Traveling Evangelist - A Strange But True Encounter Grace Community Church Berea Ky

I am a magnet for eccentric people. I’m not even kidding!

On Saturday I was reading on a bench, minding my own business, when I was approached by a very interesting character. He had black boots, camouflage pants, a Harley Davidson jean vest, dark sunglasses, and a tightly wrapped bandana. He saddled up next to me, as if we were old friends and struck up a conversation. Needless to say, my guard was up and I was ready to bolt if he did anything the least bit sketchy. We exchanged basic pleasantries, because I apparently make conversation with rough-hewn biker-guys, and I came to find out that this guy works as an evangelist.

Intriguing.

“O yeah,” he said, “I just move from town to town, work odd jobs, and save souls for the Lord.” He told me.

This guy with skull-and-cross bone earrings was an evangelist? I just didn’t see it coming. For the record, from the small bit of his testimony, I have no reason to doubt the man’s sincerity. I asked if he worked with any specific church or ministry.

“No, it’s just me,” was the answer.

Our exchange carried on a few minutes longer until we had to suddenly part ways. However this little sound byte from our talk stuck with me. I’d ask you to think for a moment about the implications of a church-less evangelist. To be fair, I’m not sure if this guy is an active member of a congregation and for all I know he could be. What I thought curious was the apparent lack of connection between his evangelism work and any corporate body.

Ephesians 4:3 says we should be “eager to maintain unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” (ESV) Later in Ephesians, Paul tells us that we are members of the body of Christ, which Jesus loved to his death (Ephesians 5: 29-30) As you may have read in the new plan our church just rolled out, the ìone anotherî commands in Scripture are meant to be practiced amongst a body of believers. What does this have to do with my biker evangelist?

When people do come to know the Lord, what is the next step of discipleship? Joining a church. Our Christian life is carried out amongst a corporate, covenant body of fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. Perhaps this man does encourage new believers to join churches. I’m not judging, but I did have pause to think about what would happen if we don’t follow our salvation with active church membership. Essentially, we will do a new son or daughter of God great disservice if we don’t show them where the family room is. “Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it.” (1 Corinthians 12:27 ESV)

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