As a priest, life in ministry can be so in-tangible, even frustratingly intangible at times. In fact there are moments to be honest when I ask myself, are we making progress?  Is the ministry in word and deed making any traction?  Are we seeing fruit?  Well I was blown away by what you are about to read. The background is that David Causey (father of our own Communications Director Vicki Vazquez) has been around St. Michael’s a long time. 2 years ago I invited him to take Alpha in the Workplace and something happened!  As you read, consider David’s courage and I hope you will be inspired as he was to simply share from the heart in an everyday situation. Read on…

Rev. Al,
I wanted to share an experience that I had while traveling with two of my chess companions to Charlotte to play in the N.C. Open this past weekend. I can only conclude that God works through us very carefully but with determination to utilize our “gifts” to the fullest.

My two chess companions are both very well trained in a mathematics background. As such, their perspective of life and religion requires “proof” rather than “faith” in order for them to be true believers. Both have past experience with church and Christianity, but, like many, lost touch with their faith in their young adulthood. I learned this when our conversation during our trip turned to religion (believe me, I had not even broached the subject and we were deep into it before I realized that I was being tested). Both professed to be atheists, but with a past knowledge of Christianity, one even saying that he was a “former” believer, but had read an archaeologist’s book about the “big myth and deception” that the Christian church had produced over the many centuries. My counter was that this was a singular challenge by one individual that found, so called, historical evidence to uphold their belief in their premise. I told him that there were many books that found substantial “secular” evidence that the biblical writings were true and without challenge to its basic foundation for Christian belief. He had not read any such books so I told him that I would find one or more that would give him evidence to the contrary of his archaeologist’s book. I’m wise enough to know that when a motivated writer or debater has an agenda, they tend to recite evidence that no one else knows exists in order to make their case. That evidence must be challenged just like in a court of law.  Hopefully, you can suggest the right book in the bookstore that would offset the perception he has extracted from his other readings.

As for the other companion, likewise a mathematician by training, he complimented me on my control and calmness when they were obviously challenging my belief. I told them that I did not feel insulted or challenged but rather saw the opportunity to express my beliefs along with the foundation for them. I told them that much of my background was science and math, but I did not see that as contradicting my belief in Jesus and the Bible.  I told them about my belief in prayer and how, in my youth, it was the first time that I had an experience with God and I was forever a believer due to that “proof” of his existence. Of course, since that time and especially now, prayer is my “way” that I survive the challenges of life. Of course, Alpha has brought me to the other ways that Christians exercise their belief, i.e., church, small groups, Bible reading, giving, volunteering, etc. I mentioned Alpha to them and how it welcomes atheist, agnostics, seekers and wayward believers (lost sheep). Hopefully, that planted a seed for the future, especially when one said that he actually wished that he could “take a pill” and have faith! I’m sure in our next conversation, I’ll be able to tell him that he doesn’t need a pill, it’s even easier than that!  I left the conversation (we arrived at our destination) with the thought that both individuals, in fact, had that “small pilot light of faith” that only needed fuel to grow into a larger flame.

Obviously, this is a work in progress but the door has been opened to me and I know God has called on me to bring the truth to my two friends. I’ll let you know my progress.

In his Name,
David Y Causey

P.S. They didn’t know it, but I prayed for all of us to do well in the tournament, and…. we did!