For years I have known about Calvary Baptist Church in Hollister, CA, but had never been there. Even though the church is in between pastors, it worked out for the team to come and conduct the War of Special Forces here. There were definitely some encouraging things that happened during the week! 

One of the girls on the Seal team got plugged into the program early on. She had a very sensitive heart to the Lord, and she responded during many of the invitations. Janna, the Seal co-captain, counseled her each time, and was encouraged by what God did in her heart. Here is her testimony:       

“Before this week…I wasn’t really sure where I was going to go…I’ve heard many people like try to say stuff about how you should know and all, but it never got to me, but when these people came…well I guess God and them speaking to me on those nights, everything…I just thought ‘this applies to me. I should go talk to someone.’ So, I did.  And I was actually able to make things right. And I have a clear conscience and I know where I’m going…I’m actually saved and part of God’s family.”

Stephen, the Ranger team captain, recruited a young man at the high school on Tuesday afternoon. He and his friend came on Wednesday, and they both got involved in the competitions. During the invitation, the friend responded, and Judson, the Seal team captain, led him to the Lord. The guy Stephen recruited came back on Thursday, and once again got involved in everything. That night he responded during the invitation, and Stephen opened the Bible and led him to the Lord. The young man got up and gave this testimony on Friday:

“So…Judson’s testimony really helped me with the death of my grandmother…And then yesterday, Stephen helped me get saved. And before I came here, I was…like an outsider. I didn’t really have a lot of friends and was just kinda alone. And I knew when Stephen approached me walking home…I had a feeling that if I came here my life would change.”

There was a young man that many of the team members ran into while out recruiting on Tuesday afternoon. He was very excited about the event, but his excitement was deeper than just a competitive spirit. Abi, the Marine co-captain, had an extended conversation him. Long story short, his family is Catholic. One day, he opened up his Bible and started studying it. He realized the truth was in God’s Word, and he got saved. He shared with Abi how he wanted to tell others the Good News, and even be a missionary one day. The young man came the first night and brought two friends with him. The two friends responded during the invitation. As the friends were getting counseled, the young man prayed for his friends with Josiah, the Marine team captain. Josiah was able to counsel the young man on some other matters as well. This was a divine appointment! The whole week was worth it, even if just for this one young man. 

On Thursday during the lunch break, Judson, the Seal team captain, sat down with one of the young men on his team and asked if he had ever gotten saved. The young man knew he wasn’t saved, and he was very concerned about it. The conversation was short, but the young man understood the gospel and his need to depend on Jesus alone. He bowed his head and prayed right there on the picnic table. As soon as he was done praying, the school bell rang. Judson quickly asked him some follow-up questions, and the young man confidently answered each one. There was a joy on the boy’s face that hadn’t been there all week. As the kids were going back to school, one of the other guys in the school asked “Did he just get saved?” The young man’s friends were so excited that he had just gotten saved.     

We are grateful for all the Lord did during the week both in the school and during the rally nights. May the Lord continue to work there!