Threefold Cord

When I was in college, Bro. Ron Comfort told those of us who were studying for evangelism, “Men, one of the the greatest things that can happen in your ministry is for a pastor to recommend you to all his friends.  This is something only the Lord can do, but when it happens, it will be a great blessing to your ministry.”

On Tuesday of last week, we had nothing on the schedule.  We had to drift south toward CO from northern WY, and as we came through Thermopolis, I saw a name that rang a bell to me.  Why I remember this name above others, I cannot say, but Pastor Harvey Seidel was listed as the pastor of the First Baptist Church of Thermopolis.  In 1998, when I was traveling in the west representing Ambassador Baptist College where I was enrolled as a student at the time, we were scheduled to be with Pastor Seidel.  If I remember correctly, he had to cancel the meeting for one reason or another.  Despite this cancellation, I remembered his name.

Now, as we drove through town and passed his church, I noticed his name on the sign.  I had to stop in McDonald’s to get Internet access so that I could take care of some things.  After an equipment malfunction, I found myself in a Verizon store and felt led to casually ask about Pastor Seidel.  An old-fashioned phone book provided the right number, and after a couple of phone calls, we obtained permission to park our trailer at First Baptist Church.

What followed was something that only God can do.  As Pastor Seidel and his assistant pastor Nathan Winters spent time with me, the Lord knit our hearts together.  I was asked to preach in the midweek service and God met with us in a special way.  Then, because I had some flexibility in my schedule, Pastor Seidel asked that I preach Sunday morning as well.

After we spent time with the staff and families of First Baptist Church of Thermopolis, the Lord directed Pastor Seidel to write letters of recommendation to many of his pastor friends around the nation, one of whom has already scheduled a meeting.

We stand in awe of how our God can choose our friends for us and work in our behalf through the hearts of His servants.

Many road miles await us in the next few days as we make the transition from West (CO) to East (NC).  We appreciate your prayers.