I went to see evangelist Mark Cahill this morning, he was speaking at Calvary Assembly of God in Toledo. I had interviewed Mark by phone and wrote an article about him that was published yesterday (you can read it here).
Mark is a pretty amazing individual in many ways, most notably for his determination to "witness" or preach the Gospel to as many people as possible, and the way he encourages and inspires other Christians to do the same.
He has written two books on the subject and virtually gives them away, asking people to make donations if they can afford to.
Well today I was waiting around after church just to say hello to him, when a woman started telling him she lives in the projects and tries to help her neighbors as much as she can. She routinely packs her car with people from the projects to bring them to church with her.
Mark, who was still in the sanctuary patiently -- make that, gladly -- talking to people who came up to him while a throng gathered in the atrium to buy copies of his books and CDs -- says to this woman: "Go up to my book table and take $200 from the cash box and use it to buy groceries for your neighbors or to minister to them however you choose."
The woman looks at him and laughs. "No, I can't do that," she says.
He looks at her and says gently, "Yes, you can. I'm not asking you, I'm telling you. And I'm bigger than you, so you'd better listen."
He smiles.
She says OK then, and walks away to the book table.

How many evangelists would do something like that?
Cahill was not doing it for publicity or for show; he had no idea who I was at the time or that a member of the media was present when he did this.
If there's any doubt that this evangelist is sincere in his mission to reach the world with the Gospel of Jesus Christ, I think his graciousness and generosity to this woman, a perfect stranger, is proof enough that he's the real deal.
You can find out more about Mark Cahill on his website.

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Interestingly, along with the article on Mark Cahill yesterday I had a story about a New Testament scholar, prolific author, and college professor Dr. Scot McKnight (here's the story).
This man is brilliant, and I like the way he keeps in touch with the things that his students are interested in, including the "emerging movement" or the emergent church, and authors like Rob Bell and Donald MIller. He's also very down to earth. I had the pleasure to join Dr. McKnight for lunch with a group from Winebrenner Theological Seminary and found him to be very charming and humble.
McKnight's approach to evangelism is polar opposite to Cahill's. McKnight is much more reserved, studied, and intellectual.
Yet both are sincere and successful in their different approaches. I think it just shows how big God is, and how he uses different people with different talents and training to minister to different people in different ways.
If you're interested in the emerging movement and scholarly debates about the Bible, check out Dr. McKnight's website here.
Toledo, Ohio
Jan. 13, 2008