Albert McMakin, a 24-year-old farmer, had just given his life to Christ the year before. He heard that Dr. Mordecai Ham was coming to speak at a meeting in a tent. He was so excited that he invited countless friends and family. Many of them agreed to come… except Billy.

Billy was the handsome big man from the local high school campus. He didn’t have much interest or time for Jesus. However, Albert was smarter than the average bear. He borrowed a friend’s truck and asked Billy to drive it. “You don’t even need to stay for the meeting,” said Albert, “just drive me back and forth.” Since Billy didn’t have a car of his own and desperately wanted to drive, he agreed to Albert’s proposal.

Billy stayed outside in the truck the whole time, but he listened to Ham’s words. However, at the end of the tent meeting, Jesus had his hooks in; young Billy Graham walked forward during the altar call and gave his life to Jesus Christ.

Yes, Billy Graham is a man who has changed the world; but he is not what I am referring to in the title of this post.

You’ve probably heard of Billy Graham, but have any of you heard of Albert McMakin? Most likely the answer is no. However, his is not an obscure name in heaven’s ledgers, because his enthusiasm and willingness to share the Good News of Christ to anyone who is willing to listen (and to some, like Billy, who were not willing to listen). ) has spread through eternity in a great way.

How different would the world be if McMakin had kept the Good News to himself?

Do you have an Albert McMakin in your life? I make. In fact, I have several, and if you remove one of them from my life, the trajectory of my steps goes in a very different direction. I am eternally grateful for each of them: Mr. Wenger, Travis, Steve, Matt, Yohan, and Darwin (Isn’t it ironic that one of the men who helped lead me to Christ is named “Darwin”! Ha! Take that, Richard Dawkins).

Although sometimes fear and apathy take over me, it is men like these and stories like McMakin’s that keep me determined to talk about Jesus whenever I can. May his story encourage you in the same direction.