April 19th, 2013 by Zac

At this year’s Advance conference, which inspires church leaders toward healthy, multiplying churches, we were challenged by Neil Cole (author of “Organic Church) to stop hiding behind our castle walls. And instead, to engage in the spiritual battle to win souls for Christ.

This clip from the movie, Lord of the Rings was used as a visual for CHOOSING not to hide, but to be bold and brave. (Click here to watch video clip).

Ten church leaders from Slovakia attended the conference among 150 other leaders from across Central Europe.

Later, we all went out to do just what we had been inspired to do – share the gospel of Christ boldly.

Two of our men thought it might work to get a haircut and talk to the hair dressers about Christ. But neither of them needed a haircut. Finally, one decided to get a haircut anyway. So, while the one got a haircut and shared Christ with his hairdresser, the other man shared Christ with the other hair dressers who were just waiting for the next customers. The one man got a haircut he didn’t need, but three people that God loves got to hear the message of Christ and his gift of salvation.

Meanwhile, I was outside in the local square searching and praying for someone to share Christ with. I noticed two Rastafarian guys whom I thought could tell me where the local tea house might be. So, I asked if he knew about any local tea house. He replied that there was one coffee house in the building just above where we were standing, but it was very expensive. The he asked if I minded the expense. I replied that I really wanted to find a tea house only to find someone who might want to talk about God. To that, he look at me squarely and said, “How much time do you have?” I said that I had at least a couple of hours. So, he said “Follow me”.

So, we walked to a nearby apartment building to pick up another friend, then went farther on to “their” local bar. Shortly after, another 2 Rastafarian friends joined the group. So, there we were, six dreadlocked Rasta guys and one shorthaired American guy. I was definitely out of place!

However, for the next one and a half hours, I shared the gospel of Christ with the guy who I initially met. I wish I could report a Rasta revival, but it didn’t happen that day. But I can boast about my God, who has a passionate heart for pot smoking Rastafarians and the God who encouraged me not to hide, but to ride out on mission that day!