Invitations are unbelievably powerful and at times life altering.
I remember one invitation that impacted my life. On April 13, 1996, Boston Bruins power forward Rick Tocchet asked me if I “wanted to go?” If you’re unfamiliar with hockey fighting etiquette, he was inviting me to fight! I politely accepted his invitation along with his left fist to my right orbital bone, which shattered. Five hours of surgery, 14 plates and 32 screws later, I’d learned just how impactful an invitation can be!
Maybe that was a bad example. How about this. I invited a cute blonde named Susan Scott out on a date and a year later she became Susan Burt, my wife.
At 11 years of age, my mother invited me to church. I reluctantly accepted, and that night not only changed my life but my eternity. It’s always worked this way:
- Jesus invited Peter and John to “Come follow me and I’ll make you fishers of men…” (Matthew 4)
- Philip invites Nathanael to “Come see Jesus” (John 1)
- The Samaritan woman at the well invited the entire town to “Come see a man who told me everything I’ve ever done,” (John)
And on and on it goes. Did you know that 80% of non-Christians polled said they’d attend church if a friend invited them? Eighty percent! And so it continues today.
Fredrick’s story
Fredrick was introduced to Jesus by Christian missionaries in Morocco, a predominantly Muslim nation. His budding faith was kept quite secretive and dormant. Sometime later he moved to France to pursue education and work. Although he searched for a church, nothing seemed to fit and he could feel his young faith beginning to wane. Fast forward nine years, he moved to NYC in search of work and perhaps try the “church thing” again. After playing “Google roulette” he found Every Nation NYC. He thought he’d give it a try. Fredrick was immediately greeted by John Hui. John proceeded to invite Fredrick to literally anything he could think of: Connect Group, Growth Track, next week’s service. Fredrick just kept saying “yes” to each and every invitation. John was by Fredrick’s side every step of the
way, and with each step Fredrick felt in himself the presence of Jesus beginning to be rekindled in his heart. Today Fredrick declares, “I’ve found Jesus and with him new freedom and new joy!”
Amy’s story
Amy had been in New York City just a few days. Visiting from Jackson, Wyoming, she felt something inside her strangely connect to the city. While enjoying Central Park, Amy began breaking into dance (not that strange a sight if you’ve been to Central Park). She caught the attention of two women walking in the park. When asked what she was doing, she simply replied, “I felt God stirring in me and needed to dance!” to which one of the women replied, “Are you a Christian? You need to meet my niece Julie.” Six weeks later, Amy found herself having coffee with Julie Beidl from our West Side service. There was an instant connection and Julie invited her to church. The moment she stepped through the church doors, God began to work in Amy’s life. Amy found relationship with God and people, she was water
baptized, she then said “yes” to our Cleansing Stream ministry and has found deep healing in her heart. One invitation had changed her life.
The power of an invitation! Whose life will you Change this Easter through an invitation? Invite someone here
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You’re Invited to Easter Services – Sunday, April 16th!
Jesus is Alive! Discover the power of God that raised Jesus from the dead and is available to us today. Bring a friend in need and come celebrate Resurrection Sunday this Easter at Every Nation NJ.
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