You would have to see the Outback to believe it. It is the ultimate teen room at Faith Baptist Church in Salisbury. The room was created by veteran youth pastor Tim Binkley. It has blinking lights, stop signs, a coffee shop and much more! We were here three years ago, and this time arrived for our second War of Special Forces. The week saw some encouraging salvation decisions.
On Thursday night, the forecasts were for the remnants of Hurricane Michael to come through. I was thinking it would just be some rain with a little wind. I also knew that if it hit during the rally competitions, it could be an issue. We thank the Lord that the weather did not come through until well after the rally was over. When it hit, there were sheets of rain and gusts of pretty strong wind. We felt the RV move from time to time! It was great to see the Lord orchestrate the weather and protect the rally night.
The team saw several victories in regard to recruiting. One of the team captains had several conversations this week with police while out near the public high school. Many times, conversations such as these are part of the spiritual battle we face in getting teens to come and hear the gospel. This time, however, God showed Himself strong, and this team captain saw the recruits he talked with right after these confrontations actually come out to the rally nights.
Another team captain gave some fliers out to a drama team. One of the young men went home and discovered that his brother had also been handed a flier by someone else from our team. Three brothers from that family came and were saved on Thursday night! One of the brothers stood up on Friday night and gave public testimony of his salvation.
On Thursday afternoon, Jessica was calling through a list of attendees from Special Forces three years ago. Her last call that afternoon went out about an hour before start time. It was to a young man who, after hearing about the evening’s activities, promised that he would come. (This was the only War night he could have come to because of work). He wholeheartedly participated in the evening’s competitions. During the invitation, he raised his hand saying that he was saved. Hunter, the Seal team captain, talked to him afterwards and asked him what he was depending on for salvation. He said that he went to church and had been baptized. Hunter explained that if he was depending on baptism, the Bible says he was not saved. Hunter explained salvation to him and asked if he wanted to depend on Jesus to save him. He did and was gloriously saved!
Another young man came out to the first night and was challenged to respond to the invitation by one of the team captains. He would not respond because of pressure from his friends. After the invitation on Thursday night, another one of the team captains talked to this young man. He did not know where he would go when he died, so he went into the counseling room. He was overwhelmed with the thought that God could save him, and with his shoulders shaking, he asked God to save him, saying, “Thank you so much for letting me accept the gift of Your salvation.”
A brother and sister came with their best friends on Wednesday evening. The sister’s best friend responded to the invitation on Wednesday. When the mom came to pick them up, she came inside looking for the girl. My wife Rhonda asked her if she knew if she was going to heaven. She responded that she was trying. Rhonda was then able to go through the gospel with her, and she was overjoyed to receive Christ! The following evening, the brother and sister (her children) trusted in Christ to save them from their sins as well.
We praise the Lord for those who came to know Him this week.
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