There were many great lessons given at the conference, and I was moved at several points, but the conviction I brought home with me came not so much from a lesson, but a fact: the fact that our single sisters out number us single brothers. This is a wall that has been broken in our ministry for a time now, and as a brother, I feel like I have walked past that broken wall many times and done nothing about it.
Then the 52 day challenge was given.
Wade Cook, an evangelist from Denver, issued a 52 day challenge, where like Nehemiah, we were asked to take on a goal that we hoped to accomplish in 52 days. By faith, what can God do through us in 52 days? When he issued this challenge at the conference, God put something in my heart that scared me: in 52 days I would ask 52 single men to study the Bible. I tried to shut this thought down, even though the idea of having a 52 day workout goal or prayer goal seemed really appealing! By nature, I am an introvert, and I have never counted evangelism as my gift, but how could I be convicted about this broken wall in our ministry and not take action? God was not letting this thought budge from my mind, and as the days went by, I finally accepted the challenge.
When I posted my video and challenged two brothers to take on their own 52 day challenge, I did so with a caveat. Whatever challenge they take on for their 52, I asked that they also add asking seven single men to study the Bible and to challenge their two to do the same.
This thought brings me to my challenge for my brothers around the world. We need single brothers to step up and take on the task of building this broken wall. I challenge all of the brothers who read this to add to your 52 day challenge the goal of asking seven single men to study the Bible. It can be your friends, coworkers, strangers you meet on the street, men who have left the church, men who you studied the Bible with in the past, it does not matter. If you wish to join me in asking 52 single men, I would be more than encouraged!
At the end of the day, it is not about the number, but about the purpose. As members of this ministry, it is our duty and mission to build it. By faith, God can accomplish much through us. By faith, this wall will be rebuilt. What is your 52?