New converts

Nothing encourages a church like people becoming Christians.

When genuine conversions are happening, the whole of church life seems to be reinvig-orated. Our worship becomes more passionate because we know God has been at work. Our fellowship is stimulated because the church is growing – new babies always bring a warm glow to a family. Our evangelism is given new momentum – we feel that the our outreach is making an impact. Christians moving into the area and joining is fine, but it is nothing like as good as seeing salvation.

My wife Ann was very much encouraged recently. Earlier in the year she had been asked to take three parenting evenings for a new church down towards the West Country. A friend had kindly acted as chauffeur on the long night drives. The meetings took place in Café Nero in the town and Ann said there was a real buzz of expectation about those evenings. Just a few weeks ago she received an email from the pastor there. He said that a couple, who had initially started coming on those evenings, had been converted and that he had just married them that day! Two lives had been turned around by God. The pastor’s excitement was palpable.