This was my last day of ministry at the University of Iowa, for the 2018 school year. The Lord blessed me with two wonderful conversations.
Ministry at the University of Iowa
My second year of ministry at the University of Iowa has drawn to a close. It has been another fruitful and blessed school year.
The University of Iowa is located in Iowa City, which is 50 miles west of my home in Davenport, IA. My youngest daughter, Amanda, is a third-year English major at the university. She has a full day of classes on Wednesday, so I drive her to and from school and spend the day at the campus engaged in ministry.
This year thousands of university students and faculty, as well as residents of Iowa City, received gospel tracts this. Additionally, thousands of people (pedestrians and motorists) saw either my “Stop and Talk” cross or gospel signs. I also spent several afternoons outside the Iowa City Police Department holding a “Law Enforcement Lives Matter” sign and distributing gospel tracts.
This Wednesday marked my last day on campus for this school year. As He always does, the Lord showed Himself most gracious and kind. By His grace, and according to His divine providence, He allowed me to distributed about 250 gospel tracts. He also blessed me with two wonderful gospel conversations.
A Conversation with Tyler
As he approached me, I noticed he appeared older than the typical university student. I wondered if he might be a professor. He had a certain kind of smile on his face, one that is very familiar to me. His smile, as well as the look in his eye, seemed to say, “I’ve got a question for you.”
I tried to warmly greet the man. As I anticipated, he had a question to ask. His name was Tyler. At the age of 37, and following a change in his career path, he is graduating this year from the university.
Tyler wanted to talk about communion. Unlike most people who have brought up the subject to me, Tyler wanted to talk about whether or not Christians are obligated to participate in communion. He didn’t want to argue whether or not it was salvific. He seemed to agree with me that is is not salvific.
It was obvious that Tyler has spent time reading and studying the Bible. His familiarity with Scripture was greater than that of most people on the streets, with whom I speak.
As you will hear, my conversation with Tyler was more than cordial. It was friendly. I truly enjoyed talking to him.
Toward the end of the conversation, I gently challenged Tyler to consider whether or not he had created a god in his imagination in order to accommodate some of his personal theology.
You can either click here to listen to or download the audio of my conversation with Tyler, or you can simply listen via the below player.
A Conversation with Brandon
Not long after my conversation with Tyler I was approached by another student. His name was Brandon.
Brandon was a definite contrast to Tyler. Brandon (19) was half Tyler’s age. Unlike Tyler who had a general understanding of the Bible, Brandon had no experience at all with the Word of God. Like many of his millenial generation, Brandon had no baseline spiritual beliefs. He was aware of God the Creator but seemed to know nothing about Him. He seemed to know even less about Jesus Christ and His gospel.
It as a real joy to spend about 20 minutes talking to Brandon and communicating the good news of the gospel to him.
Brandon’s girlfriend professes faith in Christ. According to Brandon, she is a member of what is probably the largest and, from what I’ve been able to discern, a gospel-believing ministry on campus.
You can either click here to listen to or download the audio of my conversation with Brandon, or you can simply listen via the below player.
Hope to Hear from Them Again
Both Tyler and Brandon received my contact information, along with invitations to get together over a cup of coffee and talk more about the things of God.
Join me in praying for both of these men. And join me in thanking God for these wonderful gospel opportunities.
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