Coming Events
Friday April 5, 12, 19 4-7 PM Witnessing in San Francisco neighborhoods.
Saturday April 6, 13, 20 11 AM–3 PM Witnessing in San Francisco neighborhoods.
(Call us a few hours before the outreach at (510) 282-5629 for outreach location.)
CITY OF SAN FRANCISCO IN AN UPROAR
Dear Christian friends,
Last month, I included an excerpt from an 1857 book called Seven Years’ Street Preaching in San Francisco by William Taylor. It is interesting to think about how much things have changed, and how much they have not changed. Here are two more excerpts:
Sunday, twenty-third of February, 1851, was a day of great excitement in the city. It was ascertained that there was a large organized band of thieves and robbers in California in those days, operating at the same time in different parts of the state, yet all acting in concert. Men were knocked down and robbed in the streets, in the twilight; and stores and safes were broken open almost daily.
The public forbearance, which had been taxed to the last point of endurance, now gave way to one almost universal burst of indignation. The people gathered round the jail to the number of about ten thousand men. I was requested by Windred’s wife to visit him, as it was believed that the prisoners would be hung by the people before night. I had great difficulty in getting through the crowd; but finally succeeded in having an interview with the prisoners. Cries of “Have them out! Hang them!” filled the air. It was with great difficulty that the public indignation could be suppressed.
I preached on the Plaza that day to about fifteen hundred persons, on the value and indispensable necessity of the Bible, believed in and practiced. It is indispensable to our safety and happiness, personally, collectively, socially and politically. It is the very foundation on which the glorious structure of our confederated nation is built, the chart by which we may navigate the stormy sea of life and gain the peaceful haven of eternal rest.
Good order and great seriousness prevailed. Windred afterward was freed from jail, and cleared himself; Stuart was cleared by the courts. But the “Vigilance Committee of 1851” was organized as the result of these frequent robberies, and the inefficiency of the courts; and they executed some, and banished others.
Why do you preach in the streets and highways?” (from William Taylor’s book)
I answer, because it is a duty enjoined by the Lord Jesus Christ.
The “great commission,” under which every true ambassador goes forth in the “ministry of reconciliation,” by direct implication, enjoins the duty of out-door preaching: “Go ye into all the world, and preach the Gospel to every creature.”
Did the apostles understand the Great Teacher to mean that they were to preach in the temple, in the synagogues, in “hired houses,” and “upper rooms?” Certainly. Did they understand him to mean nothing more than that? Certainly not.
They well knew that the temple, and the synagogues, and all the house room they could command, were they all open for their use, would contain but a very small proportion of the creatures embraced in their commission. Every word of this great command, framed by infinite wisdom, is simple and unequivocal. It evidently contemplates a proclamation of the Gospel as wide as “all outdoors,” and so specific and personal as to embrace every single rebel of the fallen race.
Again, the Savior, illustrating, by the parable of the “Great Supper,” the bounteous provision of mercy in the Gospel, enjoins, by direct command, the duty of out-door preaching: “Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in hither the poor, and the maimed, and the halt, and the blind.” “Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled.”
Do I hear you say it is a degradation of ministerial dignity?
I reply: Any minister of the Gospel, whose “ministerial dignity” depends, for its elevation and support, upon the sacredness of a consecrated pulpit, is not, I confess, a suitable person for a street preacher. A preacher, to succeed in the streets, must be dignified by a special unction of the Holy Spirit. He must feel such an undying thirst for the salvation of sinners as will prompt him, like Aaron, to run out into the camp, and “stand between the living and the dead” — not only to offer the incense of earnest prayer to God on their behalf, but also to warn them from the example of their neighbors, who have perished in their sins. Then the accompanying presence of Him who hath said, “Lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world,” will consecrate any place in which he may open his commission, as much as the spot where Jacob slept, and dreamed, and saw the ladder that reached from earth up into Heaven; and cause every one to feel, “Surely the Lord is in this place. How dreadful is this place! This is none other but the house of God.”
On the Streets
On Friday December 1, we witnessed at 4th St. and Mission, across the street from the Sony Metreon shopping center and movie theater. Mike witnessed to Carl, about 65, whom Andy had witnessed to before. He is Eastern Orthodox and says he reads the Bible every day. He says he has struggled with homosexual desires since his youth, but has been celibate for about 40 years. Mike explained to him that religion will not save him. He needs to be regenerated by the Holy Spirit by repenting of his sins and trusting in Jesus. He resisted the gospel message. Alex witnessed to Bib, about 50, who said he was fighting to get millions of dollars in inheritance money. Alex encouraged him to seek first the kingdom of God and that God would provide for his needs.
The next day, we witnessed at Fisherman’s Wharf. Paul and Noreen Coca and Mark Whitehead played music. Mike witnessed to Sophia, who was sitting on a bench near us with her small child. Mike shared the gospel with her and encouraged her to start reading the New Testament. Alex witnessed to Bruce, who used to be a Marine. He had adopted some New Age thinking. Alex shared the gospel with him as well as his personal testimony.
On Friday December 8, we witnessed at Powell and Market St. Mike spoke with Loren, about 50, who had been saved about 4 months ago. He said he has left the homosexual lifestyle and is very happy to know Jesus and attend church with his mother. He said that God used the stress of the Covid lockdown to draw him to Himself. Mike witnessed to Victor, 40, who is from Mexico. He said he believes in God but doesn’t need to read the Bible to get close to God. Mike shared several scriptures with him about the importance of reading God’s word and also his need to repent of his sins and trust in Jesus Christ. Alex spoke with Taylor, 42, who had recently been saved after trying several drug treatment programs. Alex shared his testimony of being delivered from heroin addiction.
The next day, we also witnessed at Powell and Market. Mike witnessed to Joey, 30, a homeless man who was interested in several conspiracy theories. Mike shared the gospel with him and invited him to City Impact. I spoke with Mike, about 65, whom I had spoken with before. He had been with Teen Challenge for two years but has been backslidden for many years. He now considers himself an agnostic. He seems to have been hurt by other Christians and I encouraged him to forgive them and look to Jesus, not to people. Andy witnessed to Kerry, 82. He was raised Episcopalian but did not understand the gospel of salvation by grace through faith. He was very humble and listened as Andy shared the gospel with him. He prayed to ask Jesus to forgive his sins and be his savior. Andy believes he was genuinely converted.
A Final Word
Thank you for your prayers and financial support for this ministry. We have had no problems with the police for the past four years. However, in the past three weeks, we have been shut down by the police in 3 locations: Powell & O’Farrell, 16th St. and Mission, and 24th and Mission. We have witnessed in these locations for 40 years and have never been shut down in these locations. We applied for permits at 24th & Mission. We also found some possible locations to witness on rainy days as Powell and O’Farrell is no longer available. None of these locations are as good, but we hope at least one will work. Please pray that God will give us wisdom in handling these situations.
I hope many of you will join us for an outreach this next month or witness in your own community.
Yours in His love,
Larry Rosenbaum
