the unchurched world; (2) the believer to der and Kamaljit were at a Sunday after- the plan of salvation and asking him if he
the unbeliever; (3) culture/people group noon service that seemed to be the right would like to receive Jesus Christ, he got
to culture/people group; (4) belief system moment; however, there was still that on his knees. We all joined him by get-
to belief system; and (5) person to person. nervous challenge of communicating ting down on our knees. As we finished
Persistence is the ability to keep going directly with compassion the plan of sal- praying, I looked over to Kamaljit and
in spite of opposition, negative response, vation to people of a different religion began to share the plan of salvation with
and criticism. Witnessing is a life process and language. That day, the opportunity her. She interrupted me, saying, “Yes.”
that is empowered by the ability to never came and went. I felt defeated and dis- We then prayed with Kamaljit as she
quit. In Acts 14 after being stoned, dragged couraged. I prayed continuously, hoping accepted Jesus Christ.
from the city of Lystra, and left for dead, that any moment I would receive a The journey since that day has con-
Paul wakes up, gets up, and walks back phone call with the news that Jatinder tinued to be challenging for Jatinder and
into the city. He was persistent! Whether it and Kamaljit had accepted Jesus as their Kamaljit. However, there are signs point-
takes a day, a week, a month, or years, per- Savior. But the phone didn’t ring. ing to their salvation testimony that are
sistence will yield results. That next Sunday I happened to be present and real. The group who walked
speaking again at the afternoon worship with this couple prior to their salvation
The Story of Jatinder
service. I was deflated when Jatinder and continues to be a faith-formation com-
and Kamaljit
Kamaljit did not show up. As we prayed munity helping them experience life
Meeting Jatinder—a previously suc- the closing prayer, I prayed that some- through the power of Christ.
cessful small-business owner who had how we could connect during that next
become a homeless recovering drug week. Upon opening my eyes, they were Sean S. O’Neal serves as state
addict—provided an incredible opportu- there. Jatinder and Kamaljit had come in director of youth and Christian
nity in the lives of a community of the room during the prayer. education for the Church of
believers. I first met Jatinder and his wife, We dismissed the service and had a God in California and Nevada.
Kamaljit, after receiving a phone call one time of fellowship. During this time when He holds a doctor of ministry
Monday evening explaining there was a we typically drink tea and eat a meal, I degree with emphasis in urban missions from
man in great need, living in his car. I began to speak with Jatinder through an Westminster Theological Seminary. He lives
quickly gathered three people to go with interpreter. This was the moment we had in Fresno, California, with his wife, Shryrel,
me to meet this couple. prayed would happen. After presenting and their children, Sean-Michael and Lauren.
Jatinder is a Punjabi-speaking immi-
grant from India who has a limited Eng-
lish vocabulary, so we communicated
through an interpreter. Jatinder and
Our Privilege and Purpose
Kamaljit were at that time followers of
the Sikh religion, and members of a local
There can be no more appropriate emphasis than the Great Commission at this
Gurdwara (Sikh place of worship). After
point in the history of the Church of God. “Go therefore and make disciples of all
listening to their story and, after asking
the nations” (Matt. 28:19, NKJV) is personal instruction from our Lord and Savior:
permission to do so, we prayed with
Go everywhere—foreign fields and next door to your neighbor’s home. There are
them. We then secured three nights’
people everywhere who need to hear the Gospel.
lodging for the couple.
We put our faith into action when we spread the good news. Our spiritual lives
During the ensuing weeks, Jatinder
will be changed forever when we follow this command. Our chance to be a witness
and Kamaljit would attend and partici-
is before us today. In Matthew 28, Jesus was not only talking to His disciples, He was
pate in a home Bible study each Wednes-
talking to me and to you. Why me? Why you?
day evening and attend a Sunday after-
As Christians we have a responsibility to go and tell everything we have seen
noon Christian worship service when
and heard and, much more so, what we have experienced personally. We are the
possible. Our group continued to meet
only ones able to tell our story. Only we know what has changed our lives. Personal
with them and walk with them, assisting
experience is the ultimate witness of the Great Commission. It is our privilege and
with each life challenge they experienced.
purpose to tell what God has done for us.
Our group was hopeful and praying
The east and west Great Commission Symposiums are designed to vitalize our
that this wonderful family would enter
Forward Together in Changing Times initiative. I hope to see you there for a life-
into relationship with Jesus Christ. Days
changing experience.—Wallace J. Sibley, secretary general
and weeks passed without a decision
moment. After four months, both Jatin-
EVANGEL • SEP 2009 15
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