Jesus Convos
When I think back on my early days in ministry, I remember the conviction that brought me to Tucson: a burning desire to take the fire of revival I’d been birthed in and carry it here—to see it take root, grow, and reproduce. The Christian life, I’ve learned, was never meant to be lived in the safety of comfort or convenience. C.T. Studd once said, “Some want to live within the sound of church or chapel bell; I want to run a rescue shop within a yard of hell.” That still resonates deeply. It’s easy to get caught up in the rhythm of church life, but Jesus didn’t call us to maintenance. He called us to mission. And at the heart of that mission is the Gospel—shared not just from the pulpit, but across dinner tables, job sites, sidewalks, and every ordinary place where people’s souls are quietly crying out for hope.
“It’s easy to get caught up in the rhythm of church life, but Jesus didn’t call us to maintenance.”
The actual flyer Frank received in 1975.
Last Friday marked 50 years since the night Frank and Susan King gave their lives to Jesus—and I had a front-row seat to how God made it happen. Back in 1975, I rolled into Frank’s Iron Works shop to order security bars for our church, after we’d had a break-in. I guess I left an impression, because when the crew returned, they joked about “the crazy guy in the wheelchair” who wouldn’t stop talking about Jesus. After the installation, they tossed the concert flyer I gave them into the trash. But Frank waited for them to leave, then pulled it out. It was a flyer for a free event we called Music with a Message. That night, he told Susan to get a sitter—they were going to check it out. The building was small and dark, packed with teenagers, and they were ready to leave… until they saw a familiar face: a couple they’d met just once in a childbirth class. That moment of recognition stopped them in their tracks and opened the door, both literally and spiritually. They stayed, heard the Gospel, and were radically saved. Fifty years later, they’re still walking with Jesus. It still amazes me how one simple conversation about Jesus—even when it seems ignored or thrown away—can become the spark that changes everything.
“It still amazes me how one simple conversation about Jesus—even when it seems ignored or thrown away—can become the spark that changes everything.”
Frank, Susan and their children.
As we grow older in our Christian walk, our external circle of non-believers often begins to shrink. As a result, both individuals and churches can become more inward-focused. We live in a time when the Christian worship experience has taken center stage—and that’s not necessarily a bad thing. It brings visibility and reach. However, it can also lead people to chase a feeling or become overly introspective. In this kind of culture, we must be careful not to let personal evangelism take a back seat. It must remain just as vital in our individual lives as worship. As British evangelist J. John once said to worship leader Matt Redman, “If we’re going to worship for eternity, and we can’t evangelize in heaven, why don’t we do a little less worship here and a little more evangelism?” That line struck me. We talk most about what we treasure. And if we truly treasure Jesus, we won’t just live quietly—we’ll speak boldly.
Paul’s words in Colossians 4 remind us that the Gospel needs a vehicle.
“Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.” — Colossians 4:5-6 (NIV)
That vehicle is you and me—ordinary believers willing to speak up, even when fear would rather we stay silent. Over the years, I’ve seen that “Jesus conversations” rarely begin during planned operations. They often start in unscripted moments: in hospital rooms, over lunch breaks, at concerts, or in high school hallways. Sometimes all it takes is, “Is there anything I can pray for?” Other times, it’s a divine appointment we never saw coming.
When we pray for these moments, we unlock the beautiful opportunity to participate in God touching lives. Colossians 4 also mentions,
“Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ”.
We can be a willing vehicle, armed with the marvelous message – but, often we’re looking for or waiting for some kind of door to open, previous closed politically, culturally, or personally. You don’t have to wait for the “Spirit to move”, you have access to the Spirit right now, through prayer. You may be surprised by what God can do through a simple prayer.
“You don’t have to wait for the “Spirit to move”, you have access to the Spirit right now, through prayer. ”
One thing is always true: when people meet the real Jesus, their natural response is to tell someone. Evangelism isn’t just a task on a checklist—it’s the pulse of a living, Spirit-filled church. I believe God is still opening doors, and He’s still looking for people who will walk through them with courage and clarity. May we be those people. Not to launch a campaign, but to live a lifestyle marked by Jesus conversations.
Don’t underestimate what God can do through small acts of courage. Have a Jesus convo today.