Turning Knowledge about Evangelism into Action

After listening to Pastor Denny's sermon about outreach to our FRANC's (Friends, Relatives, Acquaintances, Neighbors and Coworkers) and attending Pastor Jeff's Sunday school class on the same subject for several weeks, I realized that to date I had been accumulating information but doing nothing to assist the Holy Spirit in bringing people to faith.

This caused me to recall a situation that occurred in one of my jobs. We had about 20 sales people who worked to sell our product through a dealer organization. They did a really good job of training, motivating and selling through existing distributors, but were doing very little to recruit new dealers.

In an attempt to cause them to spend time and effort doing something that was uncomfortable for them, I bought twenty small cans of 3-in-1 Oil. At the next sales meeting I passed the cans of oil out, labeled “Turn -in-Oil”, and instructed them to carry them in the front seat of their car and told them “Every time you drive by a potential dealer's business, stop and put a little oil on your steering column. It will then be easier for you to 'Turn In' and talk to the prospective dealer about how our products and service could benefit them.”

The next day I purchased a can of 3-in-1 Oil, which now resides in my car's center console. It has caused me to be more active in talking to friends and family about how AEFC has helped my faith to grow and mature. I called a friend who recently went through a difficult divorce, took him to lunch and encouraged him to consider AEFC's Celebrate Recovery. No response to date, but more prayer and lunches to come. The training and motivation I received from Pastor Denny and Pastor Jeff, and the constant reminder from the can of Turn-in Oil in my car has caused me to work with Pastor Jeff to attempt to collect stories from AEFC members and attendees about how God has worked in their lives.

We plan to post their stories, encouraging people to read and, as appropriate, share with their FRANC list in person or over social media.

We all desire victories in our lives, for God to work powerfully! How often do we ask God “what victory do you desire to do in me or through me?” If we are being honest, we usually go to God with our “shopping list”- God please do this and God please do that. The following is a story from one of Big Blue’s saints who asked God, “What do you want from me?” Imagine if we all prayed like that? ~Pastor Jeff

A few years back I was in bed saying my prayers, thanking God for all the blessings I have received. When I was coming to a close, I asked God if there was anything that I could do for Him. As with a lot of times I would be drifting off to sleep, but as soon as I asked what I could do for Him, it was as if I'd stuck my finger in an outlet! The shock left me now wide awake, and in my mind HE said "Quit Drinking".

I used to enjoy my beer to excess. Drinking was a way of life for me, and I was a functioning alcoholic. I would go to work during the day, and when I got home I would drink until I went to bed. On weekends I could easily drink a case. There was always beer in the fridge, outnumbering the food at times, but since the night God got my attention I have not had a desire to drink. I am sober and give the Glory to God. Thank you Lord!

Our Father, who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy Name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done….. 

Donald and I were married June 18, 1955, at Calvary Baptist in St. Cloud, Minnesota. I was a born again believer since the age of 10. Donald always went to church. We had two adorable sons, Randy and Timothy. Life was a struggle, but good. Donald always brought the pay check home and never abused me or the boys. Donald was a good husband and father.

Donald liked drinking on Friday and Saturday nights and for one hour on Sundays. I was even going in the liquor stores with him. I was back sliding. In January 1972 I repented and told Donald that I could not go with him anymore to the liquor stores and neither could the boys.

By January 20, 1973, Donald was drinking more and more, but only on Friday nights, all day Saturday and one hour on Sunday (12-1pm). He would have a couple of beers when he got home from work during the week. The evening of January 20, 1973, we had an argument over his drinking. He fell asleep on the sofa.

The little church we were attending was one block away from where we lived. I went every Saturday night to light the oil burner for Sunday morning. It was a bitter cold January night when I went to the church. It was dark and cold inside. I knelt down by the altar in the dark and cold and prayed for my marriage and the salvation of Donald. I remember telling God I was sorry for playing the part of the Holy Spirit in Donald's life and that I would never preach to him again nor mention God's name to Donald. In the dark and cold I felt such a warmth and glow around me. I was releasing Donald to God.

On Sunday, January 21, 1973, I went to church alone in the morning, came home and Donald went for his usual Sunday morning outing. Donald was the only one in the bar. He took one swallow of the beer and told the bartender something was wrong with it. The bartender told him that he had just opened a new keg and that the glasses were clean, but he gave Donald a new glass of beer. Donald took one sip, put it down and said, “You will never see me in here again”. The bartender said, “Ya! We all go on the wagon once in awhile”.

 Donald was always home at 1:00pm. I had the potatoes boiling for dinner. Lo and behold, Donald is home at 12:45pm! He comes in the house and says “Ma, turn off the stove, I have to see Pastor Jack”. I called the pastor and he was home. Jack's wife Louise and I went downstairs. Forty-five minutes later Pastor Jack called us upstairs. Pastor Jack said, “Don has something to tell you Elaine”.

Don said he had just accepted Jesus Christ as his personal Savior and now asked if I would forgive him for all the unhappiness he had caused in our marriage.

What a day of rejoicing! I have to laugh now as I write this. God knew me so well that He must have thought, “I have to get Donald saved in a hurry because I know Elaine can't keep her mouth shut to not preach to Donald”.

For nine years we had a new marriage. On June 8, 1980, we celebrated our 25th anniversary and renewed our marriage vows. In March 1978 Donald's appendix burst, and on Good Friday we found out he had leukemia. He witnessed wherever he went. After he was saved he once said, “I wish I could quit work and go into full-time witnessing”. Little did we know God would allow this to happen the way it did. The doctors and nurses got a full dose of the Gospel from Donald. Donald lived for four years with leukemia.

April 5, 1982, Donald was hospitalized for five days of strong chemotherapy. On April 11, 1982, I once again released Donald to God. Donald went home to be with his Risen Savior Easter Sunday on Randy's 26th birthday.

I am not writing this to glorify Donald or myself. CHRIST had to change me first and brought me back in fellowship with the Father. Never quit praying for your loved ones. Never give up on your marriage. No one is ever that far down the path of sin that God cannot save them.

 As you read this I pray that if you haven't already surrendered your life to Christ, please do so now. He died for you. He loves you! Won't you join Donald and me in heaven?

Have you ever felt God at work?

 After years of being involved at AEFC, serving on the Welcome Team and being an Usher Coordinator, I stepped back for a while. When I retired I felt a need to get involved again. Being gone for the winter months in Florida, I wondered how could I serve? After meeting with Glen Schultz and Pastor Jeff, we realized there might be something I could do both in Annandale and in Florida during the winter. That something was visiting and praying with the elderly, those in nursing homes and in hospice.

Why should we visit those who are hurting? We can bring what the world cannot give them.

John 14:27, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”

When we are young we tend to think we are going to live forever. As we age we become more aware of our mortality and more responsive to messages about eternal salvation.

Prayer works and inspires.

James 5:16 Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.

 A number of years ago our son was seriously injured in a motorcycle accident with life-threating head injuries. If he survived he faced a lifetime in a wheelchair needing constant care. Our first response was anger at the Lord. “How can you allow this to happen to a vibrant young man, ruining his life and ours?” Then I started to pray and negotiate. “If you let him get better I will become a better person, go to church more often, etc.” Finally I prayed, “Lord, you are in charge. Your will be done, but heal him if you will.” Today he is fully recovered and a fully functioning and successful person!

Most elderly, sick, or with an infirmity really want company. Regular visits develop friendship and trust, making it easier to deliver the Lord's good news and, more importantly, having it received. One of the real rewards from visitation and prayer comes when you are praying and holding the person's hand and you can feel them trembling.

Remember, you are not called to save people. That's the job of the Holy Spirit. You are to assist the Holy Spirit and to be supported and encouraged by the Holy Spirit. This lesson became clear last winter while in Florida. We were in the process of starting a visitation and prayer ministry. I had called on an individual who was dealing with cancer but who at the time was not responding to the Lord's message. One day as I was finishing a round of golf I felt absolutely compelled to go see this person. Now! My partner said “What's so urgent? You can clean up and do it later.” I felt that I needed to go right now. We went, the patient was happy we had come. We prayed together, and he came to Christ at that time. I believe it was the Holy Spirit at work!

A few last comments. Don't get discouraged. It takes time and many visits to establish trust and a relationship. Expect some people, and particularly some of the elderly's families, to at first be suspicious of your motives. By patiently persisting, the one you visit will hopefully come to desire their own relationship with the Lord. No one does anything if they can't see the rewards to be gained.

Note: A recent survey was conducted jointly by the Kaiser Family Foundation and the Economist magazine in four countries; the United States, Italy, Japan, and Brazil. People close to death were asked what their concerns were about their own death. 88% of the people in the four countries said being at peace spiritually was very important or extremely important. Living a longer life was much less important to many people.

Interestingly, in Japan there were only 13% of the people surveyed who said religion played a major role in their life, yet 75% said being at peace spiritually was very important or extremely important. Most Japanese report they are atheistic or with no formal religious affiliation. It seems apparent the Holy Spirit has planted seeds that we need to help water and grow.

The following story is a very common occurrence that has probably happened to many of us.

It was about one month ago. I engaged in normal conversation while visiting with my neighbor. The topics were non-specific, normal guy talk. Then my neighbor mentioned that his kids were at church and were truly enjoying the youth programs. Wanting to engage further into the topic, I shared how fulfilling it has been for me as a father to witness the excitement and pleasure my kids express when connecting with our church. My neighbor then shared with me that he has no real need for the church. He explained that he had already found himself. He further explained that after a troubling moment in his life he was offered an opportunity to travel through his work. This led him to a remote area in the middle east where he would be somewhat alone for extended periods of time. It was in this restricted type of isolation that he found himself and gained a certain sense of fulfilment that has given him peace, acceptance and contentment. I felt that there was nothing I could or should add at this point feeling that he might not be comfortable sharing anymore. I didn’t think he would be open to hearing any alternate testimonies. He appeared to be quite grounded in his position. So the topic quickly faded with the hope that another opportunity to talk would come again soon.  

My early childhood was a typical one. I went to church with my family, the same church where I was confirmed. My problems started at age 12. I worked with an older friend at Raceway Park in Minneapolis doing odd cleaning jobs. This friend got a bottle of whiskey from work and I stole it from him. I got drunk and passed out. I continued to work at the Park stealing liquor and getting hammered. I drank frequently and started using marijuana. But I finished Junior High anyway.

 When I was 16 and a sophomore in high school I bought a 1968 Impala. Without informing our parents, a 15- year-old friend and I left for Florida using an old map from my dad's car. We were stopped by police as suspects in a bank robbery. My father was contacted and he flew down and drove us home. By age 17 I was a functional drunk and marijuana addict, but I was still able to hold down a job. Soon I started using cocaine, acid, and angel dust. By 11th grade my parents could no longer control me or my actions. I left for California thinking I could get away from drugs but ended up spending a year dealing drugs to get money.

Once on a trip through Texas I ran out of money and gas and called my dad for assistance. He told me to “Work your way home, son”. Then in 1980, at age 21, I took my Harley and set off for Sturgis. I had a saddle bag full of beer to share with other bikers. I don't know what happened, but I woke up battered and bruised, finding out later that I had crashed. But some how I was alive. To this day I am convinced that the Lord sent angels to protect me. One day I looked in the mirror and saw myself bleeding from the nose. This was the result of frequent cocaine use. That was when I asked God to help me quit.

I continued on this path until I was 28 years old. With the help of the Lord I had short periods of sobriety. When I finally started to listen to the Lord, I went to 90 AA meetings in 90 days. A longtime friend led me to KTIS radio station and I began to listen to Christian radio. I also got involved in my church, Lutheran Church of the Master. I started attending a men's Bible study with the pastor and other men from the church. This is where I truly started to make significant changes in my life. I made a commitment to Jesus with the men in my Bible study.

I met my wife Shelley at an AA meeting. We supported each other, got involved in church, and attended a weekly Bible study. We were continually seeking the Lord's assistance. We both rededicated our lives to Jesus Christ at a Billy Graham crusade in the 1990s. I found that going to AA meetings was essential to sobriety but was troubled by the amount of swearing, smoking, and women-bashing at these meetings. Shelley and I found a Celebrate Recovery group. Our experience was so supportive and faith building that we wanted to start a Celebrate Recovery group at AEFC. We got the training needed and then started a group here at the church.

I met my wife Shelley at an AA meeting. We supported each other, got involved in church, and attended a weekly Bible study. We were continually seeking the Lord's assistance. We both rededicated our lives to Jesus Christ at a Billy Graham crusade in the 1990s. I found that going to AA meetings was essential to sobriety but was troubled by the amount of swearing, smoking, and women-bashing at these meetings. Shelley and I found a Celebrate Recovery group.

 Our experience was so supportive and faith building that we wanted to start a Celebrate Recovery group at AEFC. We got the training needed and then started a group here at the church.

Celebrate Recovery is based on a number of key beliefs. The first three are:

1) Admitting we are powerless over addiction, that our lives are out of control. Romans 7:18 says “For I have the desire to do what is good, but cannot carry it out.”

2) We must come to believe that a greater power than our self is essential to sanity. Philippians 2:11 says "For it is God who works in you to will and act according to his good purposes."

3) We must make a decision to turn our lives and will over to the care of God. Romans 12:1 says, “Therefore. I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.

Twelve years ago I fell off the wagon. I was on a special construction project in Arizona which took me away from Shelley and my support group. When I got home I told her what happened. She said, “I will not allow the devil to have you again.” With the help of my wife Shelley, the CR group, and most importantly the Lord, I have stayed sober.

Today Shelley and I have a successful business, reconciled with our families and God, and have a very supportive family at AEFC and Celebrate Recovery. My story is proof of God's love. No matter how long we stray or how far we fall, when we believe and place our trust in our Lord and Savior, he will rescue us.

Eleven years. When I think back on how quickly my kids have grown up, the last eleven years have flown by. However, when you must wait eleven years for something that you really want, eleven years can feel like an eternity. You see, it was about eleven years ago that the pastor of our church, Pastor Denny, encouraged us to ask the Lord to place one person on our heart, and to start praying for the salvation of that soul. When I prayed and asked the Lord whom he wanted me to pray for, he clearly told me that I needed to pray for my dad. What? Really? Did he know my dad? I must admit that I was hesitant, but I went ahead and prayed ... and prayed ... and prayed.

There were several times that I thought that the Lord was ready to answer our prayers. There was the time when my dad called and explained that he had just gotten out of jail, and he wanted what I had. I asked him what he meant, and he explained that nothing ever went wrong in my life. I told him that there were many things that went wrong in my life, but because I had the Lord, my valleys weren't so low. I thought to myself, "Yes! This is it!" No ... not yet, but a seed was planted.

Then there was the time that Jason was called out to a jobsite near Willmar for a few days. He stayed at my dad's house, and when he left, my dad called and told me how grateful he was that Jason was there to just lovingly listen. It just "happened" to be the day before my dad had a court date. He was so nervous about it, and had a lot of things to get off his chest. He knew it wasn't a coincidence that Jason was placed there at just the time he needed someone. Was that the answer to our prayers? No ... not yet, but a seed was planted.

Then there was Family Night at one of my dad's AA meetings. Jason and I were able to go and support him. Maybe God was using this situation to answer our prayers. No ... not yet, but a seed was planted.

Last fall, my dad was diagnosed with cancer. I sat in the doctor's office with him while Dr. Gupta told him that he had cancer, and that patients with the same type of cancer typically live about a year. God MUST be using this situation to answer our prayers and bring my dad to Christ. No ... not yet, but a seed was planted.

What about the time just a few months ago when his radiologist told him how important prayer was, and invited him to his church, an Evangelical Free Church just 6 blocks from my dad's house? This was the same church that one of his former co-workers went to. I remember him telling me that this guy was just like our family. He actually loved going to church. No ... not yet, but a seed was planted. What about a few weeks later when the doctors told him that the cancer had spread to his bones? I asked him, as I had many times before, if he was ready to talk to our pastor. No ... not yet, but a seed was planted.

Sunday, July 10th, we went to the baptisms. Our Associate Pastor's wife Diane asked me how my summer was going, and I told her about my dad. She asked where he lived, and "coincidentally" she had another person that she wanted to visit in Willmar as well. She encouraged me to talk to my dad about it, and we would make a road trip!

The next day, my dad met with the doctors at Mayo, and they basically told him that there wasn't much they could do for him. There were some experimental treatments, but nothing that was really proven. I told him about my conversation with Diane, and asked if she, Pastor Jeff and I could come out. FINALLY!!!! He said, "Yes, I am ready!!" Pastor Jeff and Diane graciously made themselves available as soon as possible, and by Thursday, we were on our way. It is very important to know, though, that we did not go alone. Pastor Jeff asked me to assemble a prayer team that would be praying for us while we met with my dad. Many people quickly responded that they would be delighted to pray for us, including our small group, who has been praying for my dad for many years. It was crystal clear from the moment we arrived that the Lord was in our presence. The conversation flowed beautifully, and when the perfect time arrived for Pastor Jeff to share the Gospel, he jumped right in. He was so compassionate and loving. Both my dad and step-mom were glued to Pastor Jeff as he shared. At the end, Pastor Jeff clearly asked my dad if he had made the commitment to follow Christ, and accept His death on the cross as payment for his sin. My dad started talking about something else, and I was afraid that we had lost him. Then, he said, "Getting back to your question. I have not made that commitment, but I am ready to now!" PRAISE GOD!!! We knelt around my dad as he prayed and made his commitment to Christ. Pastor Jeff and Diane then turned to my step-mom and gave her an opportunity as well. She is still angry with God, and is not ready to make that decision ... yet, but seeds are being planted.

God has been doing AMAZING things in our family since my dad's decision. My dad was STARVING for the Word of God right away, and humbly asked for help from Jason, the girls and I to help him get started. What a joy! When we left their home, my dad got on the phone and started calling everyone to share his story. One of his first calls was to his mom, my grandma. I had the opportunity to visit with her a few days after his conversion. When she said, "Isn't that great news about your dad?" It was the perfect opportunity for me to share the Gospel with her. She has now accepted Christ in her heart in addition to it just being in her head, and is sure that she will spend eternity in heaven with us. Many in our family are now considering eternity, including one who is an atheist!

I tell this story for two reasons. Number one, that God would receive 100% of the glory for what He has done for our family. He has answered the prayers of the four of us, our small group, and many others as well. The second reason is to encourage you. DON'T EVER GIVE UP praying for the salvation of loved ones. I love the verse Pastor Jeff chose when we first discussed this situation: 1 Peter 3: 12 For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayer.

When we don't actively practice our faith, it fades. When we consistently work at it, our faith grows and helps our lives become more fruitful.

I was raised on the Iron Range in northern Minnesota. My folks kept us very busy growing up Methodist Youth Group, 4-H, Boy Scouts, as well as family camping trips on weekends when nothing else was scheduled. We were all confirmed and went to church and Sunday school up until we left home to further our education. We went to Bible camp each summer, and it was at Oak Hills Bible Camp at around age 14 that I gave my life to Christ. After high school, I went to Minneapolis Vocational School to get trained to be an electrician, served an apprenticeship, and then moved back to the Grand Rapids area. After I left home, my faith seemed to start fading, and I only attended church on Easter and Christmas for quite a few years.

I married my first wife in 1968. She divorced me in 1982 and married the Methodist minister of our church in Grand Rapids less than a year later.

I met my current wife, Donna, in 1984 and we were married in the Methodist church in Annandale in 1985. We occasionally went to church there, but we were just going through the motions for years. Donna's two children from her first marriage lived with us, and they were confirmed in that church. We began going to other churches in the area, but none seemed to be welcoming or friendly. After trying nearly all of them, we visited AEFC. The first Sunday we walked in, we were greeted by several people and felt at home right away. Pastor Jeff and Diane invited us over for coffee and cake the next week, and we knew we'd finally found our church.

We attended Discovery Class offered by Pastor Denny and Sue. This was the start of getting my faith back on track. About 10 years or so ago I'd started drinking a lot, and it was affecting my marriage. In 2013, Donna gave me the option of either the brandy or her. I quit drinking and went to AA. AA is a faith-based organization and it seemed to help me a lot. After about a year I felt strong enough and stopped going to the meetings. I have not used alcohol for four years now and feel very comfortable being a non-drinker. I'm active in the local Conservation Club as a gun safety instructor and also other aspects of that club. I'm on the Trustee Team at AEFC and am active there. We are taking the Alpha class and are really enjoying that.

I think my train is back on track now and I love it. I started a small handyman business this summer, and I am really enjoying serving the Lord by helping members of our church family take care of their homes and allowing the elderly to maybe stay in their homes longer. My marriage and my life have become more complete and fruitful since the Holy Spirit has led me back to a full and active worship and Christian lifestyle.

The Lord prepares us for a Ministry, but it sometimes takes awhile to recognize the calling. A good part of my work career was as a correctional officer. Working in a corrections facility you experience many different situations and a wide variety of people and attitudes. While on duty as an officer we were not allowed to pray with prisoners, but we could provide them with Bibles and tell them about our faith in Jesus. Some responded negatively, some not at all, but a few positively.

About three years ago at an auction sale I saw this big biker-type guy who had on a leather vest that said on the front, “These are my church clothes”. I walked around to look at the back and it said, “Jesus”. We did not immediately recognize each other, but after a minute he said, “Hey, you're the guy who introduced me to Jesus when I was in jail”. Then I recalled that I had given him a Bible and talked to him about Jesus. Today he is a minister in the inner city of Minneapolis.

Since I retired I have looked for a way to become more involved with the Annandale Free Church ministries, and the ministry in Sun City, Arizona, where my wife and I winter. I attended Pastor Jeff's Sunday school class on evangelism. I realized I was being called to become more active in evangelism and that some of my background had prepared me for this role. I had experience talking to a wide range of people under difficult situations, learning how to remain calm and reasonable when facing rejection, and at times, outright hostility. I was extremely thankful for my faith in Jesus and convinced that if I talked to enough people about Jesus, some would listen and allow the Holy Spirit to work in them.

I became involved in the Swapper’s Meet team and a jail ministry at the county jail. I have learned that each person who evangelizes has different techniques and ways of approaching people. The important thing for me is to remember that my job is to shine the light on the words of God's truth. I do believe that the Holy Spirit takes one's feeble, disorganized words and through them convicts the hearers of sin. It is God who convicts and it is God who saves. We just need to be willing to step out in faith as God leads in our lives.

It all started when my lovely and precious mother in-law gave me a DNA test kit through Ancestry.com this past Christmas. I thought…cool, I’ll find out what my blood line is. I really didn’t think much else would come from it, but God had other plans. Not only did I find out about my blood line, but I also found that I had a first cousin (male). Ancestry said they were 100% sure of this.

As some of you know, I was adopted from an orphanage in Vietnam. I grew up here in Minnesota with my adoptive family, which I love dearly. Because I feared rejection, it was hard for me to make the decision to contact my new cousin. I wondered if I would be opening up a can of worms, and I had the fear of, “Am I ready for this?” However, these fears are not from the Lord.

Eventually, God urged me to contact this new cousin of mine. I wrote a brief letter explaining who I was and asked if he would be interested in pursuing a relationship. I left the ball in his court. I felt that my Vietnamese family might be shocked if I contacted them, in more ways than one.

I received a response from my cousin right away stating that he would love to help me! I am so grateful for all the information he gave me and his determination to help. In May 2018 his mother sent in her DNA test. Through this test we learned that my new cousin’s mother and I were a family match. My new cousin is actually my half-nephew and his mother is my half-sister. On her side of the family there are a total of 12 children! Adding me to the family makes 12.5!!

 With the Lord’s help, I am proceeding slowly and respectfully as I reach out to my biological family members. I need to tread lightly as I am dealing with fragile hearts and souls. I have begun talking & chatting online with my new sister Lily and her son Khoa, my new nephew. Both live in California. Both are very gracious and loving towards me and have sent lots of family photos and information.

In photo #2, I am pictured with my future American father. This photo was taken at a Vietnam orphanage in 1966-67.

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My birthday is not exact. My adopted dad chose my birthday to be the same as his birthday. They counted my teeth to determine how old I was. My adopted family would say I must have been 2 because I was tiny, according to American standard size.

My adoptive family, the one who raised me, changed me…in the best possible way. Family doesn’t only happen genetically. I was chosen. I was wanted. I was cherished. I grew in their hearts, and I was dearly loved. I was adopted for life! They did not give me the gift of life, but they gave me the gift of love! The love they gave me is deep and real. My journey of life gave me the gift of my family.

So this is my new journey, one I never thought possible, that I would get to know my biological family and relatives during my lifetime. I thought I would have to wait until I got to heaven to ask the Lord all my questions and to possibly meet them there. The Lord has truly blessed me beyond my own imagination!

Life is a precious gift and I am so amazed by God’s incredible goodness. He has blessed me many times over. Every year that passes is an adventure to cherish and is filled with marvelous things!

God knows the desire of our hearts and He wants to bless us. God’s timing is always perfect and purposeful. I'm so privileged to be a daughter of a Mighty King!

“I am fearfully and wonderfully made, chosen before the foundation of the world, and adopted through Jesus Christ’s love with mercy and grace.” Psalms 139:14,

Ephesians 14:4-5 “In Him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of Him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of His will. That we, who were the first to put our hope in Christ, might be for the praise of His glory.”

Ephesians 1:11-12 I am adopted! He planned in His purpose of love, that we should be adopted as His own children, through Jesus Christ. (Ephesians 1:5)

“Nobody is born into this world a child of the family of God. We are born as children of wrath. The only way we enter the family of God is by adoption, and that adoption occurs when we are united to God’s only begotten Son by faith. When by faith we are united with Christ, we are then adopted into that family of whom Christ is the firstborn.” -R.C. Sproul

My prayer request would be that my husband Doug and I would be a light to my new family and bring them to Christ Jesus. May they hunger for His truth and for His Word!

I just LOVE God’s Creation Department!! I love it because He made every single one of us to be “one of a kind, costume designed and tailor-made.” I thank God for His special creation of all of my families, meaning you and all who are in my life!

 We all have a story! “May the God of hope fill you all with joy and peace as you trust in Him. Romans 15:13

I was raised a Catholic and enjoyed going to church with my father. I always believed in God, but as a teenager I put my trust in my judgement rather than following Jesus' direction.

I became a rebel, started smoking pot at 15-16 years of age, which led to drugs and some alcohol. I hooked up with a guy my parents did not approve of, and I would not listen to them. I ran away from home, ending up in a foster home. My parents said “Pick him or us”. At 17 I quit school. At 18 I got married and life continued on a downward spiral. More lies, drugs became very bad, and my husband was abusive.

With the help of my older sister, Chris, after our second anniversary I left the marriage and got a divorce. I continued to smoke pot, got remarried in 1982 and had a son. When he turned 2 I realized I needed help. With the help of a sponsor I started with AA and found God was merciful and loving. I became sober and drug free in 1984. I became restless in my marriage, which ended in divorce.

At an AA meeting in 1989 I met my husband, Brad Karja. We found out that his mother and my mother were close friends. Brad had two sons, and a short while later Brad and I had a daughter together. We blended our family of 5.

While many in AA claimed to be Christians, we found they were not walking with the Lord. There was lots of swearing and women-bashing at the meetings.

Brad and I attended a Billy Graham meeting in 1994 and dedicated our lives to the Lord. We got married with all of our children in attendance.

We went to a Celebrate Recovery meeting in Brooklyn Park with Pastor Denny and Sue. After consulting, consideration and prayer we decided to start a Celebrate Recovery group at Annandale Free Church. We were joined by Charles and Denise Webb as leaders. This has become our passion and our cause. It is a program for both men and women, young and old, to help deal with many problems; drugs, alcohol, sexual addiction, past abuse, eating disorders and more. Its eight recovery principles are Bible based as follows:

1. Realize I'm not God. I admit that I am powerless to control my tendency to do the wrong thing and that my life is unmanageable. Happy are those who know they are spiritually poor. (Matthew 5:3)

2. Earnestly believe that God exists, that I matter to Him, and that He has the power to help me recover. Happy are those who mourn for they shall be comforted. (Matthew 5:4)

3. Consciously choose to commit all my life and will to Christ's care and control. Happy are the meek. (Matthew 5:5)

4. Openly examine and confess my faults to myself, to God, and to someone I trust. Happy are the pure in heart. (Matthew 5:8)

5. Voluntarily submit to every change God wants to make in my life and humbly ask Him to remove my character defects. Happy are those whose greatest desire is to do what God requires. (Matthew 5:6)

6. Evaluate all my relationships. Offer forgiveness to those who have hurt me and make amends for harm that I've done to others, except when to do so would harm them or others. Happy are the merciful. (Matthew 5:7) Happy are the peacemakers. (Matthew 5:9)

7. Reserve a daily time with God for self-examination, Bible reading and prayer in order to know God and His will for my life and to gain the power to follow His will.

8. Yield myself to God to be used to bring this Good News to others, both by my example and by my words. Happy are those who are persecuted because they do what God requires. (Matthew 5:10)

I was born in Fairbanks, Alaska, while my father served on an army base. We traveled often, moving from base to base. At age 9 my parents divorced. My father disconnected from us for the next 17 years while he went on to start a new family. My mother raised my sister, my brother, and I as best she could, alone and often with very little income. We attended a Missouri Synod Lutheran Church, where I was confirmed. I learned all the facts about the Christian faith along with memorizing the books of the Bible and the Apostles Creed. I sang in the choir, taught Sunday school, helped with Vacation Bible school, etc. But as I got older, my attendance at church grew more and more sparse. By 10th grade I no longer attended at all.

This is where my “God Story” begins. In 9th grade I was a pretty typical teenager. I attended sporting events, school dances, went roller skating, and spent time hanging out with friends. But as time went on, my social choices began to change. I learned how to drive which gave my friends and I a little more freedom. Freedom to attend parties where we began to dabble with alcohol and drugs. There were so many doing the same thing that it seemed rather normal. But this freedom also made us all aware of how complicated the world was. We would get into deep discussions seeking answers to difficult questions looking for purpose in it all. Because we couldn’t find the answers to these difficult questions, life seemed bleak and hopeless. It was through this hopelessness that I cried out to God one lonely night in my room. I asked him to forgive me for all the bad things I had done and told him that I needed Him desperately, that I needed Him to help me navigate through this life.

That night I had a dream that seemed remarkably real. My entire room filled with a bright light, a light so bright and intense that it seemed to engulf me. I woke up the next morning forever changed, not quite sure what had happened. I awoke with such a peace that I felt completely overwhelmed by it, a peace that only God can generate. I had been reborn, even though at the time I had no idea what that meant.

I now had an unquenchable desire to read the Bible. The only Bible I had at the time was a King James Version, the one I got when I was confirmed. I read that Bible and I journaled until the wee hours of the night, every night. I couldn’t get enough; the Bible had come alive!! I also had a love for people that I had never experienced before. Everyone became my friend; I had no fear. I could talk to any person and would often share my new-found faith, how life without God was meaningless. He WAS the answer to all the difficult questions and He gave PURPOSE to it all.

Over time my passion for the Bible dwindled. There were times in my life where I didn’t give God much thought or any of my time. But God never gave up on me. He was always tugging at my heart. After my husband Kevin and I got married, we committed our life to God. God had begun a good work in me, and He will continue that work until the day I die. I know that I will never reach perfection, and I don’t quite understand why he gave me the gift of salvation and not others, but I am forever thankful that He did.

I’ve shared this story over the years. Once, I really felt that God was leading me to share a version of this story in a letter to my mother’s husband Mel. I added a very simplified version of the gospel, because Mel knew nothing of Jesus and His gift of salvation. My mother said that he cried when she read the letter to him. I had hoped to talk to Mel a few weeks after sending the letter, but I never got the chance. Two weeks after receiving my letter he became ill and died. I don’t know what impact my letter had on Mel’s eternal state, but I hope he is with the Lord right now.

One thing I started 20 years ago was a prayer journal. I started praying for all the people that came and went from my life. There are around 200 people listed in my prayer journal, some have found the Lord, others have not - YET. I guess you could call this my “FRANC” group. I also write down specific prayers for individuals and difficult situations in this journal. I love going back to see God at work through the many prayers He has answered. I must admit that I have missed many opportunities to share my faith.

My salvation is a gift from God and I should be willing to share that gift with every person that comes into my life.

Several years ago the question of God’s sovereignty versus man’s free will was swirling around our church. It had the unfortunate effect of becoming a very divisive thing. At the time I didn’t give it too much thought. Recently, for various reasons it became impossible to ignore. We can understand that love requires giving freedom, but there is a verse in God’s Word that indicates God is sovereign when it comes to His hand at work in human hearts. How would I make sense of this? Has my love for Him been coerced? If so, what do we make of God who is love?

After a conversation one evening with one who leaned in a direction that seemed to strain the role of free will in love, I went home very distraught. I went outside, under a beautiful canopy of stars, and prayed as hard as I ever have seeking clarity in this. Lord, help me here; I need to understand how these things work? Cracks are forming in how I understand you, and I am afraid that I may have misunderstood you. This was a desperate prayer as it challenged the core of my relationship with God. Have I confused my love for a concealed pride, as I was charged? Was I living in deception? My mind needed to understand this.

While this was happening, a parallel story was taking place. It was in the months prior to this night that my brother and sister came to an awful conclusion...our dad’s mind was failing. He was reaching the point where we feared he could no longer safely take care of himself. Our dad had always been a rock...capable, independent and solid. His mind, always sharp. He of course did not see his mental decline as we did.

We eventually elected to use a care service called Visiting Angels. They would provide full-time care at home for dad. When the day came to bring this new plan to dad, my brother and sister were gone. I had to do the job myself. It was my dad, three people from the service, and I meeting at dad’s house. Interestingly, this was the day after my desperate prayer for understanding. This was a hard week.

Dad welcomed me and the three strangers into his house. He was confused as to what it was all about, but he was a gracious host. We sat down around a table, and I began to tell him that he was going to have someone with him all the time, as a helper. I told him that my siblings, Julie and Bob, and I thought this was a good idea. His demeanor began to change. It wasn’t registering with him that he had a need for this. I gave evidence to why we thought this way, but he only dug his heals in deeper. Then, each one of these trained professionals took a turn trying to explain things to dad. Dad’s confusion was turning to anger. I whispered in the ear of one of them, “This is impossible, dad cannot understand why any of this is necessary...it is beyond his ability to comprehend”. I was really becoming afraid of where this was going. Dad was always slow to anger, but there were limits.

In exasperation, having all failed, they looked at me as if to say, “He’s your dad, you fix it.” No one knew what to do next. Dad had stopped looking at me, or anybody else for that matter. I brought myself around to dad, got down on my knees so I was looking at him very close, face to face. When I thought I was going to see anger in his eyes, I saw instead a desperate look of confusion. His slate blue eyes were piercing me and wanted to know what was going on. I felt compassion, for he truly could not understand why this was happening. I took a breath, not knowing till then what I would say. Then I spoke, “Dad, I know you do not understand what is happening here, but I love you. Do you trust me?” I repeated it again, “I know you do not understand what is happening here, but I love you...do you trust me?”

Now, there is no way I can describe all that went through my mind at that moment. I was immediately taken back to the night before, under the stars, desperately crying out to God for understanding. A finite mind reaching to understand a love which is infinite, and dwells outside of the comprehensible. I knew in that moment, God answered me, and He used this situation, and my own voice to do it. I sat back on my haunches, stunned at what just happened. Nobody else spoke. The others were aware of only one of the two conversations that just occurred.

I can’t tell you how long I sat there, amazed at what just happened. All I can say is this; two of us in that room were now at peace. Dad was now calm and never resisted again. That was the last of it; and interestingly, even though his memory was short, we never had to have that conversation again. As for me, I never had that conversation with God again. In a way only God could orchestrate, He told me He loves me, and I can trust Him even if I can’t understand how all these things work together. What more do I need?

Matt Marohn

The Bible, particularly the Old Testament, relates to me in many instances as…

 God tests an individual
 God blesses an individual
  God uses an individual to bless others

Most people I know have lifelong friendships, or people who have been in their lives for many years. I don’t have relationships like that, mostly because I learned that vulnerability was something that caused pain and people shouldn’t be allowed in too close. My protective armor was personal strength and I found pride in that. As I get older, I am realizing that closing myself off from everyone prevents me from fully allowing God in.

It all started when I dropped out of school at age 15 and ran away from home. I did this because I had a very violent home life. I was immediately put into survival mode. I needed a place to live and I needed income. I found a small apartment above a furniture store and took advantage of the landlord by lying about my age and ability to pay rent. Due to my need for money I soon found myself stealing checks from a neighbor which led to getting arrested. The judge was very compassionate about my situation and let me off with little more than a warning.

At age 17 I met my first husband and we got married when I was 18. He had a good job and seemed stable. He could provide for me. The truth was that he was an alcoholic and emotionally unavailable. But through this marriage God blessed me with my two wonderful daughters!! They became my life! At age 24 I ended this marriage.

My second marriage came along not too long after this. This marriage was comfortable. Finances were stable. We bought a house in Brownton and worked hard to do everything right the second time around. However, my husband and I eventually started living separate lives and soon the marriage fell apart. My husband then moved downstairs along with his girlfriend.

 I became severely depressed and thought that I had failed once again. I have a special needs daughter and could not support myself and my children on the income I had at that time. I didn’t see any way out of this situation and felt defeated and trapped! The Lord tests, sometimes to our limits, but not beyond. I had always believed in God but never made Him a priority in my life. I decided to go to church to give myself something to do, a place where I could join in. I then saw a video that said, “When you don't know what to do, ask God for help”. So I started to pray.

During this time, unknown to anyone else, there was a couple at church who received an inheritance. They prayed to the Lord asking Him what they should do with the money. They found out that I needed help, that I needed to find separate housing for myself and my children - something that I could eventually own. The couple found me a house in Maple Lake which was close to my family. They bought the house and rented it to me. I soon got a job with True Friends (Camp Courage/Camp Friendship), and within 9 months I was able to rebuild my life. I qualified for a mortgage and began to repay the couple. I now have my own home!

I visited several churches in the area but never found one that felt just right. One Sunday God prompted me to try out that blue church, the one I drive past all the time. Day one I knew that I had found a home at Annandale Evangelical Free! Soon after, I was baptized.

Today, even though I know life will always have challenges, I find myself filled with so much joy. My daughters and grandsons have started to attend church with me. God has also given me a passion to reach out to the people at my work (FRANC - coworker). One coworker has come to church and another one just might! I am learning, through the beautiful people here at my new church home, that allowing people in – being vulnerable – is giving me the chance to accept kindness and compassion in a way I’ve never known. And as a direct result, I am growing ever closer to God in a way I didn’t know was possible.

 I live a new life in Jesus filled with hope and expectation. To God be the glory!

That isn’t that simple for me. In my previous attempts at witnessing, I came away with mixed feelings. Did I say the right things? I should have said this or that. Did I do more harm than good? Did I make an impact for God’s kingdom? Being an ambassador for Christ didn’t seem to be my strength. How could I witness to people and come away feeling that I had said all that I wanted to? I decided some years ago that if I witnessed in letter form, I could say everything that I wanted to say and not come away feeling inadequate or incomplete. After all, a very wise man once said, “sometimes it’s enough to just put a rock in their shoe”. So that’s what I do. I write a letter. I hang on to it for a week or so and tweak it until I’m comfortable that I’ve said what I want. This is an example of a letter that I send to a fellow in my golf league:

Dear So and So, You must be wondering why Gene Elfering is writing you a letter. I hope you don’t find it offensive. First, I want to tell you a little bit about me. I’ve lived a pretty normal, maybe boring life with its usual bumps along the way. I moved to Annandale around 9 years ago and have known you a little bit for most of those years. In a lot of ways we are alike. I think we share some of the same passions and I think I can assume that gold is close to the top of the list for both of us. We’re both in our twilight years. We’re both disappointed with the Twins. We both hate it that our skills are diminishing somewhat, although your golf game seems to be in good shape. Some years ago I started thinking about what come next. I’m past the age of the life expectancy of the average male. So are you. That's kind of scary for me. I hate reading obits and seeing most of the deaths are people younger than I am. Maybe this isn't’ an issue for you right now but it will be sometime. I hated the thought of passing away and being stuck in the ground and that's the end of it. I’ve been a church goer all of my life, but that didn’t keep me from worrying about what happens after I die. I wanted something better to look forward to. When we moved to Annandale we started attending Annandale Free Church. This is by no means an endorsement for AEFC. That’s not my intention. This church promotes Bible principles, and Bible study is encouraged as a way of life. Studying and learning from the Bible has given me a hope that I didn’t have. When I accepted Christ as my Savior, it gave me the assurance that when I die it’s not going to be the end. It’s just the beginning of something better than we have here on earth. All I had to do was believe who He is and what He did for me. I realize that this sounds like a lot of baloney. I thought, “how can I trust or believe in someone I hardly know?”, so I started to learn more and more about him. By studying the Bible, I learned about how Jesus came to the earth as a man about 2000 years ago to atone for our sins. Yes, we are all sinners. I still am, but Jesus died for my sins. I’ll always be a sinner. We’re all that way. We have a sinful nature. Jesus takes care of that. It’s kind of like being in court and being accused of a crime and Jesus is there as our advocate to pay the fine for us and set us free. By now you many have crushed this up and threw it away, but I hope not. So why am I telling you about this? The reason is that Jesus Christ wants you in His kingdom. He know who you are and He loves you. There is no way that I can remove the hokis pokis that you might feel about all of this right now. You’ll need to know more. You can do it by learning about Christ and knowing who He is. Otherwise, how could you believe in someone you don’t know? He died to remove our sins and then He rose from the dead just like He promised we will do some day. I know that now and I want you to have that assurance too. I can help with this. This is a lot to think about and I don’t expect you to do anything right now. I just want you to think about it. Living without Christ is a huge gamble. It’s a gamble that I wasn't willing to take. I don’t think you should either. If this is something you would like to discuss further, I’m willing to help in whatever way I can. It’s an important step, but one worth taking. I hope you’ll give this some consideration. Audrey and I would be happy to sit down with you and your wife, or just you for discussion regarding our future.

Sincerely,
Gene Elfering

That’s my letter. It’s pretty simple but I’ve said what I might have forgotten had I witnessed in person. I’ve written to family members, friends and just people that I know and sometimes I write to people that I don’t know. I once sent one of my letters to the owner of a pornography business. Did I make an impact? Who knows? I’m just in the business of installing rocks.

May 1, 1969, was the day my dad died and went to be with Jesus.  It will be 50 years on May 1, 2019.  My dad, Marlin, died of colon cancer at the age of 55 years young.  I was 8 years old when my dad went to be with his Lord and Savior.  I remember the day he died; I saw my mom crying at the kitchen table.  My sister, Marilyn, told me “daddy went to be with Jesus”.  I remember thinking it’s all ok and her words were very, very comforting to me.  I still have all the handmade sympathy cards my 2nd grade class made for me.

I don’t remember a lot about my dad but I do have fond memories of going on the paper route with him.  My dad delivered the St. Paul Pioneer Press papers to the paper route drivers.  I would go along with him on his route.  He would occasionally buy me ice-cream cones, M&M’s and other treats. On one of the roads in Owatonna he would drive especially fast down this hill. It was so much fun!! Another street in town was called Barney Street.  My dad told me that Barney from the Flintstones lived on that street.  I totally believed him!!!

My heavenly Father has been so faithful to me over the years.  This verse is so true:  “A Father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in His holy dwelling.”  Psalm 68:5. My mom, siblings and I never lacked for anything; God always provided for us.

I am the youngest of six siblings, the oldest three siblings were in college when my dad died and the other two were in high school.  My mom and I had a super close relationship. I had my five siblings looking out for me, wonderful relatives and a wonderful neighborhood with lots of friends.  I have so many great memories growing up in our neighborhood in Owatonna, sliding down Regal’s hill in the wintertime, walking to the penny candy store at the end of our block, bike riding, playing “horse” basketball and just playing outside until dark!
 
We attended First Baptist Church in Owatonna.  I have so many great memories of Sunday School and Bible School.  We learned songs like Jesus Loves Me, Do Lord, Heavenly Sunshine, This Little Light of Mine and so many others.  My parents made sure we attended Sunday School and church every Sunday as well as Vacation Bible School in the summer.  My dad loved Jesus and was very active in church.  We sang the old hymns, but How Great Thou Art was not in the hymnal. My dad was the one who suggested it be put in the hymnal, so it was pasted in the back of each hymnal.  I wish I had a copy of that old hymnal.My dad was super outgoing, very talkative and very funny.  My sisters, brothers, aunts and uncles have told me a lot of funny stories about his joking around.  My mom was quiet and reserved, more serious, and my dad was a jokester, more emotional.

Pastor Dave, my husband David’s dad, became the pastor of First Baptist Church in 1975.  I met David’s dad and most of his family before I met David! Pastor Denny’s preaching reminds me of Pastor Dave’s.  They were both very much on fire for God and had spot-on Bible teaching! David’s dad became like a second father to me; he was very, very special to me.
I hope this letter brings encouragement, especially to anyone who may be going through a very tough time.  Please know that our Lord is truly faithful and loves each one of us so much!!
I have found Jesus to be my rock and my steady anchor for life.

Hebrews 13:8
“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever.”

Psalm 18:2
“The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my Savior; my God is my rock, in whom I find protection.  He is my shield, the power that saves me, and my place of safety.”
Almighty God
There is a river, there is a refuge for all who call in need of help. There is a river a holy place where the Most High dwells.
Almighty God is our fortress, He is with us, God is with us. There is a river, it’s overflowing, the presence of our Lord is here, there is a river, our joy will rise as we draw near…

God bless you,
Shari Miller