Happy New Millennium!
As you probably know, the new millennium actually arrives on January 1, 2001. Unlike last year, we have no concerns about computer failures. Instead, at least as I write this letter, we don’t know for sure who our next President will be.
While this matter is being fought in the Florida courts, we have our own legal struggles in San Francisco. In December, we submitted–for the fourth time–a Motion to Dismiss disturbing the peace charges against Eric Livingston dating back to 1996. We expect Judge Mellon to dismiss the charges, but don’t know what will happen on appeal.
I recently spoke with Sandy Lee at the Park Department about the Union Square permits we had requested. She said that Union Square will probably be closed for all of the year 2001 for remodeling. Afterwards, the Union Square Association may take charge of permits.
I started looking for other locations to hold our outreaches. I contacted the people who issue permits at Yerba Buena Gardens, another city-owned park at 4th St. and Mission. They told me permits there cost $15,000 for a day! This is clearly impossible for us – and unconstitutional. Fees for city-owned parks must be reasonable. One case that went to the U.S. Supreme Court found a $6 fee to be unconstitutional. However, we are overwhelmed with legal cases and would need specific direction from God to take on another lawsuit.
My concern is that the Union Square Association could also charge an outrageous fee if they take over the permit process at Union Square. Meanwhile, we have scheduled most of our outreaches for 2001 in two parks—Washington Square and United Nations Plaza. With all the restrictions that have been place on our permits, these are virtually the only locations left in San Francisco where we can reach a reasonable number of people through outdoor worship rallies.
SOS-San Francisco
June 22-30, 2001
We have set the dates for next summer’s SOS-San Francisco outreach. We also have been blessed with an excellent meeting location – Temple Baptist Church, 19th Ave. and Ocean (at Stonestown Shopping Center), San Francisco. We are hoping to bring together several ministries for this outreach. One ministry, Youth Explosion from Redding, brings about 50 youth for a week-long outreach each summer. The San Francisco Baptist Association also brings about 50 youth. The San Francisco Dream Center works with many Bay Area churches to evangelize the city. Please pray that God will guide us in planning this major outreach, so that many people will hear the Gospel and be saved.
On the Streets
During the past few months, we have had a lot of difficulties at Union Square. On September 16, Last Days Harvest Church from Sacramento was scheduled to minister. When we arrived, a wine festival had taken over the park. We were able to set up our sound system in one corner of the park. I called the Park Department to make sure this wouldn’t happen again. I was told that there was a conflict with one of our outreach dates, but that our other outreaches were OK. I moved that outreach to United Nations Plaza.
However, on October 12 we again had a conflict at Union Square. We ministered on the stage while Macy’s held a fashion show using amplified sound at the other end of the park. On November 11 and 18, the Union Square stage and most of the park was blocked off because a Christmas tree was being set up. We set up our sound system in one corner of the park. Despite the difficulties, we were able to minister to many people each day. On Friday December 1, we sang Christmas carols on Castro Street. We also gave out hundreds of gospel tracts that night. The next afternoon, we sang Christmas carols and worship songs in Berkeley. We are now officially part of the Berkeley street scene. The 2001 Telegraph Street Calendar features a large picture of our worship group with a man named “Tantrum” heckling us. Anyone who uses the calendar will see our banner “Only one way to God: Jesus” throughout the month of November.
No Excuse
Jesus said, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation” (Mark 16: 15). “You will receive power, when the Holy Spirit comes on you, and you shall be my witnesses…to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8). Our Lord has commanded us to rescue those around us who are headed for eternal torment in Hell. He has given us supernatural power to rescue them. Still, most Christians refuse to obey Him. We are busy with our job, family, church activities, and entertainment.
Many Christians say, “I am not called to do evangelism.” It is like a person on a sinking ship saying, “I am not called to rescue people.” We have forgotten the urgency of the task God has called us to. Where is our compassion for the lost people Jesus died for? A hundred thousand people die each day, destined for Hell! Yet how much time do we spend trying to reach these people with the words of Eternal Life? Can you imagine someone who had discovered a cure for cancer and kept it a secret? We have a message that can change a person’s eternal destiny, and we are silent!
Our churches should be places where Christians are trained and stirred to bring the gospel to the lost. Instead, the subject is rarely mentioned from the pulpit. We need to stop being so preoccupied with the cares of this life, and start thinking about eternal things. This world is a sinking ship, and it is going down fast! We need to rescue as many as we can, before it is eternally too late!
Coming Events
Note: All outreaches are subject to change. Call (510) 531‑5325 or (510) 721-2055 (pager) to confirm outreaches or for more information. We witness in the rain, but our outreach location may change..
Friday January 5, 12, 19 7:30-10 PM Witnessing in various S.F. neighborhoods. (Call for meeting location.)
Sat. January 6 12-5 PM San Francisco worship rally. (call for details).
Sat. January 13 Berkeley Outreach. 12:30‑4:30 PM. (note new time) Telegraph and Haste St.
Sat. January 20 San Francisco worship rally. 12-5 PM. United Nations Plaza (7th St. and Market).
Ministry Needs
Thank you again for your prayers and financial support for this ministry. Please pray about our permit situation. Please pray that God will open doors for us to get permits at places where we can reach many people for Jesus. We have ordered another 100,000 gospel tracts at a cost of $1300. Pray that they will be printed quickly, as we are running out of tracts.
Over the past two years, I have suffered from back pain that makes it difficult for me to stand for more than an hour during our outreaches. Please pray that God will heal my back. Please pray also for those we have witnessed to and who have written us in response to tracts this past month, including Matt (SF), Bettina (Stockton), Jeffry (SF) and Donald (SF). Jeffry is from Indonesia. Several of us spoke with him on Fisherman’s Wharf. He is a Christian but struggles with homosexuality. Donald is a backslidden Christian who used to attend Victory Outreach in Oakland.
Our Tape of the Month is Effective Ministry to the Homeless by Patrick Martin. Patrick is Outreach Minister at Potter’s House Church, Dallas, TX. I hope many of you will join us for an outreach this next month.
Yours in His love,
Larry Rosenbaum
