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For here the saying holds true, "One sows and another reaps". I sent you to reap that for which you did not labour. Others have laboured, and you have entered into their labour.
John 4:37–38
The first time I had any contact with Ian was through an email. He introduced himself and then told me how he had been coming along to our early morning service, but felt uncomfortable about coming forward to receive communion because he had not been baptised. I replied, “Let’s catch up and have a coffee!”
Over coffee, he told me his story. As a young person he had attended an Anglican church, involved in the life there and singing in the choir. For whatever reason his brother was baptised and confirmed but Ian was only confirmed. Ian fell out of attending church regularly but always lived by Christian ethics and even wore a Jesus badge in the heady days of the 1960s and 70s. Ian’s life carried on with a career in teaching and then later in business.
Fast forward to Ian as a 69-year-old, some forty odd years later, who turns up at the 8am service at Nativity. Ian’s grandson in Auckland happens to attend a Christian run school holiday programme, where he received The Action Bible (a comic version of the Bible for kids). This became his treasured possession, and when he came down recently to stay with Ian, he asked if they would be going to church on Sunday.
Also happening during this time was a health scare for Ian, which is a story in itself, but Ian prayed that if it was God’s will, he would not die but find fulfilment. Ian and I met, and we talked about a plan to read the Bible and to meet up regularly to continue to discuss faith in Jesus. After a couple of these meetings Ian stated that he was reading the Bible late into the night and couldn’t put it down! We talked about the gospel message, and when Ian responded that he accepted it, we wrote a prayer together of commitment to follow Christ. A few months later Ian got baptised, a week later confirmed, and a week after that received his first communion as a believer.
I loved meeting and getting to know Ian – he’s an amazing guy. It was a privilege to be part of his journey to faith. Ian has already overcome some resistance to his new faith and is a regular part of the worshipping life here at Nativity.
Check out other articles in the
series below.
More articles in the
series are to come.
We have invited these writers to share their experiences, ideas and opinions in the hope that these will provoke thought, challenge you to go deeper and inspire you to put your faith into action. These articles should not be taken as the official view of the Nelson Diocese on any particular matter.
For here the saying holds true, "One sows and another reaps". I sent you to reap that for which you did not labour. Others have laboured, and you have entered into their labour.
John 4:37–38
The first time I had any contact with Ian was through an email. He introduced himself and then told me how he had been coming along to our early morning service, but felt uncomfortable about coming forward to receive communion because he had not been baptised. I replied, “Let’s catch up and have a coffee!”
Over coffee, he told me his story. As a young person he had attended an Anglican church, involved in the life there and singing in the choir. For whatever reason his brother was baptised and confirmed but Ian was only confirmed. Ian fell out of attending church regularly but always lived by Christian ethics and even wore a Jesus badge in the heady days of the 1960s and 70s. Ian’s life carried on with a career in teaching and then later in business.
Fast forward to Ian as a 69-year-old, some forty odd years later, who turns up at the 8am service at Nativity. Ian’s grandson in Auckland happens to attend a Christian run school holiday programme, where he received The Action Bible (a comic version of the Bible for kids). This became his treasured possession, and when he came down recently to stay with Ian, he asked if they would be going to church on Sunday.
Also happening during this time was a health scare for Ian, which is a story in itself, but Ian prayed that if it was God’s will, he would not die but find fulfilment. Ian and I met, and we talked about a plan to read the Bible and to meet up regularly to continue to discuss faith in Jesus. After a couple of these meetings Ian stated that he was reading the Bible late into the night and couldn’t put it down! We talked about the gospel message, and when Ian responded that he accepted it, we wrote a prayer together of commitment to follow Christ. A few months later Ian got baptised, a week later confirmed, and a week after that received his first communion as a believer.
I loved meeting and getting to know Ian – he’s an amazing guy. It was a privilege to be part of his journey to faith. Ian has already overcome some resistance to his new faith and is a regular part of the worshipping life here at Nativity.
Check out other articles in the
series below.
More articles in the
series are to come.
