The first day we were in Flushing, N.Y., my team prayer-walked around the city to find locations where we could conduct surveys the next day. To help new churches that are being planted in that area, we surveyed residents to see how people felt about religion in general and new churches. We prayed that people would take the time out of their busy lives to talk with us and have open hearts to hear about Jesus Christ.
The next day, we visited a local mall. It was not as busy as the day before, but people were not willing to take time to talk to us. Feeling discouraged after not having any conversations, we decided to get some tea—mainly because there was a buy-two-get-one-free sale at the food court’s tea shop.
After we were served, my teammate and I sat down next to a couple waiting for their food. We asked them if they had time to answer a few questions from our survey. The man said “yes,” and we started asking questions about how a new church could meet needs in the community and what they might expect from a new church in the area. The man replied, “I wouldn’t know what to expect from a new church, because I don’t know anything about religion at all.”
We proceeded to share our Christian testimonies to help him see how important the gospel was to us and let him know how Christ had transformed our lives. Then we shared the gospel with him through an Evangecube and a pamphlet in Chinese explaining the gospel, so he could understand it in his native language. My teammate and I took turns presenting parts of the gospel as the man listened intently. After we finished talking to him, he told us he didn’t have any questions for us. He and his companion received their food and left. Although this man did not accept Christ or have any further questions about pursuing Christ, we were able to plant a seed in his life.
I am blown away that God called me to New York to have this conversation that was planned before I was even born. I am so thankful God works everything together for his glory. God is calling people to himself, and I am so grateful to be a small part of God’s plan. I learned that I cannot assume everyone around me knows Christ. Being intentional about sharing Christ with people has to be apart of everyday life. Everyone needs the hope of Christ.
Katelyn Sanders, a student at Texas Woman’s University, served in New York with Go Now Missions.
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