Encounter invites participants to walk through the book of John and ask, “Who is this man, Jesus, and what does He want from me?”
We all have questions, real questions about faith and life. For one participant, Danielle, Encounter has also helped her when faced with questions from others. Here’s her story:
A guy at work came into my office. This is someone who believes in God, but that's about all I know. He said, “I have a question for you. It’s biblical.”
Immediately I got scared. I said jokingly, “You may have to ask a pastor.” Just to bring some ease to this situation and bring a smile to his face. His next words were, “You are close enough to a pastor.” Shocked me a little because I’m so far from that. But it goes to show how the Lord must be shining in me these last few weeks, which makes me so happy. Still, I was really nervous.
He sat down in my office, very serious, which usually isn't him. He called out a large number that I can’t remember. Let’s say he said X million. He said out of that, only a part are Christians. The rest of those numbers are all sorts of religions. Some great people .. wonderful people. Do you think those others who aren't Christians really go to Hell?
I told him what I thought. That if you didn't accept and believe Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, that if you didn't believe that God sent his only Son to us on earth, that He died to save us from our sins, I do believe you will go to Hell.
He said, “Well I hate to think that.” I said, “Me too.” I said, “You’re a good fella who loves people and has a big heart — that’s why you don’t want to believe that. But it’s in the Bible and I believe it with all my heart.”
We talked a little more on it and then he walked back to his office. Now, I may have not handled it well. I hope I did.
But isn't this amazing? Pastor Woody just talked to us about this. Maybe if he didn't I wouldn't have spoken up at all. It gave me that push. I still don't feel “good enough” to talk to people about God, but Encounter got me through this and now I feel the door is wide open to do more.