Rod Dahl – Testimony – April 22, 2007

 

I had a solid Christian foundation as I was growing up. After leaving home I strayed away and stayed away from church. If my Mom’s teenage sister Vivian had not met a Missionary in 1925, been converted, and told my Mom about God and Jesus when she was 8 years old, I might not have had a Christian upbringing. She always insisted that her seven children go to church and Sunday school and she never gave up on any of us. I know that her prayers have helped us throughout the years.

 

My path back to regular church attendance and a Christian life happened over a period of time through a series of events that seemed disconnected at the time, but as I look back I now realize that they were NOT disconnected events at all, but part of God’s plan that led me step-by-step back to Him and here to Peachtree Corners Christian Church. (Disciples of Christ)

 

Series of connected events were:

 

Young woman who found her father: In 1996 my daughter, who I did not know existed, found me through the Internet. This event caused me to do a lot of reflecting and questioning about my life. Why did I not know about her God? She had a very rough child hood. I could have helped her! I wish I had been there. What was the purpose of this God? 

 

Two Women in the 1930s:  In late 2001 my Mom sent me a battered old copy of “God Calling”. The content of the book was supplied by two Women in the 1930’s and written by AJ Russell. As I began reading the book, I knew that this was written through inspiration of the Holy Spirit. I started carrying the book with me on the road and began each day by reading the daily message. This lead me to searching and I began reading the Bibles I found in my hotel rooms. Over time, I bought a hundred or so “God Calling” books and sent them to my Mom who gave them away to almost everyone she met starting with immediate family, then distant relatives, and finally people at the grocery store, the Postman, and many strangers! 

 

Reading the Bible: I began reading the Bible in earnest from beginning to end, once, twice and more. I wanted to know more about God and I was fascinated by the history in the Bible. Finally for the first time in my life I realized that this was God talking to me, and that being close to God and living a Christian life made sense. I just knew that certain verses were written so long ago just for me. I was especially drawn to the story of the woman at the well and several verses in The Gospel of St. John. “The fields are ripe for harvest”… and… “You did not chose me, but I chose you…” I came to the realization that I too was a Disciple and it was my responsibility to bring others to Christ. I began praying that God would send people to me so that I could help them.  And He did….

 

Meeting an Eastern European woman – Working at the Norcross Cooperative Ministry

On April 9, 2002, I was having a business meeting at the IHOP in Peachtree Corners. The restaurant was full and an Eastern European woman walked up to us (only us) asking for money to help her buy food and medicine. We each gave her money and then there was an awkward silence as I racked my brain trying to figure out where I could send her for additional help. I left there feeling that I had failed God. After leaving, I remembered reading a newspaper article in about the Norcross Cooperative Ministry (NCM), which provides food, clothing and financial aid to the needy. I kept going back to the IHOP to try to find her, but I never saw her again. I drove over to the NCM a few days later, introduced myself, and I began to volunteer there on Saturdays.

 

A flight from Houston to Atlanta -Evangelist Enoch Ogbannaya – In late 2002, on a flight back home to Atlanta from Houston, Texas, I sat down beside Reverend Evangelist Enoch A. Ogbonnaya, the overseer of the Word of Faith Mission in Warri Delta region, Nigeria. He said that he had prayed before getting on the flight that he would meet someone from Atlanta who could help him connect with local area churches as he wanted to preach in Atlanta. I did not attend church so I really did not know how I would be able to help him. We hit it off immediately though, and we shared our stories with each other. Enoch asked me what church I went to. I told him that I didn’t go to church and that I was having such a close relationship with God, helping at the NCM, etc., that I saw no reason to attend church. Well… Reverend. Enoch gave me a lecture in a loud voice (a little embarrassing to me) telling me why I should go to church.

 

As we were landing in Atlanta I remembered that the Norcross Cooperative Ministry was supported by 35 local area churches! Surely I could find a way of connecting Enoch to the Pastors of those churches When I got home, I grabbed the newspaper and yellow pages, looked up churches and started calling Pastors to see if they would meet him on his next visit. I found an article in the Gwinnett paper written by Joe Faulconer, the Pastor of Kirk of the Corners (now Peachtree Corners Christian Church). Of all the Pastors I called on, Pastor Joe was the most helpful. Through him, I managed to connect Reverend Enoch with pastors from several denominations. I continued to visit with Pastor Joe for many weeks and eventually I came to the conclusion that attending church was important. I begin attending church every Sunday for the first time in maybe 40 years, and eventually became a member here at Peachtree Corners Christian Church.

 

Conclusion

Looking back on all these seemingly disconnected events I suddenly realized that they were not disconnected at all, and that they were all part of God’s plan to bring me back to Him, and here to this church! Now it all made sense… If my daughter had not found me, I would not have examined my life and begun reading the Bible. If I had not met the woman at the IHOP and tried to help her, I would not have begun volunteering at the NCM, I would have been unable to help Reverend Enoch, and I would not have met Pastor Joe Faulconer and joined Peachtree Corners Christian Church.

 

During my journey as I grew closer and closer to God, He placed many people in my path. I thought at the time that this was so that I could help them, but I now realize that God was using them to help me!

 

God has a plan for each of us and He has a plan for Peachtree Corners Christian Church. I believe that we have all been brought together here for a reason, each on his own path, step-by-step in God’s time, in Gods way. We are all His children, each unique because He made us that way. He has given each of us special gifts, and talents that we can use to support our church, and bring others to Him. We are “Disciples of Christ” and we are here to do His work!