THERE ARE NO MINOR ACTS OF MINISTRY

By Michael K. Farrar, O.D.

© God’s Breath Publications

 

All of us probably have heard the name D. L. Moody if we have any knowledge of the history of Christianity in America. D. L. Moody was a famous evangelist who led many to faith in Christ. He had a dramatic impact through his preaching and writing ministries.

 

L. Moody was responsible for leading Wilbur Chapman to faith in Christ. Who was Wilbur Chapman you ask? Wilbur Chapman was a great national evangelist in the generation that succeeded D. L. Moody.

 

 On one Sunday afternoon in Chicago, Wilbur Chapman and a group of other Christians trailed a “gospel wagon,” as they called them in those days, from the Pacific Garden Mission into the streets. They followed this “gospel wagon” down State Street. There standing in the crowd along the curb was a young man who played baseball for the White Stalkings (now known as the Chicago White Socks). It was Sunday and this man was on his day off. Those with Wilbur Chapman gave an invitation to all those interested to come down to their meeting later that day where Mr. Chapman was to preach. This particular young man came to that meeting and professed faith in Jesus Christ. The man’s name was Billy Sunday.

 

Billy Sunday played two more years of baseball then he began to work for the YMCA. Wilbur Chapman came back through town and asked Billy Sunday to join his evangelistic team. Billy asked what he was supposed to do at these meetings. Wilbur Chapman told him that Billy would share the gospel at the beginning of the meetings. This would prepare the people for the preaching of Wilbur Chapman that would follow. Billy Sunday committed to take on this task. Soon afterwards Wilbur Chapman left his ministry of evangelism to become pastor of one of the largest churches in America. This left Billy Sunday as the evangelist in charge. Billy Sunday began leading evangelistic crusades throughout America. He continued on in the ministry where his mentor had left off.

 

Billy Sunday traveled America leading people to Christ. A man by the name of Mordecai Ham attended one of Billy Sunday’s evangelistic meetings. Mordecai became a Christian due to the preaching of Billy Sunday. He in turn also became an evangelist.

 

During one of Mordecai Ham’s evangelistic tours a man invites his reluctant friend to one of the evangelistic meetings. The two men sit together and due to the preaching of Mordecai Ham, the reluctant young man accepts Christ as his Savior. This young man was Billy Graham. We all know the impact that Billy Graham has had on the world due to his evangelistic ministry.

 

Now I’ll tell you the rest of the story.

 

What person did the Holy Spirit convict to begin this great harvest of souls? Who obeyed God and started this spiritual ball rolling down the hill that would impact so many lives? Possibly we can find the answer if we ask the question, “Who led D. L. Moody to Christ?”

 

It was his Sunday school teacher.

 

One particular day a Sunday school teacher was led by the Lord to visit each of the students in his class and ask them one critical question, “Where do you stand in relationship to Jesus Christ?” Following up on the Spirit’s prompting, the Sunday school teacher visits the shoe shop where D. L. Moody works on a Saturday. He escorts young Moody back into the stock room and asks him, “Where are you in regards to Jesus Christ.” Through their discussion amongst the highly stacked leather souls this loving and dedicated Sunday school teacher leads D. L. Moody to Christ. The Sunday school teacher’s name was Edward Kimball. Now you know whom the Holy Spirit used to build God’s Kingdom in a mighty way.

 

Through the obedience and commitment of one Sunday school teacher, God’s Spirit moved in intimate and numerous ways to lead thousands if not millions into the kingdom. While hardly anyone knows Edward Kimball’s name today, God knows his name and cares that he took the time to share the gospel with a single young man in a shoe store.

 

God cares for each action taken in the name of the Lord. God places great value in each act of obedience that brings glory to Him. God treasures the words spoken in His name that lead others to a relationship with His Son.

 

You may ask, “Who led Edward Kimball to Christ?” Nobody knows. Does anybody care?

 

 God knows. God cares.

 

The man or woman who led Edward Kimball to Christ died in anonymity. They never knew that God would use them to cause a chain of evangelistic events leading huge numbers of people into God’s kingdom. 

 

No matter how insignificant you feel your life, witness or ministry, God knows and cares how you serve Him. His ever watching eye records for eternity each microsecond spent serving His will. Never doubt that God places great importance on how you seek to serve Him in what, to you, might seem a simple life. Simple lives responsive to God’s Spirit move the masses to a saving faith in our Lord and Master Jesus Christ.

 

Hebrews 4:13

“Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.”