VALLEY FORGE, PA (ABNS 7/7/09)—Nick Vujicic began the Saturday morning worship service of the Biennial meeting of the American Baptist Churches, meeting in Pasadena, CA, June 27, with stirring words. “Isn’t it ironic that God can use a man without arms and legs to be the hands and feet of Christ.”
Vujicic was born without arms or legs, and was given no medical reason for his condition. Faced with countless challenges and obstacles, he believes that God has given him the strength to surmount what others might call impossible. He is an evangelist who has established the non-profit organization “Life without Limbs” (www.lifewithoutlimbs.org).
Speaking to the many youth attending the Biennial from all over the world, Vujicic said that he is living proof that “it’s not about what you have, but what you do with what you have.”
“Where was God,” Vujicic lamented as a child. “Why did God let a pastor’s son be born without arms and legs?”
But he began to imagine the time when he would stand before God in heaven, and God would ask him only two questions: “Do you know me?” and “Who did you bring?”
Since deciding to become an evangelist seven years ago—when he was 19 years old—Vujicic has spoken to hundreds of thousands of youth all over the world, and has helped to change tens of thousands of lives.
“When you put ‘go’ in front of ‘disable’,” he said, “you get ‘God is able.’” Vujicic views his disability as a gift from God that allows him to reach others for Christ, encouraging people to pray, thank God, and trust God.
“If you put your hope in money, good looks, riches, they will all fade away. Put your hope in Jesus Christ, who is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow.” Many Biennial participants, especially young people, responded to his call to refocus their lives.
As an “emerging voice,” Marisol Martinez, who serves with her family through Mision Internacional Nueva Generacion, shared stories from their ministry with young families in Duarte, CA.
Aidsand Wright-Riggins, III, executive director of National Ministries, presented the Edwin T. Dahlberg Peace Award to Thomas Adams of Detroit, MI, for his work for community peace through justice with reconciliation.
Adams, a member of Mt. Vernon Missionary Baptist Church, has established a prison ministry—The Chance for Life Organization—that “prepares inmates for a successful transition back into the community by providing educational life skills and personal encouragement.”
Saturday’s morning worship was filled with music that evoked dancing in the pews, and was drawn to a close with a benediction in poem by Jason Petty.
American Baptist Churches is one of the most diverse Christian denominations today, with 5,500 local congregations comprised of 1.3 million members across the United States and Puerto Rico, all engaged in God’s mission around the world.
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