- Dr Theresa Phillips
- Sep 10
- 4 min read
I have to share this...
As I was a young pastor, back in the days when women were often discouraged from taking on roles similar to mine, I felt a calling deep within me that I could not ignore. The landscape of ministry was quite different then, but my passion for spreading the message of Christ was unwavering. I was (and still am) excited about winning souls, a fervor that burned brightly in my heart.
Well, God did say His Gospel must be preached, and I took that command very seriously. So, I began my journey in the most unconventional ways imaginable. I started preaching to my chickens, my dogs, my cats, and even my pony. I would sit in my living room and passionately share the Gospel with my family trees and everything I could think of. I even preached to the sofa, as silly as that may sound! It was a way for me to practice my delivery and refine my message, ensuring that when the time came, I would be ready to share it with those who truly needed to hear it.
Mark 16:15 states, “He said to them, 'Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.'” This verse resonated with me profoundly, and I took it to heart, striving to obey God's call in every aspect of my life. I understood that the Gospel was not just for the church but for every corner of the world, including the hearts of those who felt forgotten or overlooked.
The church I had attended earlier had a pastor who was deeply passionate about soul winning, and I believe I caught that fire from him. His enthusiasm and commitment to reaching out to the lost inspired me to pursue my own journey in ministry. However, despite my initial efforts, I wasn't satisfied with merely preaching to inanimate objects or my pets. I knew I had to go out into the world and reach real people.
One day, as I was praying and seeking guidance, the Lord spoke to me in a way that was unmistakable. He instructed me to take my guitar to a local nursing home and sing old songs that the residents would recognize and cherish. I hesitated for a moment, questioning who would actually listen to me, but I felt compelled to obey. So, I packed up my guitar and headed to the nursing home, unsure of what to expect.
To my surprise, as I began to play and sing, several residents were ushered into the room, and I found myself having what felt like a mini church service right there among the elderly. I led them in the old songs that brought back memories of their youth, and as the music filled the air, I could see smiles spreading across their faces. Afterward, I took the opportunity to talk to them one by one, asking if I could pray for them. Most of them said yes, and as I began to pray for a dear lady, tears began to flow from her eyes. Oh, how many tears I've witnessed when the Holy Spirit touches someone! In that moment, she gave her heart to Jesus, and I was overjoyed to see many others follow suit.
I began to write it all down, documenting the incredible moments and transformations that were occurring.
After a few weeks of visiting the nursing home, I started receiving calls from various nursing homes and other facilities, asking me to come with my guitar and share the joy of music and the message of salvation with their residents. By the end of two months, I was regularly visiting five nursing homes and two hospitals each week. It was an amazing experience, filled with joy, laughter, and the profound presence of God.
But still, despite the excitement, there was a churning in my spirit... I would share stories of soul winning at my church, igniting a passion in others as well. One day, a man from my congregation showed up at my home with another man who was in desperate need of salvation. This man was in a rough state—he reeked of alcohol, his clothes looked as though they had been pulled from a dumpster, and his demeanor was clouded by substance abuse and despair. His mouth was foul, and I could see the weight of the world on his shoulders.
But I knew I had a message to share, and as I began to share the Gospel with him, I witnessed something miraculous. Right in front of me, I saw him begin to change. Life began to return to his eyes, his countenance shifted from one of hopelessness to one of hope, and the foul odor that had surrounded him seemed to dissipate. His face, once lined with the marks of hardship, appeared renewed, and in that moment, he gave his heart to Jesus. It was a powerful transformation—he was filled with the Holy Spirit and became a regular attendee at our church until he could no longer drive himself. Oh, how glorious that is! He is with Jesus now, and I rejoice in that truth.
But ladies and gentlemen, let me share this with you: what if I hadn't been home that day? What if I had been unavailable? That man needed Jesus desperately. He needed sanctification. He needed to experience God's best for his life. The man who brought him to my house was FULLY CAPABLE of winning him to Jesus himself. He did not need to come over to my home; he could have shared the Gospel right where he was. Yet, I am grateful for the soul that was saved, but it is crucial to understand that if we think we must be the ones to reach specific individuals for them to be saved, we have lost the plot entirely.
You are part of the great commission, and YOU NEED TO WIN SOULS! If you can talk to GOD, you can talk to ALL His creation. DO NOT WAIT! GET THEM SAVED ON THE SPOT... Another chance may never come.
The King's Ambassador
Dr. Theresa Phillips
