ISEMA Newsletters
SOS-Hollywood Outreach Report
by Mark Johnson. From the Forerunner Ministry Times (Box 6084, Minneapolis, MN 55406, (612) 722-0751.)
A total of 78 participants, mostly youth from various churches, converged on the streets of Hollywood for eight days of ministry in the city that influences the world (June 25-July 2). The outreach began with a prayer walk down Hollywood Blvd. It had been a year since I was there last and I forgot about the oppression that was there. It was hard not to feel this as we passed one of the local porno theaters and saw closed up stores from the economic crisis. So we prayed and at the end of the walk praised and worshiped for a short time to begin to establish and acknowledge the Lordship of Christ over Hollywood.
Years ago a friend of ours shared with us the importance of developing relationships as we witness. This year at the Gay Pride Parade, I noticed an elderly gentleman sitting on a bucket in the midst of this crazy crowd. Sure enough it was Booker, whom Janalee and I had met several years ago in the same area. We went to get something to drink and brother Clayton Golliher and I shared some with him and prayed for his kidney problem.
One of the highlights for me personally, was the night our team of five joined Bobby Chance’s team for a food giveaway on the street. As Bobby and I began to sing songs of praise and worship, you could sense the presence of Jesus and feel His compassion for those standing in line for food. As I closed the meeting with a prayer, different team members began praying for many needs. One young gal named Nikki asked for prayer to get her off the streets. Many people said they felt like they had been in church. We informed them they had been!
The stories go on. The good news is that many in Hollywood were reminded that there is a God who knows where they’re at and cares for them. There were many reports of those who prayed to receive Jesus as their Lord and Savior. Those that sincerely want help and those who fill out follow up forms, are followed up on, helped, or referred to various churches and programs.
Twin Cities for Jesus (Minneapolis/St. Paul, July 8-24)
by Mark Johnson
Upon returning back to Minnesota, we jumped right into the opening weekend of the Twin Cities for Jesus Outreach, leading teams out on Lake Street. Hundreds of gospel tracts were passed out at a popular liquor store and parking lot, where we also had some praise and worship. Later on the street corner close by, a fight broke out and four squad cars showed up, yet we kept on singing praises to God in the middle of all this. Who says Christianity is dull! I prayed with a couple from Mexico, while earlier one team member prayed with a young boy to receive Jesus.
National Street Ministries Conference
This past week I returned from the tenth annual National Street Ministries Conference in Dallas. Over 500 Christians from all over the country attend this conference. Most of them are in volved in street ministry in some way, either full-time or part- time. It was good seeing people I had not seen in three or more years, as well as meeting many new people. We had a ministry booth there, and about 70 people signed up to receive our news letter.
Perhaps the best thing about this conference is being around Christians who are excited about witnessing for Jesus. It is easy for street ministers to feel like Elijah, that we are the only ones who are witnessing for Jesus. It is encouraging to be around others who have a zeal to reach the lost.
There were also a few pastors at the conference. Tommy Barnett pastors the First Assembly of God in Phoenix. This church has grown from 200 to 10,000 through various evangelism ministries. They now have 180 different ministries in their church — bikers ministries, outreach to people in wheelchairs, AIDS ministry, etc. Every ministry in the church is centered on the winning of souls — singles ministry, women’s ministry, etc. Every pastor, elder and deacon in that church must be actively involved in soul-winning.
I also spoke with Pastor Jules Boquet of the Christian Community Church in Houma, LA. When the city of Houma was not able to afford fireworks for the Fourth of July, city officials asked this church to help. Now, the church organizes a massive outreach with fireworks, carnival rides, and food. 50,000 people attend this outreach, most of whom are unsaved. All day long they play Christian music and preach the gospel. This church of 200 spends $50,000 on the outreach and everyone in the church gets involved. In the process, they are able to reach the entire community and see many people saved. It certainly is exciting to see what can happen when a church gets a vision for reaching their community for Jesus.
Coming Events & Announcements
October 27-30 Fantasy Fest Outreach, Key West, FL. $50. Contact Rescue Atlanta, Box 965029, Atlanta, GA 30066, (404) 924-0201.
November 12-14. New Life Outreach International Bible Conference. “Revive Us Again, O Lord!” Nicky Cruz, Scott Hinkle, Mike Evans. Contact New Life, 5745 Orcutt Lane, Richmond, VA 23224, (804) 276-6767.
Sat. November 13, November 27. San Francisco Worship Rally and Outreach. 3-6 PM. Powell St. BART Station. Contact SOS Ministries Box 27358, Oakland, CA 94602, (510) 531-5325.
December 31-January 1 Rose Parade Outreach, Pasadena, CA. Contact Sondra Berry Young, Box 3044, Newport Beach, CA 92659, (818) 792- 7424.
December 31-January 1 New Years Outreach, Atlanta, GA. “Dropping of the Peach” and Peach Bowl Game. Contact Rescue Atlanta (ad dress above).
January 28-30 Super Bowl Outreach, Atlanta, GA. Contact Rescue Atlanta (address above).
February 4-6 Street Retreat. Annual retreat for street ministers, evangelists, missions operators. Held at Blue Mountain Christian Retreat in PA. Cost for lodging and meals: $99 before Dec. 31; $120 afterwards. Contact Kevin Brown, Lighthouse Mission, 159 Broadway, Long Branch, NJ 07740, (908) 571-0456.
February 7-9 Pastors’ and Leaders’ School. Over 6000 attended last year. Limited housing available in church members homes for those who mail registration by Jan. 21. Contact First Assembly of God, 13613 N Cave Creek Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85022, (602) 867-7117.
February 10-16 Mardi Gras Outreach, New Orleans, LA. Contact Christ in Action, Box 4200, Manassas, VA 22110, (703) 368-8286 or Rescue Atlanta (address above).
Sat. June 25, 1994 March for Jesus. Public praise marches scheduled for hundreds of U.S. cities and every nation on earth. Contact March for Jesus, Box 3216, Austin, TX 78764, (512) 416-0066.
Forward Edge is sending outreach teams to Guatemala, Nicaragua, the Crow Indian Reservation, Romania, Kazakhstan, and China this next year. Most outreaches are about two weeks long. For more information write or call them at 15121-A NE 72nd Ave., Vancouver WA 98686, (206) 574-EDGE.
Jeannie Griffin (The Missionary Outreach) is taking a team to Guatemala in November. For more information, write Box 1761, Columbia, SC 29202 or call (803) 799-0502.
Bill Frias is taking Christians to Mexico throughout the year. He also has church in the park in Vacaville, CA. Call him at (415) 337-9647.
JOB OPPORTUNITY: Assistant Ministry Director. Help build on present ministry. Creation of new ministries. Training churches in personal evangelism. Public relations. Ministry operations. Additional job openings in various skill areas for both men and women available. Contact Outreach for Christ, Box 4326, Virginia Beach, VA 23454, (804) 428-8227.
Do you want to start a food and clothing evangelism ministry in your city? We will come to your city or you can come to ours. Victory Ministries has over 10 years experience in ministry to the poor. Contact Victory Ministries, Box 360833, Columbus, OH 43236, (614) 252-2500.
Consulting service for Christian ministries and churches–fundraising, public relations, administration, crusade planning. Contact David Patterson, The Patterson Group, 3380 Green Meadow Dr, Danville, CA 94506, (510) 736-7823.
A Final Word
I want to welcome our new readers who signed up to receive this newsletter at the National Street Ministries Conference. I hope you will find this letter interesting and helpful. I also want to thank each of you for your prayers and financial support for ISEMA. Please continue to send us reports on outreaches you have been involved in. We would like to include them in our newsletter so others can be encouraged.
Our Tape of the Month is “How to Turn Your Church into a Soul- Winning Church” by Pastor Tommy Barnett of the Phoenix First Assembly of God. Consider attending their 17th Annual Pastors’ and Leaders’ School on February 7-9 (see above). I believe that God’s desire is that every church become a soul- winning church.
Yours in His love,
Larry Rosenbaum