It was a rainy afternoon in Indy, one of my first days as a brand-new church planter. Not having a lot else to do, I went to the local coffee shop to hang out and see who I could meet and perhaps engage in conversation. Sitting at the table next to me was an older man drinking coffee and perusing his iPad. We started talking. I learned his name was Robert. I shared with Robert that I was new to the community and was planting a church. Robert chuckled and said he had never heard the term “planting a church” but he liked the imagery. We shared some more pleasantries, and I bid him farewell.
Fast forward a few weeks. Once again, I was in the coffee shop. Across the room I could see Robert reading a newspaper. Not thinking he would remember me, I didn’t bother him, but determined I would reacquaint myself before I left. It turned out I didn’t have to. A few minutes later, Robert yelled across the room, “How’s the new church coming?” I was surprised he remembered me. I walked across the room, joined him at his table, and we began to talk. We discovered that we had a lot in common. We were both from Missouri, loved baseball and were students of history. Before I left that day, I asked Robert if he would like to meet the following week to do some Bible study. I was pleasantly surprised when he agreed.
Over the next few months, Robert and I had a standing appointment at the coffee shop on Thursday afternoons. It was rare for us to miss. We talked about a number of things – sports, iPhones, and Robert’s massive music collection. (He had over 27,000 songs downloaded!) After visiting for a while, we would turn our attention to Bible study. As we worked through Scripture, Robert was especially amazed by the stubborn rebellion of the Israelites and God’s grace in forgiving them time and again. Consequently, we talked about how God does the same for us - that we too are rebellious children who God forgives time after time. We went on to discuss that God sent Jesus into the world to die for our sins so that through faith in Him we can be saved.
Over time, I began to see God do a great work in Robert’s life. He enjoyed reading and studying his Bible. He was learning. It was sinking in. The light bulb was coming on. One week Robert told me that he had prayed for the first time in many years. I asked him what he prayed for. He said he didn’t pray for himself but for his children. He chuckled and said, “What is happening to me?”
One evening I got an email from Robert that he had been taken to the hospital with heart pain. Surgery would be necessary. I went to see him the next day and found a man who desired to make peace with God. As we talked about spiritual things, Robert indicated a desire to commit his life to the Lord. We prayed together in his hospital room that day and Robert did exactly that. Little did we know at the time that Robert would meet his Lord sooner than we ever expected.
To make a long story short, Robert didn’t come home from the hospital. He passed away from complications of his condition. But, I praise God that Robert is in Heaven today. Shortly after these events, I asked a friend, “Do you think God would move a family all the way to Indiana just to save one man?” He replied, “Brother, God would move Heaven and Earth to find one of His lost sheep.” We serve a Shepherd who leaves the 99 to pursue the one. And for that, I am most thankful.
Who is your Robert?
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