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Holy vandalism

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The “Andrew wall” call: bring a friend to Jesus

Andrew Wall 1We defaced the wall of our sanctuary Oct. 5, 2014.

A few years ago, South Langley Church finished a top-to-bottom renovation of our building and added an administration wing. We’re so thankful to God for how he has led South Langley through the months of renovations and for the growth spurt we experienced.

It still feels shiny and fresh. But after pastor Wes Dahl preached on “You are what you believe” that October Sunday, we took up felt pens and wrote all over what was declared “the Andrew wall.”

You see, many Bible teachers believe that Andrew was the first to bring someone to Jesus.

A simple fisherman, Andrew was a disciple of John the Baptist who introduced Andrew to Jesus, “the Lamb of God” (John 1:36).

“The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon and tell him, ‘We have found the Messiah’” (John 1:41).

Andrew followed Jesus’ call to “Come, follow me,…and I will send you out to fish for people” (Mark 1:17), and tradition holds that he helped John write his Gospel, preserving the story of their encounter to inspire Christians through the Holy Spirit to become Jesus’ disciples too.

Wes spoke to us about Andrew’s eagerness to tell not only his brother but others too about the true Messiah. Then Wes asked all of us about our boldness in witnessing, not only to our friends but also to our neighbours and the person on the street. Who will we bring to Jesus?

After a moment of quiet prayer, our pastor invited us to the Andrew wall to write the names of people we commit to pray for and witness to in the coming year.

Not everyone writes neatly, but one by one, we all took a felt pen and wrote the names of people God is leading us to bring to Jesus – just as Andrew brought [Simon] Peter and others to the Messiah.

The beautifully vandalized Andrew wall was inspiring – but not permanent. After all, we were determined these people were going to come to our church.

The wall is washed and re-painted now, but I still remember the names my husband and I wrote. I have noticed, especially after communion, people go over to the Andrew wall, remembering the place where they wrote a name, praying and renewing their commitment to bring that person to Jesus.

I’m starting to seeing new faces in church. Now we’re praying for baptisms.

Vonnie Mostat is a member of South Langley (B.C.) Church. She blogs at fromgodshearttomine.blogspot.ca.

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