I didn't want to talk with them, but I did. They were on the plane, and unlike a large number of other people who were plugged into their MP3 players or had their nose stuck in a book, these people wanted to talk. I tried to avoid them by focusing my eyes on the book I brought along to read, but they were pretty insistent.

The man leaned over his wife and engaged me in a conversation that he started by peppering me with a string of questions. Are you from around here? Where ya' headed? Fly much? Married, got any kids? I tried to let him know by my body language that I wanted to read my book. After all, I had set a goal of reading a certain number of books this year; books that had been given to me or that my wife, Audrey, and I had purchased. But this guy kept on going — like that energetic bunny on TV. I answered his questions, and then he told me about himself and his family.

Finally he asked what kind of work I did. "I am a pastor." "Oh, were is your church." "Uh, actually, I don't have one. I am an administrator for the Seventh-day Adventist Church." "So you work for the conference, huh?" With that last question — which his tone indicated was more of a statement — I knew something was up. Maybe God is at work here, I thought. I closed my book.

The ensuing hour-long conversation on the short flight revealed that he was a former Seventh-day Adventist, happily attending an evangelical church in a city in Northern California. When we exchanged names, I immediately recognized his family, as many of you would. He named several prominent Adventist ministers that he was related to. When I asked why he no longer belonged to the Seventh-day Adventist church, he didn't cite any particular doctrine he disagreed with or had rejected. Nor did he mention a dislike for or distrust of the Seventh-day Adventist organizational structure.

He told me about a bad divorce, estranged family members and the personal hurt he had endured. I really didn't ask for any more details. I just listened, and prayed. When I could get a word in, I assured him of God's unconditional love and acceptance, and that I believe Jesus is coming soon.

We exchanged business cards just before the plane touched down. As I walked away, a lot of questions came to mind. Lord, did I handle that right? Is it possible to win him back to the Adventist church? Was our meeting a "providential opening" of a sort? Would he be receptive to receiving our literature? Did I say too much or not enough?

At the time, I had answers to only a couple of these questions. I believe that Jesus cares about every one of our "former" members. I don't believe that my encounter with this man was accidental, for, in my thinking, there are no coincidences with God. Had I said something that Jesus could use now or later? What could I do as a servant of God to continue to reach out to him?

I have his business card and I can pray over his name on a regular basis. With his mailing address I can send him our literature. I can call him in his office, and maybe visit his place of business. I can keep in touch with him and when the Spirit moves both of us, who knows what can happen?

I know that only God can convert and save a soul. But I also want to do my part to reach out and touch people for His kingdom. Have you touched anyone lately? Praise God, I am sure many of you have. When Jesus comes, we will see the results of our many prayers and "reaching out." I believe He is coming sooner than we think. Let's get busy.