‘Meaningful conversation’ with Swede online becomes soul-winning victory

A global pandemic cannot stop Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary students from fulfilling personal evangelism assignments—even if that means reaching someone halfway around the world from Fort Worth.

Traditionally, evangelism is a face-to-face ministry where students meet new people in their homes or out in the community. With the onset of COVID-19, however, meeting people in public can be potentially hazardous to one’s health. In light of this, the evangelism and missions faculty at Southwestern Seminary has made accommodations in their course requirements. 

Dean Sieberhagen, associate professor of Islamic studies, has incorporated into his courses this semester “Need Him Global,” an online ministry where people from around the world meet and learn about following Jesus. 

Although the ministry seemed like a good solution for online outreach, Jeff Huff, a Master of Theological Studies student from Arkansas, had some doubts. A student in Sieberhagen’s eight-week Intro to Missiology course, Huff shared with the professor his concern over the “limitations” of online ministry, adding that he found it difficult to engage in “meaningful conversations.” 

“I can’t create conversations if no one is in the chat room,” Huff said. 

Sieberhagen acknowledged his student’s frustration and encouraged him that “even if you did not have much of a conversation—you made yourself available.” Furthermore, Sieberhagen prayed for the Lord to “bring someone into a meaningful conversation” with Huff.

A week later, Sieberhagen’s prayers were answered. In an email to his professor, Huff thanked Sieberhagen for his prayers and shared his experience chatting online with Ingrid,* a woman from Sweden who had come to “Need Him” in order to speak with someone about Jesus.

Huff started their conversation by simply asking her, “What is going on today?” Ingrid responded, “I’m lonely.”

Using skills learned in his class, Huff asked Ingrid to tell him more about what was going on in her life. He continued to draw out her story by expressing empathy and understanding, and eventually inquiring about her relationship with Christ.

Ingrid expressed that she felt she had a relationship with God, but thought she had to work to earn His love. Huff stated, “Accepting Christ as your Savior is not about trying hard enough. It is about a relationship with your Father.”

Ingrid asked, “What does that mean, accepting Christ as a Savior?”

In answering that question, Huff was able to engage in the “meaningful conversation” he was eager to have. As he shared the Gospel and the biblical means of salvation, Ingrid was surprised. She asked, “So the only thing I have to do is to accept Jesus, and that is enough?” 

Huff clarified, “Christ died for you and me while we were still sinners. He came to us, and not the other way around.” 

Affirming that salvation is by grace through faith, not works, Huff continued, “It sounds simple, and it is, but once you do that, you begin to live a different life that is committed to Him with a desire to serve Him and know Him.”

Ingrid expressed her desire to know God in this way, so Huff guided her in prayer: “Dear Lord Jesus, I know I am a sinner, and I ask You for Your forgiveness. I believe You died on the cross for my sins and rose from the grave. I turn from my sins and invite You to come into my heart and life. I want to trust and follow You as my Lord and Savior.”

Praying this prayer from her home in Sweden, Ingrid gave her life to Christ, accepting Him as her Savior. 

She thanked Huff for speaking with her, and he said he would continue praying for his “new friend from Sweden.” He celebrated with Ingrid and sent her off to “tell her best friend” about what God had done for her. 

In answer to Sieberhagen’s encouragement and prayers, God had brought two people together from thousands of miles apart to share His love and salvation via the internet. Huff’s doubting vanished, and he found a meaningful experience sharing the Gospel with Ingrid. As Huff says, “God is so good!”

*Name changed to protect anonymity.