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THE STORY OF AN AFRICAN PASTOR

Christian commitment: My colors



hculbert@snu.edu

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"Once a person is redeemed, if scripture and prayer don't light their fire, their wood is wet."
— Cora Baucom, Nazarene Bible College student
 

Do you know what it means to sacrifice? Read this statement by a young African pastor.

Found among his papers in Zimbabwe after he was martyred for his Christian faith. It is the moving testimony of a martyr.

I'm a part of the fellowship of the unashamed. The die has been cast. I have stepped over the line. The decision has been made. I'm a disciple of His and I won't look back, let up, slow down, back away, or be still.
My past is redeemed. My present makes sense. My future is secure. I'm done and finished with low-living, sight-walking, small planning, smooth knees, colorless dreams, tamed visions, mundane talking, cheap living, and dwarfed goals.
I no longer need preeminence, prosperity, position, promotions, plaudits, or popularity. I don't have to be right, or first, or tops, or recognized, or praised, or rewarded. I live by faith, lean on His presence, walk by patience, lift by prayer, and labor by Holy Spirit power.
My face is set. My gait is fast. My goal is heaven. My road may be narrow, my way rough, my companions few, but my guide is reliable and my mission is clear.
I will not be bought, compromised, detoured, lured away, turned back, deluded or delayed.
I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice or hesitate in the presence of the adversary. I will not negotiate at the table of the enemy, ponder at the pool of popularity, or meander in the maze of mediocrity.
I won't give up, shut up, or let up until I have stayed up, stored up, prayed up, paid up, and preached up for the cause of Christ.
I am a disciple of Jesus. I must give until I drop, preach until all know, and work until He comes. And when He does come for His own, He'll have no problems recognizing me. My colors will be clear!
This vibrant declaration was contributed by Dr. Nina Gunter who got it from veteran missionary Louise Robinson Chapman (Africa: 1920-1940). One side note is that today this commitment statement circulates among Christians (and even web sites) with the byline "Author unknown." Doesn't the story behind this statement make it all the more potent?
Bill Drake led worship for large group gatherings at a university in California. One day, Operation Mobilization leader George Verwer came to campus to speak. Here's Drake's account of what happened:

"I thought I might impress him by playing some of Keith Green's music. As I left the piano, Verwer caught me in front of 3000 people by saying, "Young man, you probably ought not to be singing songs like that unless you're prepared to back it up with your lifestyle."

To say the least, I was embarrassed and humbled. I liked singing about obedience and holiness, but until then it hadn't crossed my mind that there is no true worship without obedience -- which for a disciple of Jesus means being involved in His kingdom."

 — http://www.om.org/relay/stories/4-97DrakeMusic.html

Truth in fiction?

Click hereSome truth may be stranger than fiction. Fiction can, however, be used to illustrate truth. [ read more ]

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