Georgia Part III, Christopher Coleman

Posted on June 26, 2008
Filed Under Conferences, Outreach, Travel |

$\"Christopher Coleman at Atlanta Fest\"$

My wife just posted a great summary of the story that I am about to tell you. Also go here to read the full testimony (It’s worth your time).

I had no idea what I was about to hear from Christopher Coleman when he was introduced as the first speaker of Atlanta Fest.

Coleman, a young man with cerebral palsy, rolls out in his wheelchair and says that he can relate to Paul (2 Corinthians 12:8) when he pleaded three times for the thorn in his flesh to be removed. But the Lord said that His grace was sufficient, and that His power was made perfect in weakness.

On October 20, Coleman was pronounced dead at birth, but 15 minutes later he miraculously survived, to the shock of the doctors and nursing staff.

The doctors told his mom that she should seriously consider putting him into a facility that would care for his condition because he would NEVER walk, talk, or even think for himself.

But his mom was a tough lady and had much love for all her children, and so she ignored the advice of the doctors and took her child home.

When the husband found out about the child’s condition, he split, leaving a single mom, with seven children, and two full time jobs.

For Christopher, growing up was a struggle (physical obstacles, mistreated at special service centers, battled with depression and loneliness, given no expectations to succeed). But despite the many obstacles, he didn’t check out. God was at work in his life.

Highlights: For nine years he secretly taught himself to read at night. He would crawl to the bathroom and began to read anything he could get his hands on (sister’s school books, junk mail). To the surprise of his mom one day, he began reading out loud a sentence from the television. From this point on, his mom pushed for her son’s right to an education.

Eventually, Christopher graduated from High School, top five in his class! He then went on to be the first person in his family to graduate from college.

At a crucial point in his life, Christopher was still struggling with his disabilities, his independence, and fitting in. He began to think about the life of his mother and asked her, “How did you make it?” She said, “I didn’t.” “I would have walked out on all of you a long time ago. It was the Lord Jesus who gave me what I needed to stay here and raise my kids.” She went on to explain that her faith is not enough for him. He needs to make a decision on his own.

Christopher testifies that he came to point where he realized that God made him the way he was, and that He put His stamp of approval on his life. He said that this was the most freeing understanding in his life. He did not recent his wheelchair or condition any more. He also said that this happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life (John 9:1-3).

On the stage at Atlanta Fest, Christopher gets out of his wheelchair and crawls over to a cross. Next, he climbs up, while holding on to the cross, and is now standing in front of the crowd, embracing the cross passionately.

He then says, “You can’t cling to the cross if you are sitting in the wheelchair.” “What is the wheelchair in your life that is holding you back from doing all that God has for you?”

At this point in the message, I just lost it even more. I’m even getting choked up once again as I retell this story.

God is not dead, He is alive and personal. God is still displaying His glory and power in the lives of His people. God is still at work to seek and to save others. God is able!

Thank you Christopher Coleman for your courage in not checking out and for your encouraging and challenging message.

C.Harv

Comments

4 Responses to “Georgia Part III, Christopher Coleman”

mom on June 26th, 2008 4:42 pm

What an inspiration. Gods timing is perfect. I just know that Christopher’s message touched alot of people,just as it has touched mine. Thank you for sharing.
Pops on June 26th, 2008 5:11 pm

It brought tears to my eyes. Thank you both for sharing this God-moment with us all!
bigdaddyjer on June 27th, 2008 3:24 am

What an amazing story. God is good - all the time.
Scott on June 27th, 2008 12:06 pm

Thanks for sharing, what a great story!