Renewed Faith Through Simple Conversations – by Jerry Rice

Jerry Rice and Ben Pope (young man who helps us from New Mexico) at the Amarillo Farm Show

During a recent outreach event, I experienced firsthand how God can use even brief encounters to touch hearts and encourage spiritual growth. The Lord led me to two different vendor booths where I had the opportunity to speak with two men. Both identified as Christians, but as our conversation unfolded, it became clear that they had walked away from the Lord and were carrying feelings of guilt and a longing to reconnect with Him.

As I shared our 5-colors bracelet gospel story, they began to open up about their struggles. Both men expressed a desire to come back to the Lord but weren’t sure how to start. I shared with them the good news of God’s forgiveness and encouraged them to study God’s Word as a means of reconnecting with Him and growing in their faith.

It was remarkable to notice that, although these men were in completely different places at the event, they were dealing with very similar challenges. One man asked if he needed to start reading the Bible from the beginning and expressed concern that he might not be able to keep up with such a plan. I suggested that both men begin with the Gospel of John, reading at their own pace and focusing on understanding each passage in small segments rather than trying to rush through it. By the time I left each booth, both men expressed that this advice was exactly what they needed—they felt encouraged, understood, and motivated to take the first step toward spiritual growth.

Later in the day, another remarkable encounter occurred at our booth. A man stopped by, visibly excited about the work we were doing, and suggested that we hold a prayer meeting right there on the spot. I explained that we usually gather for prayer at the start of each day and invited him to join us the next morning. Not only did he come, but he also brought a friend along.

Initially, there were only two of us in the booth that morning, but as word spread and we reached out to vendors we had spoken with previously, four more people joined us, forming a circle of eight. Together, we shared a heartfelt time of prayer. Everyone who participated was genuinely excited to spend that moment together, praying for guidance, encouragement, and God’s presence in their lives.

This experience was a powerful reminder that God works in unexpected ways. Through simple conversations, small acts of encouragement, and shared prayer, lives can be touched and faith renewed. It showed me that sometimes all it takes is listening, sharing God’s Word in a practical way, and being willing to pray with others. These moments may seem small, but they have the potential to create lasting spiritual impact.

Reflection:

This testimony reminds us that outreach is not only about teaching or giving—it’s about being present, listening, and allowing God to guide each interaction. In these small yet meaningful moments, lives are changed, and faith is renewed.