Do you ever really stop and wonder about the spiritual condition of the people you rub shoulders with on a regular basis? You know, your favorite bank teller or grocery cashier, the newspaper carrier and so on.
Evie Gardner's eyes were open.
Evie loves to golf. As a missionary in Malawi, she started a Bible study for other lady golfers. When she moved to Kenya, she felt she should do that there as well.
Then she began talking to her caddy as they walked the golf course. She spoke of God’s love to her caddy and he accepted Christ.
For over a year, she felt God asking her to start a ministry for the other caddies at the golf course. She thought about what she could do, but had no concrete plans. She continued praying and asking others to pray as well.
Last July, she and her husband visited the Kabete Rock of Ages Church of the Nazarene. As she sat in the service, she began thinking again of the caddies. The golf course was very near to Kabete. Maybe this church could be the location for the ministry. When could they do something? Why not Sunday afternoons? She reasoned that Sunday mornings the caddies would be busy working, but there are fewer golfers on Sunday afternoons. By the end of the service the details had fallen into place in her mind, but would the pastor and church members agree?
After the service she approached Pastor Sila with her idea. He and others in the church were excited to begin the outreach.
They asked for a starting date. Evie suggested the very next Sunday and so began the Golf Caddie Ministry at Kabete.
On Sunday afternoons for the past year, Evie has driven to the far side of the city over rough roads and through incredible traffic. She stops at the golf course with a van to pick up any caddies who would like to come to the service. If she is out of town or otherwise can’t pick them up, she arranges for another person to drive them. She makes it easy for people to come to the church and meet Jesus there.
The attendance varies with the weather conditions and other factors, but there has been lasting fruit for the kingdom already. The highest attendance was Easter Sunday with 60 people gathered for the service. A soccer team from Olivet also attended one week and played against the caddies. Many people came to watch the game and the salvation message was presented with a soccer ball bearing colors that symbolize the Gospel story.
The service is very short – about one hour. Music opens the worship, followed by testimonies. Almost everyone stands to praise God. Some simply praise God that nothing bad happened to them in the past week. Some praise God that although they were sick, now they are well. Others praise God for family or community. This is followed by an offering. The sermon lasts about 15 minutes. The congregation shares tea and fellowship before going to their homes.
Pray for Evie that she will remain faithful to all God has called her to do. Pray for the caddies and those involved in the local church ministry. Pray that they will persevere through tough times and continue to grow in love, grace and understanding.
Pray also for those who you meet on a regular basis. God may not ask you to start a regular outreach ministry for them as Evie was asked to do, but He may have other plans. Keep your eyes open for signs of spiritual interest and be willing to speak for God. Make disciples of all nations and peoples.
Editor’s note: Evie Gardner works with the Orphans and Vulnerable Children Program (OVC) in Kenya. They try to keep families that have been touched by AIDS intact, even if the head of the new household is very young, by teaching living skills and basic income generating plans. Evie’s husband, Don, is the Field Strategy Coordinator for Africa East Field.