I’ll never forget the first time he came to our small Bible study while we were both students at Mississippi State University in 1978. He had so many questions. He wanted all God had for him and he wanted it now. From the moment he first surrendered his life to Jesus he joyfully and boldly told everyone who would listen about the free gift of salvation. One night in the MSU library he was passionately sharing the gospel with a classmate who finally said he was not ready to follow Christ.
Suddenly a student appeared from behind a tall shelf of books saying “I’ve been listening to you for the past forty-five minutes and I want to get right with God. Will you pray with me?” That night in the MSU library, Ed was born again, a victim of collateral evangelism. Several years later my friend invited me to accompany him on a one month summer mission trip to the Philippines.
It is weird to think what my life would be today had he not asked or had I not accepted that invitation. Proverbs 18:24 describes a real friend as one who “sticks closer than a brother.” Since that first Bible study in 1978 at MSU Rice Broocks has been that kind of friend to me. Happy 50th, Rice!
