Tom with young people at Kids at the Point Camp.

Shortly after I stepped into this evangelistic ministry and began traveling in 2005, I began to be convicted about personal witnessing. I had been in the ministry for 22 years as a pastor. I had preached the Gospel to crowds in the US and other nations, and I had led quite a few people to the Lord in meetings. But seldom did I talk to a stranger about their soul or share my faith one-on-one with a non-Christian.

It was something that I knew needed to change!

I began to pray about it. I read about it. I attended a Billy Graham School of Evangelism where I received some great training and encouragement. But what remained was to actually start doing it. As the Nike slogan goes, “Just do it!”

It’s like many things. Once you start, it’s not that hard! In the beginning, I had fear. I felt inadequate. I thought no one would want to listen to me. I began with trepidation, but soon I was sharing my faith on a regular basis. As I have continued to share and grow, I have witnessed to people on airplanes, in shopping malls, on the sidewalk, and in my front yard. Sharing Jesus one-on-one has become one of the great joys of my life!

As you know, I have been receiving treatment weekly for a blood disorder. Recently, I began chatting with one of the nurses who was taking care of me. Just being friendly, talking with another fellow member of the human race. During the conversation, I shared with her about our ministry and about an opportunity I had to minister at a youth camp on the following week.

When I came back for my next treatment, it just so happened that I had Ann as my nurse once again. I shared about the joys of ministering at the Kids at the Point youth camp and we chatted some more. During the conversation, I mentioned that I had once had issues with drugs and alcohol, but that the Lord had set me free. I then asked her, “Could I share with you about an experience I had with the Lord?” She said, “Yes!” so I gave her a short version of my testimony.

She was happy to hear my story, but she soon left to care for other patients. When she came back into the room, I asked her if I could share a verse of scripture with her. She said, “Yes,” and I opened Romans 10:9 on my phone and asked her to read it. It says: “… if you confess with your mouth Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” (Romans 10:9, MEV). I told her that it was when I called Jesus “Lord” that everything changed in my life.

Then, I asked her, “Have you ever done that?” She said, “I don’t know. You’ve got me thinking.” Her background is from a church that does not emphasize a personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ, but she had recently begun attending an evangelical church where she has been hearing the Gospel and drawing closer to God. But she had not yet made Jesus the Lord of her life.

“Would you like to do that now?” I asked her.

“Yes!” she said, and I led her in a prayer for salvation based on Romans 10:9. I then encouraged her to be baptized in water. What a joy! For her … and me!

Since that time I have shared my testimony with two more health care workers. On no occasion did it seem contrived or forced, but rather just an outflow of being friendly and sharing my experiences from the heart. It’s just normal!

I want to encourage you to be a witness for Jesus. You can do it! Start sharing your faith, even if it’s in some small way. Invite someone to church. Give them an article, a tract, or a CD. Tell someone how Jesus has changed your life. Keep it simple and honest and without pressure. Do it with a desire in your heart to help them find the great joy of knowing Jesus Christ.

Try it. You’ll like it!

Kids at the Point Youth Camp

I had a wonderful time ministering to a great group of young people at Kids at the Point Youth Camp in June. The annual camp is held at the Pastors Chris and Joyce Caugherty’s farm in Astoria, South Dakota. Chris went home to be with the Lord last November. But after prayer, Joyce and two of her children, Jim Caugherty and Amy Coyle, decided to have the camp again this year, and several other adults volunteered to help, as well.

I volunteered to bring some Bible lessons for the kids. I came as a grandpa, not as a youth minister. I showed the group some pictures of my grandchildren, which seemed to help me connect with them. I had the young people help me act out a simple skit for each lesson. I spoke on Zacchaeus, the healing of the paralyzed man, and Nicodemus. In the final lesson, I spoke to the group about their mission in life, using the scripture from the Gospel of Mark, where Jesus said, “Come, follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.” (Mark 1:17, MEV).

All of the kids came forward to indicate a decision to follow Jesus into the mission that He has for them. I then laid hands on each of them and prayed for God’s anointing to be upon them for service. They then all prayed for me, which was very touching. During another session, I, along with all the kids, prayed for the Caugherty family, for the comfort of the Holy Spirit, and for direction going forward. To top it all off, on the last day of the camp, two young people were baptized in water. Powerful seeds were planted through the teaching and influence of all the volunteers and through the work of the Holy Spirit.

We are in Awe!

Susan and I are in awe of you! Your encouragement, prayers, and financial support, have sustained this ministry and kept us moving forward. It is our delight to pray for you daily and lift you up before our Father. Please continue to pray for us for good health, for open doors, and much fruit for the Kingdom of God. Together, we (you and us and the Holy Spirit) are a force for the Gospel!

Great blessings!

Tom