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I had a young man, who was studying to be a Catholic priest, visit our church about three years ago. He was so devoted to God it actually scared me. He came because he was a relative to one of the families in our church. He had heard we had a basketball league for kids aged 9-13 and was interested in helping coach them.
I cautiously allowed him to be involved. He began to come to church every Sunday, while still attending Catholic Mass. He became my shadow. He wanted to be involved in everything in the church.
One Sunday morning during an altar service, with no one praying for him and the service about to end, God filled him with the Holy Ghost. He brought his mom, his grandma, and many, many friends to church with him.
He left the priesthood and the Catholic church. He began to witness up and down our city streets. Last year he entered full time youth ministry. He travels all around the US.
I said that to say this. I never would have seen this potential in him. He was so indoctrinated in Catholicism. But God saw his potential. Because we reached out to kids, God brought us someone to help.
And now our ministry has expanded beyond our wildest dreams.
Every soul counts.
Every one.
Be a gatherer.
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