Joachim’s Story

Bruce Fulcher | International Friendships Inc.

When I was commissioned for ministry locally here in Western New York, I was doing ministry at the University of Pittsburgh. Joachim, a student from Benin (West Africa) walked by me during international student orientation. He had French on a clipboard he was holding so I greeted him in French. He spun around quickly, and we began to chat. He came to visit our home for dinner and later accepted my invitation to go see Niagara Falls.

One of my supporters lived in Buffalo.  He and his wife agreed to have us stay in their home, while we visited the Falls. They attended the church where the next morning I would be prayed for by the leadership who had sent me out for ministry. That night they got pizza and wings, and at my encouragement shared their faith with Joachim. He told me later that he went to sleep that night shaking after hearing their stories.

The next morning, we went to church and the pastor shared a strong gospel message which noticeably affected Joachim. When I asked him if he would like to go forward to receive Christ he said, “yes.” What he did not know was that I was being prayed for myself – I was being commissioned. He received Jesus while I received God’s confirmation of His love for me and His call to reach students for His glory!