Taking a break from all the bad news and tumult on the internet, I decided to go fishing. I hadn’t had a chance to go fishing for souls or even fish lately since the Naples Pier, my mission station, was destroyed again by Hurricane Ian, and it usually takes two years to reconstruct. I did, however, go to another place on the beach that has a boardwalk with a pavilion at the far end of it right on the beach.
It is quite a nice spot with a restaurant surrounded by seating for visitors to chow down with an open view of the Gulf. The water was murky on this day, so I just sat at the railing under one of the umbrellas that skirts the table-topped fence. Another man in his mid-sixties sat next to me.
As usual, I struck up a conversation and found out that he had retired early from having been an accountant. He seemed like a decent sort and, after a while, told me that he often came out to fish early in the morning since he didn’t sleep much because of what he called insomnia. I quickly found out that he wasn’t a Christian. “Are you a Christian?” I asked.
“Well, I haven’t been to church in a very long time, but I consider myself one.”
“When did you receive Christ?” I continued.
He replied, “I don’t understand; I thought if you were born here, you were automatically a Christian.”
“The Bible says that a Christian is a follower of Jesus Christ. In fact, whenever I can’t sleep, I pray without ceasing and soon fall asleep with a peace that surpasses all understanding,” I answered.
“I never knew.”
Then these words poured out of me as if they had a mind of their own, “Would you like to pray to receive Christ right now?”
“I don’t know how to pray,” He stammered.
“Well then, just let me lead the way,” which I did – with the man stumbling along.
“Father in heaven, I’m sorry I’ve ignored you. Please forgive my sins and give me the peace and assurance that only Jesus Christ can give. I will get a Bible to learn more about you. In Jesus’s name, I pray.”
Then we parted ways. This was one of the easiest converts (catches) I’ve ever made, so I guess you could say – the fishing was good.
Then, wouldn’t you know it, Sunday’s sermon at my new church was about “street preachers” and whether they do any good or not, and I was slightly offended – but only slightly – since they don’t know my life story nor my motives.
It sounded like only qualified pastors with diplomas and such were qualified to reach out to the lost, not common folks. Yet the first disciples were fishermen who later became “fishers of men.” And if I’m not mistaken, only Dr. Luke had a doctorate or degree.
So, I thought it might be a good opportunity to let the church leaders know a little more about me.
In my email, I wrote,
Dear highly esteemed Pastors Brad and Doug,
As you may already know, I have recently had my book Visions, Miracles, Peace and Power published, and it is now available on Amazon and Kindle. I’ve started writing the screenplay in hopes of making a movie based on the book. The book is full of stories of redemption and hope and correlates my adventures on the mean streets of Hollywood and Miami, as well as my donut shop ministry of many years. It culminates with my Fishing Pier ministry here in Naples.
I also have a ministry on the internet as a contributing writer for Christian websites, namely Rapture Ready and Drop Zone Delta, and I have my own website, Prophetic Signs and Wonders as well.
I have never been one to preach on street corners or go about with a sandwich board strapped to my body, saying, “The end is near” (even though it may be). Instead, I reach out to individuals with the open hand of empathy and often friendship as well, as you will see in my book.
After reading my story, some have commented that the story would make a good movie, too. I am not one to boast about my achievements or exploits except for the purpose of strengthening the brethren (which is a mandate given to me by Jesus Christ, probably because of my zeal to share the Gospel).
I see this as sharing the Gospel in an uplifting and entertaining way, as there will be several popular secular songs included in it, with a little levity and just a little preaching. I intend to begin filming as soon as the proceeds of my book begin to materialize. If you care to join hands with me in this endeavor, please let me know soon.
P.S. To those who don’t believe that God doesn’t work in the modern day – I quote scripture.
“God, the same yesterday, today and forever.”
“For God is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.”
YBIC
Jim Towers