Oliver’s Story
The stirring song “Everything” begins to play over European Initiative’s sound system as a group of Americans begin to portray the love of Jesus through a powerful open-air drama. Bystanders stop to watch as the drama unfolds in the busy square of Alexander Platz.
These Americans did not travel all the way to Europe just for an entertaining show, they aren’t professional street performers interested in making some quick cash, and they don’t desire recognition or YouTube fame. The high-energy team was from Valley Creek Church in Flower Mound, Texas, and their whole purpose in creating a scene in this busy square was to grab the attention of Berliners for the sake of the gospel. The drama underlines struggles all of us deal with, such as; peer approval, morality, and the ultimate question of giving Jesus access into our lives. As a crowd of hundreds gathered In the square to watch the drama, one young Berliner was feeling something deep in his heart.
As the drama ended, the American team leader, Cedric Israel, noticed the young Berliner sitting alone. Cedric approached him and asked him about what he had just seen. Cedric tells the story in his own words:
“Oliver said he really liked watching the drama and thought it was very good. I asked him if he understood it. He had some questions, so I explained to him what the drama meant and what we were doing in Berlin. In talking through the drama, I explained to Oliver that God exists, and even more than that He wants to have a friendship with him. This resonated with Oliver, and he became very open to this idea. I explained what it meant to turn from our sins and follow Christ. He listened intently and seemed to agree. I asked him if he was ready today to make that decision. I tried to make it as clear as possible that this was not just a decision for today only, but a decision that affects the rest of his life. He said he was ready and that he wanted to give his life to follow Christ and receive His grace. Oliver prayed with great sincerity and received Christ, right there at Alexander Platz. His countenance immediately changed – Oliver was born again! “
The EI team invited Oliver to eat with us that evening, and as he joined us for dinner, every single team member made it a point to encourage him in the decision he had just made. It was a wonderful time of fellowship and Oliver was all smiles! Contact information was exchanged and he was invited to the next day’s outreach. He showed up at the outreach the next day still beaming and enjoying being with his new Christian friends.
The next day at the team’s afternoon outreach we saw Oliver again. This time he looked tired and didn’t have that beaming countenance. Concerned, one of the team members asked if there was anything Oliver wanted to talk about. Oliver’s reply shocked us all! “No, I’m fine. I’m just a little tired because I was up late last night reading the Bible.
"I nearly finished it.” Puzzled, we asked what exactly has he finished? To our surprise Oliver proceeded to inform us that he had read almost the entire New Testament - from Matthew all the way to the end of 3rd John in just two nights! He only had Jude and Revelation to finish. None of us had ever seen such a thirst for the word of God! As the VCC team outreaches continued over the next few days, Oliver was always with us sharing his faith with unbelievers just like the Americans had done with him!
God used a simple drama to help change Oliver’s life. I know that the Lord is smiling down on him from heaven. These are the stories only He can produce. Since this life-changing event in Oliver’s life, he has plugged into a local Berlin Church. EI staff and Valley Creek team members remain in contact with him. Please continue to pray for Oliver and the plans and purposes God has for his life!
Click here to see a video of Oliver moments after he was saved!
Footnote: Five days after returning to the USA, Cedric contacted Oliver by Facebook and learned that he had finished reading the entire Old Testament!
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