The Fellowship of the Unashamed!

I pastored a church on the eastside of Seattle from the late 1980's through the mid-90's. Just a few miles away was a mega-church, the largest at the time in Washington state. I first heard the following dramatic story from the pastor of that church.

It is the story of a young man from Rwanda who was forced by his tribe in 1980 to renounce Christ or face death. He refused to renounce Jesus and was murdered on the spot.

The following commitment was found in his room after his death.

It is the moving testimony of a martyr. The author's name is known only to Jesus.

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I am a part of the fellowship of the unashamed.

I have Holy Spirit power.

The die has been cast.

I have stepped over the line, the decision has been made.

I am a disciple of His.

I won’t look back, let up, slow down, back away, or be still.

My past is redeemed, my present makes sense, my future is secure.

I am finished and done with low living, cheap talking, sight walking, small planning, smooth knees, colorless dreams, tamed visions, worldly talking, cheap giving and dwarfed goals.

I no longer need prominence, prosperity, positions, promotions, plaudits or popularity.

I don’t have to be right, first, tops, recognized, praised, regarded, or rewarded.

I live by faith, lean on His presence, walk by patience, lift by prayer, and labor by Holy Spirit power.

My faith is set, my gait is fast, and my goal is heaven.

My road is narrow, my way is rough, my companions are few, and my guide reliable.

My mission is clear.

I cannot be bought, compromised, detoured, lured away, turned back, diluted or delayed.

I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice, hesitate in the presence of the adversary, negotiate with the enemy, ponder at the pool of popularity, or meander in the maze of mediocrity.

I won’t give up, let up, shut up until I have stayed up, stored up, prayed up, paid up, preached up for the cause of Christ.

I am a disciple of Jesus. I must go until He comes, give until I drop, preach until all know, and work until He stops me.

Then when He comes for His own, He will have no problem recognizing me, for my banner will be clear!