WHEN JESUS CAME TO COLUMBUS
by David A. Lovett
God's Perfect Timing
I believe there is much to be said about “perfect timing,” especially when we, as Christians, seek the absolute perfect timing of our God to move and act in our lives. A few years ago, I was invited to a Bible study and declined. One year later, another friend invited me to the same Bible study and I accepted. Now, three years later, our group has studied the entire New Testament in chronological order, and I can see how, in “God’s” perfect timing, His Word has come alive in me.
This awakening and call to action in my Christian walk truly began during our study of the Gospel of Matthew. We used the "Matthew" film (starring Bruce Marchiano as Jesus) as a primary teaching tool. This word-for-word NIV film really changed my understanding of the Gospel. Out of this experience, I felt led to teach Matthew using the film at the church where I worship, Wynnton United Methodist, and I did so with a good friend and brother in Christ. For one year, beginning in November 2006, we taught using the Matthew film. Our prayer was that people would experience changed lives by the Word of God coming alive in them. I believe the Holy Spirit was gracious to go before us to achieve this end.
Obedient to His Word
As we concluded Matthew in the Fall of 2007, the Lord placed an idea on my heart. I searched the Internet for information about Bruce Marchiano. I learned from Bruce’s website that he was very involved in South African mission work and that he had a speaking ministry called, “In the Footsteps of Jesus.” Bruce shared how, as a Christian actor playing the role of Jesus, his life was transformed such that he began to view the world more like Jesus.
My thoughts turned to our church. I thought how wonderful it would be to have Bruce come and share his experiences with our congregation. Our pastor had been preaching about his desire for the Holy Spirit to move in our body at Wynnton, changing lives for His glory and purpose as an evangelistic outreach church. I discussed bringing Bruce to Columbus with our pastor, Mike Ricker. He agreed so I made inquiries with Bruce’s administrative assistant, Sharon Puterbaugh. We secured a date in February, 2008 and the work began.
The Vision Expands and God Provides
What began as a simple guest speaker at our church for a Friday and Saturday night transformed into a bigger vision of reaching the lost in Columbus with the gospel of Christ. Out of my Tuesday bible study group, all the men who had been teaching Matthew in their churches were promoting Bruce’s arrival and, of course, anyone who had seen the Matthew film said they would be present. The issue of bringing someone who many Christians had never heard of, much less non-believers, was our biggest challenge. And so off we raced to share the news of this event and what a journey it was.
There was no budget from the church to fund this event, so we were blessed by God’s provision of sacrificial giving of finances, time and talents from several of His saints. Many churches collaborated and several men from Christian Disciple Makers (my Bible study group) pitched in to help. Fliers and packets were made and distributed to as many churches as possible. Phone calls, one-on-one meetings and emailings about the weekend were sent out regularly. In all this work, we kept in our mind that if only one person accepts Christ as their personal savior, our efforts would not be in vain.
The Time Had Come
We had done all that we could do to prepare for the "Encounter Jesus" weekend. Now, we had to sit back and watch God do His work in and through the people...
We had mentioned the event to one of our Christian brothers that anchors the news desk at the local CBS affiliate, Phil Scoggins, and he asked if they could interview Bruce during the 5:30 news. What a great opportunity to promote the event at the last minute! The interview went great and I am sure many came on Friday night as a result of seeing it on the news.
After the TV interview, Bruce, Sharon, Pat McDougall, David Holt and myself relaxed over a cup of coffee to get to know each other a little better. This was a special time of fellowship. After a short visit, it was off to the church for the Friday night presentation.
God really showed up on Friday night at the church. There were close to 600 people in attendance from all walks of life. We had guys in dirty blue jeans just getting off from their construction jobs and lawyers in their fine suits. There were ladies from the local Teen Challenge ministry and nurses still in uniform. There were young folks and senior citizens. We were all blown away by the attendance! As Bruce poured out his heart for Jesus and presented the gospel in the uniqueness of his experiences, there were numerous who made a decision for Jesus in their life. Glory to God!
On Saturday morning, about 100 people showed up to hear Bruce share the vision God gave him back in 1996 to put to film, The Gospel According to John. Many people influential for the Gospel were in attendance and Bruce's vision was well received. A short exerpt from the Matthew film was played for those that had never experienced the power of the film. Following the meeting, several of Bruce's supporters from throughout the country met at Country's BBQ for a good old southern-style lunch! After lunch, everyone rested up for the Saturday evening activities...
On Saturday night, Christian Disciple Makers hosted a private dinner for Bruce and Sharon to learn more about Bruce's ministries and to share CDM's teaching ministry philosphies. Following dinner, everyone headed to the church for the Saturday evening gospel presentation. About 500 people were in attendance and God was definitely hard at work again. After Bruce's presentation, several more people made decisions. Go God! As I mentioned already, if just one individual came to accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior then the entire weekend was a success. This was truly a God-sized success!
Each of the evening messages was professionally videotaped and we produced a two-DVD set to share the Encounter Jesus weekend with the world. If you would like to share in this awesome event, you can order copies from our website by clicking here. (Proceeds from DVD sales will be donated to the production of The Gospel According to John.)
Time to Reflect on the Vision
We are now in a time of reflecting on that wonderful weekend in February and celebrating how the Holy Spirit moved and worked during the services at Wynnton United Methodist. Bruce has shared generous words about what he experienced among the people of Columbus during his weekend here. Bruce said that he senses a sincere hunger for Jesus among people in Columbus and he believes it is definitely a "GOD THING" that he was here at this time. Bruce even said that he and his team believe that the John film may very well be birthed out of Columbus because it is here where he witnessed his vision of how John was to happen; God's people taking his idea for the Gospel of John and running with it.
So it is everyday people like myself and many others who have felt led of the Holy Spirit to become involved and challenge our city to help launch the Gospel of John for the harvest of lost souls in the world. Bruce considers TEAM JOHN COLUMBUS to be a partner with him in The Gospel of John film project, and we are thankful and eager to meet this challenge. Will you come along with us on this journey?
The Challenge
Thank you for taking time to read how the Lord has directed events in the Columbus community for outreach of the Gospel. You are invited to help us show the world how much we believe in the BIGNESS of our God to raise the financial support for the John film production. I find it interesting that the politicians can raise many millions of dollars over the Internet for their purposes which have no eternal value. I believe God desires for us to help raise financial support for the John film in a team effort.
This website is now equipped to allow you to easily make a tax deductible contribution which will go directly toward the production of The Gospel of John film. Remember the story of the "widow's offering" (Mark 12:41-44) who gave all she had for Jesus. It is the prayed for, Spirit led, sacrificial giving that impresses our Lord. We welcome any amount given, for that is how we and Bruce believe the Lord means for us to reach the goal.
You are encouraged to give us any feedback you wish, and please share this website with your entire contact list. God bless you as we all are encouraged to walk in the footsteps of Jesus.
In His Service and Love,
David A. Lovett