My salvation story by Al Christopherson
For 18 years of my life, growing up on an Iowa, USA farm, Satan had me convinced the attractions of the world and its many bright lights would eventually bring satisfaction. But in the words of Galatians 6:7, “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked, for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap”, I truly had been deceived.
I was born into a home where the gospel and the truth of God were reverenced. My grandparents on both sides of the family were saved in earlier years and faithfully attended a local church. But neither my father nor mother were saved until many years after my own conversion.
My parents wisely insisted that we attend Sunday School. As a family we seldom missed the Sunday Gospel service. My parents always had a deep longing to know Christ as Saviour which prompted us to travel countless miles when various gospel series were in the area.
I was privileged to have three gospel preachers, Paul Elliot, Leonard DeBuhr and Robert Orr living within five miles of my home. I remember with joy their testimony and soul winning spirit. In addition, there were five local churches within 25 miles of my home. This impressed me that the Lord, in His wondrous grace, had set a hedge around me which was impossible to ignore.
The thought of the coming of the Lord often sobered me as I imagined being left behind while my grandparents and other saved relatives would be taken to Heaven. However, these thoughts often quickly passed. Even though the sports world and the applause of the crowd had captivated my interest, I wondered just where is real satisfaction found?
Because the school cafeteria didn’t always supply enough food, we frequented the downtown café. This short walk made us pass by Paul Elliott’s house. I would see on his garage door the words, “Jesus said, Ye must be born again.” This was a vivid reminder which spoke loudly to me as I sensed I was running from God.
One Sunday night in July, we went, as usual, to a gospel service. The Bible text used was Matthew 25:13, “Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming.” It was like an arrow from God which pierced my conscience. After the service, my cousin showed me various Bible verses and prayed for my salvation. God had spoken to me again, leaving me broken and troubled. The four years of high school seeking popularity left me with nothing and empty before God for eternity.
Three full days passed as I read the Bible and different gospel tracts looking for help. All seemed so dark! I asked Leonard De Buhr for help. He showed me some Bible verses. One of the verses conveyed hope to my darkened mind.
Later, I sat alone in my much cherished ’57 Chevy reading that verse, “for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost” (Luke 19:10). For some reason my eye caught only a portion of the verse, “the Son of Man came to seek the lost”. I had to admit that’s just exactly what I was - lost, friendless and helpless before God. Then I read the rest of the verse to discover that the same Man who came for the lost – saves the lost! Right there, I caught myself trusting what I had never trusted before.
I remember the SUN was setting in the west bringing darkness for another night, but at the same time the SON was sunshine to my heart.
If I had known the hymn, I could have sung,
I seek no other argument,
I want no other plea.
It is enough that Jesus died,
And rose again for me.
Al Christopherson
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