Walter is one of those lost sheep that Butch’s contagious spirit brought to bible study.  Walter enjoys learning about JESUS from people who have walked with HIM for many years and from others who have only been on the journey a few months.  He loves the camaraderie and the joy that the Holy Spirit brought to the gathering.  Walter, at a point, was not ready to live according to God’s will.  He didn’t yet understand the power of the Holy Spirit working in a man totally surrendered to JESUS.  I’ve known Walter for about 3- years and finally, a few months ago after 54 years of living according to his own will, getting the same results, he has decided to try JESUS’s way.  He is a stubborn man with a lot of pride just as I was at his age.  We pray for him everyday.  He is now working for the ministry and helps lead the bible study we have every morning before we go to work.

I love to watch JESUS come alive in someone.  Walter, who has been resisting HIM for years, has finally come to understand John 14:6 “I am the way, the truth and life.  No one comes to the father except through me.”  Walter now understands the truth of why we were created, to glorify JESUS , and JESUS alone.

Butch is a gentlemam I met about 5 years ago at our feeding center one Friday afternoon.  Butch had come there to promote a humanitarian program he had put together to help kids in under-resourced communities.  Butch was raised in Englewood back in the 40’s and 50’s and had a rough childhood.

On this Friday as I was greeting people as I normally do on days when we are serving hot meals, I was introduced to Butch.  After a brief exchange with him, I continued on to greet other people when the Holy Spirit whispered in my ear to “go share your story with that gentleman”.  Immediately I went back and reintroduced myself and asked Butch what type relationship he had with JESUS CHRIST.  He told me that he had given his life to Christ 3 times at Billy Graham revivals but that he hadn’t been to church in years.  I proceeded to share my story with Butch.  Five minutes into my presentation, Butch was in tears.  At this point I knew the Holy Spirit had taken over.  Butch shared with me that the night before he was smoking pot and living sexually outside of God’s will.  As I was ready to depart, I told him we were having bible study at 10:30 the next morning across the street in the basement of the church.  He has been part of our ministry since, volunteering at our food pantry and feeding center and attending bible study on a regular basis.  He is so excited about serving JESUS that about 2 years ago we asked him (and he agreed) to become part of our board of directors.  His love of JESUS is contagious and has been instrumental in introducing JESUS to many lost souls.

We love you, Butch.