As many of you know, Back to the Bible Canada just completed the first I Will Tell National Tour from June 13-21. I, along with Laugh Again’s Phil Callaway, musician Andrew Marcus, Isaac Dagneau from indoubt, and the rest of the team, travelled from B.C. to Ontario with numerous stops on the way, getting to know some of our supporters and friends.
Every evening we visited a different location. And every evening was a joyous occasion of preaching and worship, along with general information for the public about what we do at the Good News Broadcasting Association of Canada. Exhausting? Yes. But the experience was so enriching, for it allowed all of us to meet the actual people who actively listen to our radio broadcast every day.
The time away was especially important to me. As I have been in pastoral ministry for many years, the thing I miss the most is interacting with people. This includes praying with people in need, as well as being actively involved in their lives – lives that are being transformed by the gospel! While I love being part of radio ministry, it does create a physical separation between myself and those to whom I am ministering.
Does what I do actually make a difference in anyone’s life?
On one evening, I met three women, a grandmother, mother and daughter. The husband of the mother had been murdered, and the three women shared the deep valley they had been through. They also thanked me for the “Ruth” series, and how much that study had been a reason for hope as they walked through the valley of suffering.
On another night, I met a woman who told me she had come to Christ through the radio broadcast. In Ontario, I met a couple who had driven all the way from Montreal to be there, simply to tell how much the radio ministry meant to them. Numerous couples told me how the ministry was a part of their devotions, and thanked me for the spiritual input into their lives.
In short, I was overwhelmed.
Of course, there were humorous moments too. One man told me I simply didn’t look like he imagined, and I am pretty sure my face was disappointing. The old adage that “I have the perfect face for radio” seemed to describe me perfectly!
But to the most part, I was overwhelmed at how the ministry is touching countless lives. Since returning to the office, and just yesterday as I sat down in the studio to record a new series, I was imagining some of the people I had met. I imagined them either downloading a podcast or listening on the radio, and for the first time since beginning this ministry, I saw in my mind the people I had a chance to shepherd. It did feel gratifying, indeed.
So, to all who came out across various parts of Canada to support this ministry: Thank you. In sharing with me how I have encouraged you, you have encouraged me more than you will ever know.
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