As you look back over your life, who was it that greatly influenced your early years of spiritual formation? For me, it was Ann Kiemel (Anderson), Christian speaker and author of numerous books. She will never know how many lives she influenced for God by her humble, loving spirit and simple faith. Her first book, I’m Out to Change My World, was evidence of her desire to share Jesus in everyday, divine appointments. She looked for opportunities to offer Jesus and love in her “everyday ordinary life; her eating, going-to-work, and walking around life” (Romans 12:1, The Message) She is remembered most by her humble presentation. Quietly seated on a stool in the middle of a large auditorium, she would begin…”Hi, I’m Ann. I am one simple woman in the world. I have never shaken hands with the President. I cry, sometimes I am insecure. I am only one but I have come tonight to tell you I am one…and Jesus and I and love are out to change the world”. Ann came to know the Good News of Jesus and because Jesus lived in her, she was Good News to everyone she met along the way. Her overwhelming desire was to win others to Jesus by building bridges that opened the way for Jesus and His love to change hearts, change lives, change the world!
Ann is with Jesus now! I thank you for sharing Jesus and His love that reached all the way to where I was. That is intentional discipleship; building bridges that point people to an authentic love relationship with Jesus Christ. Continuing to build those bridges so that they may be rooted and established in love, filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. (Ephesians 3:16-19)
Rev. Sherry Judy
