Ridgell's Originals

I spent last weekend with the Riverside church of Christ in Lafayette, Louisiana. They are about one hour's drive west of New Orleans, and were inundated with refugees after Katrina hit. Our Herald of Truth team has done quite a bit of work with them, including radio spots in the community. This past weekend I was there to conduct our seminar: "What in God's Name is Going on Here". We were able to visit with a number of people who responded to our radio spots. Many of these had already been contacted by Paul Jones and Danny Hebert, two of the evangelists at Riverside. Let me share one story.

Shirley had lost a child and her first husband even before facing Katrina, so storms in life were nothing new. Shortly after Katrina, her mother was killed in a car wreck. Her husband is battling cancer. They are living in Lafayette because their home in New Orleans was destroyed. They got in contact with the church at Riverside because they were told that the church would help people. She was baptized a couple of months ago and studies are ongoing with her husband. She said the most touching thing at her conversion was to be introduced by Paul to her new family. She is convinced God worked through the storm to help her see His Son.

We also had twenty five visitors from a local half-way house Sunday morning. My friends at Riverside are now arranging to study with Rachel and Jeremy. They are two young people who want to change their lives through Jesus.

It strikes me that all this activity did not start with Katrina. It started with a church family willing to be used by the Master. When Katrina hit, they opened their building, their hearts, their homes, and their wallets. Many of their members have spent untold hours over the last few months in service and outreach. And so far, thirteen families have been converted and are still worshipping with them. And it continues.

I have to ask: are we ready to go thru doors like this if God opens them in front of us?