Ray Comfort is perhaps the most passionate evangelist alive today.
I like Ray Comfort. I appreciate how he uses law and gospel. But he is also a Christian celebrity, whether he wants to be or not. Being a celebrity gives him exposure. That exposure allows for hyperbole such as, "the most passionate evangelist alive today". I do not like ranking Christians as to their effectiveness for Christ. That does not mean I do not appreciate those who happen to stand out. But for every Christian that stands out, there are many others who labor in obscurity. Let me tell you about one.
When I got out of the Air Force I returned to my hometown of Kearny, NJ for a few years. I joined Oakwood Baptist Church (now a Calvary Chapel) and met a unique fellow by the name of William "Bill" Van Blarcum. Bill was almost 60 years old. He was a life long bachelor. He lived in his family home with his older brother Artie. Bill never made it big in business. He was a security guard. He bought all his clothes from Goodwill. He used to put mothballs in his huge Lincoln Continental to cover up the musty smell. He wore his pants above his belly button and always had Maypop sneakers on his feet. He was one unique and eccentric cat. But Bill loved the Lord Jesus Christ and was consumed with sharing the gospel, especially to young people.
The town of Kearny is one of those towns with a main street, called Kearny Avenue. Most Friday and Saturday nights Bill would walk Kearny Avenue passing out tracts to groups of young people. Most of them would laugh at him. Some ridiculed him. A few even assaulted him. But Bill was undeterred. He was able to connect with some of these kids and would pick them up on Sunday morning, in his mothball mobile, and bring them to church. If the kids were poor Bill would deliver food and clothing to their home. There was a Christian ministry in Zarepath, NJ, and Bill would often load up his car with kids and take them to see Christian movies in Zarepath. He brought them to crusades. Even with all his eccentricity, Bill lived the commands of Christ as well as any redeemed sinner could.
In 1992 Bill died of a massive heart attack. I did not expect many people to attend his funeral outside of his church family. But was I in for a shock. I was living in another state and made it just in time for the grave-side service. I saw dozens of people I never met before. All of them were former young people that Bill had ministered to over the years. They heard about his home-going and came out to give God the glory by honoring Bill's investment in their lives. It was amazing.
Bill Van Blarcum had a tremendous impact in my life. He showed me how a man could live for Christ no matter what. He had a passion for sharing the gospel and he took advantage of each opportunity. I am proud to have known him and to call him "friend".
There are many, many other Bill Van Blarcum's out there. They will never be a celebrity and their names will never be known outside of those in their inner circle. Instead of ranking their passion, I simply give thanks for God using them, all for His glory.
