Vessels for God’s Glory: A Conversion Story

by Charles N. Spence, Jr.
via Sentry Magazine, Vol. 16 No. 3, September 30, 1990

I’ll never forget the first sermon I preached: "Jesus Is Love," just before I was ordained a Methodist preacher in the AME Zion Conference. I never imagined that the thoughts expressed in that lesson would become an important reality in my life. Some of the thoughts used to substantiate that Jesus is love were "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his  friends" (John 15:13). I wanted to be a friend to Jesus, so I knew I must do whatever He commanded me (John 15:4). Also, "He left the ninety and nine to find me the one."

I had become very studious while preaching in the Methodist Church, to the point where I saw areas in which the Methodist Church was out of harmony with the word of God. As I began to voice these observations, I was inevitably brought into contention with the conference's leaders. Eventually, this would have led to excommunication from the Conference. I never believed in conferences nor thought highly of the denominational concept. I had made it a point to inform the people there that the Bible speaks of one church God is concerned with.

I left the Methodists to join the efforts of a Baptist preacher to return to New Testament Christianity. The idea was a good one—except that what the congregation practiced and the preacher advocated was not New Testament Christianity. At this point, I knew I was lost and had become discouraged.

Not long after my disappointment with the Baptists and an association with the world again, I was reading the personals section of the newspaper, which I hardly ever read. In it, I saw an ad for Bible Moments, a recorded Bible message. Without delay, I called. The message was uplifting and scriptural. I asked a question, which was answered the next day. The answer was impressively a biblical one. I still had some things that needed to be answered, but I wanted to speak to the "voice" directly. He called me back and soon after had set up a personal study. After our study I was impressed with the man’s ability and the simplicity of the word of God.

A couple of weeks later, I submitted to the Gospel of Jesus in Fairlawn, N.J., in September of 1986 and became a new creature in Christ. After being added to the Lord’s body, I sought to join the disciples meeting in Fairlawn. The love, truth, and spirit expressed there gave every indication of being the Lord’s people. One thing that really impressed me was how knowledgeable and studious everyone was. This aided in my growth. I was hungry and thirsty, but the Lord kept His promise (Matthew 5:6).

I am truly thankful to God for men like Dale Smelser, who showed much patience in leading me to God’s word for my many questions. I am also thankful for the saints in Fairlawn for being lights and exemplifying Christ in their lives, leaving me with a good example to follow. I am also thankful for saints everywhere who touched my life with edification, instruction, and encouragement.

The Gospel of Jesus is the power of God to save (Romans 1:16); it’s good to know that there are zealous men and women who have armed themselves with this power to do the Lord’s bidding. As Dale and others have labored and are laboring to proclaim God’s power, I, too, join in those efforts to find those who, like myself, are hungry and thirsting for God’s righteousness.

Those who truly appreciate the Lord's efforts in finding them need to proclaim the excellencies of Him who called them out of darkness into the marvelous light (I Peter 2:9).