Multiplying Disciples. One at a Time.

Russell (R) and Team

Russell Godward shares Joe’s story in this podcast interview.

I met Joe coming out of COVID when people could get out of their houses again.  

He was about thirty-five. I shared the gospel with him and he sent us on our way, not very politely. 

But you can’t unhear the gospel, can you? Once someone shares it with you.

Two years later, we’re out sharing and walked by the “druggie bench” in the local park. My partner David went over to share with the guys while I talked to someone else.

David offered to pray for them and share the gospel. This guy says, ‘I know what you are gonna do. You’re gonna draw this picture of three circles and you are gonna tell me about Jesus!’

It was Joe. So Joe points at me across the park, he says, ‘That guy over there, I met him a couple of years ago on a street corner and he shared with me. I told him to go away.’ So David re-shares the gospel with this guy and his friend.

These guys are homeless and sofa surfing. David finds out where they live. He follows them up.

They begin meeting with us at the cafe, and we’re reading the Bible with them. We pray for them; we share the gospel as often as possible. They were far from God. 

Slowly Joe starts to believe and read his Bible. Then one day he announced, ‘I’m not doing cocaine anymore.’ He says, ‘My life’s become so boring. I sit in bed at nine o’clock at night. I’ve got a cup of hot chocolate. And I’m reading my Bible. My dad tells me, “Your life is so boring!”’

‘But for the first time in my life, I’ve got a clear head and my life’s coming together.’ 

He hadn’t believed on Jesus yet, but God was doing something. 

Then one day, we sat in the cafe, and we were teaching Joe about baptism, about what it means to take those first steps of obedience.

Joe looks at us. He says, ‘You know, you know, I believe the stuff you are sharing, but I’m not sure I’m ready for this because if I believe on Jesus fully and become baptized, I have to become more like you guys. I’d need to start living like a disciple. I need to start going and sharing the gospel with people just like you did with me.’ 

And we’re like, ‘Fair point Joe. You do need to become that. This is what it’s gonna look like to be a disciple.’ And a few months later, I think about a year ago, Joe says to David, ‘I’m ready. I’m all in.’

Now he’s meeting with us on Wednesday nights. We’re reading the Bible together. We are learning to obey Jesus’ commands. It’s slow, but Joe’s beginning to share with other people.

Russell Godward

Interview: 363-The Gospel Always Works