We Care Students Help West Hills Baptist Church

by Emily Andrews

Getting out of our “comfort zone” was what it was about on Wednesday afternoon as youth groups from Delaware, Ohio and Modesto, California, had the privilege of helping West Hills Baptist Church canvass neighborhoods close to the church. Pastor Larry Walker briefed us before we went out indicating that the vast majority of the area is Roman Catholic and really doesn’t see a need for a true relationship with Jesus Christ. Armed with flyers, gospel tracks and a zest for the Gospel, the groups split into pairs and started knocking on each door in the neighborhoods. Many were not home, so literature about the church was left. If someone did answer the door, the groups had some success in conducting a two-minute neighborhood survey.

God was truly working in one encounter with a lady who discussed something that hurt her when she was attending West Hills Baptist Church. Kelsey and Mitch from Delaware, Ohio, were very kind and reassuring to her and then relayed the information to Pastor Larry. As Pastor Larry was driving around the neighborhoods checking on different groups, he felt a tugging on his heart to go back and talk to the lady who had opened up to Kelsey and Mitch. Pastor Larry went to the lady’s door and apologized to her on behalf of the church. “Immediately after I apologized, the walls came down and we had a great conversation!” said Pastor Larry. Pastor Larry apologized for something that had happened years ago before he had even started ministering at West Hills, but it didn’t matter!! The air was cleared and her heart was opened up to come back to church!

Seeds were planted in several hearts – Tim from Delaware, Ohio said, “Some people seemed open – which gave me hope.” We may never see the fruits of our labor until eternity, but how sweet it will be when we see them in Glory!!