Evangelizing the Cold-Hearted

We live in a cold place. Winter in Calgary can last 6-7 months of the year. Neighbors often don’t see neighbors during those days, except for the occasional greeting here and there from the mailbox or a snow-shoveled driveway. Most people are content to keep to themselves.

Calgary is also a wealthy city. A lot of money constantly pours in through the oil and gas industries. Wealth isn’t always a good thing. People think that they have everything they “need.” With beautiful mountains close to the city, the culture here idolizes recreation, sports, and entertainment. Most people complacently keep trying to make life work in their own way – not even seeing a great spiritual need in themselves.

Our family moved to Calgary 10 ½ years ago. Since then we have met a lot of acquaintances through our neighborhood and various other programs and activities. I still remember in one of those earlier years, standing on our neighbors’ porch, asking them to come to our home for pizza. They looked at me as if I was from Mars. Many friends who have seemed interested for a time to talk on the sideline of a soccer game or swimming lesson, eventually didn’t return a text or a call, or pulled away altogether—not too interested in maintaining contact with someone who wants to talk about God. One neighbor committed to doing a Bible Study together but then never showed up. Another when asked, said that she wouldn’t be able to commit to that because of a bad back—we felt like the Enemy was really fighting with that unlikely excuse.

Through the years, God has encouraged my heart with Romans 1 when sharing the Gospel. Each time I spoke with someone, I wanted to remember the truth that every person is born with a knowledge of God, no matter how hard or disinterested they seemed.

But the years passed. I really wasn’t meeting very many people who cared about God. I’m afraid my heart was growing more and more cynical, too. “Does anyone in Calgary want to know God?” “Does anyone in Calgary have time for God?” No one seemed interested. I began asking God to bring someone into my life who was searching for Truth.

This year I signed up our kids for a soccer program. And… to be totally honest, I was not even looking to meet or talk to anyone during that 1 ½ hours on Friday afternoons. I was looking forward to some quiet time—reading my Bible and other books.

The first week went great. I was loving it! I spent almost the whole time reading. But I couldn’t help noticing there was a mom sitting next to me whom I never even acknowledged. The second week, I came back with my bag of books. I started reading again, but the Holy Spirit kept prompting me while I was trying to enjoy “my quiet time.” He kept encouraging me to be friendly to this lady sitting next to me. Finally, toward the end of the time, I spoke to her. I am so grateful God helped me to do that.

He has given me a front row seat these last few months in watching Him pursue this dear lady. She has reminded me of the Woman at the Well (John 4). Finding the world empty, she is hungering and thirsting for Truth.

A couple months ago, she visited our church for the first time. After sitting with me at our morning worship service, she said to me, “I can’t believe that this many people (referring to our little church) still believe in God.” I thought, “I can’t believe that there is still someone out there who is searching for Truth.” I was touched that God is still pursuing the lost.

In these past few weeks, our friend has come to have assurance of salvation, but we are still burdened for her husband. Do pray for the Lord and his word to warm up one more cold heart.

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Lisa Miller’s husband, Michael Miller, is the pastor of Foundation Baptist Church in Calgary, Alberta. This article first appeared in The Whetstone, a newsletter of the Western Canada Baptist Fellowship. It is republished here by permission.

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