I’ve run across a famous person from time to time. I’ve been on a plane with Evander Holyfield, watched fireworks on The Pier in St Petersburg with Tony Dungy and his family (and at a Promise Keepers conference in Tampa, I was side by side with Tony at the urinals). I’ve corresponded with a couple of well known authors and been at Galas and meet & greet events where I shook hands with various “impressive” or “important” people. In church world, I have had extended conversations and prayer with Brother Andrew (God Smuggler) and Bruce Olsen (Bruchko), Max Lucado, John Maxwell, Jim Cymbala and many others who would not remember me. In sports world I have met many international soccer players and even a couple of pro football players because of my proximity to IMG. There have been a couple of governors, senators and congressman. Heads of multi national corporations. Multi millionaire (back when millionaire was something) entrepreneurs. A few “I knew them before …” stories of musicians, entertainers and the like.
But none of that even comes close to finally getting to shake hands and speak with Antoine.
Antoine is a young man (twenty-four I think) who “accidentally” planted a church as a teenager. He got saved, was discipled by his pastor and told that we are all part of the Great Commission. We are all called to be witnesses. And not knowing any different, he went and did that.
Antoine began telling people about Jesus and a transformed life. As people began to accept Christ, he would teach them from the Bible. He taught them things he had been taught (and was being taught). He met with them regularly and challenged them to live out their faith and tell others. And before he was 20 years old, he was leading a church.
He has now received the “training” in evangelism and church planting (during the training, he started a second church in another village). Now he “knows what he is doing”.
But all that was really necessary was simple obedience and compassion. He was excited to tell others that their life could be transformed. They didn’t have to continue in fear, anxiety, bitterness and loss. The people he knew could have the same hope, joy and peace he experienced. He brought them knowledge of light and life! As a teenager!!
And I got to shake his hand!