![\"Two](\"https:\/\/www.navigators.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/02.20.24-Article-Web-1024x614.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nAs one of the few people Mitch knew \u2014 other than his grandmother \u2014 whose faith was transformative, Mitch often turned to Alan for questions regarding Jesus. Curious to learn more about where Mitch was at in his spiritual journey, Alan asked him, \u201cWhy was it important to your grandmother that you get baptized?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI guess I can\u2019t say all the reasons, but Jesus was important to her,\u201d Mitch replied.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIs it important to you to get baptized?\u201d Alan asked. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYeah,\u201d Mitch said. \u201cI mean I want to keep my promise to her, but I don\u2019t just want to go through the motions. I want it to mean something.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Alan asked Mitch if he had ever read the Bible for himself to learn about what Jesus said and did. When Mitch confirmed that he hadn\u2019t, Alan invited him to start reading the Bible with him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Becoming a Disciple<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Alan had a background with The Navigators, being involved with the ministry in his college years. During that time, Alan saw rapid fruit in his own life and the lives of those he was investing in. It was this foundation that gave him a vision for disciplemaking after college, and now he translates what he learned as a student to his post-grad life and relationships. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
It was this mindset that guided Alan as he started to read the Bible with Mitch. Going through one chapter of John at a time, they would meet over Zoom or the phone to discuss what they read each week. After reading through the whole book together, Mitch started to ask about the meaning of the gospel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Alan\u2019s faithfulness with his cousin-in-law soon bore fruit \u2014 Mitch accepted Christ into his life!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, since Mitch gave his life to Christ, he\u2019s been faced with challenges. Shortly after his commitment to Christ, Mitch\u2019s father\u2019s health began to decline. Much of Mitch\u2019s time was devoted to being a caregiver, until eventually, his father passed away. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
In light of the difficult time, Alan continued to encourage Mitch in his faith. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Understandably, Mitch was less available and responsive in the midst of this trying season. Alan acknowledged that he\u2019s had to change his own expectations for the pace at which Mitch will grow in his faith. Alan watched Mitch grow from a nonbeliever to a disciple; yet, he still has a vision to see Mitch become a disciplemaker too, passing on his faith to others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When Alan started to read the Bible with Mitch, Mitch mentioned that his two younger siblings also have a desire to get baptized. Alan\u2019s prayer is that eventually Mitch might start reading the Bible with his younger siblings, much like Alan did with him. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Alan recognizes that God is working in and through Mitch. Though he\u2019s in a difficult season, he has the potential to bear new and different fruit, and God will no doubt continue to use Alan\u2019s patience and faithful presence as the Lord continues the work He has begun in Mitch\u2019s life. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Walking Through Open Doors To the Gospel<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Sometimes, God opens doors for the gospel right in front of people around us, and all they need is to walk through. Often they are eager \u2014 they just need some guidance from those that have gone before them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n