2018 Summer Series: I Love to Tell the Story

Conclusion...Or Is It?

Is there a conclusion to the 2018 Summer Series: I Love to Tell the Story? As I pondered this question I remembered being a part of an International “Share Your Faith” evangelistic team at the summer Olympic games in Montreal, which was initiated by The Salvation Army for the purpose of reaching out to the athletes (approximately 6,000 representing 88 countries); visitors (there were over 73,000 at the opening ceremonies); and citizens (the population of Montreal was approximately 1,664,527; and more came from the surrounding areas). The fields were definitely ripe for harvesting souls for the Kingdom (See Matthew 9: 36-38; Luke 10:2; and, John 4: 35). The team was led by 6 second-year Cadets (individuals-in-training to be Commissioned as Salvation Army Officers) from Toronto.  Those of us whom were privileged to participate in this ministry discovered that our lives and faith were transformed. The more I thought about it, the more I realized that the experience of those three brief weeks didn’t end when the summer Olympic games concluded.  The effects were far-reaching, and the ripple effect still continues (e.g., (some team members become Salvation Army Officers, while others assumed leadership roles in their local Salvation Army Corps (community churches) and their communities.)

Thus, if an event that happened 42 years ago still continues to have an impact on the lives of those whom participated on The Salvation Army’s ‘Share Your Faith’ team and in the lives of those touched by God’s love, then it makes sense that God’s working doesn’t ‘conclude’ just because an event is terminated. I discussed with my husband my idea that the 2018 Summer Series, I Love to Tell the Story, doesn’t have a conventional conclusion. He responded that, “Our story is His story, and His story never ends!” Amen! So, let’s consider this article not as a ‘conclusion’, but as a review and a springboard into what God has planned next for us.

The 2018 Summer Series has included an Introduction, 9 Parts, and a Conclusion—maybe. The Introduction launched the series, which encompasses 5 purposes: 1) to introduce readers to the program; 2) to share my recent testimony to encourage others who may be struggling with difficult health or other issues;  3) to explore the miraculous ways that God is still working in our lives today;

4) to introduce readers to the 4-part prayer of Jabez (1 Chronicles 4:9-10) as a means for us to

stir up our faith together (2 Timothy 1:6), and 5) to encourage others to share their story, too.

Challenges:

1) As we evaluate our journey together, I encourage each of us to ask: what new thing is God doing in our lives (Isaiah 43: 19)? Has our faith been strengthened? Has our trust in Christ grown? Have we taken a step outside of our comfort zone in order to share the story of Jesus’ love? Keep in mind that we don’t always know what effect our witness has on others’ lives. When Andrew told his brother, Peter, that he had found Messiah and needed to meet him, I’m sure he had no idea that Peter would be one of the three most intimate friends of Jesus and would be involved as a leader in establishing the Church.

2) Share your story—on your Face Book page, and I would be delighted to share it via the connections that God has given me. I would even be glad to act as your editor to help you ‘enlarge your borders’/your ministry. Remember: the fields are ready to be harvested. Plus, as we share our struggles and our victories we will also continue to stir up our faith, enlarge our ministry for God’s glory, and be channels of His love, grace, and healing to hurting folks.

Will you join me in telling others your story? Send me a PM (private message) if you’d like to share your story, and I’ll send you my email address.

May God bless each of you, indeed (a lot), expand your borders (ministry), may His hand be on you (His power and presence), and may He keep you from harm.

Blessings & Peace

Elizabeth Hogan Hayduk

Former Salvation Army Officer/pastor

Canada