According to the June issue of Christianity Today, motorcycle daredevil “Evel” Knieval has become a Christian. Knieval told the congregation at the Crystal Cathedral -
“I don’t know what in the world happened. I don’t know if it was the power of prayer, or God himself, but it just reached out, either while I was driving or walking down the sidewalk or sleeping, and it just — the power of God in Jesus just grabbed me… All of a sudden I just believed in Jesus Christ. I did, I believed in him!”
Knieval’s testimony sparked a mass of people coming forward to be baptized. Pastor Robert A. Schuller estimates that, in two services that day, over 500 to 800 people committed or rededicated their lives to God.
I remember watching Knieval’s daredevil stunts on Wide World of Sports growing up. He seemed to show no fear and took risks very few (if anyone) would take just for the thrill of saying he’d done it (oh, and maybe for the thousands of dollars he got for doing them). The benefits to this leap of faith, however, are immeasurable.
When someone famous like Knieval comes out for Christ, it can give the faith community a huge shot in the arm. I pray this revival will “trickle down” from the Crystal Cathedral into many local congregations.
I’ve always wondered about this phenomenon of people coming to Christ because someone famous did…do they really know or understand the commitment they are making, does it matter if they do or not? What do you think?
The Pistol fires back: I’m sure it’s a mixed bag. I do think famous folk who genuinely come to Christ have the potential to make great evangelists.
Praise God that He reaches out to us. Praise God that He saved Knieval! It’s God’s amazing power to save that makes testimonies and responses to testimonies sensational! Reminds me of some passages in Acts.