Hoops and Heaven

Dart grew up in our church, married his sweetheart he met there, and they had a baby later, providing a good role model for other young men in our church. He recently moved back into the neighborhood and has engaged with local youth. Lately he has consistently brought Desmond to church. Two weeks ago Desmond asked me if he could be baptized.

Last week I didn't arrange that meeting, my fault entirely. But on Monday Desmond showed up in my backyard playing basketball, and I asked if we could talk.

He agreed and donned his t-shirt before joining me on my back stoop. I asked him his understanding of becoming a Christian, which he had little, so I turned through my Bible and walked him through verses to explain it.

I then asked if he wanted to make a commitment to Christ, and he said he did. I suggested he pray privately to ask for forgiveness, and he spent a good amount of time before indicating he was ready for the next step.

After our conversation I had a group with younger children from church, and didn't have any time to notify Dart. But as I drove around the corner after that group, Dart was coming out of his house and I was able to tell him in person. God arranges our steps.

I told Desmond the angels have a party anytime someone chooses to believe. They got to party yesterday over a young 16-year-old making good choices on the cusp of manhood, being influenced by a slightly older man showing him the fruit of good choices. Nothing better than pastoring in partnership with laypeople who are doing their part to draw others in. That's an assist even more impressive than Rondo leading the NBA.