Students from Ridgecrest Baptist Church, Dothan, got a delayed start on handing out subway tokens during YouthLink 2000 in Atlanta.
The 20 students were scheduled to distribute 60 tokens as part of “Random Acts on Kindness,” a missions project that was part of YouthLink. Long lines at a food court in the CNN Center meant students didn’t meet their deadline for regrouping following Thursday morning’s session of the student conference.
But it wasn’t lunch alone that kept the students from making it to Underground Atlanta earlier.
Walking five blocks from the CNN Center to Underground Atlanta, the enthusiastic group took every opportunity to greet people and tell them God loves them.
“It’s a chance to get out and witness in Georgia,” Ridgecrest student Paul Carnes said beforehand.
Along the way, students witnessed to several homeless men and brightened the day of hurried professionals.
Greeting everyone from businessmen and local shop owners to window cleaners suspended from one of Atlanta’s many high-rise buildings, the students took time to let people know that God loves them.
But their greatest impact may have been realized with the time they took for the city’s less fortunate. Students talked to several men, including Alabama native Sam Blount.
The Ridgecrest students and youth minister Tim Bristow shared Christ with Blount, along with reading Scripture and praying with him.
Kristi Connell, 17, said witnessing to Blount was the highlight of YouthLink, which began the day before.
“It was wonderful,” said Connell, who placed a “What Would Jesus Do?” bracelet on Blount’s wrist. “It was so truly wonderful. I love witnessing to people, and I just think he needed it.”
The fact students spent time with someone others might shun wasn’t lost on Blount.
“I like that, somebody’s concerned,” he said. “Y’all gave me a blessing.”
Blount, 46, told students he had a wife and job before going to prison. He told them to avoid drugs and “negative folks.”
“Never be around nobody negative,” Blount warned. “Always stay positive, stay positive.”
Blount also offered advice about the importance of remaining in school. “You need an education,” he said.
“You don’t depend on nobody. I know you love your momma and daddy, but sometime you gotta get out of there.”
Carnes, 15, also talked to a homeless man who identified himself as Dan. “I shared about God’s love and I shared about who God is and who Jesus is,” he said.
The student led Dan in praying the sinner’s prayer and making a profession in Christ.
Paul said he witnesses to people frequently, but the Atlanta trip offered his first chance to share Christ with homeless people.
But Jason Edberg, 13, found that not everyone was glad to see the students.
He shared how one man they said hello to used profanity in telling the students he would be glad when they left Atlanta.
“I’m still pumped up,” Edberg said. But one of his peers was left discouraged.
“It brought me down a little bit,” said Natalie Karabin, 15. “I’m trying my hardest, and I like to feel really good when someone answers me back — and then I get that kind of reaction, it just kind of makes me a little bit discouraged.”
The students didn’t stop ministering once they reached Underground Atlanta, where they eagerly began distributing the tokens.
“This is one of the best opportunities we’ll have to show people God’s love,” said Jeremy Patterson, 12.
Atlanta resident Benjamin Duyer was one of the people who received a token.
Duyer, who is a Christian, said he was impressed by the students’ enthusiasm.
“It’s wonderful, it’s wonderful,” Duyer said. “I can’t wait for everybody to get there (heaven), and we’re going to rejoice and sing.”
Jeremy Benton, 14, said he gave one token to a woman who was happy to accept it, but in a hurry.
“She didn’t really want to stop and talk,” Benton said. “I gave it to her, told her what it was for, told her ‘Happy New Year’ and she went on.”
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