How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, “Your God reigns!” Isaiah 52:7
Several years ago in England, a well known pastor name Dr. Francis Dickson a member of his congregation, Peter, to share his testimony.
“I was in the Royal Navy and was walking down George Street in Sydney, Australia,” Peter began. “When out of nowhere stepped a little, gray-haired man. He said, “Excuse me sir, but could I ask you a question? I hope it won’t offend, but if you were to die today, where would you spend eternity? The Bible says it will either be heaven or in hell. Would you think about that, please? Thank you. God bless you. Tootle-loo.”
Peter continued, “The man left. I had never been confronted with that question. I couldn’t get it out of my mind. I came back to London, sought out a pastor and was converted to Christ.”
Several weeks later, a man named Noel was asked to share his testimony. Noel stood and said, “I was walking down George Street in Sydney, Australia. Out of nowhere stepped a little, gray-haired man, who said, “Excuse me sir, but could I ask you a question? If you were to die today, where would you spend eternity?” Noel explained that he, too, couldn’t get the question out of his mind and eventually was converted to Christ.
Over the next year, Dr. Dickson traveled and spoke throughout the world. In each location, he shared the remarkable stories. When he finished, individuals rushed over exclaiming, “Dr. Dickson, I’m another! I was walking down George Street … . ” At a conference in India, no sooner had he shared the story when a woman came up and said, “Dr. Dickson, I’m another!” She finished, “…I was converted to Christ and am now a missionary.” In Jamaica, Dr. Dickson heard the same thing.
Dr. Dickson knew he must go to Sydney, Australia. When Dr. Dickson arrived in Sydney, he sought out a friend and asked if he knew the little, gray-haired man on George Street? Dr. Dickson’s friend exclaimed, “Why of course! Everyone knows him. Why, that’s Mr. Jenner. He did that for 23 years. He’s elderly now, and sick. He sees little, and is confined to his bed.” Dr. Dickson asked to meet Mr. Jenner, and was taken to his bedside. He introduced himself and shared all of the stories. The gray-haired man started to weep. Finally, he spoke. “Sir, this is the first time I have ever known of anybody coming to Christ through my witness.”
Over the years, I have shared this story of Dr. Dickson and Mr. Jenner. A woman approached me after hearing the story and said, “I’m another!” Peter from England had led her to Christ. Then, a businessman stopped me in the Atlanta airport and said, “I’m another. Fifteen years ago, Mr. Jenner confronted me with the gospel as well.” Mr. Jenner never knew he had been used by Christ to change lives. And yet, for 23 years, he shared the gospel with everyone he met on George Street. Talk about conviction! That man was not ashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ and that conviction—modelled for 23 years—has profoundly affected my life.