The farther, deeper and more passionately I encounter the God given calling and desires of my life, heart and soul - the more I realize there are certain stories that I could just never stop celebrating or telling people about what God has been doing. 

This story is one of them.

This story is my favorite missional story I have had a privilige to be a part of. 

His name is Peter Bon (he’s the groom in the photo). 

Back in the spring semester of 2006 God told me to take a religious studies class at OCC - The Life and Times of Jesus. I knew it wouldn’t shipwreck my faith like some thought - but I wanted, I longed, to learn as much about how the world viewed Jesus as I could. I figured this class would be a good way to do it - plus give me oppurtunities to be intentional and help people encounter Jesus. 

I was right.

Peter, is a man who sat next to me in class. We had very little in common - nothing at first. He’s Philipino - I’m white. He was older then me - I was a freshman. Nothing that would draw each other instantly to each other as friends. But, by sitting next to me, we began to talk (of course, it’s what I do) and then he started seeing my life, how I lived and how I talked; and that me and the professor didn’t see eye to eye on things. So, he’d spend time with me after class picking my brain about Jesus and Christianity. He was filled with questions and even told me that he was looking for something, he didn’t know what, and that’s why he took this class.

Then, one day, me and the professor finally collided. It was beautiful. I won (if you wanna know more just ask). A Christian in the class came out of hiding because of this incident - but then this man, Peter, was amazed at my passion and the way in which I was willing to sacrifice a grade or reputation to stand up for Jesus. He was blown away and we kept talking, longer and more intentionally.

Then the semester ended. We wanted to meet up and hang but I was going away on a mission trip. We said we’d meet up when I got back. I was stoked. I was praying for him continually. 

I went on the mission trip. 

I almost died.

God saved me.

I lost his number.

I was disheartened from everything in life because of recovery time and losing his number.

I felt I had let God down.

Then, one fateful morning in October, my dear friend and brother - Peter - gave me a phone call. 

“Hey Jonathon, I don’t know if you remember me or not - but it’s Peter from OCC, from The Life and Times of Jesus class.”

“Ya, I remember you! Sorry I never called this summer - it’s been crazy. I lost your number. I almost died on my mission trip I was telling you about…”

“Serious? That’s crazy. Well, I was calling and I want to hear about that, but I was calling because I wanted to tell you something important…”

“Okay. What’s up?”

“Well, I have been trying to track down the several people who have had a hand in helping me come to know Jesus - and you are one of them…”

At this moment in time - I lost it. I was floored. He thought I had hung up. 

He then preceded to tell me his story of how God had revealed Himself to Peter. It was beautiful.

It pulled me out of my funk. 

Oh if the story can’t get any better… That woman next to him in the photo up there, his wife, was his girlfriend at the time 4 plus years ago. Shortly after Peter encountering Jesus - Jane, his wife now, encountered Jesus because of Peter!

So, this past Sunday - January 9th - I was a groomsmen in their wedding. 

Jane comes from a family of Buddhists and Peter from a family of nothing religious at all. They have a chance to change their families forever and start a legacy as first generation disciples of Jesus.

Will you pray for them to be faithful and give their family opportunities to encounter Jesus like they have?