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Christian Living

ChurchWatch 06/22/09

Mission to America: Week Two

Editor's Note: All summer, ChurchWatch is following the travels of Cheryle Touchton, a missionary to America, AKA "The Pocketful of Quarters Lady." This week she drove through my hometown of Erie, Pennsylvania, along the gorgeous Seaway Trail (stop and enjoy the sandy beaches and wooded trails of Presque Isle State Park if you're ever in the area!)


The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.' (Matt 25:40 NIV)

I’m in New York State. Gail Golden caught a plane back to Florida. Belle, the Missionary Dog, and I briefly moped and then continued our journey alone.  We headed to Cleveland, Ohio and followed the beautiful Seaway Trail along Lake Erie through Pennsylvania and into New York. It rained, but for some reason, God did not seem to think that was a good enough excuse to stop ministering.  I’ve been wet, muddy, and cold all week, but the journey continues. 

Missionary (Mis) Adventures

I’m not mechanically inclined so I dread dumping the holding tanks of Halleluiah, the camper van. I learned the hard way to shower afterwards. I drove the camper to the dump station, in my pre-shower state and wearing my oldest ragged shorts and a worn out t-shirt. A process that would have taken my handy hubby 10 minutes took me a frustrating hour and left me soaked from rain and other stuff we won’t discuss. 

By my standards, doing ministry requires a shower, makeup and jewelry. God must not agree. Right in the middle of the messiest part, God sent a Divine Appointment. A woman I had ministered to the day before walked over to continue our conversation.  As I sat flat down on the smelly ground wearing ripped plastic filthy gloves, we discussed the importance of church in a Christian walk. She realized lack of church attendance was why she was depressed and left committed to finding a church.  I left realizing God’s ministry dress code was different from mine.
 
People Needing Jesus

The easiest way to evangelize is what I call “drive by” evangelism.  I toss the name Christ out like sowing seeds in a field and I offer to do something for the person to whom I’m tossing the seeds. 

For example, I say words like, “I’m a Christian and about to say a blessing. What can I pray about for you?”  That often leads to a discussion about Jesus. This week, I heard prayer requests for jobs, health, and family problems.  I give out Christian tracts and ministry cards.

I also had several opportunities to offer what I call “cook book” evangelism, which is determining a need for Jesus and offering the plan salvation in a stepwise progression.  This must have been adolescent week. I met several young people in the middle of taking confirmation classes at various denominations.  Knowing how easy it is to go all the way through this process and miss the entire point, I asked the parents’ permission and gave them the plan of salvation.  I ended with, “Jesus is polite. He won’t enter your life unless you invite Him in.” 

Churches of America

I was homesick on Father’s Day and needed the comfort of a church family. Canandaigua Baptist Church in Canandaigua, New York filled that role admirably.  I was greeted at the door and escorted to a Bible Study.  At no time was I alone. Someone sat with me for Bible Study and church. 

The sermon was preached by their Life Minister, 28-year-old Pastor Bill Bamback.

“You’re the age of my daughter,” I teased.

“But I’m a pastor,” he quipped. 

He was indeed.  He preached on Sacrificial Servanthood and ended with making the congregation chant twice, “We are committed to Sacrificial Servanthood.”  He also kept us laughing, which I always appreciate. 

The music was contemporary and led by a praise team. They have two services on Sunday.  The dress ranged from shorts to Sunday best and the ages an even blend ranging from babies to quite mature.  My favorite part was how well everyone sang.  I left the service having had a Holy Encounter with Christ.

A family invited me out to lunch and I spent the entire afternoon with them.  Later, I called my daddy and husband and told them both I loved them.  It turned out to be a great Father’s day.

The Pocket Full of Quarters Lady does have two requests:

1. To churches: Put your worship times somewhere outside your church building.

2. To mothers: If your preschooler is enthusiastically singing and moving to the praise music, don’t tell them to settle down. Nurture their natural inclination to praise the Lord with gusto. 

The Discouraged

It seems that God uses everything I’ve ever been through for this moment in my life. 14 years ago, I lost my oldest son. This week, I spent several hours with a mother grieving the loss of her 20 year old daughter. One of the hardest parts of losing a child is the guilt over what you should or could have done better during the short time you had them. We talked about the grace of Jesus and allowing ourselves this same grace about our imperfect parenting. We also talked about seasons of life and letting grief roll over us and then pass into laughter once again. 

I also met a former pastor who spent much of his life preparing to be a pastor. “Now, I’m divorced,” he said.  “My church wouldn’t let me serve any longer.”

“Then stop saying you’re divorced. If you’re saved and have confessed your sin about the divorce, God doesn’t remember your divorce.  That scripture about not getting divorced applies to you from this moment forward but God doesn’t remember your past.  Unfortunately, some churches have a long memory about divorce but God doesn’t remember it.”  He seemed encouraged when he left. 

Follow the Journey

So join us on the journey by going to http://www.pocketfullofchange.org/ or looking for this column on ChurchWatch each week.  Life on the road is full of adventure. 

 Previous Posts from

Follow the Pocket Full of Change Posts on ChurchWatch:

June 18: Pocket Full of Change: Churches in America

June 16: Mission to America: Saving Souls, One Quarter at a Time

Learn more at http://www.pocketfullofchange.org/  


Cheryle M. Touchton is the Director of Pocket Full of Change Ministries.  She is the author of 2 Books: Pocket Full of Quarters: 5 Steps to Loving God and Pocket Full of Christmas: Having a Purpose Filled Advent. For more information or to schedule a speaker for an event, go to http://www.pocketfullofchange.org/ or call Gail Golden at                (904) 3...       .

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