A term utilised in Christian circles 'The Lord's touch' is seen as faith-recognition - the Lord has somehow honoured and put His hand of blessing on a ministry. Christians can vouch for such whether that be within the confines of a local church, a home mission ministry, a missionary society or some other Christian activity.
This may not necessarily refer to the numbers of 'conversions' (such as the number of Muslims in the Middle East coming to Christ), rather it may have everything to do with a specific ministry / mission outcome from prayer.
It is so easy to forget these (especially the small ones) unless they get documented. Moreover, I am unable to speak for anyone else (unless I write a biography of someone). I can provide my own testimony of 'touches of the Lord' within my own 39 years of ministry. These are some of mine – I pray you might be encouraged!
Working backwards
Tweed Heads Respite - missions people are house-sitting our home in Tweed Heads while we are away from 1-17 November. These missionaries knew nothing of our prayers as to whether we might offer our Tweed Heads home for missions respite. They rang as we prayed – they are house sitting 1-14 November. I might dare to consider this as a 'touch of the Lord'!
Laguna Quays Respite - ill with stress (a medical certificate) I took early retirement as a Baptist minister at the end of 2010. With the superannuation we purchased in 2011 a beach house on the Whitsundays which has been consistently utilised by missionaries for respite over the past 6 years. The Lord's touch!
Young writers ministry - in 2008 Christian Today rang me to become a daily columnist, 12 months later asked me to add a sport article. This I gave over to five young sport writers and this led to additional young writers in 'Comment writing'. Today we have 85 young people in the program. A touch of the Lord!
Country Town Tours - athlete, coach, corporate person over 30 years to a regional or rural area for several days engaging in ministry to youth groups, the community, service clubs, churches, men's breakfasts or dinners - remarkable. The Lord's touch!
Art Ministry – 1999 began to paint for relaxation and this turned into a community ministry with Mr Basil Sellers AM donating funds to construct an art gallery in Moruya on the NSW south coast, opened 2003. This led to a Basil Sellers $15,000 Moruya Art Prize, then the $100,000 Basil Sellers Sport-Art in Melbourne and the $2000 Midge Point Art Prize, a small regional area. A touch of the Lord!
Ponder the wonderful things the Lord has 'touched' in your life – family to career, to church to mission to years of youth ministry, whatever .... touches of the Lord, just as valid as the ones listed here. Here a few more in my life.
Athlete Respite - The Basil Sellers House athlete respite lodge in Moruya was opened in 1992 as a respite ministry to the Australian Institute of Sport elite athletes. Nick Farr-Jones World Cup Wallaby Captain and yachting champion Jeanine Treharne opened it. An astonishing ministry. It was replicated in Tweed Heads in 2006 for the SE Qld AIS Sport Units. The Lord's touch!
Sports Chaplaincy - 1982 I was 'hockey' writer for The Australian and invited to Hong Kong for the second world congress on sport missions - as a Baptist minister and industrial chaplain (InterChurch Trade & Industry Mission). Returning, I established Sports Chaplaincy over 18 years to 2000. I negotiated 150 sport chaplaincy appointments in Australia's major professional sports. A touch of the Lord.
Australian cricket team chaplain - 1984 I was appointed the cricket team chaplain and this ministry continued to 2001 (17 years) when Life After Cricket was initiated. This ministry allowed me to travel the world and conduct sport evangelistic missions (and Sth Pacific missions) and opened many doors for ministry. The Lord's touch.
Olympic Ministry - Kevan Gospel AC IOC Vice President also Chairman of Shell Australia (I was industrial chaplain) invited me to 1984 Los Angeles Olympics Religious Services program. In 2000 he sent me to the IOC in Lusanne Switzerland to assist developing a 'transfer of knowledge' of Olympic Village Religious Services. In 2009 presented the Olympic Ministry Medal by Olympian of the Century Carl Lewis. A touch of the Lord.
Footplate Padre - as a former train driver and author of 16 books on railways, I was invited to become the Footplate Padre resulting in writing, visiting railway depots and locomotive crews. This has been a very enjoyable part of my portfolio ministries. The Lord's touch.
Reality philosophy
The reality is that although the Lord established these in my heart, it took many helpers to see these come to fruition. The numbers of people coming to Christ as a result of all these / teams of people is remarkable. Moreover, for me, a stable family life – Delma my wife of 39 years, our four children and grand children.
But, not all roses – never is - the reality of human experience, there are some who will try to bring you down, make false accusations - ask any leader, Secular or Christian. Those who have never struggled - when initiating a new encounter in mission (or business) - the sleepless nights, dilemmas faced, raising mission finances – these are the very people who...
The 'touch of the Lord' I often refer to as 'resurrection moments'. I have preached this message at One Day in Melbourne, the CoolyRocksOn Church Service, and elsewhere to the joy of the Lord. Some just don't get it .... it couldn't happen ... if it did it certainly wasn't you! You stutter, you're triple big, you dress way too ordinary, you speak like a train diver, you're one 'of those' who believe the bible ... and on it goes.
Never assume the Lord's service is an easy road or a welcoming one. Ministry is fraught within and without by obstacles, lies, deceit, enemies, hardship - yet bold belief and faith steps are the only requirements. My advice – Trust the Lord!
A remarkable part of this journey in the Lord has been the faith finance over 39 years to see it all happen – for our family and our ministry - along with the 'touch of the Lord' upon do many who continue to give including Mr Basil Sellers AM with his continuing mission projects' financial support.
These are all a 'touch of the Lord'. Every follower of Jesus is a witness to their own 'touches of the Lord' and it is marvellous in our sight.
Dr Mark Tronson is a Baptist minister (retired) who served as the Australian cricket team chaplain for 17 years (2000 ret) and established Life After Cricket in 2001. He was recognised by the Olympic Ministry Medal in 2009 presented by Carl Lewis Olympian of the Century. He mentors young writers and has written 24 books, and enjoys writing. He is married to Delma, with four adult children and grand-children.
Mark Tronson's archive of articles can be viewed at http://www.pressserviceinternational.org/mark-tronson.html