Story // Eric

Growing up, I didn’t know Jesus. And a majority of my family didn’t know much about Him either. I attended church a handful of times and was mildly exposed to the idea of God, but my pride and ignorance disregarded Him rather entirely. Instead, I spent the remainder of my childhood placing my hope and identity in the things of this world and was shackled by a heavy burden of shame that brought me to the end of myself. With absolutely nowhere else to run, I gave my life to Jesus at the age of 23. All praise and glory to Him!

So if I grew up not knowing anything about Jesus, then how did I know to turn to Him?

Because He strategically placed individuals in my life who not only shared Jesus with me, but also modeled His character. By the power of the Holy Spirit, God used those people to draw me closer to Him. Over time, my heart began to soften and grasp the truth of God’s Word that I once dismissed and rejected.

Praise God for those Jesus followers who included me in their oikos. I am forever grateful for those who took time to pray for me, invest in me, and even invite me to church. Only God knows where I’d be if they hadn’t.

Jesus came to intentionally seek and save the lost. As believers, sharing and modeling Jesus is not just something we were tasked with. It’s something that should genuinely, organically, and excitedly be pouring out of us because of what Jesus has done in our own lives. And it can start with the 8-15 people whom God has strategically and supernaturally placed in our lives. 

There’s a 95% chance that someone in your oikos may one day come to know Jesus through your intentionality. And if their story is anything like mine, they’ll be eternally grateful for you.

Be intentional and stay intentional.