Liberty

Country: United States
State or province: Missouri

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John Findlay
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• Team Liberty: Seven Dolors, Pentacostals, and New Life - Liberty Farmer's Market 6/8/2024

• Team Liberty at the Farmer's Market: Homecoming, Homeschool, Kenya, and the Warning - 10/14/2023

• Preaching and Pooches! - Liberty Farmer's Market 8/14/2023

• Team Liberty Inaugural Event - Liberty Farmer's Market 7/29/2023

Team Liberty: Seven Dolors, Pentacostals, and New Life - Liberty Farmer's Market 6/8/2024

June 15, 2024

On a muggy Saturday morning, once again at our favorite shady spot in the shadow of Samuel Clemens (Mark Twain) noted author and humorist...who ironically had strong opinions on religion. Team Liberty officially set up shop for the first time in 2024 to evangelize to the masses on their way to the Liberty, Missouri Farmer's Market. Holding our first event of the year, we conveniently chose our same location next to the public parking lot to intercept many souls on their way to (and back from) the Liberty Farmer's Market. Our day also happened to coincide with the City's local Juneteenth celebration happening later that day. Myself and fellow team evangelists RC and Hermann set up our table, briefed, and prayed for graces from the Lord to bring us souls, so we could bring them closer to Jesus. While most people exchange polite pleasantries and keep walking, we were able to have at least a couple of very fruitful interactions.

Brad, a middle aged gentleman that I recognized from my Facebook friends list and acquaintance from my distant, past political activism, stopped by our table. I had not seen him in person in many years, but we instantly recognized each other and connected and struck up a nice conversation. He mentioned to me that he was baptized Catholic, but has been attending one of the large Baptist churches in the area for many years. As I was listening to him, I internally said a little prayer for his return to the Church and asked for inspiration from the Holy Spirit. I told him that no matter where he goes to church, he will always be Catholic. He kind of gave me a double-take. Recently he has been thinking about Catholicism ever since he visited a historic rural Catholic church that closed about a month earlier when the Bishop combined it with another rural parish about 7 miles away. His Great great great grandfather was instrumental in founding the church in 1870. He could not remember the name of the church, he said is was "Seven...something", and I replied that seven is the number of perfection in the Bible....Creation in Genesis, the Seven Last Words of Christ from the Cross, the Seven Sorrows of Mary, and he suddenly responded, "That's it, Seven Dolors Catholic Church." We spoke more about the history and he was grateful that he got to attend the picnic at the church celebrating their last Mass. We shook hands and I invited him to stay in touch because it was God's grace, and no accident, that we ran into each other. I extended a standing invitation to get together any time for a cup of coffee and to talk again soon. Lord, we pray for Brad that the seed planted in his soul bears much fruit and your Holy Spirit brings him back to the Catholic faith.

A young couple in their 20s were walking by pushing a baby stroller with a beautiful newborn boy inside. Gavin and Olivia just had their first child only nine days earlier and named him John Allen Joseph. RC, Hermann and I complimented their choice, a strong Biblical name. Gavin's eyes lit up and he said that John is based upon the Hebrew translation "Graced by God", Allen is Gaelic for "little rock" (like Peter I interjected with a smile), and Joseph is Hebrew for "God shall add". I asked Gavin if he and his wife were Catholic. He indicated that they were non-denominational Christians and had recently moved to the area and were looking for a new church. He was raised in a faith-filled family where his father was a Pentecostal minister to whom he credits his fiery love for Jesus. I asked him if he ever considered Catholicism. He said he always respected Catholics and their reverence toward God. He confessed that he wished that Protestants were more reverent; they can be very enthusiastic and evangelical, but their services lack the reverence that he has seen in Catholic Mass. He wished there was a way to combine the enthusiasm of Protestants with the reverence of Catholics. Don't we all. Opportunity presented itself and I handed him a brochure to our local Catholic parish in Liberty and invited him to join me at Mass sometime and a cup of coffee afterward to continue our conversation. We exchanged cell phone texts so we could keep in touch. Lord, we pray for Gavin, Olivia, and John Allen Joseph to find their way to You through the reverence of the Catholic Church.

We always enjoy it when fellow Catholics stop by too...great conversations, kind words, and gratitude toward our evangelization efforts. But all gratitude, praise, and honor go to God. His Holy Spirit is the source of all of our efforts and inspiration. We even had a couple interested in joining our motley crew. The more the merrier!

Just before noon under the backdrop of soulful Juneteenth music nearby, we packed up our gear after our first successful day on the street. We de-briefed, prayed for all of the souls we encountered that day, and departed with joy in our hearts. 'Til next time friends!

God Bless,

John Findlay - Leader Team Liberty