Dan. Brad has in fact declared his faith fearlessly. As a junior in
high school, for example, he joined the Mormon Missionary class so that
he could interact in a spiritual environment with his Mormon friends.
When the Mormon leadership asked for testimonials from the group, Brad
stood in this class room setting and declared that he believed that "man
is fallen from grace and that he is born a sinner and that salvation is
through Jesus Christ alone." "Through salvation one can have a personal
and abiding faith in Christ." He declared, "I testify today to a
personal relationship with Christ Jesus".
Brad told me about this experience that night at the kitchen table. I
asked him what the response was from the teacher. His simple answer was
that "they threw me out of the class for good"! "However, they threw me
out too late", he said. Later, I learned what his last statement meant.
It ended up that one of the students from that Mormon class later broke
away from the Mormon Church as she continued to talk to Brad about
Christianity. Her family, in essence disowned her. She raised her own
funds to go to Northwest Nazarene College and gives testimony of the
boldness of the witness that Brad yearned for in this 1995 note that is
attached.
high school, for example, he joined the Mormon Missionary class so that
he could interact in a spiritual environment with his Mormon friends.
When the Mormon leadership asked for testimonials from the group, Brad
stood in this class room setting and declared that he believed that "man
is fallen from grace and that he is born a sinner and that salvation is
through Jesus Christ alone." "Through salvation one can have a personal
and abiding faith in Christ." He declared, "I testify today to a
personal relationship with Christ Jesus".
Brad told me about this experience that night at the kitchen table. I
asked him what the response was from the teacher. His simple answer was
that "they threw me out of the class for good"! "However, they threw me
out too late", he said. Later, I learned what his last statement meant.
It ended up that one of the students from that Mormon class later broke
away from the Mormon Church as she continued to talk to Brad about
Christianity. Her family, in essence disowned her. She raised her own
funds to go to Northwest Nazarene College and gives testimony of the
boldness of the witness that Brad yearned for in this 1995 note that is
attached.
Doug, thank you for sharing this living example of the faith of a son. "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!" is the scripture that comes to mind as I joyfully read the account.
ReplyDeleteThe relationship of Brad's faith and how he saw it nurtured through his parents and grandparents is truly a testimony to us all. Thank you for sharing it (and thank you, Brad) for the encouragement to my faith today through it.
Lovingly,
Dan