Coming Events
Friday May 3, 10, 17 4-7 PM Witnessing in San Francisco neighborhoods.
Saturday May 4, 11, 18 12 – 4 PM Witnessing at Fisherman’s Wharf (SF) Powell & Jefferson St.
(Call us a few hours before the outreach at (510) 282-5629 to confirm outreach location.)
NO MORE PERMITS
Dear Christian friends,
Soon after we started using amplifiers to play music and preach the gospel on the streets, we were faced with the need to get permits for amplified sound. Since about 1980, we had to attend hearings at the San Francisco Police Department to get permits. Some of these permits were denied for various reasons, but most were granted. In 2003, San Francisco started a new division, the San Francisco Entertainment Commission, which was now responsible for giving out amplification permits. We would fill out an online form, but no longer needed to attend hearings. Also, they always waived our fees (which otherwise cost over $500 for each day). We got dozens of permits from them at various locations until 2019. Occasionally, a permit was denied, such as at the 24th and Mission BART station. The officials at BART did not want us near their station.
While this permit requirement remains a law, it is rarely enforced. Many people use amplifiers on city streets without a permit, and police normally leave them, and us, alone.
On Friday February 9, we planned to witness at 16th St. and Mission. There was a police car stationed on the plaza. Andy asked the officer if we could use our amplifier there. He said, no. He had received orders “from above” not to allow amplification.
We moved to 24th St. and Mission and began to preach. After about 1 ½ hours, a police officer approached us and asked to see our permit. He told us that we could not use an amplifier there without a permit. He also said he had received orders “from above” not to allow amplification.
After that outreach, I decided to apply for a permit at 24th and Mission from the SF Entertainment Commission. I was shocked when I received an email from them saying that they do not issue amplification permits for street preaching, with or without live music.
This is a major policy change. This frees everyone who is street preaching and playing music on the streets of San Francisco from the requirement to obtain a permit to use amplified sound.
This does not apply to parks, which require permits from the Park Department. We still can’t get permits from them because of the unreasonable prices they have demanded (about $1000 per permit.)
This also allows us to return to Powell and O’Farrell. There is one building that has an awning that completely covers the sidewalk. There is also a lot of street traffic between Union Square and the BART station. We have preached at this location on rainy days for at least 30 years with few problems. There was a store that sold hats on the corner. The store workers didn’t particularly like us, but they tolerated our presence.
Since that store is now closed, the property owners, a married couple, have been eager to lease the storefront. They claim that our occasional presence at that location is preventing them from leasing it. A police lieutenant has been very sympathetic towards them. He has spoken with us several times, is familiar with our legal battles with the city, and essentially threatened to arrest us and confiscate our sound equipment if we return.
The married couple is divided in their attitude towards us. Tom, the husband, has developed a relationship with some of our team and is more favorable towards us. His wife refuses to talk with us and strongly opposes our Christian message.
After the police lieutenant threatened to arrest us, I was determined to find another place to witness on rainy days. From October to April, on many weekends there is a high chance of rain. We have tried setting up canopies and standing under awnings at various places. None of these strategies have worked to keep our musical instruments and amplifiers dry. Any Christian who was witnessing or passing out tracts needed to stand in the rain.
On Friday March 1, there was a high chance of rain. I had planned to use a small awning at 4th and Market, but someone was already there. While looking for another place, Kaz suggested that we return to Powell and O’Farrell. Since our amplifiers no longer required a permit, I decided to return to that location. That night, we saw some of the heaviest rains we had seen in many years in San Francisco. We would have gotten soaked at any other location. Some security guards tried to move us and called the police. One police officer drove by and asked us to turn down our sound, which we did. But we had no more problems.
The next day, there was also a high chance of rain. We decided to return to Powell and O’Farrell. For the first two hours there was no rain, so we preached and Tim Moon played music across the street. Once the rain started, we moved under the awning. Again it rained very hard.
Some members of our team have been trying to develop a relationship with Tom, who owns the building with his wife. Andy told Tom that the night before, he and Mike saw a woman with a spray can who was going to tag Tom’s building with graffiti. She was extremely angry but went away without defacing Tom’s building. Tom was appreciative. Later, Andy also told the police lieutenant that we had helped protect Tom’s building. Andy and Tom spoke about the break-ins, shoplifting and drugs in San Francisco. These things have made it difficult for Tom to lease his storefront.
We were able to continue our outreach and were not shut down by the police. Please pray about the situation. Even though we are not breaking any law, the police are capable of causing us a lot of legal problems if they want to. I have spent many years on legal battles, and wish to avoid another one.
At the same time, we need this location for our outreaches on rainy days. For about five months of the year, there is a high chance of rain on any given weekend. We do not want to cancel all these outreaches. Even on rainy days, we can reach hundreds of people with the gospel.
On the Streets
On Friday December 15, we witnessed at Union Square. A lot of people were at this corner doing their Christmas shopping. Mike witnessed to David, 37. He was an Army veteran and shared about God’s protection during war. He grew up in the church and believed in God but did not seem to be saved. Alex spoke with Christopher who thought that repentance was not necessary for salvation. Alex shared several scriptures that contradicted his views. Alex witnessed to Nico, 38, who said he was hearing voices while using drugs. Alex shared his testimony with him of deliverance from drugs and prayed for him.
Kaz spoke with Justin, who works with him at a security company. He was surprised to see Kaz at a Christian outreach but seemed to like what he was doing. Andy and Joe witnessed to Ramon, who had been in prison for child molestation and now is homeless and using amphetamines. Andy shared that Jesus can save him and deliver him from his fears. He was in protective custody in prison but still thinks people are coming after him. Andy prayed with him and gave him a New Testament.
The next day, we held our last outreach of 2023 at Powell and Market. A lot of people were at this corner. Many were doing Christmas shopping while others waited for the cable car to Fisherman’s Wharf. Mike and Ida witnessed to Aled, 23, from Wales. Ida said, “we are all going to appear before God. You need to make a choice.” Alex witnessed to Tony, 58, who was riding a bicycle. He seemed to be convicted by our preaching, but wanted to justify himself. Alex gave him a New Testament.
Finally, 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. Mike also ministered to him. He gave him a New Testament and contact information for City Impact church. Mike attends that church and will be looking for him.
A Final Word
Thank you for your prayers and financial support for this ministry. We have set the date for our 45th annual SOS-San Francisco outreach: July 10-13. We are so thankful to God for giving us the strength to continue preaching the gospel in this city, which is known worldwide for its wickedness. He has also given us great freedom to preach the gospel in this city, despite the hostility of many city residents to the gospel.
After our outreach on March 31, we held a memorial service at our house for Brandon Matz. Brandon was saved in 1984 at the age of 19 and has been involved in our ministry for the past 40 years, living in our ministry house several times.
Some Christian friends of ours put a new roof on our garage — at their own expense! What a blessing. We still need to kill the vines around the garage, and do other repairs on our garage, house, and van.
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