fighting the good fight

What other words can we say about Friday night, except for "Wow - Praise Jesus!" This night was so perfect that it literally felt like I was walking into a movie. Soon after we arrived a large van parked in the Walgreens parking lot. Shortly after, the doors opened and numerous impoverished people from all over Minneapolis came out. Despite their current financial and living situations, these individuals did not solemnly come out of this van. The doors were burst wide opened and they came running out with laughter and the biggest smiles one could imagine. It was the epitome of Phillipians 4:4-5 in which Paul says, "Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is Near." 

Why so excited - you may wonder? They were not down on the emptiness that this life provides for us. They were full of the Holy Spirit and excited to take part in Christ's calling for them to share the Good News to fulfill the Great Commission (Matt 28:18-20). They're passion, fire, and excitement got me riled up even more to share what Jesus Christ calls each and everyone one of us, within His body, to do - to preach the truth of the Gospel (2 Tim 4:2), and preach it with boldness and without apology (Romans 1:16). Though I had never met any of the non-Harvesters, I felt a genuine sense of being yoked with them as the Body and Family of Christ. I couldn't be more excited for what was about to come…

I began the night by sharing with my brothers Chris, Nick, Isaiah, and Elijah. Isaiah and Elijah were 13 year old impoverished twins from the ministry we were paired with. I could definitely tell these kids really looked up to the three of us. Throughout the night, I really felt the Lord's call to pour into and encourage these young brothers in Christ. Praise the Holy Spirit for the words He provided for us to lift them up in their young walks with the Lord.

Throughout the night, the Lord placed countless people in our paths, many of whom were hungry - Hungry for hot dogs and hungry for the Word. Thankfully, we were able to provide them with both! The Holy Spirit truly spoke to us and through us for individuals who were completely lost in this world, as well as fellow brothers in Christ that we randomly met that night. We shared the Gospel with boldness, prayed over those who were both lost in the world and found in Christ, and prayed for our fellow brothers as they got into deep conversations about the Gospel. 

Lives were being changed that night. One of those lives was mine. The Lord has really fired me up for sharing the Gospel over the last several years, but especially within the last several months. I take literally zero credit for any fruit that was spread that night. All praise, honor, and glory belong to our Savior Jesus Christ. Praise Him for the safety He provided for us in a very rough part of town and for equipping us with the Sword of the Spirit (Eph 6:17). 

My fellow brothers and sisters, as this world continually gets darker and further from God (Romans 1:18-32), the Light & Truth of the Gospel shines even brighter. Jesus Himself calls us to become the Salt & Light of this completely lost world (Matt 5:13). I encourage you all this week and keep fighting the good fight of faith (1 Tim 6:12)

and persevere until the end (Hebrews 12).

I love you all.

In Christ, 

Mitch Atchison