Do You Know the Story of St. Patrick?
Because I have some Irish heritage, and because I love a powerful gospel story, I have to share this inspiring history on St. Patrick's Day! Ireland was evangelized by St. Patrick, who has quite a compelling story. St. Patrick was born in the fourth century in what is present-day Scotland. While he grew up in a church family, he didn't have a personal faith commitment. That changed the day Irish raiders came to his town, torched his home, and took him to Ireland as a slave at sixteen years old. During that ordeal, St. Patrick dedicated himself to his faith. He later wrote, “The Lord opened my mind to an awareness of my unbelief in order that I might remember my transgressions and turn with all my heart to the Lord my God.” St. Patrick eventually escaped and returned home. At age thirty, however, God called him to go back and evangelize his captors through a strange dream. He obeyed. The impact that St. Patrick’s obedience has had is sweeping. He became one of the most success