The Worst Gospel Presentation

“I was ready to throw in the towel. That was the worst presentation of the gospel I have ever given.”

Those were the words of a camp counselor last summer after his devotion session with the wilderness campers. Imagine. Looking into the eyes of a group of children as you share the gospel, knowing it might be their first time hearing or understanding who Jesus is...and then feeling like you blew it. You let God down. 

But that's the cool thing about grace. God doesn’t need us to be perfect, eloquent, or smooth. In fact, if people are impressed with us, then we tend to get the glory instead of God. The Bible says "For Christ did not send me to baptize but the preach the gospel, and not with words of eloquent wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power,” (1 Corinthians 1:17).  When we are just willing vessels, allowing God to use us and speak through us, it is evident that God is at work.

The story doesn't end there. Later, another wilderness camp counselor came upon one of those boys who had listened to that devotion. He was reading a Bible that someone at camp had given him.  She asked the boy what he was reading. After they conversed for a short time, he suddenly said, “I think I want to be a Christian.” She prayed with him and he became a child of God. 

A counselor was willing to be used of God; and so, even in his weakness, eternity changed for a child. Best of all, God got the glory.