![\"Demcy\"](\"..\/..\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/05\/just-like-the-cross-demcy.jpg\")
<\/p>\nI get admittedly nervous when I hear these words: \u201cPastor Asscherick, you changed my life.\u201d You see, I\u2019m not in the life-changing business; I\u2019m just a messenger, a mail carrier. The biblical term is evangelist<\/i>, one who carries a message.<\/p>\n
That\u2019s me.<\/p>\n
My response has, over the years, become reflexive: \u201cWell, thank you, but I\u2019m sure it was Jesus Christ who changed your life, not me.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYes, yes, of course,\u201d is usually the reply. Or something like it. The point is taken, on both sides. I appreciate the affirmation, yes, but I appreciate the accuracy even more.<\/p>\n
Jesus Christ is in the life-changing business, and He is awesome at it. For my part, I find it easy to \u201csell\u201d and \u201ctell\u201d such a successful and consistent \u201cproduct.\u201d They say that Porsche salesmen do little more than hand out keys, because the cars sell themselves. I like that. That\u2019s what we evangelists do: hand out keys, \u201cthe keys of the kingdom\u201d (Matthew 16:19), no less! What we\u2019re offering is better than any Porsche, however.<\/p>\n
On my most recent trip to New Zealand, admittedly my favorite country on earth, I heard those words again: \u201cPastor Asscherick, you changed my life.\u201d The man was dark-skinned, round-faced and smiled a smile that was as much eyes as mouth. His whole face radiated a joy that was as pure and beaming as I\u2019ve seen. I liked him already. He introduced himself as Demcy, then told me a story that warmed my heart deeply.<\/p>\n
Demcy had been living with his wife, Thrace, and three children, all boys, in Christchurch. He and Thrace had moved from Sri Lanka many years before. Raised a Roman Catholic, Demcy had a genuine, though not always enthusiastic, interest in spiritual things. He believed, sure, but not particularly deep. This, though, was about to change.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
After seeing flyers and billboards around town advertising a meeting, What Does the Future Hold?<\/i>, Demcy finally, on February 21, showed up. His heart thrilled with the truth he was hearing! This was the God of love and freedom He\u2019d been looking for, and that he\u2019d always believed was there, somewhere!<\/p>\n
He left committed not to miss another meeting, but, alas, an unforeseeable disaster intervened.<\/p>\n