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Ten years later…
When you enter Emmanuel Baptist Church, there is a handsome nineteen-year-old with a sharp
haircut, pressed shirt and tie, and polished shoes, who is greeting the older ladies with a hug, offering
a smile to the sad, and playing with the children. He stands to lead the singing with joy and confidence.

No one knows the hours he worked on preparing for the service, the phone that was stolen from him
that morning on the bus on his way to church, or that he helped his mom the night before with his
father who had once again given into temptation. He is still a perfectionist but it has been honed to
doing his best for the Savior. He still gets frustrated, but he now knows how to direct his frustration at
fixing the problem. He is willing to learn, grow, and receive correction as he assumes more and more
responsibility. And he has surrendered to whatever God has for him in the future.

Both the little boy and the young man are David Antonio Santos. What happened between the first
description and the second? Most importantly, God and His grace! David received Jesus Christ after
class one school day. Additionally, there was also a lot of loving, seeing potential, weeping, waiting,
faithfully repeating, training, molding, giving, counseling, being patient, listening, encouraging,
throwing away music, giving new music, buying clothes and food, praying, praying, and more praying.

Is it worth it? Absolutely! What would have happened to David if we left? What would
have happened to David if we did not take time for him, love him, challenge him, and simply invest
in his life? I do not know, but it is a terrifying thought.

Does longevity in ministry really bring about results? Absolutely! David is just one example of
the fruit of ministry. A lost little boy after ten years of love is leading a church in biblical worship.

Worth it? YES!
W Number 2, 2022
BIMI 11