By Lane Loman, FAS Speaker
It was the first night of Chandler Holiness Camp in Chandler, IN. We were holding services in the open-air tabernacle located across the street from The Church of the Nazarene, which has been using the tabernacle for their services during gathering restrictions due to COVID-19.
I was about halfway through my sermon when I saw a tall, lanky, long-haired man approach the tabernacle. One of the men seated toward the back invited him to sit by him. When I finished my sermon, “He Brought Us Out to Bring Us In,” I invited people to pray at the altar. The late arrival made his way forward. I pointed to a place at the altar and told him he could kneel right there. Two local pastors joined us, and we learned that his name is Craig. Craig obviously had no church background, no knowledge of God or the Bible. We endeavored to help him understand how much God loved him, and we encouraged him to tell God anything. He responded, “Will He get mad?” One of the pastors responded, “No, He has heard it all and He loves you anyway!”
Craig had heard the singing from his front porch and made his way to the tabernacle. He responded to what he could not explain. He knew nothing about conviction, but he discovered God’s love through caring people who embraced him, literally, after the service.
Craig returned the next night and the next. He was different! He testified to having had a wonderful day and that he had never experienced love like he experienced among the people attending these services. Chandler Holiness Camp’s story began in 1932, but Craig’s story has just begun. From all indications, Craig has a group of dedicated people and pastors who will be there to disciple him as he makes new discoveries about God’s love and what it means for his life.
Update (Oct 22, 2021): Craig has committed to regularly attending church.