Approached by a stranger
Not Individually
Growing Friendship
Garrett continued to have contact with this man each day as he passed his shop to and from work. At first the conversations were about the weather, family, and about their respective countries.
However, after one of these chats, the man, no longer a stranger, invited Garrett to have tea with him. Garrett readily agreed and had the privilege of speaking with him for about two hours — careful to bring up spiritual things when they fit the context.
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At the end of the conversation, it was clear that the man was open to a deeper friendship and that he was not closed to speaking about spiritual matters.
Garrett continues to pray for the man to see if spiritual hunger develops. When it does, Garrett will invite him to study God’s word. The study starts with Creation and goes chronologically through Scripture showing that Jesus is the fulfillment of prophecy, the giver of salvation, and the One through whom there can be renewed relationship with God.
*This is a true story, but some names have been changed for security reasons.
Merla Gogel serves as a mobilizer for SEND Canada. She served in Japan for 12.5 years as a church planter and now serves in the Canadian office.
Garrett continued to have contact with this man each day as he passed his shop to and from work. At first the conversations were about the weather, family, and about their respective countries.
However, after one of these chats, the man, no longer a stranger, invited Garrett to have tea with him. Garrett readily agreed and had the privilege of speaking with him for about two hours — careful to bring up spiritual things when they fit the context.
At the end of the conversation, it was clear that the man was open to a deeper friendship and that he was not closed to speaking about spiritual matters. Garrett continues to pray for the man to see if spiritual hunger develops. When it does, Garrett will invite him to study God’s word. The study starts with Creation and goes chronologically through Scripture showing that Jesus is the fulfillment of prophecy, the giver of salvation, and the One through whom there can be renewed relationship with God.
*This is a true story, but some names have been changed for security reasons.
Merla Gogel serves as a mobilizer for SEND Canada. She served in Japan for 12.5 years as a church planter and now serves in the Canadian office.
Garrett continued to have contact with this man each day as he passed his shop to and from work. At first the conversations were about the weather, family, and about their respective countries.
However, after one of these chats, the man, no longer a stranger, invited Garrett to have tea with him. Garrett readily agreed and had the privilege of speaking with him for about two hours — careful to bring up spiritual things when they fit the context.
At the end of the conversation, it was clear that the man was open to a deeper friendship and that he was not closed to speaking about spiritual matters. Garrett continues to pray for the man to see if spiritual hunger develops. When it does, Garrett will invite him to study God’s word. The study starts with Creation and goes chronologically through Scripture showing that Jesus is the fulfillment of prophecy, the giver of salvation, and the One through whom there can be renewed relationship with God.
*This is a true story, but some names have been changed for security reasons.
Merla Gogel serves as a mobilizer for SEND Canada. She served in Japan for 12.5 years as a church planter and now serves in the Canadian office.
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