--THE HOPE OF CHRIST IN THE COVID-19 CRISIS~~

----Stories Form the Prayer Line = COVID-19 ~~

--In response to COVID-19, the BGEA began offering a 24-hour telephone
Prayer Line in mid-March. Thousands have called 888-388-2683 seeking prayer
and encouragement, and more than 3,000 have made decisions for Jesus Christ.
Here are some of their stories (all names have been changed to protect anonymity). ~~

--Dave was angry and intent on verbally abusing the first person who picked up the phone. A team member answered the phone, dodging a barrage of insults and obscenities. Trying to earn Dave's trust, the team member listened intently to Dave's rant, which slowly settled down into a list of personal pains. As Dave's demeanor changed, he opened up about his decades of substance abuse and several stints in prison. As the conversation progressed the team member shard the Gospel, using BGEA's "Steps to Peace With God." Dave expressed that he wanted to invite Jesus to save him, and through tears he prayed a sinner's prayer of repentance. Afterward, he was laughing at how he only called to "cuss-out" someone. "Now look what happened," he said. "Who would have thought?" ~~
~~~~~~
--Early on the morning of April 2, Jacob called the Prayer Line. His first words were "I have just got to get away from my sins." He began to weep. The team member went through the "Steps to Peace With God" booklet with Jacob, and he prayed to receive Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Jacob was still weeping, but now it was with thanksgiving and joy. ~
~~~~~~
--Lainey was raised in a Christian tradition but had been living as a homosexual and realized her life choices were sinful in God's eyes. Seeing the TV ad, she called the Prayer Line with concerns about her relationship with God. A team member guided her through "Steps to Peace With God" and relevant Scriptures, explaining that we are all sinners in need of God's forgiveness, and that Christ's blood makes that possible. Lainey prayed to receive Christ, and the team member emphasized to her the need to grow in her faith through Bible reading, prayer and connection with a strong church family. ~
~~~~~~~
--Millie is a 92-year-old woman who now knows where she will spend eternity. After seeing the ad, she prayed along with Franklin, asking Christ to come into her heart. And then with contagious enthusiasm, she called the Prayer Line to receive prayer and to profess her newfound hope. ~
~~~~~~~
--Daniel asked for prayer to keep him from the drugs that have ruined his life. He said he spends his money as soon as he gets it, and drugs are a big part of that. Asked if he is a Christian, he replied: "I like to think that I am. I need Jesus, and then I need more Jesus, and then I need Him again. When will I ever find Him? I've tired to find Jesus by myself for 62 years and it has never worked." He added that he didn't understand forgiveness and salvation. The team member slowly explained the Gospel, and Daniel wrote down the main points so he could understand them better. And after a lifetime of trying on his own to find salvation, Daniel confessed his sin and asked Jesus to come into his heart. ~~
~~~~~~~
Sally, a widowed school teacher nearing retirement, had been contemplating suicide when she noticed the BGEA Prayer Line commercial. Alone and without any knowledge of how to have a personal relationship with God, she called the number, desperate for hope. After a few moments of conversation with a team member, Sally prayed a salvation prayer and expressed excitement that BGEA would be sending her discipleship materials. Near the end of the call, Sally said she wanted to try praying, so she prayed a blessing over the team member who prayed with her, and for the BGEA ministry. Sally said it was "the best phone call in my entire life." ~~
~~~~~~~
George was very concerned about his wife of 45 years, who had COVID-19 and was on a respirator in the hospital. "I don't want to live without my wife, he said. "I don't know what to do without her." He himself had contracted the virus and was still weak, but he was beginning to recover. He said he had been constantly praying for his wife to survive. George said his wife is a Christian, but it was unclear if he had ever committed his life to Christ. On the phone, he prayed to receive Christ. The team member encouraged him to read his Bible each day and talked with him about knowing our eternal home with Jesus is sure, no matter what happens on Earth. ~~
~~~~~
Hank has COVID-19. He was trusting in good works to save him but feared he hadn't done enough to be with God for eternity. A team member shared a number of Scriptures regarding salvation by grace through faith. After hearing what the Bible says, Hank trusted Christ and Christ alone to save his soul.~~
~~~~~
~~"For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God. Not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.
For we are His workmanship created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them" --[Ephesians 2:8-10]

--PLEASE CALL 888-388-2683 to TALK With Someone About Jesus and Eternal Life. "You are loved with an everlasting love and underneath are His everlasting arms."