I was preaching with quite an unruly crowd circled around me at University of Southern Indiana. They kept trying to take over and dominate as I struggled to hold my ground and take back control. It was probably the hardest time I've had with keeping control of a crowd. A man stepped out of the circle of the storm and asked "What must we do to repent and be saved?" in a very serious, quiet, calm tone. I replied, explaining to him to ask forgiveness and forsake sin and make Jesus Lord of their lives. Then I asked if he was ready to repent. He was. We prayed right there in the middle of the chaos. I'm not even sure if all of the other students knew what was going on. They were talking amongst each other heavily on how to stump me.
After we prayed, I led him out of the circle and called on Josh to continue the preaching. For the next hour or so, I got to know Jalen, gave him a Bible, and taught him the basics of Christianity. I encouraged him to get baptized, pray for the baptism of the Holy Spirit, and read the Bible like crazy. He didn't know the story of Jesus' birth so I read him Luke 2. I told him about the Lord's Prayer, which he had heard in a movie. He grew up with Catholic parents and he said he always felt better about himself when he went to church. He said he definitely felt like a new person. I then introduced him to Brother Jed who exhorted him to first read 1 John and then the Gospel According to St. John. He had to leave for work, but I made sure I had his email address for further contact and then I took a picture with him.
Sister Kirsten, CMUSA Intern
