Lessons Learned at Altar Time

It was the Spring Tour of 1971. We headed off to Iowa and then Eastward. We actually went to Des Moines, my home town and we got to sing a special concert at my old high school – Hoover High. We couldn’t really witness during the concert, but many of the choir members were able to answer questions one on one with students and share the gospel afterwards. I even taught RT our school song and we sang it to the HHS crowd. On that song they sang along with us.

The trip landed us somewhere in Ohio. My tour assignment was to pitch our now infamous color picture. You know the one with the Natural, Fake Wood Border. You can find your own copy by going back to the December 15, 2007 RT Blog. (Click on "Older Posts")

Remember? … we sold those pictures to help the choir members with toothpaste and other essentials. That assignment gave me the freedom to leave the altar area early and head to the back to be ready to sell the pictures.

Well, being the discerning freshman that I was, I noticed a man always looking up during the altar call. He seemed to be nervously watching as kids were coming forward to be prayed for. Brother Mac had already asked for those who needed Jesus to come forward, followed by his question, “How many of you know that if you died today, you would go to Heaven? Put your hands up.” I noticed, this man responded to neither one of Brother Mac’s questions.

I knew what I needed to do, forget selling pictures, this man needs Jesus! I slid in between some folks to be able to sit down in the pew right beside him. I began to tell him how I noticed that he didn’t raise his hand and that Jesus wanted to change his life today. He tried many times to interrupt me, but I was headed for the sale. It seemed his wife was not as serious about the effort that I was making. She nudged him at first but was almost shaking as I pressed forward with my sale.

This guy wouldn’t accept Jesus, it amazed me. He kept interrupting me telling me who he was. I told him it didn’t matter who he was, Jesus would take him with all of his flaws and forgive him today.

All of this time the choir was aware of my efforts. Many of them knew who this guy was.

I kept trying to get this guy to pray the sinners prayer after me.

Finally he got through to me. He was the D-Cap AKA A/G Youth Director for the state of Ohio. He was watching the kids because he had been praying for so many of them. I had just tried to get T. Ray Rachels saved.

I don’t know about Brother Rachels, but I quickly melted to the floor and slid back to selling pictures.

T&J