In today’s YouTube video, I had the pleasure of interviewing Russ Wismer. Russ is a new friend of mine and a longtime friend of Bruce Kirby, who has been joining Rudy Ross and me in our videos.
To introduce Russ, I asked him to share his story of how he came to know the Lord. I believe you’ll enjoy listening to his testimony.
Inspired by this, I plan to write today’s article about a couple of my favorite stories of conversion.
My Story
My story isn’t particularly remarkable. I wasn’t much of a churchgoer in my younger years, but in 1967, I found my way to Southside Baptist Church. I often tell people the preaching wasn’t great, and the singing was even worse—but God met me there.
I didn’t know how to pray, so I simply said, “Lord, you can have my life.” I had no theological background, no knowledge of the Bible, but in that moment, the Holy Spirit entered my life and transformed me into a new person.
Within a year, I became the pastor of a small Baptist church, beginning what would become 50 years of active ministry in service to the Lord.
I can honestly say, I’ve had the best life possible, all because of what Jesus has done for me.
Joe Don
During most of the 1970s, I served a mission church in southwest Louisiana. Joe Don was known as a tough guy in the area and lived in a double-wide mobile home just down the street from where I eventually moved into a mobile home myself.
Before I ever met him, I remember praying one day, “God, I wish you would save Joe Don.” Not long after that, we crossed paths, became acquainted, and eventually developed a friendship.
One day, a friend of mine who was also a preacher asked Joe Don, “Isn’t it time for you to give your life to Jesus?” Right then and there, Joe Don made the decision to follow Christ.
He went on to become a close friend, a dedicated worker in the church, and a true lover of God. That’s the kind of transformation only God can bring about.
Maywood Baptist Church
I served Maywood Baptist Church for 35 years, beginning in 1984. In the early 2000s, God blessed us with a series of remarkable conversion experiences. It was like a large rock being thrown into a pond—the ripples of those transformations continue to this day.
I considered highlighting one specific story, but they’re all incredible. Men and women experienced lives completely remade because they became friends of Jesus. During my time at Maywood, I learned two sayings that have stayed with me:
- “The way God defeats His enemies is by making them His friends.”
- “Evangelism is like one beggar telling another beggar where the bread is.”
These truths reflect the heart of what God did in our midst.
YouTube Video
In today’s YouTube video, I interview Russ Wismer, who shares the story of how he came to know Jesus. I encourage you to watch—it’s a story I’m sure you’ll enjoy. It is on the Bob Spradling channel.
Real Voices 