“Lord, One Man Please” (by Dan Russell)

In preparation to again depart for India to be with our brothers and sisters across the ocean, the above statement resonates within me. As I write this article for YLN, there is a fire of discipleship raging across India. It is a move of God and we can’t print enough Operation Timothy (OT) books to keep up with the Indian Pastor’s demands. How I grieve that the church across America doesn’t have the same fire to the Biblical command to “make” disciples.¹

Yet the good news is we don’t have to wait for any institution to give us a “green light.” Earlier in the year I read an article by Steve Faber in this same column titled “Sharing Ministry in the Marketplace.” I was challenged and convicted to ask God to put one man in my life so I could take him through the Ministry in the Marketplace (MIM) series; thus discipling him. God put a man in my path named Dave.² I have no adequate words to express the blessing and joy of seeing God transform a man right before my eyes as Dave began to see his Universal Purpose: “To glorify God as we participate with Him in the process of becoming prepared for an eternity in heaven.” Amazingly, his desire to drink and smoke excessively began to wane and today it has been lifted; not by Dave’s willpower or strength, but in his weakness. Just last week he asked me how to share the Good News that resides within him to a dying friend. He said, “Dan, I have to now speak out.” Dave can’t hold it in anymore. His once monotonous dead-end job, dealing cards on the graveyard shift, is now his platform to be a “Minister in the Marketplace.” Dave has a new found excitement about going to work. Watching God work in Dave’s life has blessed me immeasurably and the love I have for this brother can only be attributed to God.

So now, wherever I go, I have on my lips, “Lord, One Man Please.” I just returned from a business conference in Baltimore and God put 3 men in my path. On day 2 the 4 of us were in my room quite early encouraging each other, praying and seeking the Lord’s will for our lives. Each of the men received Thoughts from the Diary of a Desperate Man and we committed to say in touch with each other. So it doesn’t matter if you are at work, your favorite restaurant, a business conference, high school reunion or even church; watch what God will do when you humble yourself, with an obedient heart and say:

“Lord, One Man Please”

Photo of Operation Timothy training in India. As the pastors are trained, they in turn train their congregation on how to “make disciples.” Which in turn many of the congregation members, for example, are now discipling their fellow factory workers. 2 Tim 2:2 in action! Praise God……..

Daniel Janagam of A.P., India (left) receiving a gift from a senior pastor that is very appreciative for teaching him how to begin a discipleship program in his church in Punjab (Northern India)