Between 1998-2000, I published an e-newsletter called United in Christ. One of my favorite features for the newsletter was a series of interviews with Christian bands (and one television personality). Presented below is my interview with Leif, the “Witnessing 101 Guy” from the TBN program G-Rock.
Exclusive Interview with Leif, The Witnessing 101 Guy!
This interview was completed in about the time period of two whole months, trying to get it to be as much like a real one on one interview as possible. Much more went on in this interview than in this final edited form, but the most important elements were included. This interview is EXTREMELY long, so make sure to pace yourself!!! You can see Leif and his messages on G-Rock on TBN (in Nebraska, at least). Check your local listings for the channel and the time. On to the interview!
MIKE – What’s the purpose of the “Witnessing 101” guy? Why do you feel that you should go on TV and help people with their methods of sharing Christ?
LEIF – 1. Well, there is my purpose, the producers purpose, and Gods purpose. I think that John 20:31 answers all three of our purposes perfectly, especially since it did come from God. (John 20:31 But these are written {but in our case filmed} that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.)
2. Because there are people out there that are giving the wrong message for saving faith, not on purpose, but because they themselves where taught wrong.
– What saving faith is not!
It is sometimes helpful to consider what something is not. This is particularly true of saving faith. Contrary to popular understanding, none of the following are a part of or a synonym for saving faith: believing general bible truth, promising to serve God, praying, walking an aisle, being sorry for your sins, turning from your sins, inviting Jesus into your heart, believing with a special kind of faith, doing good works, or having heart faith.
Let’s look at two of these
1. Praying. A very popular evangelistic technique today is to ask unbelievers to pray to become Christians. However, there is not one biblical example of anyone ever praying to be saved. Jesus never led anyone in a prayer of salvation, nor did any of the apostles or evangelists mentioned in the Bible. A person is saved by believing in Christ for eternal life, not by praying.
2. Turning from your sins. Can someone undergo radical changes in his or her life without believing the gospel? Of course. Often, for example, unbelieving alcoholics give up drinking. Moral reform is certainly possible. And it is a good thing to do in the sense that it is always best to follow God’s blueprint for living, whether or not you are a Christian. Yet, moral reform will not save. In fact, if people think that turning from sins is a condition of salvation, their faith in moral reform can actually prohibit them from being saved. (To be saved, a person must believe that Jesus guarantees eternal life to all who believe in Him.)
MIKE – Most of the time whenever I see someone trying to witness on TV it seems so superficial and at times, weird! What I’ve noticed is that you bring witnessing down to the “yes, you’re a real person, and you can witness to someone on a more personal level than talking to them through a TV screen” status. I really appreciate that you use analogies that the youth can relate to (such as comparing Christ’s love to a skating ramp…”are you going to hide it and skate at night so that noone else can use it? No- you’re going to share it with all your friends!”). Someone could interperet this as “un-traditional”, because instead of actually witnessing, you’re equipping people with what the need to witness, rather than attempting to wintessing to someone you don’t even know. After someone sees your little section of G-Rock, what do you hope they will gain from it?
LEIF – You got it right! I’m trying to equip our generation with the tools they need to witness. You see, we can get more people to Christ if the people watching the show would just do a little witnessing by themselves. I can’t reach everyone, plus people come to Christ, I think, easier if a friend, who they can relate too, witnesses to them. Plus the person can also see them live the witness as well. They can’t see me live it, they only see a 60 second spot of me. Also, I’m trying to let them see that you don’t have to be a suit and tie kinda guy to witness. You can be any Joe blow, even with tattoo’s and piercing. Paul said be all things to all men. So some of these guys wearing these suits with all the Goddy Gold jewelry will have a hard time witnessing to the punk at the skatepark, and I would have a hard time witnessing to the corporate suit guy. We should witness to whoever God puts in our path, but we should kinda look like the people we witness to so they can relate more.
MIKE – Do you have any suggestions for people who are having problems witnessing to others? I myself have had problems in the past with witnessing because the person suffered from either a lack of interest, or reluctancy to admit that they need Christ. Any answers to this question would be most helpful not only to me, but probably to any other person who has attempted to share Christ’s love in the past.
LEIF – Well if the problem is that you are scared or just a plain wimp, then You really need to pray and ask God to help you. If the person your witnessing to is not receptive, then move on (Titus 3:10). don’t waste your time trying to talk a person into believing. (Matt. 10:14 If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, shake the dust off your feet when you leave that home or town.)
Also, (Matt. 9:37) which basically says that their are sooooo many people that are ready to be saved, they just need to hear the Gospel, and not a lot of people witnessing. So if you waste your time with just one person, you might be missing out on one who is already ready.
I would like to close this with Titus 3:3-8
(3 At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. 4 But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, 5 he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, 6 whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. 8 This is a trustworthy saying. And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone.)
If anyone would like to contact me for any reason, please do so by emailing me at Witnessing101@home.com
We have all been called to preach the Gospel, so I hope you will learn how and help me fill heaven.
In His Grace,
Leif
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