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Coming Events
(Outreaches subject to change. Call (510) 282-5629 on day before outreach to confirm.)
Friday Oct. 19 5 – 8 PM Witnessing in San Francisco neighborhoods.
Sat. Oct 20 Berkeley outreach 12:30 – 4:30 PM Shattuck and Center St.
October 24-28 Priority One Evangelism Conference New Orleans, LA https://www.facebook.com/gatheringforthekingdom/
LION IN THE STREETS
Dear Christian friends,
“The slothful man says, `There is a lion without, I shall be slain in the streets'” Prov. 22:13. One of the main reasons Christians give for not witnessing is fear. Evangelists and missionaries often speak in churches about their “war stories.” They might tell how they were surrounded by an angry mob, beaten up, or thrown in jail.
This certainly does not make Christians want to get involved in evangelism or missionary work. I have my own war stories of being surrounded by angry mobs and put in jail for preaching, but the thing that most impresses me is the way God has protected me and others who have been involved in evangelism. During these times of persecution, God gave me an abundance of grace. But those who hear our stories don’t have that grace, and may become afraid.
Over the past 40 years, thousands of Christians have been involved in this ministry, yet not one has been hurt in any significant way. Of course, there is no guarantee that we will not be hurt or even martyred for preaching the gospel. This has happened to many godly men and women throughout church history. And all of us face danger every day, simply walking down the street. Many years ago, I was mugged walking down a “safe” street in the middle of the afternoon, and needed several stitches in my head. Life is filled with danger, and I can think of no better way to die than while preaching the gospel.
“But the fearful and unbelieving…shall have their part in the lake that burns with fire and brimstone” Rev. 21:8. Each of us has a choice either to fear God or to fear man. “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom” Prov. 9:10. Some say that we are not to fear God, but rather to have reverence or respect for God. However, the Hebrew word “yirah” is stronger, meaning “to fear from an apprehension of danger and a sense of our own weakness, joined therefore with trembling” (Wilson). I fear God because I know His power is great and that He will chasten me if I sin (see Hebrews 12). This fear deters me from sinning when I am tempted. “By the fear of the Lord men depart from evil” Prov. 16:6. So the fear of the Lord is healthy, and causes us to turn from evil.
If we fear God, we will not fear men. If we do not fear God, we will fear men. “The fear of man brings a snare, but whoso puts his trust in the Lord shall be safe” Prov. 29:25. The greatest fear that we experience in witnessing is that people will reject us or make fun of us, not that they will do us physical harm. “Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men” 2 Corin. 5:11. Because he feared God, the apostle Paul overcame his fear of man and persuaded men to come to Christ.
Some say that we are to love God, not fear Him. But God’s Word says we are to both love and fear Him. Some say that we should not talk about Hell, judgment, or fearing God.
We are told instead to speak only about good things — the peace, joy, health and prosperity He gives us. But Christians who do not fear God often find themselves dabbling in various sins. They become slothful about spiritual disciplines. They neglect prayer and Bible study and seek comfort from the things of the world. Their marriages often end in divorce and their children often turn from God. They fear man and will not witness. The slothful man says, “There is a lion without, I shall be slain in the streets.”
On the Streets
On Sat. June 2, we witnessed at Union Square and 5th and Market. Cal and James both played music at Union Square. Dave witnessed to Monica, a Buddhist from Cambodia, who works at a donut shop. He went through the Chick “One Way” tract with her and she was very thankful. He also witnessed to Sarah, 23, who said her best friend is a devout Christian and that everywhere she goes, Christians are talking with her. Dave told her that “God is after you” and encouraged her to thank her Christian friend for praying for her. She said she would text her right then.
At 5th and Market, Dave witnessed to Megan, an au pair from Paris. He went through the plan of salvation which is printed in the front of the gospels of John we give out. Mike witnessed to Mons, from Norway. He said he believed in Jesus and Mike invited him to City Impact. He turned down the invitation and said “the Devil is speaking to me.”
On Fri. June 8 we witnessed at 4th and Mission. While he was preaching, Cal was interrupted by Al, who had studied with Jehovah’s Witnesses. He was quite argumentative, but said he was thankful we were out there. Matt ministered to Joe, a heroin addict who asked for prayer to be free from his addition. Dave witnessed to Emily and Andrea, college students, who asked how they could know Christianity is true. Dave also witnessed to Tim, who had spent time in prison and met people who claimed to be Christian but hadn’t repented.
Kathy saw Deborah walking down the street dressed only in a towel. Everyone else was ignoring her. She gave her her sweater and bought her some clothes from Target. Then she bought her a sandwich at Starbucks and ministered to her, giving her a Bible and gospel tract. Kathy asked her if there was anyone she could call, but she couldn’t think of anyone.
The next day, we were at UN Plaza. The band “Isaiah” played music. Mike ministered to Curtis, Miguel and Yayir and invited them to attend City Impact. Yayir, who is from Mexico, came to church the next day. Bill Henderson ministered to at least 10 people, including Dale, an alcoholic who said he couldn’t quit drinking. He dedicated his life to Christ and threw away his beer, saying he didn’t want it anymore. James witnessed to Darrell. He read a tract and decided he needed to pray the salvation prayer on the back, so he did. Dave witnessed to Oola, a Catholic from Indonesia. Her husband died and her 13 year old son is bitter because God didn’t heal him so he won’t go to church. She did not know if she was going to Heaven, so Dave shared the gospel with her and prayed with her. She said she would bring her son to our outreach the next week. One brother bought 50 Subway sandwiches to give out, and we gave out gospel tracts with the sandwiches.
On Friday June 15, we witnessed at Powell and Market. Cal, James and Jacob witnessed to John and Denise. Denise, a Catholic, was under conviction as they witnessed to them. John seemed quite resistant to the gospel. Eventually, he shared that he had been on trial for a murder he did not commit. At the time, he prayed to God for help, and he was acquitted. However, after this happened, he continued to doubt whether God existed. Dave witnessed to Lacey. She said that several years ago she lost her whole family. Then, one night three years ago, she wasn’t thinking about God when Jesus suddenly appeared to her. She fell asleep and the next morning all her anger and bitterness were gone. She was dramatically saved. However, she was not in fellowship so Dave suggested a good church for her to attend and prayed for her. She realized she needed Christian fellowship.
The next day, we witnessed at UN Plaza. Chuck Girard, Paul and Noreen Coca, and the band Book all played music. Dave ministered to Eppie, a Christian who had been in gangs and in prison. He gave him a gospel of John and showed him how to use the chart in the front to share the gospel with others. Eppie said he would use it to witness to his 13 year old daughter tomorrow, on Father’s Day. Scott ministered to Denise, in a wheelchair, who had prayed with Bill Henderson the week before to commit her life to Christ. Cal witnessed to John, a homosexual. He did not know his parents and was raised in foster homes. His foster dad molested him. He went to the authorities, but they did not believe him. Cal spoke with him for two hours about forgiving those who had wronged him and putting his faith in Jesus.
Ministry Needs
Thank you again for your prayers and financial support for this ministry. God has certainly been faithful to meet our needs for the past 40 years.
On August 6, Kevin Snyder of the Pacific Justice Institute sent a letter to the SF Park Dept. asking for documents explaining why other groups are getting amplifier permits at Washington Square and Dolores Park while our permits are being denied. We have still not received a response to this request. Please pray that we would once again be able to get permits in these parks.
We have one opening in our ministry house for a spiritually-mature Christian who is serious about evangelism. I hope many of you will join us for an outreach this next month.
Yours in His love,
Larry Rosenbaum
