e Pieces in a puzzle

Story by Merisa Parson

1 heroar of anapproaching train temporarily deafened theears ofwaiting passengers on thesubway platform. With a loud hiss, the train screeched to a stop.The doors slid open People streamed off the cars— peopleofall races, ages,and social classes — businessmen and women in suits, lugging briefcases; street bums; young people; old people They wereall pieces ofa puzzle, in no way suspicious over what wasabout tohappen

Cars emptied, then quickly began to fill again as others replaced those wholeft. Among those who entered the subway were three young people, who, unnoticed by the other passengers, carried "concealed weapons" — more pieces to the puzzle

The doors slammed shut and people grabbed forsupport as thetrain lurched forward The trainnowinmotion,thethree young people moved into action. Pulling out their small New Testaments and stacksofGospel tracts, they began conversations with people around them Eventually, they turned to spiritual matters so they could share thefact that Jesus loves people, died for their sins and can give them eternal life Waging awar against sin, the three were shining thelight of God's Word to Inner-city, U.S.A

Many LBCstudents were involved in situations likethisduring summer monthsin Detroit, New York, Los Angeles, Seattle, Philadelphia, and Washington, D.C.

(Continued on page 42)

Always on thelookout fora chance tospreadthe Gospel. Mike Broomel explains theneed for salvation while Randy Scott and Lisa Gross look on While streetwitnessing was done ininner-city, the main thrust of evangelizingwas done by knocking on doors

Pieces in a Puzzle

(Continued from page 41)

Just why anyone would give up ten weeks of his summer vacation, leave home, and traveltoadistant metropolis — often the most crime-ridden parts — to work with achurch isapuzzle The pieces are found inthe personalities ofthe people willing to sacrifice their time anduse their talent toserve theLord as inner-city missionaries

Melinda Allen,a senior elementary education major from Portland, Maine, was one such person who went through the inner-city experience on Long Island,N.Y., with Heritage BaptistChurch (RussMerrin, pastor)

"My most dramatic experiences were when Iwas witnessing onthe subway — it was so unreal!" Melinda recounts "Not many people wanted tostop and listen to people whotalked about spiritual matters. The most difficult things about subway witnessing were the crowds andnoise.To witness, we jumped from car to car and went inand presented the Gospel intwoor three minutes."

One of the best experiences for Melinda was being able to see a church started from scratch "Iwould recommend innercity for everyone going into full-time 42/Student Life — Inner-City

Christian service so they could go through the hardships ofbeginning a church — experience it firsthand and become a partof it," she said Melinda provided one piece to thepersonality puzzle: a willingness to get involved, tojump into the thick of things instead of merely standing by and doing nothing.

Reasons for going toan inner-city were as varied asthe people whowent Rodney Feltner, a junior from Winchester,Va., went to Detroit,Mich.,because of a promisehe had made tohimselfduring his freshman year "I promised myself 1 would work with inner-city one summer," hesaid "I'm a psychology major and Iwant to work with abused children so 1 thought this would be the best way to get firsthand experience with people.I'mfrom kind ofa sheltered background — likesomany other Christians."

Rodney offered another piece to thepersonality puzzle — compassion and carefor people whoare suffering

Jayne Gault, a sophomore elementary major from Chester, W. Va., discovered lastsummer in Detroit that God has a use for even very ordinary people

"The most astounding thing Ilearned was that Godcanuse anybody," she said "My team leaderalsotold me thattheonly Bible some people will ever see isus I really realized that for the first time It made me think: 'Would Jesus do this?' before Idid things."

Jayne exhibited personality traits that complete the puzzle — a willingness to work andto beused by Godandarealization that He will useordinary people.

So the finished personality puzzlereveals this picture: theperson whoundertakes an inner-city experience wants to learn about people and howto effectively deal with them in spiritual matters by reaching out to them with a concerned hand ofspiritual help Melinda Allen captured the essence when she said,"One thing I really realized washow many peopleare without Christ, and howmuch they need Him. Even ifitappears people don't want theGospel, they allhave an inner void that needs tobefilled Once they start hearing about Jesus, they know howthat void canbefilled."

While the train hurtled toward its destination,rattling and swaying, three LBCstudents hadturned the conversation inthat particular car to spiritual matters. Some hearers stared into space, ignoring both message and messenger. Others frowned and creased their brows while readingthe literature given them. Others took the tracts, glanced at themessage and then tossed itaside

Piece bypiece,thepuzzle fitstogetherto to reveal animage of theBiblical parableof the sower — sowing theseed in different types ofground Each person involved had done his part bypresenting others withthe answer tolife's problems — Jesus Christ