RTN preacher’s journey bookended by two salvations

Master of Divinity student Joey Smith’s “Revive This Nation” (RTN) journey ended the way it began: with people responding to the Gospel and professing faith in Christ. In preparation for RTN, Smith was eager to see how the Lord would use his time preaching revival services at First Baptist Church in Hahira, Ga., but these two salvations took place not as a result of a sermon preached, but after engaging with people during his travels. These salvations, he says, serve as a reminder that it is not only from the pulpit that the Gospel must be proclaimed, but in everyday routines and interactions, whether that be in an airport terminal or a hotel lobby.

Smith’s departure for Georgia did not pan out as smoothly as he had hoped it would. Last-minute circumstances required relocation from the Dallas Love Field airport to DFW airport. However, what seemed to be an extremely frustrating start to the week was really the providence of God leading him to a man ready to receive the Gospel.

When Smith finally arrived at DFW airport and made his way through check-in and security procedures, he took a seat at his gate and waited to board his plane. Not long after he sat down, Robert sat next to him and began searching for a place to charge his phone.

After pointing to an outlet near him, Smith initiated a conversation with Robert, who was traveling through Dallas to attend his grandfather’s funeral. Robert reflected on his grandfather’s life and legacy, noting the characteristics he hoped to exemplify in his own life. Having children of his own, Robert hoped to be the same kind of man and father to his own family.

Smith inquired about Robert’s church involvement and relationship with God, but Robert replied that his family was too busy with various responsibilities to attend church, and that he did not have a relationship with God. As they continued to wait for the call to board their flight, Smith shared the Gospel with Robert, concluding with an invitation to receive Christ. Robert was ready and willing, so Smith led him in a prayer of salvation, repenting of his sins and confessing Jesus as his Lord and Savior.

“This was a reminder to be intentional in initiating Gospel conversations with people,” Smith reflects. “There are people all around us who are in need of Jesus and ready to receive the Gospel.”

Smith then proceeded with his travels to Georgia, where he preached that week to a congregation ready to receive a message from the Word and eager to see revival in their community. Smith says that after the revival services concluded, many church members expressed a conviction to be Christians more committed to sharing the Gospel with family, friends, neighbors and colleagues.

After Smith’s final sermon that week, he returned to his hotel. In walking past the check-in counter, he was convicted that he had passed by that desk each day but had neglected to share the Gospel with any of the hotel workers stationed there.

So, Smith stopped to speak with the two women working the desk that evening. He initiated a spiritual conversation and asked about their beliefs. Both women expressed that they had some general spiritual beliefs but were not certain of their salvation or where they would spend eternity.

Several work-related interruptions prevented the women from being present throughout the entire conversation, but after dealing with these interruptions, the women continually returned to continue the discussion. Smith managed to give a complete Gospel presentation, answer questions and offer an invitation for the women to respond to the Gospel. One of the two women, Taylor, made the decision to pray to receive Christ.

Having been used by God to lead two people to faith in Christ—one immediately before the revival, and one immediately after—Smith realized that Gospel proclamation is not just for Sunday sermons or revival services, but for all times and all places. “Preaching the Gospel only from the pulpit is not enough,” Smith says. “As Kingdom laborers, we must practice personal evangelism.”