How often have you been asked this question or received a card with this on? Remember those days in school when we would pass out those little cards. Didn’t you always feel so loved? On Valentine’s Day this year I was privileged to partner with CRU and share the love of Christ. We serenated the San Francisco campus in Quito with love songs about Christ (Reckless Love, Oceans, and more!).
We also went around handing out gender specific love letters to the students (with candy of course!).
We would share the letters with them and then ask them questions such as: how does this make you feel? Do you know who Jesus is? The responses varied from “knowing Christ”, having a relationship with Christ, having a falling out with Christ because of being forced to know more about him (such as through Catholic schooling), atheists, and then those who think there is some supernatural force in the world. We then would share how God’s love influenced our lives and if they were really interested, shared the gospel with them. If they were a girl, we invited them to our Galentines event (girls only celebration of Valentine’s Day) the next day.
My spirit of Evangelism was activated during this time. At first, my group just started handing out the love letters and not really pursuing further. Then, we mustered up courage and started asking more questions and engaged in conversations. Valentine’s Day was an easy way in to evangelize the love of Christ. I would then often share about my love for Christ—so much so that I left my home for 11 months. I shared about how his love has changed my life. We did this for a few hours, regrouped and sang more songs to serenade the campus. Our student leader from CRU had to quiet us down a bit at one point because we were singing a little too loud and he didn’t want us to get kicked off the campus. Taking risks for the kingdom can be dangerous—but necessary.
What risks have you taken for the kingdom lately? Surprisingly, even if the students didn’t agree with us, they were super respective and polite and listened to all we had to say. You never know how one conversation will change a life forever. I challenge you to make a list of 5 people who need to hear the good news and share it with them this week! Feel free to email me or leave a comment with the responses you get!
Blessed are you when people insult you, curse you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you in my name. Be glad and rejoice for great is your reward in Heaven, for in the same way the prophets were persecuted before you. Matthew 5:11-12
Galentine’s Day Event Photos:
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I see God’s love in everyone’s smiles!!
Always looking for your next post!!
🙂
Hi Kelly,
Eric says, “how are you?” He also says, “Happy Valentine’s day.” (belated 🙂 but still so sweet!) It is so amazing to hear how God is working through you! We are so happy that you are doing well, staying safe, and working for the kingdom of God!!!
Love,
Eric and Lindsey
aww thanks Eric! I’m now in Banos, Ecuador and head out for Peru tomorrow! They had this holiday going on called Carnaval–where people throw water, paint, eggs, and flour at you and then spray you with foam! It’s been interesting!
Love you both!!
Kelly
Kelly! I loved this, I forgot about how scared we were at first to evangelize. That day really helped all of us step out of our comfort zones!
Courtney!!! How much we all have grown! But it was a fundamental step to our growth for sure!!