Walk It Out Wednesday: An Encounter With God - Pastoral Panel

Main message: An encounter with God transforms a person's life and mission — like Saul's conversion to Paul — and everyone who has experienced God is called and equipped to share that testimony and make disciples without waiting for formal permission.

Key points:

• Acts 9 shows Saul’s dramatic encounter (blinding light, Jesus speaks), resulting in repentance, temporary blindness, and then commissioning to ministry.
• Encounters often begin in private and are confirmed by others (Ananias, Barnabas, Cornelius, Peter); God may already be speaking to people who will receive your testimony.
• Relationship with God matters more than mere religious zeal; Saul was religious but not yet in relationship until his encounter.
• Believers carry light into dark places; evangelism means bringing that light to people who haven’t yet seen it.
• Do practical evangelism: anyone can witness, don’t be paralyzed by fear of rejection or by waiting for formal ordination, find mentors, and move on when rejected (shake the dust).

Scriptures mentioned: Acts 6, Acts 7, Acts 8, Acts 9, Acts 10 (Cornelius/Peter), Acts 18, Acts 28, Luke 14 (parable of the great banquet), Genesis 1 (let there be light), Psalm 30:5 (weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning)