Anthony Pritchard
Well-Known Member
Fallow Ground: Witnessing Christ to the Lost
I would like to share a bit of my journey with you.
I became a child of God in 1979 while serving in the U.S. Navy. During the final two years of my enlistment, I had the privilege of sharing the Gospel across much of Europe and in the Caribbean, including the Virgin Island of St. Thomas, mostly through tracts printed in the languages of the people I met.
Did I see immediate fruit from those efforts? No. Salvation is instant, but the preparation of the heart rarely is. Scripture speaks of fallow ground that must be broken up:
"Break up your fallow ground: for it is time to seek the LORD, till he come and rain righteousness upon you." Hosea 10:12
The sinner must be broken. As Jesus said:
"Whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken: but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder." Matthew 21:44
That breaking takes time. Sometimes it is short, sometimes long, depending on the background of the one who hears. Were they raised in a church environment? Do they have little or no knowledge of God and salvation? Or are they steeped in a religion or worldview that resists Christianity altogether?
The truth is that I will not know the full impact of the seeds I planted until heaven. It is ours to plant, and at times to water, but the rest is the Spirit’s work. He moves effectually upon the heart, bringing the seed to life.
"So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase." 1 Corinthians 3:7
And we rest in the promise:
"So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it." Isaiah 55:11
So, in bearing witness of the great salvation of Christ to the world, do not be discouraged by a lack of immediate results. The work of redemption often unfolds slowly. Plant the seed, water it faithfully, and if God wills it, be there for the harvest.
"The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few." Matthew 9:37
In due season, God brings the increase.
Remember, it is all of God. He alone gives life to the seed and breathes new life into the repentant sinner. And if, by His grace, you are granted the privilege of leading a soul to salvation, do so gently. There should be urgency, but never force. Trust the Spirit to do His work in the heart. We are messengers, not manipulators; vessels, not saviors.
© A.K. Pritchard 1990, 2026 – Free to use with proper attribution.
I would like to share a bit of my journey with you.
I became a child of God in 1979 while serving in the U.S. Navy. During the final two years of my enlistment, I had the privilege of sharing the Gospel across much of Europe and in the Caribbean, including the Virgin Island of St. Thomas, mostly through tracts printed in the languages of the people I met.
Did I see immediate fruit from those efforts? No. Salvation is instant, but the preparation of the heart rarely is. Scripture speaks of fallow ground that must be broken up:
"Break up your fallow ground: for it is time to seek the LORD, till he come and rain righteousness upon you." Hosea 10:12
The sinner must be broken. As Jesus said:
"Whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken: but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder." Matthew 21:44
That breaking takes time. Sometimes it is short, sometimes long, depending on the background of the one who hears. Were they raised in a church environment? Do they have little or no knowledge of God and salvation? Or are they steeped in a religion or worldview that resists Christianity altogether?
The truth is that I will not know the full impact of the seeds I planted until heaven. It is ours to plant, and at times to water, but the rest is the Spirit’s work. He moves effectually upon the heart, bringing the seed to life.
"So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase." 1 Corinthians 3:7
And we rest in the promise:
"So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it." Isaiah 55:11
So, in bearing witness of the great salvation of Christ to the world, do not be discouraged by a lack of immediate results. The work of redemption often unfolds slowly. Plant the seed, water it faithfully, and if God wills it, be there for the harvest.
"The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few." Matthew 9:37
In due season, God brings the increase.
Remember, it is all of God. He alone gives life to the seed and breathes new life into the repentant sinner. And if, by His grace, you are granted the privilege of leading a soul to salvation, do so gently. There should be urgency, but never force. Trust the Spirit to do His work in the heart. We are messengers, not manipulators; vessels, not saviors.
© A.K. Pritchard 1990, 2026 – Free to use with proper attribution.