Brother, sister accept Christ during evangelism encounter

Julie Owens

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On a recent Thursday afternoon, a group of Southwestern students went on their rounds to share the Gospel near the seminary, not knowing then that two lives would be changed eternally. The evangelism team turned a chance encounter into salvation for a brother and sister who were ready to accept the word of Christ.

When the group encountered Judith and Hosea, both were willing to chat with them, says Emily Hesson, a biblical studies student at Scarborough College who was among those witnessing. The Southwesterners told the siblings that they wanted to share the love of Christ with them. The team engaged Judith and Hosea first by asking where they went to church, then by inquiring about their beliefs, and finally by seeking to learn where they stood in their relationship with God.

“Judith and Hosea go to a Catholic Church near the area,” Hesson says. “They believed that their salvation was based on works, and as long as they lived a morally good life, their eternal life was secure.”

The Southwestern team explained to the brother and sister that the only way to heaven is through a personal relationship with Jesus. Salvation, they said, is based on that relationship, not on works.

“We told them that having a relationship with Christ is a free gift extended to all who will repent of their sins, turn from their sin, believe in the Lord Jesus, and trust Him as their personal Lord and Savior,” Hesson says.

Hesson and her team asked Judith and Hosea to read a few passages from the book of Romans aloud, illustrating these Gospel truths. “After this, both of them realized that they had never put their faith in Christ,” Hesson says.

The brother and sister invited the Southwesterners into their home, and the team led them in a prayer in which they trusted in the name of Jesus for salvation. The team then shared with them the importance of living their lives for Christ.

Judith and Hosea are ready to learn the joy of a Christ-centered home, where they can grow in their walks with the Lord. More important, this brother/sister pair is now part of the family of God.