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How “The Fredrick Factor” can open up evangelistic opportunities

Greg Stier
Greg Stier

Frederick-FactorOn the way home from Universal Studios with my family on Friday night we encountered a one-of-a-kind shuttle driver. His name was Fredrick. He was great, not because of the quality of his driving, but because his entertainment skills and over-the-top love of life.

He took a bunch of rain-soaked, zombie-like, ride-weary people and had them in stitches within minutes. Fredrick played DJ by scanning the radio, comedian by telling jokes, emcee by making announcements, teacher by warning us of cab driver rip offs and even did a little game show that put specific shuttle customers (including me) on the spot. Fredrick danced like nobody was watching (although everyone was) and sang like nobody was listening (although everyone was!) Fredrick was like our secret Universal envoy who was taking us on the last ride of the day.

What would have otherwise been a typical hum drum shuttle ride was transformed into something extraordinary. It added an exclamation point to a great day.

It got me to thinking that we need to have “The Fredrick Factor” in the things we do and the people we meet. We need to be that great experience that people talk about after meeting us. We don’t need to be able to sing, dance or tell jokes. But we do need to love, listen and lean into the lives of others in a refreshing and joyful way. As we do it will open up opportunities to share the good news of Jesus in a more natural and effective way.

As Philippians 4:4 reminds us, “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!” As we rejoice in Jesus throughout our days it will spill over and open up opportunities to share the good news of the gospel.

Of course I gave Fredrick a bigger than normal tip and slipped him a Life in 6 Words card and told him about it. He winked and told me that he was a Christian.

But that didn’t come as a surprise to me at all.

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