Meet Christina...

Christina is one of many students whom we had the privilege to get to know these past two weeks teaching in Europe. Christina and her fiance Nate were both in the discipleship school in Switzerland after they both got radically saved earlier this year. They are from New York and came out of a very gnarly past of drugs and immorality. Nate was a drug dealer/addict and Christina an addict as well. This is what originally brought them into the same circle of friends. It's amazing to know that just as Jesus came to seek out and save the lost 2000 years ago (Luke 19:10), he continues to do so today. One night earlier this year while Christina and Nate were high on mushrooms, the Lord gave them eyes to see and ears too hear the darkness surrounding them and their need for Him. It was enough to bring them both to their knees on Nate's mother's floor, repenting from their sins and asking Jesus into their lives. They knew they needed discipleship so they applied for this school in Switzerland. Although they are baby Christians, they are by far two of the most hungry students we met. The thing that stands out the most to us about Nate and Christina is how Jesus met them right where they were at. He didn't first require them to do a bunch of stuff, like we so often think we must do before coming before the Lord. He came and met them at their lowest point. Whether you are a believer already or not, may we all be encouraged today that the Lord requires no prerequisite to meet with Him.

While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew's house, many tax collectors and "sinners" came and ate with him and his disciples.When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, "Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and 'sinners'?" On hearing this, Jesus said, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. But go and learn what this means: 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice.'  For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners." Matthew 9:10-13