Witnessing Report I
A paper submitted to Dr. Homer Massey, in partial fulfillment of the requirements for
Evangelism, EVAN 525
The subject of this witnessing report was a co-worker, Don Richardson. Don
and I were working the same housing unit, I work at a prison as a custody staff
member and Don was mandated to overtime. Don and I had counted the housing unit
and were sitting in my office talking when he saw my Bible lying on the desk open
and asked if I was a Christian. I answered that I was and then asked if he was. Don
replied that he had gone to church with his parents when he was younger but had not
regularly attended church and had not ever considered himself Christian.
I asked Don if he would like to know why I am a Christian. He answered for
me to go ahead, and I relayed my testimony and what Christ had done for me. Don
replied that he wanted that, but was not sure if he could truly believe in Christ, he
referenced that church was so full of hypocrites. I asked Don if I could share some
Scriptures with him, Don picked up the Bible and asked just what purpose the book
played. I led Don through the life of Christ, briefly touching on His birth, death,
burial, and resurrection. Then opened the Bible to Romans 10:9,10. I asked Don if he
knew what he needed to do to be saved, he replied that the “book” says to believe
and ask for forgiveness and Jesus to come into his heart. I then asked Don if he was
ready to do that, he answered that he did not know if he could be forgiven then
proceeded to tell me of his past sins, I listened. Don attempted to justify himself in
not accepting Jesus through the argument that he believed Christianity, and those who
professed faith in Christ, was empty as he had never really seen anyone living the
Christian life.
I agreed with Don in that many who claim to be Christian do not actually live
the Christian life, but then I asked if he judged himself would he fare any better. Don
agreed with me. We read through several other Scriptures such as: Romans 3:23, John
14:6, and Revelation 3:20. Don asked me afterward if I would think him a hypocrite
were he to ask for and accept salvation from Jesus. I replied that I most certainly
would not, that there is none righteous and we all have to work for the Lord
especially now as we are all yet sinners.
Don asked if I could start a prayer and he could join in, of course I agreed. I
began a simple prayer asking for forgiveness and thanking God for salvation through
Christ. Don added a request for Christ to come into his heart and his life, give him
the strength to follow Christ, and lead him in the right way. We ended the prayer and
continued to talk with each other. Don had many questions about how the Spirit was
working in my life, and how the Spirit would work in his as well as what he should
do next. I told Don to tell everyone he got saved, and to seek out a church home. I
offered to help Don find a church home, he denied this request stating that he would
start with a church near his house. I asked Don if he would take my phone number
and call me if and when he needed any help and he agreed. In the future I look
forward to speaking with Don, perhaps working out a way to have a regular Bible
study with Don.
