A Different Look About Him
Todd E. - Findlay, Ohio 2010

Being at Allen on Saturday gave me an experience I hadn't had before, seeing men I'd had the privilege in leading to Christ 2 years ago!  Three of them remembered me, 2 approached with huge hugs.  They were doing very well and wanted to spend time together. I was incredibly encouraged by them.  What an incredible blessing that was for me.

However after the second program I was led to a single man.  At first he showed very little interest but wasn't leaving either.  When I got him separated from the group he opened up. 

In and out of foster homes since the age of 3, he never had a family and those who he did stay with usually abused him emotionally and wanted him just for the checks.  He shared how he would see the check with his name on it get cashed, the family would go out and make him sit in the car during winter while they went in to eat, making him wait until they got home.  Or how he was not allowed in the house by himself, he had to wait in the cold for someone to get home and let him inside.  They would all go Christmas shopping with the checks buying gifts for biological children, leaving Chris with a sparse Christmas morning and the others unwrapping gift after gift.

This led to gangs including the Crips.  He got involved in crime and drugs, becoming a statistic.  Fast forward to now and he is 33 years old with at least 5 years to go until his release.  I spent well over an hour speaking Christ’s truth and love to him.  We both had tears.  Finally it was 10 minutes until I had to go and it was time to make a decision.  Satan was not giving up without a final, hard fight.  When Chris felt vulnerable, he would resort to what he knew: anger and suspicion. 

Chris had one request.  He would give his life to Christ if my Dad would be there and prayed with us!  Within a minute I had Dad there and we prayed together. I choked back tears of joy, thankful I persisted, never really knowing if my time with Chris was God’s will for my time there. 

When we had finished I asked my Dad to do something for me.  Would he pray over him and give him a father’s blessing, something Chris had never known, or otherwise may never know.  I left as Dad laid both hands on Chris' shoulders and prayed over him.  I noticed Chris had removed his hat, clasped in both hands respectfully behind his back, and had begun to cry.  I returned when Dad had finished and Chris had a different look about him.

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