Surprised by Grace

“It’s amazing to see the Lord make something out of nothing, you know what I mean?” said M.Div. student Chris Hensler in response to seeing the way the Lord is working in Project Jerusalem’s newest church plant in Marshall’s Creek, PA. However, those words can easily apply to his own life as well.

Although Chris was saved at an early age, he turned from the Lord when he was in his later teens. His life began a downward spiral as he withdrew from his family, his friends, his church, and his God. “I became trapped in a world of drugs and alcohol. But praise the Lord, I’m free!”

Despite his attempts to gain control of his sin, it soon caught up with him. “It’s like the Word says: ‘You may be sure that your sin will find you out.’ Well, mine certainly did, and I ended up in prison because of it.”

However, God used this turn of events to work a miracle in Chris’ life. “While I was in prison, I realized that the real prison was the prison of my sin. I felt more free in prison than I did on the outside.” Chris began reading his Bible everyday and taking classes through Grace College’s prison extension distance learning program. Before his early release, Chris was able to earn an associate’s degree in Biblical Studies and a Bachelor of Science in Organizational Management.

And it was through the ministry of his professors from Grace that Chris was encouraged to attend Baptist Bible Seminary. “I am awestruck that God could take a wretch such as I and turn it into a creature fit for His kingdom. I am finishing my first incredible year at the Seminary, and I can’t wait for the next. It is very encouraging to be able to apply what I’m learning directly in my ministry.”

While pursuing his M.Div., Chris is also working with Project Jerusalem’s newest church plant. “It’s heartbreaking to see a single father raising his three daughters by himself or a young man surrounded by beer cans banging away on his drums. They need the gospel, and it amazes me that God would choose me to share it with them.”

For more information on the M.Div. program, visit the website at www.bbc.edu/seminary/mdiv.asp.

return to the Summer 2007 Paraklesis