Syracuse International Christian Church

Darlene Clarke, a disciple of 6 months, was riding the bus on one inconspicuous afternoon, when she saw an old friend seated on that same bus. It didn’t take long for her to recognize this girl as Melissa Johnson. Now, any normal afternoon, this would have been just one sister in the Lord preaching the word to someone on the bus, but not so on this morning: this was a reunion of two very old friends.

Melissa and Darlene had been roommates in a homeless shelter for women, when they were both just teenagers, living in Syracuse. After they had become good friends, Melissa left the shelter, and Darlene hadn’t seen her again for two years. The fact that they then got on the same bus, going the same direction, shows how the Holy Spirit is constantly directing our steps (Acts 17:25-28). They exchanged numbers, and Melissa began studying the bible the following week, getting together virtually every day. Last Wednesday night was when Melissa learned God’s plan of forgiving each person’s sins and bringing them into the Light included repentance and baptism (Acts 2:38)! Knowing her own salvation was on the line, she refused to stop studying until she was baptized later that night at our men’s midweek.

When asked how she could describe her friendship with Melissa, Darlene said, “She’s like a little sister to me. Like sisters encourage each other, and we were going through a lot. We relied on each other.”

Melissa had already been very religious, believing in God, and believing his word, and she was very open to learning more about God. Even so, studying the bible for her was just another way for her to get closer to God, in the beginning… But when she saw how a Christian is defined in the bible as a disciple, she was blown away. When she saw how her life didn’t match the life of a disciple, a fisher of men, she was in awe, as a ‘religious’ person should be. Through all the studies, she took every challenge because she knew it was what God wanted her to do! God is Sovereign! Melissa held nothing back from the sisters, she was transparent.

To see how God could forge this friendship, between these two young women during such a difficult time in their lives, is inspiring. He always had the plan to make it something that could lead to Melissa’s soul being saved. How awesome to think the Lord prepares the way for our salvation, and is eager not only to forgive our sins, but to use us to help others find that same forgiveness.

“To see how it wasn’t about me, but that God wanted to give people an opportunity, even in a homeless shelter was an Acts 17:26-28 set-up.” Darlene said. The question for each of us today is: What friends does God want to bring back into our lives, so we can offer them the promise of a new life?!

(The Letter written by Susan during
her baptism for forgiveness!)
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Baptism Date: December 06, 2009

Mission Team: Syracuse International Christian Church

Susan’s Conversion Story

Dear Disciples,

I am an example of God’s kindness and great love for a creature. He made me 74 years ago. I have wondered through life as a confused and disobedient child and now as an older lady. But God has saw fit to call me to the fold of His sheep; gently and lovingly to be His after all this time. He could have allowed me to be run over by the cars that brushed past me because I was slow and they were in a hurry. But patiently, he called me. On occasions I ran toward Him but most of the time I ran from him because it seemed to take too much patience for my temperament.
Continue reading Love Letter to God

(This was e-mailed to Kip McKean December 14th, 2009)

I Don’t know if it’s too late to include this in your weekly Email (that’s E for Encouragement) that always helps spur on Kerri-Sue, Blake, Liza and my faith as we all sit around the computer and read what God is doing around the world . . . this story is over 10 years in the making and may be a little longer than usual for the email, but it’s worth telling the world! God has been moving so powerfully here the past two months in the Syracuse International Christian Church–we stand in awe–as we stand together with all of you sold-out disciples across the nations!

George Mak became a disciple almost ten years ago when his sister and brother-in-law, Andy and Marta Graham, who were part of the original mission team that came to Syracuse to plant the church in 1993, invited him to move to Syracuse after losing his job in Atlanta, Georgia. With the rental truck still parked in the driveway, he walked into his first ever Bible Talk that same day he moved! After initially responding to the Scriptures and making a radical life change, including breaking up with his girlfriend of twenty years, George saw God bless that repentance with his girlfriend, Kathy Hanam, moving to Syracuse, getting baptized and their getting to date as disciples!
Continue reading On Eagle’s Wings