Coming Events
Friday March 3, 10, 17, 31 3-6 PM Witnessing in San Francisco neighborhoods.
Saturday March 4, 11, 18 12-4 PM San Francisco evangelism. (Call us at (510) 282-5629 for outreach location.)
ENDURING PERSECUTION
Dear Christian friends,
John and Charles Wesley, along with George Whitefield, preached out of doors several times weekly to as many as 25,000 people at one time — without an amplifier! Most churchgoers regarded them as fanatics for preaching outside the church, as they do today. They also often found themselves in the middle of riots, and were stopped from preaching by the police.
As John S. Simon wrote, “If Methodism had not come into contact with the mob it would never have reached the section of the English people which most needed salvation. The `Religious Societies’, shut up in their rooms, would never have reformed the country. It was necessary that a race of heroic men should arise, who would dare to confront the wildest and most brutal men, and
tell them the meaning of sin, and show them the Christ of the Cross and of the Judgement Throne. The incessant assaults of the mob on the Methodist preachers showed that they had reached the masses. With a superb courage…the Methodist preachers went again and again, to the places from which they had been driven by violence, until their persistence wore down the antagonism of their assailants. Then, out of the once furious crowd, men and women were gathered whose hearts the Lord had touched.” (The Revival of Religion in the Eighteenth Century)
While we sometimes face opposition today to our preaching on the streets, it is nothing compared to the persecution these men faced. Here is one incident (from A Heart Set Free: the Life of Charles Wesley by Arnold Dallimore):
“Charles preached for three quarters of an hour the next morning. But the mob soon attacked, at first using a hand-operated pump to cover the Methodists with water. Then they resorted to a larger engine which broke the windows, flooded the rooms and spoiled the goods. We were withdrawn to a small upper-room, in the back part of the house, seeing no way to escape their violence…One brother they dragged away. They threw him into the horse-pond and broke his back.”
“Now we stood in jeopardy every moment. Such threatenings, curses and blasphemies I have never heard….They were now close to us, on every side, and over our heads, untiling the roof. I was diverted by a little girl, who called to me, `Mr. Wesley! Mr. Wesley! creep under the bed: they will kill you. They are pulling down the house.’ Our sister Taylor’s faith was just failing, when a ruffian cried out, `Here they are, behind the curtain!’ At this time we fully expected their appearance, and returned to the furthermost corner of the room…In about an hour after the last general assault the answer of faith came, and God made bare his arm. Soon after three, Mr. Clark knocked at the door, and brought with him the constable. He said, `Sir, if you will promise never to preach here again, the gentleman and I will engage to bring you safely out of town.’ My answer was, `I shall promise no such thing.’”
“Finally they were able to leave town on horses, with the mob following. They pulled one brother off his horse, and two bulldogs tore his flesh. He got back on his horse and they rode off, singing the hymn “Worship, and thanks, and blessing.”
On the Streets
On Fri. November 4, we witnessed at 16th and Mission and 16th and Valencia. Mike witnessed to Justin, 32, from Mill Valley. They both attended the same high school, but at different times. Justin said he was an alcoholic and attended Alcoholics Anonymous meetings. He claimed to have faith in Jesus but was confused about the gospel. Mike also ministered to Alberto, 27. Mike had known him for about 10 years, since he used to attend City Impact youth group. He didn’t seem to be walking close to God so Mike encouraged him to read the Bible and get fellowship. Ryan witnessed to Aden, 28, who said he was an atheist. Ryan shared the gospel with him, got his contact information, and invited him to Christ Forgiveness Ministries church, which he pastors.
The next day, we witnessed at Fisherman’s Wharf. The weather forecast that morning said there was 60% chance of rain that afternoon. However, it never rained. I witnessed to Isaiah, a young man from South Sudan. He claimed to believe in Jesus, but didn’t understand about salvation, so I explained the gospel to him. Alex witnessed to Diego, a street vendor who works next to us. He is an alcoholic. He stopped drinking for 6 months. but recently started drinking again. Alex shared the gospel with him, and he was receptive. Tats witnessed in Japanese to Miki and his wife Mina. They had some Christian education but didn’t understand about salvation.
On Sat. Nov 12, we witnessed at Fisherman’s Wharf. Andy spoke with Steve, a man we all had been witnessing to for many years. He claims to be an atheist, but always wants to be around us and listen to our preaching. For the first time, Steve opened up with Andy about the difficulties he had been going through. While he had a room in the Tenderloin, he could not stand living there because of meth addicts living next door. Instead, he had been living in a tent in Golden Gate Park for over 7 months. He now has a better place to live, but is extremely lonely with no family or friends, only his dog. Andy shared about similar things he had gone through, and how God had helped him during these hard times. Andy told him that God can work all things together for good, and that Christians can glory in tribulation because tribulation works patience and good things in us. God allows affliction to refine us. Steve seemed to understand this point.
Steve asked several questions about evolution and about how we can know which religion is correct. Andy gave Steve answers that made sense to him. Finally, Steve asked if the guys at SOS like him. Andy said “Steve we love you and we pray for you”. Steve felt comforted by that answer. Before they left, Andy prayed for Steve’s much-loved dog, who was sick.
On Friday Dec. 2, we witnessed at 16th and Mission. Andy and Alex ministered to Kevin, 40. He thought it might be too late for him to be saved because he had made a deal with the Devil. He said that the Devil appeared to him as a woman. Alex led Kevin in a prayer of repentance, inviting the Holy Spirit to indwell him while breaking other spiritual ties. He asked for a Bible and they gave him one and suggested certain scriptures to read. Andy got his phone number and plans to meet with him. Mike ministered to Ian, 35, whom he had known for a few years. He said he was a believer but had been making bad choices in his life. Mike invited him to City Impact and he attended that Sunday. After church, Mike ministered to him again.
A Final Word
Thank you again for your prayers and financial support for this ministry. We continue to get a lot of rain—the most in 150 years. Fortunately, we have a great rain location one block from Union Square where we can keep our tracts and equipment dry as we witness (see photo on front page).
On Friday January 24, my good friend Dennis McNally went to be with the Lord. I met Dennis in 1979, and he has worked with our ministry since that time. He served on our ministry Board of Directors for over 30 years. He was my pastor for 25 years. During this time, Dennis has provided sound advice both to me and our ministry. Dennis preached on the streets with us for many years and has helped missionary works in many nations. I am very sad that I will not see him again on this earth, but look forward to our heavenly reunion. Please pray for his wife April and Dennis’ children and grandchildren. A celebration of life service for Dennis McNally will be hosted at Iglesia Luz Del Valle, 2751 Sleepy Hollow Avenue, Hayward, CA., 94545 on Saturday March 25th at 1pm. Services will also be livestreamed at https://www.facebook.com/luzdelvallechurch/
“Preach the word; be prepared in season, out of season “ 2 Tim. 4.2. I hope many of you will join us for one of our evangelism outreaches this month.
I hope many of you will join us for one of our evangelism outreaches this month.
Yours in His love,
Larry Rosenbaum
