Ordinary People

I took some time last night to read from the latest volume in the “God’s Generals” series of books written by Roberts Liardon.  These books are historical volumes that cover the Pentecostal Revival of the late 1880’s into the early 1900’s, the Healing Revival of the 1950’s and 60’s, the Reformers like Knox, Fox, Luther and others, some of the better known Revivalists from Moody and Wesley to Billy Graham, and then the newest edition takes an in depth look at a few of the men and women who brought the message of healing into our modern times such as George Jeffreys in England, F. F. Bosworth who wrote what is still considered by most today to be the definitive book on healing entitled “Christ The Healer”, Oral Roberts and Lester Sumrall who brought the healing message into the homes of America through their ground breaking TV ministries, and lastly the book talks about Charles and Francis Hunter who were a normal everyday Christian couple who did wonders for the message of Christ across our nation.

Charles and Francis Hunter came into prominence in the Christian world beginning in the 1970’s in the midst of the Charismatic Movement.  Being as they both came from non-Pentecostal church backgrounds, their ministry and especially their prolific books broke through the barriers of the denominations.  I remember purchasing their book on the Baptism of the Holy Ghost “Two Sides of the Coin” at the bookstore on the grounds of the American Baptist Churches of the West’s general conference grounds in Green Lake Wisconsin while attending a conference there in 1979.

Francis’ vivacious personality and Charles’ sense of humor mixed with a scholarly gift of teaching opened doors for ministry in conferences, churches and on TV programs across the United States.  Like I mentioned previously, they were just ordinary folks with no formal ministry training who just loved the Lord and stayed ever obedient to His calling.  They fairly recently went home to be with the Lord.  Francis moved on in 2009 and Charles staying always close to her side, went home eleven months later in 2010.

Liardon writes of them: “Mark 16:17-18 became a central part of their ministry: ‘And these signs will follow those who believe: in My name they will…’ ”  Charles and Francis were ordinary people who trusted in the power of God and literally reached millions with the Good News.  Their example should be a great encouragement to those who may sometimes think of themselves as being too insignificant to make a difference to anyone.

I read this morning in Hebrews 7:22 that “Jesus has become the guarantee of a better promise.” (God’s Word ©)  That scripture alone should give one the oomph to go out and share what they know of the Good News to others.  As a Christian, Jesus is the guarantor of the Word that you share.  That takes the burden off of you and me!  We don’t have to try to convince or prove anything to anyone.  All we need to do is to go and share and He will do the rest.  Makes it kind of easy doesn’t it! 

Most times He even sets up the opportunities.  Like Sunday in the emergency room at our local hospital when one of the nurses began to share with me her fears that she might have some of the beginning signs of Alzheimer’s.  Her opening not only enabled me to share some of the practical lessons we’ve learned to take along the walk we’ve been on, but also and more importantly of our faith in God.  I believe that it was a divine encounter set up by God so that His message of hope could be placed in her heart.

Once you are able to put your trust in Him and His abilities, and let go of self, the doors to ministry will open wide!  And you know… I’m not sure who felt better at the end of our short conversation in that room at my wife’s side… the nurse or me!  Have a great day!  Stay in tune to His Word, and keep asking yourself… “What am I expecting today?”