Deep Green Evangelism
October 16, 2009
by Rev. Mitch Hescox
Something we’re missing. Riding in a cab after two consecutive days of coast-to-coast flying with six hours of presentations and meetings tossed between, I started a conversation with my young driver. We chatted over the area, weather, coffee (which I was in desperate need), local jobs, and the economy. “People around here take the environment seriously, we’re sort of an outdoors kinda’ people,” shared Michael. “I went to the local book-store a while back and found something called the Green Bible.” My younger brother died not too long ago, and I’m trying to figure things out,” Michael continued. “I gotten through the Genesis part, but so far I have more questions than answers.” As Michael paused and looked over with a glancing gaze with maybe you think I’m crazy expression, I admit to a little chuckle. “Michael, in my briefcase is my Green Bible. “ Michael, I spent the last 20 years being a pastor and now help churches and our government understand how important it is to care for God’s creation,” I replied to a very surprised taxi-driver. Michael shared a little more of his live, his hurt, his confession. How a friends were turning to God and others away from God. “I spend some time in church as a kid, but I don’t have much use for church,” Michael stated. “Let’s start with your questions and try to build a relationship with God before we worry about the church,” I replied.
We spent the next 20 minutes discussing Scripture, his questions and his feelings. As we arrived at my destination, I simply asked Michael if I could pray for him. After laying hands on my new friend and praying, I offered him my card and asked him to email his questions so our conversation might continue. However, the story isn’t over. The next day on my return trip with some colleagues. Our now woman cab driver wanted to know if anyone had travelled alone by taxi the day before. I confessed! She immediately shared how her son Michael had come home yesterday waving my card and telling his mom about our conversation. Only the Lord knows the outcome of this serendipitous moment, but without the Green Bible inspired by Dr. Cal DeWitt a connection would have never happened.
Creation care and our stewardship for the earth are not only a Biblical mandate, but also perhaps the greatest 21st century evangelism gift. Are we awake enough to make the connection?
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Rev. Mitch Hescox, President/C.E.O. – EEN
Comments
3 Responses to “Deep Green Evangelism”
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Hi Rev Mitch thank you for your witness!
This is awesome message that in tragedy and in hope that in life and death Christ is working always for us to be with Him. That in a conversation in a taxi cab, in the pews of our congregation or in the middle of an amazing wilderness we can proclaim with confidence that the living Word or our Living Lord is indeed being proclaimed! How can we come to know God without questions and let us never be timid in our response to share the joy of our Lord who loves all of us indeed all of Creation!
I’m sure that people who’ve been given eyes to appreciate God’s creation are alienated from Christ because of the church’s bad attitude toward creation. Actually, it’s not as much a bad attitude about creation as it is an unbiblical attitude that creation was made to revolve around us…
In my 30 years w/ the National Park Service, I’ve met many Romans who worship the ‘unknown god’ (Rm
in nature. I love to talk to them, to learn how God has prepared soil in their hearts by blessing them with hearts that take in the beauty of what the Lord displays for them.
It’s our job as Christians who care about creation to affirm their appreciation of nature. We are equipped by common ground to share with them, as Paul was prepared to naturally do w/ the Romans, that the God who created it has a name they can relate to.
Hmm. Romans 8 abbreviated becomes a smiley emoticon… Cool