New Believer Interview #1

http://developingoutreach.blogspot.com/


Addison Roberts
CRL 233 Developing Outreach and Discipleship Programs
Instructor Gerry Stoltzfoos
2/05/2009

Mark seemed to have the type of story you often hear. It was the end of the story that was amazingly remarkable. You see we often hear stories of people who come to faith as a young age only to run away when they grow up, never to return again. But Mark's story is different.

When asked how he came to faith in Christ, he responded by saying that he actually came back to Christ. He had gone to church as a child but rebelled from the Faith as a teen. Just four months ago, Mark came to a saving knowledge of Jesus and it has changed his life.

When asked what the best part of becoming a Christian was, he said it has been finding the rest and peace of God. However, the most challenging part has been forsaking old friendships and making new ones. These answers seem to be pretty true across the board. I personally wonder if we are on to something.

The thing that has helped him grow in his faith is the wonderful people that Christ has put around him. In this we see the huge value of relationships with new believers. Whether or not we start those relationships could be a matter of life and death.

Finally, the thing we can do to help new believers is build relationships with them and simply be there for them. This is so easy and we definitely should make it common practice with new believers.

In closing, I think Mark's story helps us to see the importance of a couple major things. First of all, the effect of a Christian parent is what really made him choose Jesus. Parents, bring your kids to church. You might radically change their lives. Secondly, relationships are key. We must build them with new believers an help them down this hard road.