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"The Creator of the Universe Just Spoke to Me?"

Detroit, Michigan
Apr 19, 2016
2 min read

STORY TIME!!!!

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My favorite memory from Detroit was an encounter one of our Discipleship Training School (DTS) students had with the Lord. Before coming to DTS, Brad* was an adrenaline rush “junkie” who got lost in the world of BMX and the party lifestyle, making many regretful mistakes. He’d always looked up to his dad, a medical missionary, but Brad decided he was “too far gone” to change. Brad only came to our DTS to please his dad, but as the school continued, he longed to know Jesus. One day in class he accepted Jesus as his Savior! We were astonished, but knew he still needed to leave the past behind to make Jesus the Lord of his life. Some time after, he felt the craziest adrenaline rush he had ever experienced during a time of worship. He told me it was more intense than any BMX run, and more intense than the rush he’d get from running away from the police. Brad was amazed, thinking,“ God knows my deepest longings. I want to know him.” He started reading his Bible daily. He even contacted his dad, confessed his rebellion, and asked for forgiveness. It was exciting to watch. However, through all of this he thought, “ Can I really know God?”

In Detroit, Brad made some bad choices. Knowing his choices were coming out of frustration, I asked him, “ What do you want most from God, if you could have anything?” Of all things he could have asked for, Brad said, “I want to hear God’s voice. God doesn’t speak to me like he does with other people. Something is wrong with me." I told him, “Let’s give God a chance right now to speak to you. To combat your doubt, just spit out the first thing you hear, no matter how simple it seems.” In faith, as he spoke out what God said to him, tears fell down his face. The Lord was ministering to his heart & for a while he just sat there, consumed with God’s love. Finally he lifted his head & looked at me in awe, saying, “So, you’re telling me… the creator of the universe just spoke to me?” I replied with the sweetest smile across my face, “Yeah, dude!!!”

God has big plans for Brad’s life! He’s incredibly talented in leadership and is only 18 years old. Can you remember him in your prayers? He plans to come to our next school in July to know the Lord more, but he faces much spiritual warfare to choose Jesus over rebellion.

*name changed