.
He guessed correctly my intense focus was work related. After a few minutes of polite conversation, I intended to make my way through the remaining pages, but God had a different plan.
While the discussion didn’t end dramatically nor with a salvation story (at least not yet), it did affirm an area of growth for me and quite possibly changed my friend’s lifelong negative impression of Christians.
His only experience with Christians since childhood has been one of being told his religion is false and that he’s going to hell. He said some who crossed his path through the years would point to parts of the Bible to prove their point, and some would basically scold him.
Dialogue
Either way, the lack of willingness to get to know him, dialogue about faith and learn why he follows the religion of his heritage turned him off from ever wanting to be part of a faith he deemed pushy and mean.
He manages to still show kindness because his religion teaches the value of “loving your neighbor no matter what,” he said, adding he typically tries to avoid religious conversations.
“I always cringe when a customer asks me about my religion,” he noted, “but I enjoyed talking to you.”
What did we talk about?
We discussed the front-page story I had been proofing.
I read Rod Marshall’s challenge out loud, that the crisis in the foster care system in Alabama is a problem Alabama Baptists can solve.
I shared how following Jesus draws us to live to glorify Him and that includes helping the hurting.
I asked my friend about his faith background. From there, we continued talking about how people of faith can make a difference.
Opportunities
What if it really happened? What if Alabama Baptists dug in and made sure every child currently in foster care found a loving, safe and faith-based home?
And what if every denomination and faith group joined together to make sure the same would be true every year as we all worked together?
My friend and I both sensed the incredible opportunities for people of faith to work together to be a light in a dark world, and the flow of ideas all started with the article featuring the work of the Alabama Baptist Children’s Homes & Family Ministries.
Our conversation eventually shifted to surface-level items before we wrapped up, but I’m prayerful we’ll talk again and that I’ll get to share more about Jesus when we do.
However, if I don’t get the privilege of another conversation with him, I know God used the recent one to soften his heart — an experience reminding me of the importance to always stay alert to where God is working.
Check out Fruitful for ministry partnership highlights
What an honor it is for me to tag along with such a top-notch slate of dedicated Alabama Baptist entity and State Board of Missions leaders. I also love the deep friendships continually growing with the many gifted team members sprinkled throughout all our ministries.
As you might expect, we chat often and find every opportunity possible to partner. While technically separate organizations, we all are committed to be faithful stewards of your generous gifts through the Cooperative Program.
Working together is one way to accomplish that goal.
Fruitful magazine is an excellent example. We at The Alabama Baptist and TAB Media Group are honored to serve our sister Alabama Baptist entities and the State Board by pulling our stories together in this annual publication.
You’ll find highlights from each group working faithfully within our ecosystem known as the Alabama Baptist State Convention.
You should have received your copy in the mail by now. If not, do let us know.
Also, if you are attending the upcoming state convention annual meeting in Birmingham (Nov. 15–16), be sure to stop by to say hello. Making your way to the exhibits will provide the best opportunity to catch most, if not all, entity leaders and team members.
And you know where to find me — press table or press room. I’ll be waiting on that hug.
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