Final Exit: Testimonies and Stories

This is a story that was told to us by one of the cast members named Anniesha:

Anniesha had a friend "Amber" who came through Final Exit and was extremely moved. However, instead of talking to someone in the Evangelism room after going through the production Amber went straight home and flushed $800 worth of drugs down her toilet. She also dumped out all of the alcohol in her house. After this she gave her life to the Lord and came to church the next day to share her testimony. Oh, and she also canceled the abortion that she had scheduled for the following week.

Despite its brevity, this story really struck me (Ben) when I heard it. That God could use something as small as Final Exit to produce this sort of change in someone's life was astounding. It drove home the point that it isn't us, but God's Holy Spirit that changes lives. This girl didn't talk to anyone about Jesus, she just knew what was the right thing to do. I think that is absolutely amazing.

A friend of ours, Amanda, brought some of the kids she works with through Final Exit as well. One of the girls, I forget her name, was also very touched. Amanda has been staying with this girl and her family off and on for the last several months trying to keep the family together as the mom has been in and out of prison. In any case, this girl was also very touched and spoke about her experience with her brothers and sisters. Though they didn't come through Final Exit, her two brothers gave their lives to the Lord and were baptized one Sunday at Heartland Vineyard. Some friends of mine were there that Sunday and witnessed the event. It was really cool. What makes this story even better is that one of the brothers was a gang leader in Waterloo. How cool is that?!

After the last night of Final Exit, we counted the cards that people fill out if they are choosing to give their lives to the Jesus for the first time or are choosing to rededicate themselves to following God after having drifted away. 430 people had filled out cards. What that means to me is that 430 people have decided that Jesus is worth looking into after having gone through Final Exit. That is really exciting to me. And the truth is, the number is probably much higher than that if Anneisha's story is any indication. My prayer now is that those people will find a healthy and vibrant church where they can get plugged in, healed up and discipled. Please be praying for them in these next few days.

I am sure that Amy and I will come up with more stories as time goes on, but those were the highlights that I can remember now. Thanks for reading!