The Greatest Evangelist and His Wife
Evangelists come and go. Usually it is the spiritual greatness and breakthroughs that are most remembered. Who was preaching when they were filled with the Holy Ghost, healed of a disease, delivered from some oppression or depression. However, when you are about 11 years of age these are not the memories most remembered, usually.
Many times the evangelist is unapproachable, aloof, at the least somewhat distance. There is not much time for children.
But not this evangelist. Oh no!!! No! This man and his wife forever solidified their place as the Greatest Evangelist!
A boy of 11 and his sister of 8 often rode their bikes for miles as you could do back in the early 1980′s and in their cruise they went into the church parking lot and happened upon the evangelist trailer.
Shhh! Be quiet! Do not disturb! They were sitting outside in lawn chairs and they waved us over. What had we done wrong?
His smiled beamed, as did his lovely wife’s. The jaunty cap of his and godly hair piled high of hers.
Do you kids go to church here? Yes sir/ma’am. Have you had lunch? No sir/ma’am. We were just going in weren’t we mom? How would you too like to have lunch with us?
We were nobodies…not important in the church…a problem family and here this evangelist and wife wanted to lunch with us?
Sandwiches for all and circus peanuts for desert…and then the stories…stories of old Pentecost… I remember them today!
Yes! The Greatest Evangelist and his wife won the heart of a young vagabond kid – not in a sermon but in an afternoon of kindness. I vowed if God ever called me to evangelize that I would emulate that example the best I could.
Into the prayer room I slipped before service and I saw him kneeling in prayer, I took a chair beside him and listened to his weeping thanksgiving to God…I think he knew I was listening because as he rose to leave he told me, “Son, Jesus will be the best friend you ever had if you’ll let him.”
That was my last service to see the Greatest Evangelist, he and his wife stood to sing – Acres of Diamonds.
Elder Carl and Sister Connie Ballestero never knew the role they played in a young boys life but eternity does.
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Posted on January 8, 2012, in christian living. Bookmark the permalink. 8 Comments.
Thank you for writing such a wonderful blog. My parents were so loving, generous and compassionate to everyone. As I grew up, I saw that they loved people who were popular, people who were not popular, those who had problems, those who were unlovely, those who were estranged from God, young people, children – they just loved. I am blessed of all people to have had such godly, beautiful examples in my life. They were Christians at home, when they were out in public, when they were in church. They were the same inspirational, careful parents who put God first in their lives. I will forever be grateful to God for allowing me to be raised by such wonderful parents.
Wow! This story really touched my heart, I am glad that you got to know him. I love sister Content Ballestero.
Loved the story…never heard it before, to my memory.
Love you,daddy!!!!
It’s amazing to see what had come out of one day of outreach and some time spend on a soul. I’m so glad to know that Bro. Steven Miller still lives the life. Through the years I wondered about him and many others from Champaign.
(Honey) Just goes to show… God has a plan! Jesus knew you would return the act of kindness & attention. You received and you gave…
I love you!
It’s worth it honey!!! I love you and we are so fortunate to be servants of the kingdom of God. See you soon Lord willing.
In some small way, that lunch and words of the Elder and his wife are still gaining a return on their investment.
Jesus is so…so…so…GOOD!!!!
Strange I was a kid of 20 and I remember following an evangelist into a prayer room full of MEN and realizingthis is how a MAN acts. Not drinking chasing women, cussing. Brother Joe I followed you into the Champaign Illinois church and learned MEN cry, love Jesus, and pray like they are fighting satan himself on their knees. I thank you for showing me this side of Christ. Thank You for being the evangelist that showed a kid the way.
Bro Steve,
Your kind words have brought a great joy in the Holy Ghost to me today. You often wonder whether fruit remains in some places you have been. Keep up the fight of faith! We are on the winning side!
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