SOS Monthly Newsletter - April 2002

Involving Youth in Evangelism

Dear Christian friends,

I was saved in 1970 during the "Jesus Movement?. Most of those involved in this movement were in their teens and early 20's. We were filled with a zeal for God and a passion to reach the lost. This movement brought hundreds of thousands of people into God's kingdom.

We may be seeing signs of a new "Jesus Movement" among today's youth. In September 2000, about 400,000 Christian youth gathered for a fasting, prayer, and repentance rally in Washington DC called "The Call?. A second rally on September 22, 2001 in Boston (just 11 days after the terrorist attacks) drew 50,000 young people.

We are seeing an increased interest in evangelism and missions among youth leaders and Christian youth. Each year, tens of thousands of Christian teens participate in mission trips in the inner cities of the U.S. and in other nations. Ministries such as "Teen Mania" have been very effective in mobilizing youth for missions.

Young people have energy and enthusiasm. They are not afraid to be radical. They have plenty of free time, especially in the summer. They need to see that Christianity is more than sitting quietly during church services and being entertained at youth group. We have the important and difficult challenge of reaching the world for Jesus. Those youth who have had a true encounter with the living God will be willing to take up this challenge.

The primary responsibility of a youth leader is to evangelize and then disciple the young people he (or she) is working with. Evangelism training is an important part of the discipleship process. SOS-San Francisco provides an ideal opportunity for youth outreach. We have worked with many youth groups during our summer SOS outreaches and throughout the year. Hundreds of young people have been inspired to live a radical evangelistic lifestyle. Many are still involved in evangelism and missions. Last week I received an e-mail from Eric. He participated in our second SOS outreach in 1981. He came on a bus with a team from "Christ for the Nations" in Dallas. He is still involved in street ministry in Illinois.

Youth groups that come to SOS join with other Christians who are serious about preaching the gospel. We have great times of worship, practical training in evangelism, and opportunities for hands-on experience. This year we will be inviting youth leaders to speak at our meetings. We want youth worship groups to lead worship at our meetings and on the streets. We also will be scheduling youth mime and drama teams for street outreaches.

We need your help. Please talk to the youth leader at your church. Tell him (or her) about SOS-San Francisco, give him some of our literature, and encourage him to bring a team to this summer's outreach--June 21-29.
On the Streets

On February 9, a youth group from Carson Valley Christian Center drove all the way from Carson City, Nevada to join our outreach. We ministered at Powell and Market Street and at UN Plaza. The group, consisting of 10 teens and 4 adults, was really excited about the outreach. They all stayed at our house, making them the largest group that has stayed here. We managed to find enough space for everyone. Their church brought a small team to SOS-San Francisco last summer. They plan to bring a larger team this summer.

On February 15 and 16, the New Life Drama Team ministered with us. This ministry is based in Tennessee, but has opened a new base in Southern California. They send out teams of youth to minister at churches and on the streets. On Friday night, we did some drama skits at Powell and Market Street. A group of about 20 Orthodox Jewish teens started asking us questions. We tried to answer their questions, but they seemed more interested in interrupting the skits.

The next day, we saw the same Jewish teens in Berkeley. They were surprised to see us, but ran off quickly. Still, we witnessed to thousands of people that afternoon. New Life Drama did skits. Also, the Rock mime team ministered that afternoon. This is a team of Brazilian youth who attend El Cerrito Christian Center. The weather report predicted 100% chance of rain that afternoon, but it didn't start raining until 2 minutes after our outreach ended!

Please pray for those we have witnessed to recently, including Ron, who received a tract from us. Later that day, he was driving around the city, feeling empty. He took out his wallet and saw our tract stuck on it. He started reading the tract and couldn't put it down. He prayed the salvation prayer three or four times and called me on Monday. I sent him a New Testament and information about following Jesus and about a local church.

After one outreach, we gave Jonathan a ride to a shelter. He attended First Christian Church the next day and rededicated his life to Christ. Terry met with Marie several months ago. She saw her again recently and met with her for Bible Study.
Also, pray for Tony, Jason, Antonio, Ron, David, George, Mr. Chang, Donald, and Larry, Susan, Bob, Karen, Bobby (has AIDS), Richard, Burton, Leo, Peter 1, Peter 2, Richie, Joyce, Nicky, Dustin, Marshall, Mike, Patrick, Marvin, and Diane (Jehovah's Witness), Allen, Bruce, Helen, Nasser, Ahmed (Moslem), Linda, Patrick, John and Jeryl. Also, please pray for those who wrote us in response to tracts: Mariente (SF), Marilyn (San Jose), Patrick (Tracy prison), Salvado (San Diego prison), C.D. (Delano CA prison), Tomas (Angelton TX prison), Marlene (Goodyear, AZ prison), and George (New Boston TX prison).

	Carson Valley Youth group on our front stairs
	New Life Drama Team in Berkeley
	Carson Valley Youth witness to teens a Powell St.

OUTREACH DETAILS

While we are making a special effort to involve youth groups this year, Christians of all ages are welcome to participate in SOS-San Francisco. This year we will again be meeting at Temple Baptist Church, 3355 19th Ave. (near Ocean), San Francisco. Registration begins on Friday June 21 at 6 PM. Meetings are scheduled daily except Sunday at 9 AM and 6 PM from June 22 - 29. Evangelism training will be provided throughout the week.

We will be holding daily noon worship rallies in city parks, bringing the church to the street. Free housing is available during the outreach. We will be serving breakfast and lunch from June 24 - 29. Youth under 18 need adult supervision. This outreach is an opportunity to bring the love of Jesus Christ to people who desperately need to know Him. It is truly a life-changing experience.

We will be printing thousands of full-color poster/brochures to let people know about this outreach. Please help us get this literature to churches, Christian bookstores, and Christian schools in your area. You can give it out at Christian concerts and other events. Please encourage your Christian friends to get involved. Set aside the week of June 21 - 29 to attend the SOS outreach and bring a friend.
DON'T DELAY. SEND IN YOUR SOS REGISTRATION FORM TODAY!

Coming Events

Note: All outreaches are subject to change. Call (510) 531

Friday April 5, 12, 19, May 3, 10, 17 7:30-10 PM Witnessing in various S. F. neighborhoods. (Call for meeting locations.)

Sat. April 6, May 18 San Francisco "Church on the Street" worship rallies. 12-1 PM. Powell and Market St. 1:30-5 PM. United Nations Plaza (7th St. and Market)

Sat. April 13, May 11 San Francisco "Church on the Street" worship rallies. 12-1 PM. Powell and Market St. 2-5 PM. Washington Square (Stockton and Columbus St.)

Sat. April 20, May 4 Berkeley Outreach. 12:30

Sat. May 11 Whole Earth Festival Outreach, Davis, CA. New Hope (916) 348-6997.

We still need a spiritually mature Christian with a burden to reach the lost for our ministry house in Oakland. Call or write us if you are interested. We also need Christians to witness with us on Friday nights and Saturday afternoons.

Please set aside the week of June 21-29 to attend this year's SOS-San Francisco outreach. Ask your boss to give you the week off, or use some of your vacation time. Please pray for us as we prepare for this important outreach. Pray that God will provide our needs and guide us in planning the outreach.

Our Tape of the Month is Organizing Youth for Outreach by Mel Rolls. Mel is Director of Rescue Atlanta and brings youth teams to outreaches around the country.

Yours in His love,
Larry Rosenbaum