Paul, Silas and Brandon
by Larry Leming, Missions Ministries Director

     In Acts 16, we read the story of Paul and Silas in prison and the conversion of the jailer and his entire family. Paul and Silas had been thrown beaten, taken to the innermost part of the prison and placed in stocks. The jailer was put in charge of them. Around midnight, Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God and scripture tells us that the other prisoners were listening. About that time, there was a violent earthquake and the doors of the prison opened and everyone’s chains came off. The jailer, thinking that all the prisoners had escaped, took his sword and was ready to kill himself, rather than face the wrath of his superiors. But through the darkness, Paul shouted out to him and let him know that they were all still there.   The jailer then called for the light, ran in and fell at their feet and asked the following question. “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”   Paul and Silas replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved”. Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and those that were in his house and they all came to believe in God. 

     Recently, I spent a Wednesday – Sunday with Southside Baptist Church in Spartanburg, SC as one of their Acts 1:8 mission partners for their annual Global Impact Celebration.   There were missionary guests from Spartanburg, from South Carolina, from North America and from the ends of the earth. During the GIC, we were able to connect with many different groups from the church, ranging from lunches with the senior adults and then with the church as a whole, to speaking in Sunday school classes, to in-home groups on Friday night to those one on one times at our display booths. This was my fifth GIC with Southside and, as always, it turned out to be one of my favorite events of my year. As in years past, the staff and members of Southside were so loving and kind, wanting to hear all about the ministry God had called us to do and then eager to share the ministries they are involved in as well. For you see, Southside Baptist Church has a desire for each and every member to see themselves as missionaries, wherever it is that God has placed them in their daily lives. This is encouraged and taught from the youngest member to the most mature. 

       During my first GIC, I was assigned to the youth department and much of my time was spent getting to know them, sharing about the ministry here in SRBA and taking the opportunity to encourage them as missionaries in their own setting.  I met and became friends with many of the youth department, including a young man named Brandon.   He was a part of the youth praise band and was a very talented and fun loving young man.  Over the past five years, he had graduated high school, began attending North Greenville University and was part of a Christian band. And as he matured physically, he also matured spiritually. There developed in Brandon a passion and a love for God that was so deep, as was evidenced by the way Brandon saw his world through God’s eyes. He was involved in local missions with his church and school, moving to regional, national and then international. Anywhere Brandon went he wanted others to know of his love for Christ and Christ’s love for them. 

     Just before this year’s GIC, Brandon had the opportunity to go to India on a spring break mission trip through North Greenville University. While there, Brandon became overwhelmed with the lostness of the area and had committed to return this summer to further spread God’s word. Upon returning home, he was so excited to share his experience with everyone. However, the night before the GIC began, as Brandon traveled back to North Greenville, he lost control of his car, hitting a tree and ending his young life of 20 years. The news was devastating for his family, for Southside and for the students and staff of North Greenville Univ. as well as for all who knew him. His funeral was held right in the middle of the GIC, which was actually very appropriate. Brandon truly was one who lived out the missionary lifestyle in word and deed. And while his passing and funeral were and still are so very sad, the testimony of his young life should be an encouragement and challenge to us all to see each day as a gift from God and an opportunity to stand in the gap for someone who needs to know Christ. 

     Knowing Brandon’s heart for those who did not know Christ, the family asked that an invitation be given at the close of his funeral….an invitation to come and begin a relationship with Jesus Christ and an invitation to a life of mission service to others. As I wrote earlier, Brandon had already committed to return to India this summer.   At his funeral, one of his best friends stood and shared that he would go in Brandon’s place, and would stand in the gap for those in India who do not know Christ.    How long has it been since someone has looked at our lives and asked “what must I do to be saved?” God  is calling us all to be missionaries right where we are, just as Paul and Silas and just as Brandon did. Isaiah 6:8 reads…Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” And I said, “Here am I. Send me!” Will you answer the call?

Serving together,

Larry