Meet Marcellus by Aaron Ford
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Meet Marcellus Hunter. When I think about evangelism, my friend is the first person to come to mind. I met Marcellus my freshman year of college. He worked in the school’s dining commons, where he would swipe our IDs as we entered. Within a few minutes, I knew he was a Christian. He truly had a passion for Christ, which was very evident in his life. As students entered and exited the building, they were frequently left with “God Bless you” and “Jesus loves you.” Smiles would arise and, for at least a moment, joy and hope were in their lives. It is amazing what a few words propelled by the Holy Spirit can do.
One of my first encounters with Marcellus was during dinner one evening. He was sitting in a booth while on break with another student. To my amazement, he had the Bible out on the tabletop and was going through Philippians with the student. Seldom did I remember myself taking the time to share the Gospel and the Word of God with my friends, let alone with a mere acquaintance. But there he was sharing the Gospel with someone he probably met that very day, even giving up his break time to do so. When I think about Marcellus, it always makes me wonder what I am willing to give up for the advancement of the Gospel. The remarkable thing about this event is that it is an everyday occurrence for Marcellus. He was always sharing the Gospel, praying with people, and reading the Word. The public stage was as much a place for display and practice of spiritual disciplines for him as was the private. For him, the first time he will be on break from evangelizing will be when the Lord says to him, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” Anytime you would talk to him, the conversation was always directed toward Christ. If you were a non-believer, you were confronted with the goodness and greatness of Jesus Christ. If you were a believer, you were encouraged and challenged by hearing about the work God was doing in his life and seeing him walk it out.
Thinking about Marcellus, one thing is for certain. He has left a legacy on the campus of Case Western Reserve University. He has touched so many people with his unashamed faith, compassionate nature, love for Christ, love for his neighbor, passion for the Gospel, and the unabashed, proclaiming way he lives his life. Even now as he has moved on from the college, students still talk about him and remember the things he said and how he lived his life. How many seeds has God planted and how many souls won using him? Only God knows. This I do know - he has left a deep impression on my life. He has been a great encouragement to me and I can see nobody else I would rather take as my pattern for evangelism. I thank the Lord everyday for my friend and brother.
One of my first encounters with Marcellus was during dinner one evening. He was sitting in a booth while on break with another student. To my amazement, he had the Bible out on the tabletop and was going through Philippians with the student. Seldom did I remember myself taking the time to share the Gospel and the Word of God with my friends, let alone with a mere acquaintance. But there he was sharing the Gospel with someone he probably met that very day, even giving up his break time to do so. When I think about Marcellus, it always makes me wonder what I am willing to give up for the advancement of the Gospel. The remarkable thing about this event is that it is an everyday occurrence for Marcellus. He was always sharing the Gospel, praying with people, and reading the Word. The public stage was as much a place for display and practice of spiritual disciplines for him as was the private. For him, the first time he will be on break from evangelizing will be when the Lord says to him, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” Anytime you would talk to him, the conversation was always directed toward Christ. If you were a non-believer, you were confronted with the goodness and greatness of Jesus Christ. If you were a believer, you were encouraged and challenged by hearing about the work God was doing in his life and seeing him walk it out.
Thinking about Marcellus, one thing is for certain. He has left a legacy on the campus of Case Western Reserve University. He has touched so many people with his unashamed faith, compassionate nature, love for Christ, love for his neighbor, passion for the Gospel, and the unabashed, proclaiming way he lives his life. Even now as he has moved on from the college, students still talk about him and remember the things he said and how he lived his life. How many seeds has God planted and how many souls won using him? Only God knows. This I do know - he has left a deep impression on my life. He has been a great encouragement to me and I can see nobody else I would rather take as my pattern for evangelism. I thank the Lord everyday for my friend and brother.