Thursday, October 24, 2019
How Mallory became a follower of Jesus
Last Friday it was my honor and blessing to baptize Mallory Newcomb into Christ. It happened over Homecoming weekend at ACU. It was her first trip back since she graduated last Spring. So here are a couple of things you need to know about her journey.
Mallory was raised in church. Believed what she learned, but never bought in all the way on a personal level. She had seen some painful things where Christians did not act as Christians should. It happens but it is a barrier to get around. And Mallory is smart. Really, really smart. So she had questions about Jesus, Christianity, and what it means to follow Jesus. She wrestled with what it would mean to follow Jesus in faith. Like many people, she struggled with how she could live up to the commitment she wanted to make.
A good heart that really did believe in Jesus. Lots of questions. And some obstacles to overcome.
So here is how it happened.
Her Mom stayed faithful, parented with a lot of faith, prayed often, and didn't push.
She had some professors (Stephen, Randy, and Brad among others) who weren't afraid of hard questions and who lived out their faith. And also were really smart.
She connected with a family that adopted her. So she sorta became an honorary Ridgell. We gave her rides to church, she sat in our church neighborhood, came to family meals, just did life with us.
Loved the church she attended (Southern Hills). Loved the campus ministry (Jen and Mark).
Read Scripture. Didn't mind digging in to suggested answers to some of her questions. Didn't mind asking questions that some might have thought offensive, or not showing enough faith. Talking about what a leap of faith meant. Sought guidance.
Spent a lot of time around our kitchen table. Listening to me talk about Jesus. Watching Marsha live Jesus. Being a good role model for our grands.
And she graduated and left without buying in.
Kept praying and wrestling. More long distance dialogue. Lots of people praying for her.
And then she called to ask about making her first Homecoming a coming home to God. Baptized in the Jacob's Dream pool.
You know that's really all it takes to help someone become a Jesus follower.
A faithful Mom, a church where you feel at home, an active ministry that welcomes people, smart people of faith not afraid of hard questions, a family that welcomes people into their midst, a good role model, and a traveling evangelist relentless about talking about Jesus.
An open mind and a good heart. A loving Savior. A patient God who connects just the right people.
And probably lots more people and events than I will ever know.
All of us partnering with God to grow our faith community.
Go God and love you sister Mallory.
Mallory was raised in church. Believed what she learned, but never bought in all the way on a personal level. She had seen some painful things where Christians did not act as Christians should. It happens but it is a barrier to get around. And Mallory is smart. Really, really smart. So she had questions about Jesus, Christianity, and what it means to follow Jesus. She wrestled with what it would mean to follow Jesus in faith. Like many people, she struggled with how she could live up to the commitment she wanted to make.
A good heart that really did believe in Jesus. Lots of questions. And some obstacles to overcome.
So here is how it happened.
Her Mom stayed faithful, parented with a lot of faith, prayed often, and didn't push.
She had some professors (Stephen, Randy, and Brad among others) who weren't afraid of hard questions and who lived out their faith. And also were really smart.
She connected with a family that adopted her. So she sorta became an honorary Ridgell. We gave her rides to church, she sat in our church neighborhood, came to family meals, just did life with us.
Loved the church she attended (Southern Hills). Loved the campus ministry (Jen and Mark).
Read Scripture. Didn't mind digging in to suggested answers to some of her questions. Didn't mind asking questions that some might have thought offensive, or not showing enough faith. Talking about what a leap of faith meant. Sought guidance.
Spent a lot of time around our kitchen table. Listening to me talk about Jesus. Watching Marsha live Jesus. Being a good role model for our grands.
And she graduated and left without buying in.
Kept praying and wrestling. More long distance dialogue. Lots of people praying for her.
And then she called to ask about making her first Homecoming a coming home to God. Baptized in the Jacob's Dream pool.
You know that's really all it takes to help someone become a Jesus follower.
A faithful Mom, a church where you feel at home, an active ministry that welcomes people, smart people of faith not afraid of hard questions, a family that welcomes people into their midst, a good role model, and a traveling evangelist relentless about talking about Jesus.
An open mind and a good heart. A loving Savior. A patient God who connects just the right people.
And probably lots more people and events than I will ever know.
All of us partnering with God to grow our faith community.
Go God and love you sister Mallory.
