Compassion Evangelism and the Katrina Response

Two weeks following Katrina I received this email from Scott Rainey, pastor of the Spring Branch Church of the Nazarene in Houston. He allowed us to print it – the exciting story Helen Ryan – an evacuee who came to faith.

“Last night Sheila Davis, Thelma Martin, and I met with Helen Ryan with a prayerful hope to share the gospel of Jesus Christ. Helen was a self-proclaiming atheist bartender in the French Quarter of New Orleans two weeks ago.

"She is single and 46 years of age. She came to Houston with a group of four men she did not know in order to escape the storm that destroyed her city. When they arrived, they stayed in the fi rst hotel they could fi nd with a vacancy. It was the Days Inn just across the highway from our church. On Saturday morning of last week, I was at that Days Inn with two teenagers standing outside their lobby inviting anyone who walked by to our BBQ lunch that we were providing for Katrina victims at our church.

“She cried and told us a horrific story of survival. Three hours later, she came to the lunch and began to meet people from the church. Carmen Harrison became ‘her first friend’ (those are her words). I witnessed Carmen crying and hugging Helen as she shared her story. Helen went through our supply center and was overcome by all that we were giving away. She said, ‘I have been an atheist for 30 years, but after all the love I have seen from these people, I need to rethink that position.’ I invited her to come back to church the next day.

“She absolutely loved church. Her exact words were, ‘I feel like I was at a concert for God.’ About 10 of our people took her to lunch last Sunday afternoon. On Monday I called Helen and asked her if we could talk with her more about spiritual things since she is rethinking her beliefs about God. She said, ‘I trust you people. I am open to talking.’ Last night at 9:45 in Pappy’s Restaurant, Helen Ryan was converted to being a child of God by the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ!

“She agonized over the decision saying, ‘I don’t want to make this decision because of how nice you have been, but because of how good God has been.’ With tears, she prayed through. This Sunday morning, Helen will light our grace candle during our Sunday morning service.

"God has given us a wonderful opportunity to see compassion evangelism reach lost people. I know we will see more come to Christ in the days ahead. Please continue to pray.

“Helen is moving into an apartment about two miles from our church. She said, ‘I am not going home. I have a new family.’ She has already invited three people who have committed to her that they will be with her at church on Sunday!”

-Tom Nees