Newsletter January 1992

ISEMA Newsletters

Atlanta “Save our Youth” Crusade

By Mel Rolls, from the Rescue Atlanta Newsletter (P O Box 965039, Marietta, GA 30066, (404) 924-0201)

This  outreach was a giant step of faith as we were going into  6 inner city neighborhoods doing rallies in each one of them,  then on  Friday  and Saturday nights we were renting out  the  Atlanta Civic  Center for 2 big victory rallies….The Lord gave  us  incredible  favor with the city once again. The Mayor  of  Atlanta, Maynard  Jackson, and the governor of the State of Georgia,  Zell Miller,  both issued proclamations acknowledging August 10-17  as “Atlanta  Save our Youth Week.” Our city and state endorsed  what we were doing, and stated that they would like to see this become an annual event!

Each day we ministered in the inner city neighborhoods with  Eric Redmond  and  the  Challenge Team (similar to  the  Power  Team), System 3 (Christian rappers from the Bahamas) and Joseph Jennings (a  former gang member). The Word of God was brought  forth  with power,  and the result was that over 400 young people gave  their lives to Jesus!…In all, there were nearly 2000 in attendance at the Civic Center rallies, and another 350 young people gave their lives to Jesus!

South Africa Report

By  Sondra  Berry Young (P O Box 3044, Newport Beach,  CA  92659, (714) 650-0525)

Last  weekend, all over South Africa in 150 different  locations, over  100,000 Christians marched in unity throughout the  streets to  proclaim their faith and trust in the Lord Jesus  Christ!  It was a massive demonstration of the love of God….

On  Saturday I went down into Johannesburg with the  street  team and  again  we saw many people hungry for Jesus. Over  50  people gave their lives to Christ. One man I was witnessing to had a bad stab wound about 8 inches long in his chest….He bowed his  head praying  the  sinner’s prayer. His face lit up as  he  heard  the gospel  message for the first time. What an absolute  delight  to see people come to Christ here.

Besides  soulwinning, street witnessing and speaking  at  various places  I am becoming involved with Project Alex. Alexandra is  a black  township  where even the police fear  to  tread….Project Alex  will  help  the people within the township  by  building  a crisis  center, church hall and fellowship room,  pastor’s  residence,  emergency housing shelter, and soup kitchen to  feed  the poor and needy….I will be going to Soweto Township to  minister November 9 and 10. They have over 3000 cults based there and  the town has seen little peace in the last 6 months. Please pray that they will come to know our lovely Jesus the Prince of Peace!

Russia Opens its Doors Wide to the Gospel

by Vinson Synan, from AD2000 Timelines, Box 23445, Oklahoma City, OK 73123

A  spectacular  event came in October 1990 when  Bill  Bright  of Campus Crusade premiered the highly successful “Jesus” film to  a crowded  session  of  Russian movie  critics.  Showings  in  1000 theaters and hundreds of public schools resulted in thousands  of decisions  for Christ among high school students. By the  end  of 1991 over six million people in the USSR had seen the film  which was  shown in 20 languages. Also in July 1991 Billy Graham  sponsored  a  massive school of evangelism which  saw  5000  Baptists meeting  in  Moscow  learning from Graham  how  to  spread  their faith….

On  the television scene, Paul Crouch announced plans for  a  new Christian    TV   station   in   Leningrad   (now    again    St. Petersburg)….Pat  Robertson  announced the showing  of  several Christian TV “specials” that would be aired nationwide….

Bob Weiner went to Moscow in July to organize university students for future evangelization across the nation. Weiner’s strategy is to  give  intensive training to 100 students who  would  in  turn train  300  more for select evangelizing teams. In  short  order, Weiner  had  recruited enough youths to conduct a  conference  of 2000  students  in  Moscow who were asked  to  distribute  50,000 Bibles  and 20,000 study books to new converts. He now  plans  to hold monthly conferences to keep the momentum going.

Coming Events

Saturday  January 18 San Francisco Worship Rally  and  Evangelism Outreach.  3-6  PM. Powell St. BART Station. Contact  SOS  Ministries, Box 27358, Oakland, CA 94602, (510) 531-5325.

February  27-March 3. Mardi Gras Outreach. New  Orleans.  Contact Christ in Action Box 100, Chatsworth, GA 30705, (404) 695-1868 or Rescue  Atlanta (Mel Rolls, Director), Box 965039,  Marietta,  GA 30066, (404) 924-0201.

February  29 Mardi Gras Outreach. Galveston, TX.  Contact  Pastor John Elliott, Gulf Coast Christian Center, Box 143, Hitchcock, TX 77563, (409) 986-7889 or (713) 337-4364.

March  14-15  Spring Break Outreach, Port Arkansas,  TX.  Contact Rev.  David  O’Dell, 3400 W. Park Blvd. #2117, Plano,  TX  75075, (214) 519-0195.

Saturday March 15 Chinese New Year Parade Outreach, San  Francisco.  Up  to  400,000 people attend this event. Meet at  3  PM  at Powell St. BART Station. Contact SOS Ministries (address above).

June  26-July 4 SOS-San Francisco. This outreach will be held  in conjunction with the Full Gospel Business Men’s Fellowship International Convention. Contact SOS Ministries (address above).

Networking by Electronic Mail

By Rev. Mario Desimone, Pastor, Shiloh Fellowship (8217  Hartford St., Houston TX 77017)

Upon  reading  your November/ December  newsletter,  the  thought occurred  to me, and obviously to a few others, that we  need  to interact  and communicate better. While different people  entered their ideas, I feel that I have an inexpensive and efficient  way of networking various street ministries and ministers.

There  is  a computer online service called  Genie.  Among  other interesting  services  such as news and weather,  Genie  supplies electronic  mail. This service can be had for $4.95 a month as  a basic  plan, if one limits their calls to between 6 PM and  8  AM local  times,  and  all day Saturday and Sunday.  Also,  one  can download their mail from anywhere in the world….By using  electronic  mail, street ministers can effortlessly communicate  with each  other,  and share strategies (not to  mention  much  needed fellowship).

Where  ISEMA interacts in this, is you can  initially  coordinate the  list of active participants, including their E-mail  address and  ministerial  specialties  in the same manner  as  the  ISEMA Directory.  Also,  ISEMA can monthly sponsor topics  to  be  discussed.  Other uses may include: 1) The different ministries  can electronically  send their newsletters for free,  saving  mailing costs.  2)  Ministers can share notes or  information  about  the various  messages  they preach. This can include  `how  to’s’  on drama or illustrated sermons. While most ministries already  have a computer, if some do not, the initial costs are not very expensive.  Used  PCs  can be bought for around $200,  new  1200  baud modems  are under $50, and software can be downloaded from  local bulletin boards for free.

(Editor’s  note: It sounds like a good idea. I think the  hardest part  would be to learn to use computers, modems  and  electronic mail.  Such  things  can be intimidating to  people  but  usually aren’t  that hard to learn. If you would be interested in  trying this, let me know.)

Book Reviews:

We Cannot But Tell

by Ross Tooley

When  John  Goodfellow was at SOS-San Francisco  last  summer,  I asked  him what he considered the best book on evangelism he  had seen.  He gave me this book, We Cannot But Tell, by Ross  Tooley. Ross  has worked with Youth With a Mission since 1967, mostly  in the  Philippines.  He begins the book with a list  of  six  major differences between Westerners and non-Westerners. Then he begins a  thorough  presentation of what is involved in  presenting  the gospel  to  anyone.  He has separate chapters  on  proving  God’s existence, the character of God, sin, the atonement,  repentance, counting  the cost and follow-up. I have read a lot of  books  on evangelism,  and  I cannot remember another  book  that  explains these topics in such a clear and thorough manner. If you use this teaching in your personal witnessing, it will lead to a  complete gospel  presentation and genuine conversions. The book is  available from Frontline Communications, Box 55787, Seattle, WA 98155, (206) 771-1153.

My Friends are Dying

by Ray Comfort

The word “prolific” was made for Ray Comfort. Having written  one book,  I am amazed at the number of books he writes. He  told  me that he disciplines himself to get up early and write a few hours each day. My Friends are Dying is book 23. It is about his  experiences witnessing in MacArthur Park in Los Angeles. When he came to the U.S., God directed him to witness in this park, a  hangout for  thieves,  drug  addicts, drug dealers,  murderers,  and  the homeless.  He shares his experiences preaching, giving out  food, treating people for medical  conditions and trying to help people in  horrible circumstances. Ray’s teaching on the use of the  law in  evangelism  can be misused to justify preaching in  a  harsh, uncaring manner. However, Ray is a very compassionate person  who shows great love for the people he is seeking to reach. Ray  also has  a great sense of humor, making this a very funny  book.  The book is written to be read by unbelievers as well as  Christians, and  has an extensive gospel presentation in it. I  think  Christians will find the book helpful in understanding the problems of the drug addict and the homeless and how to reach  them with  the gospel.

It’s Time To Renew Your ISEMA Membership!

“Two  are  better  than one…  and a threefold cord  is  not easily broken.” We urge you to become a member of ISEMA if you have  not  already  done so,  linking up  with  other  evangelism ministries and Christians who believe in the Great Commission. If you  are already an ISEMA member, now is the time to  renew  your membership  for 1992. As an association of street and  evangelism ministries, ISEMA depends on your active involvement.

Once  again  I want to thank you for your prayers  and  financial support  for ISEMA.  Please continue to send us information about what  is happening in your community,  teachings  on  evangelism, information about upcoming outreaches, etc. so we can share these with our readers.

Our Tape of the Month is “Evangelical Aphorisms” by Ray  Comfort. This teaching gives 28 helpful points for personal witnessing and street preaching.

Yours in His love,

Larry Rosenbaum