By Will Simmons
Never did I ever think I’d evangelize on the Metro in DC on a random Tuesday night. As an Alabamian, I’ve had very few opportunities to talk to non-Christians in my life. Knowing that DC is a more secular place, I was really excited for the opportunity to live more in the world but not of the world. And after reading through Daniel 1-6 a gazillion times for our seminary paper, the thought of being able to assimilate into culture while still standing for Jesus was fascinating to me. However, that seems like quite a challenge. Being able to both relate to a secular culture and to believe and live the Gospel is challenging. All of us fellows have already been challenged numerous times over the first 2 months, so it’s a challenge we will accept.
The conversation started on the Metro after an NBA game. Most of the guy fellows went to the game, and all of them, except for me, got off on a different Metro station. They said bye to me, and a group of 4 people said, “All your boys are leaving you!” and that sparked a conversation. They asked where I’m from and what I’m doing up here. Once I said “Alabama” and “church” it seemed like they had already made up their mind about me. But we continued talking and then they started asking questions about why I believe certain things as a Christian. Some of them seemed to be interested, while another mocked me a little bit for “teaching them the Word of God.”
It was clear they didn’t know much about Jesus and thought being right with God was through doing what was right. I then explained how Christianity is misunderstood by many, and you are only right with God through a relationship with Jesus, and not by what you do or don’t do. They didn’t seem to understand. But I’m reminded by my closest friends and family that we are called to be faithful. Then a few days later, Bill Fullilove said to our class, “We need to take being the Ambassadors of Christ more seriously.” And then it hit me… This is what we are here for; we are here to represent King Jesus and to bring people to him!
Although I didn’t get the response I wanted from the people on the metro, I believe I was able to represent Jesus well and to explain who he is and who he isn’t. I think the coolest thing about being in the Capital Fellows program is the fact that I’m surrounded by people who are very different from me, and yet we all have the most important thing in common… Jesus.
Pictures from the Week
Matt, George, and Will at the Holocaust museum
Some of the fellows repping their new sweatshirt
Maverick and Rooster singing “Great Balls of Fire”
Know a Potential Capital Fellow?
We are actively building Season Seventeen! If you know a college senior or recent graduate that would benefit from this program, please let them know about our upcoming informational webinars. About Capital Fellows. Capital Fellows is an advanced leadership and discipleship program for recent college graduates. Through graduate courses, a paid internship, one-on-one mentoring and many leadership and community service opportunities, fellows develop and apply their gifts in real-world situations while learning to integrate a Christian worldview into all areas of life. Capital Fellows is a unique opportunity to live and work in the Washington DC area and to be an active member of a supportive community that seeks to serve the city with the love of Christ. It is also a unique opportunity to get hands-on experience in the workplace while deeply exploring God’s design for us as workers and contributors to human flourishing.
Pray for the Capital Fellows
Thank you for praying for the Capital Fellows each week!
The Capital Fellows are at the 16th TFI National Fellows Conference this weekend in North Carolina. Please pray that the messages on vocation, justice and mercy enable them to grow in their walk with the Lord and in their work as servant leaders. And please pray for them as they make their way back home on Sunday afternoon.
Want to pray for the Capital Fellows in an ongoing way? Download this handy prayer guide for your phone or tablet.
About The Fellows Initiative
Capital Fellows is part of a network of similar programs across the country. This network is called The Fellows Initiative. There are 34 Fellows programs in TFI, roughly 3,000 alumni living around the world, and more Fellows programs on the way.
If you know a church in the US or Canada that would benefit from joining TFI by launching a new Fellows program. Please contact TFI by visiting their website.
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