A couple of weeks ago I asked our members to write a note of appreciation to the person who led them to faith in Jesus. Even if they could not mail it, I wanted them to be reminded of how we were all once without faith in Jesus. We should be grateful that someone cared enough about us to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with us. Below you will find the letter that I wrote to the man who led me to faith in Christ. He is with the Lord now, but I think of him often. To whom would you write your letter? What would you say? I would love to hear how you came to faith in Jesus. Leave me a comment below.
I am writing to say thank you. It was 34 years ago this month that I met you for the first time. I was a 12-year-old boy attending vacation Bible school. You were my teacher. I will always remember your Irish tenor voice, your warm smile, your tall slim frame, and your buzz cut hair. Even though you were a family man and a hard-working carpenter, you still took time to volunteer after work to teach boys about Jesus at Corinth Baptist Church in Lake Park, Georgia. I did not appreciate that sacrifice of your time and energy back then, but now as a man with a family and responsibilities of my own I admire your willingness to serve. That week you took a handful of boys and helped us have fun, kept us out of trouble (for the most part), escorted us from the worship rally to our small group time. You helped us with our crafts that we worked on each night, and you made sure we had plenty of punch and cookies for refreshments. However, the most important thing you did for me that week was sit me down on Friday night at the end of VBS and ask me this question, "Ricky, if you were to die tonight and you were to stand before God and he asked you, 'Why I should let you into my heaven?,' what would you say?" I remember telling you, "I don't know." You then politely and gently said, "Yes, you do know because I've taught you this week."
You were right. I knew the answer to that question. I just did not want to admit it at the time. I knew that my sin would keep me out. I knew that the only way I could ever enter into heaven was by placing my faith in Jesus, God's son who lived a perfect life and died in my place taking my punishment for my sin, and who rose from the dead the third day after he was crucified. These are the things you taught me from the Bible. I knew deep down this good news that God loves me in spite of my sin and would forgive me if I trusted Jesus was true. Even though I was not ready that night you still prayed for me and encouraged me to come back to church. The next Sunday night I was there and trusted Jesus as my Savior. I was baptized that same night while you and your wife Becky looked on with joy. I still have the book that you taught from during VBS, as well as the card you sent me the next week to celebrate my baptism.
As you know, when I was 17 I surrendered my life to God for the Gospel ministry. I knew I wanted to help others come to know the same love I had received from Him. Little did I know then that God would allow us to serve together at Gateway Baptist Church in Valdosta where I was the pastor, you were my minister of music, and your wife Becky was our pianist. Those were good days cut short by your battle with cancer and your passing.
Winston, as a pastor I have had the joy of leading many people to Christ, including my three children. Every year at Vacation Bible School I go around to all of the classes of the older boys and girls, and in your honor, I share with them the same good news about God’s love that you shared with me.
I just wanted to tell you how grateful I am for how you helped me come to faith in Jesus.
Eternally grateful,
Ricky
