This is a new one…. Ministry at the barber shop!
Don was in line for getting his hair trimmed on Remembrance Day, but he had to wait an extra long time due to the wonderful “free cuts for veterans” that the barber shop was offering. He hadn’t planned on popping out for a trim on this day; it was a spontaneous decision, so Don wondered if the Lord had something in store for him to do while he waited. He did!
Don got chatting with the older man next to him, who was there with his elderly father. It started because Don noticed “Acts 2” printed on the back of some papers the man was holding. Don asked him about it, and the man (whose nickname is “B”) eagerly told him that it was from a course he was taking at his church - a THREE YEAR course at the end of which the students are deemed “qualified to preach the gospel” (IF they are allowed to graduate!). Wow…! Of course, Don proceeded to tell him about the born again experience, especially the power and authority that the Holy Spirit anointing equips someone with - immediately upon being born of water and of the Holy Spirit (speaking in tongues as the first manifesting sign). At this point, the receiver is empowered to “go” and “do” and “speak” in the name of Jesus Christ, and God will enable them as they step out in faith and utilize what He has put within them through the infilling of the Holy Spirit.
Upon hearing this, B was very excited. By this time, though, Don was up for his hair cut, so Don said they could continue their conversation a bit later. But, B was eager, and he came over to speak with Don some more, right there by Don’s chair in the middle of the shop! (When things like this happen, we often wonder who else got “indirectly” preached to that day…) B was asking Don, “So, are you a pastor? Do you have a church? What is your information that I can look up? Etc., etc.” It was refreshing for Don to see such humility and passion.
Don gave B our card and B shared that he had been praying for the Holy Spirit anointing for many many years. B shared with Don the many prayers he prays every day, and told Don he wanted to get together again - that he believed that meeting Don was an answer to his prayers! So, Don invited B over for prayer with us all that afternoon. Needless to say, B did receive the Holy Spirit as we all laid hands on him and prayed. We talked some more and then prayed again, to help B get even more comfortable with praying in the Holy Spirit. When we asked him how he felt, he said he felt such a peace, and his back wasn’t hurting him anymore (he had severely injured it in the military, and he has metal pins in his lower spine). Praise God!
We encouraged B to share his experience with his wife and to lay hands on her to pray for her, too. Of course, we always reassure people that we can help them whenever they are preaching to and praying for others, but we are mindful to inspire them that, being born again of water and of the same Holy Spirit, they now have the same authority to go and do as we do — that we are all empowered together… by the Holy Spirit… through Jesus Christ… unto the Father… in the Kingdom of God!
So, that was our Remembrance Day adventure. Then yesterday, we attended a very popular farm festival — a perfect outreach opportunity! We were able to share our card and website with a number of people, and it was very touching when Ethan got to chat with a lady that is heavily involved in ministry work that promotes sexual purity in young people, especially young woman. Ethan commended her for her efforts, but he also encouraged her to emphasize the need for the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit — the power that strengthens a believer so they can then “mortify the deeds of the body,” (Romans 8:13). The lady agreed and was inspired to look into it when she next has opportunity. These are all seeds planted that we pray over afterward i.e. that God will give increase to the work that He put us to, for the furtherance of His Kingdom.
