Pastor and deacon join forces with Bahá’ís

Pastor and a deacon learn of Faith, deacon “shedding tears of joy,’ with “no ifs, ands, or buts, that this is from God:” Both want to join forces with Bahá’í community. Here’s the story that was shared.

A deacon and a pastor who were riding in the car together called 800-22UNITE. They had met two Bahá’ís on the train on the way from Chicago to a town in the south.

This deacon was on fire with excitement and said he was shedding tears of joy. He said he had 'no ifs, ands, or buts,' that this was from God. He had heard of the Faith before but not in depth. He and his companion on the train, a pastor from the south, have a “Universal Catholic” church that is a sect of Catholicism apart from Roman Catholicism. He had met two Bahá’í pioneers, a mother and daughter, pioneers in China and Singapore who were visiting a relative in the same town as the church. Both of these clergy were most touched by the message of unity of religions and mankind shared with them about the Bahai Faith. Both were eager to receive more information, so packets with cover letters were mailed out right away. The pastor also requested literature in Vietnamese and Thai because he will be traveling to Vietnam and Thailand in a few weeks and wants to share literature with others and meet the Bahá’ís there! The deacon is so excited to meet with Bahá’ís in Texas and Louisiana.

AN UPDATE: A local Bahá’í shared this update with the community.

I was able to talk to the pastor by phone today, after we met with the Bahá’í mother and daughter over lunch. A group plans to attend his Sunday service tomorrow. He also invited me to participate in his Bible Study class on Tuesday, and go out for coffee afterwards. [I plan to do so.] The pastor is very definitely interested in joining forces with the Bahá’í efforts in the community.  

Seeker unsettled by verdict of George Zimmerman trial finds comfort with Bahá’ís

When a terrible event happens in the world, one that saddens many hearts and brings tears to many eyes, we seek solace and comfort. One woman in Alabama contacted the Baha’is and shared about the impact of the verdict in the George Zimmerman trial and the death of Travon Martin.

“Still unsure how to deal with the verdict in the George Zimmerman trial, I sort of zoned out. Afterward, two movies caught my attention: one filled with injustice, immorality and bloodshed; the other [filled me with] despair, desperation and self-awareness. An actress in the latter movie was unfamiliar to me, so I researched her. Everything about her seemed at peace. Something I need right now! [The actress, a Bahai, wanted] to spread Bahá’í [teachings] to everyone. I then looked up the fundamentals of this lifestyle . . . ”

Upon receiving news of this inquiry, the local Baha’is contacted her and shared this about their visit together.

“I met with [her] yesterday morning for breakfast and we had a really good visit. I gave her a [book of] Bahá’í Prayers for Women, and a Who Are the Bahá’ís brochure, and a [few other materials that I thought would conform her]. We [talked about] Bahá’u’lláh, who He is, progressive revelation, ways to learn about the Faith, and [I did my best to ] answer questions she had. I [invited her to a local event] and told her I would be happy to go with her . . . She was surprised and happy to know there are Bahá’ís near her.”

A few days later, she attended a devotional gathering and met some Baha’is. She asked several more questions and said she would see us again soon.

 

He prayed he would meet Bahais and he did!

Stephen has been researching religions for some time.  At one point, he considered joining the Mormon community, but decided to keep searching.  He had heard about the Bahai Faith many years ago, and in his travels actually visited the gardens in Haifa.  Recently, he prayed that he would meet a Bahá’í and would learn more about it.  His prayers were answered because soon he met a Bahai woman who invited him to informal talks about the Bahai Faith.  Stephen is an engineer by trade and was particularly fascinated by the teachings about the world government--so much so, he has since joined the Bahai community as a member!

Stephen has also shown interest in connecting his son with the junior youth group in his community—a program that empowers the young through exploring their interests in creating a better world.   

"I am a Bahai! . . . My spirit is elevated"

David has been searching for spirituality and he has visited different churches and mosques. When visiting different religious groups, sometimes he felt sad when he noticed that some groups excluded others.  David felt that there shouldn't be divisions because humankind "is one." David was specially inspired by the beauty of Baha'u'llah's writings, he also expressed that the principles of the Faith were in accordance with his own beliefs.  He believes that we are one human family.  He understands and believes in the concept of Progressive Revelation. After hearing a presentation of the Faith and being asked if he believed in Baha'u'llah, the principles and laws of the Baha'i Faith, he said "yes, I'm a Baha'i."  We didn't have a registration card with us, instead we had him register his declaration using the online form.  David was very happy and later on he shared some of his feelings in this way:

"Baha'u'lah is the true successor in the line of Prophets, the new Manifestation of God. I feel like my heart found peace since I became a member of the Baha'i community. To be able to reconcile my morals with my spirituality is wonderful. Thank you for praying over me and helping with my journey. I feel like the traveler who finally catches sight of his destination. Sure, there is a journey still ahead, but my spirit is elevated and my steps are longer already."

From Presbyterian to Bahai - "I'm ready!"

Ann first heard about the Baha'i Faith from a friend, who is a Baha'i. Since then, she has attended several local activities which she found "interesting and fulfilling" and is currently in Ruhi Book 1. She knows many of the Baha'is in the area. Here is the story about her journey, as shared by those who met her.

Ann was raised in the Presbyterian Church and her husband is an Orthodox Jew. She took up Judaism for a while but had a hard time "giving up bacon and lobster"! She [noted that though she knows] a lot of ministers [she] always felt that they could not answer her questions and did not appreciate when she asks such as "is Christ truly the Son of God?" or "Why do we celebrate Christmas when it is a pagan holiday?" She shared that the ministers always asked her "Why are you asking so many questions?!" Ann feels she has been searching for a long time and when she discovered the Baha'i Faith, she felt "this is it!" When asked what attracted her the most, she mentioned the "peacefulness" which she says she immediately felt in her own life; that the Baha'is are sincere, have no discord and are happy. When asked how she came to recognize Baha'u'llah as the Manifestation of God for this day, she shared it has been a "growing feeling" and that the concept of the oneness of the Manifestations makes perfect sense. . . .We talked a bit about the vastness of the Revelation, agreeing that she would have many questions along her path, and to feel free to ask them. One question she had during Ruhi: "How do you pray? - do you kneel, stand, and raise your hands...?"

Ann let the Bahais know: "I'm ready!" when she decided to register her declaration!

She "is like a heavenly fragrant breeze" - A new youth enrolls in the Faith!

Yet another vibrant youth has become attracted to the Faith, recently enrolled and attended one of the near-by youth conferences underway!

The friends who met her in the community share this bit of excitement about this new friend.

“Angela is extraordinarily sincere and of high capacity, a real asset to the faith. Her person is like a heavenly fragrant breeze. She went to the Boston Bahai conference as well. Thanks for reaching out."

 

The Grin Within - A personal story about becoming a Bahai

A woman in central Texas registered her declaration recently, and this is the story she shared.

Always I have been aware of the presence of the Spirit deep within me. Try as I may, my searching of religions and faiths would leave me wanting. This long seeking was worth the journey . . . I have found the source of the Grin Within...The Pure Spirit of Our Creator.

Recently a friend in Houston wrote the word Baha'i on a piece of paper given it to me. When I read it, I felt a quickening within. I asked my other Houston friend I was staying with what was Baha'i. She told me she was Baha'i for 40 years. She also had grown up around this note giver and his family who all were raised and practice the Baha'i faith for over 30 years. I was excited. It had quickly become evident this was not all coincidence. I could feel and was being shown how God's Plan was evident. That Sunday service [I had attended] was sooo unlike any I had ever attended . . . it just all made so much sense. Intuitively I felt all the Baha'i s I met that day were kindred spirits. Later over lunch with my two Baha'i friends I heard spoken and tried to repeat Ya Bahá'u'l-Abhá. My friend laughed at my expression when I spoke this . . . I felt a spark from within ignite and was left in a state of awe. I did not wait to [register my declaration to become a member of the Bahai Faith]. I wrote and signed my own declaration card!

Prayers I had only in my heart were and are being answered in perfect ways. One blessing after another are being given and shown to me. That next Sunday as I was preparing to attend the Austin's Baha'i Center meeting, I marveled how my world . . . my whole life had been rocked . . . not just rocked, but it had undergone a Tectonic Upheaval . . .

Years before when faced with very real desperation, I was given a prayer for healing.

God's Plan for our life is for:

Happiness
Peace of Mind
Joyous Activity
True Peace and
Unbroken Progress

and ask to not let your will interfere with God's plan.

The Baha'i faith IS Baha'u'llah’s Plan for my Life!

Ya Bahá'u'l-Abhá!