The Personal Touch

Veteran missionary Mabel Francis wrote the following practical advice for the January 6, 1965 issue of The Alliance Witness titled "The Personal Touch":

"For several years a wealthy Japanese businessman, who was not a Christian, had taken great interest in the upkeep of the church. One day I asked him, 'Do you intend to die without Christ?' and he replied emphatically 'No!'

"Not long ago he gave a set of expensive chimes to the church. On the morning of the day the chimes were dedicated I asked him at the breakfast table, 'What prompted you to give such an expensive gift to the church?' His eyes filled with tears and he trembled with emotion as he said, 'When I saw our young people going astray I thought the beautiful church music sounding out over the village would cause them to think and change their ways.' Miss Susan Dyck was with me and immediately said, 'But you yourself must come to Christ.' He was deeply moved and after a moment's silence said, 'I will.' He right then humbly asked God to forgive and receive him. Now he is a new babe in Christ and growing daily. It took persevering patience and prayer over a long period, but the personal touch that morning at the table brought him to a decision.

"Through the years we have engaged in various forms of mass evangelism--tent, hall and street meetings, and so on. The people come and listen, and many of them make decisions. This is very good, but unless this program is followed by personal guidance only a very small percentage actually come to saving faith in Christ. The value of personal dealing cannot be overestimated.

"Perhaps one of the most fruitful methods of evangelism is for a Christian to witness to friends or neighbors and invite them to some meeting or bring them to the church. The impression of a Christian testimony is deep and often irresistible. In a distant town where we were holding meetings a woman responded to the invitation the first time she attended the meetings. Later I asked her what brought her to make such a prompt decision. She replied, 'Oh, I live near Mrs. Yoshida. I have been watching her life. I have heard her testimony. I have seen her joy and peace. I made up my mind I wanted to know the same God.' Over and over we have found that the personal witness to an unsaved friend prepares him to believe.

"When our evangelists go out from house to house to distribute tracts or invitations we often meet those who seem to be waiting for something. When the evangelist shows understanding and deep concern for them they invite him into the home and open their hearts. However, had he not approached them they would never have been reached; they would have gone on waiting or more likely would have been led into a false cult.

"The Japanese people respond especially to warm, sympathetic interest and concern for them. It is important to visit the people in their homes, to welcome them to our homes, and to take time to get close to them, giving them opportunity to tell what is in their hearts. Sometimes this takes much patience, perseverance and faith. We must hear them through even if their ideas seem crude and warped; and we must never show surprise but endeavor with all respect to lead them to the truth. We must keep their hearts open to us so that they will be free to speak out their thoughts and struggles.

"Just recently when Miss Dyck and I were in a country town we were asked to call on the president of the bank. He had been suffering with his back and the doctors had not been able to give him any relief. We found him quite open-minded, but wanting only to get help for his distress. As we talked with him the Holy Spirit moved on his heart and his entire attitude changed. After we prayed he broke out in a humble prayer of repentance. Then his wife prayed. As soon as we left the house he turned to his wife and said, 'From now on we shall have a time of prayer every day.'

"About two years ago we had a very fruitful mass evangelism effort in our city. At that time a young man, a college student, was most blessedly saved. He wrote his testimony for us. But after some weeks he ceased to attend the church. We hunted him out and finally he said, 'I have a great burden on my heart. I can never tell anyone.' We talked with him for a time, giving him the Word. Presently courage came and he decided to open his heart and confess all before the pastor. With this confession and the guidance of the pastor in the Word, peace again filled his heart. Without that personal concern and guidance he would have drifted away.

"With every new opportunity we feel our utter dependence on the Holy Spirit. He is the great Personal Worker, and as we press on in faith He works with us, giving conviction and revealing salvation through the cross of Christ."