Ministries Collide. – The Fruit of Mutual Pursuit

Written by Mike Verkaik

Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.  For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.       Matthew 7:7-8

During our ride to Oceans Ministries kids activities at the Wooden Shoe last week, I asked Albert, “When was it that you first recognized your need for Jesus to be your Lord and Savior? He replied.  “Remember that night at the motel when my family was in crisis? It was that night in the middle of a difficult situation.  I did not know where else to turn and there was a deep desire to let go and surrender all of it over to Him. In that moment I sensed peace. Now, I don’t know how people get through hard stuff without Jesus.”

Indeed, during that night of desperation,  and the unveiling of deep family wounds revealed the beautiful paradox of our Father’s love. God used one of Albert’s most vulnerable moments in His pursuit of a deep relationship with His son, while Albert’s response was a new and renewed faith that caused him to seek more of his Father’s presence in his life.

Through this mutual pursuit of a deeper relationship Albert began to discover HIs Father’s love and grace to transform the pain into a deeper intimacy with Him. As Albert kept knocking on the door of understanding and knowing the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, God opened His doors wide for Albert to taste and see firsthand the goodness of his Lord in South Africa.

First and foremost, the door of salvation:

On June 14 in False Bay Albert publicly professed his love for and faith in Jesus Christ and was baptized in front of the entire team. As he emerged from the water, the chorus of “Son of the King!” echoed in unison and celebrated his new identity and the transformative power of salvation.

The door of gratitude:

One of Albert’s favorite songs from the trip is Gratitude by Brandon Lake. His take aways each night showed a heart that was shifting focus away from what he didn’t have to being grateful for the things he had.  As Albert said, “ Seeing the people of Jim Se Bos, how difficult their lives are, but how joyful they live and worship made me realize how much I have to be thankful for.  They understand how merciful, loving and forgiving Jesus is to them, and that is enough.

The door of testimonies:

Albert resinated with many of the testimonies we listened to throughout the week. “Hearing how people came to know the Lord in tough spots, I related to that. But now I look at their lives and they are singularly focused on praising and serving Him. How their lives changed as they gave their lives to God. They have contagious joy and excitement for praising the Lord and the commitment to serve the communities.  It is inspiring to see how God has used them to care for the children, and to spread the gospel of Jesus.”

The door of revelation – the amazing love of His Abba Father:

During a conversation after South Africa, I asked Albert, “What did you learn about God on this trip.”  His response revealed a profound understanding of God’s unwavering love and forgiveness, “God really does care for me, even when I let him down, He is still loving and forgiving. He calls me to be available, but he is the one that changes people’s lives.”

The door of service and calling:

While dwelling and praying on the mountain Albert felt the Spirit’s nudge of compassion, asking him to pray over his teacher at Ocean View. The day before she had shared some of her story and testimony with him, now he felt the Spirit saying, “bless her with the new found covering you have found”.

God continued to inspire and reveal His plan for Albert’s new faith, trust and voice as he sought Him in the vineyard. “When I get back”, He said, ”I feel God saying I need to let my boss know I need to adjust my schedule to have Tuesday’s off. I feel I need to be available as a mentor to the other kids at the Wooden Shoe during Ocean’s kids activities. I would also need to share my testimony at the next Bible Club. (Which is happening the day this blog comes out)”

I hope you have been blessed by our Father’s story woven through the life of this young man.  My prayer is that it may revitalize or enhance your pursuit of God’s initiating love for yourself and those placed in your circle of influence. May the Holy Spirit lead and encourage you to keep loving, keep knocking, keep asking, and keep seeking.

We love because he first loved us. 1 John 4:19