Repent and Turn Ministries
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Bob Dylan 042413
Bob Dylan
Concert Outreach
JQH Arena
Springfield, MO
April 24, 2013
Concert Outreach
JQH Arena
Springfield, MO
April 24, 2013
This evening the Bob Dylan concert was held at the John Q Hammons Arena in Springfield, Missouri. We went out to be a witness for Christ and preach the gospel to those arriving to the concert.
There were four of us that were at this event. Dennis and Greg from Born of Him Ministries, as well as a young man named Bo, who I believe goes to church with them.
Greg brought his "Half-Mile Hailer" amplified speaker and placed it on the tall tripod. It was kept low enough, but loud enought to be heard by those around. We took turns open air preaching just about the entire time we were there.
Two were passing out gospel tracts to those arriving, and I brought out my large gospel sign that says, "Trust Jesus" on one side and "Jesus Saves from Hell" on the other side. Some people, even Christians, aren't sure what they think of me using a sign. I've heard it from several people. I used to think the same way - I wasn't sure if it was a good idea or bad idea.
Businesses spend billons on advertising to get their brand name out in the public eye. Much of this is on billboards, signs, etc. What is seen by a person stays with them. When we use gospel tracts, we hope a person will read the gospel message and the Holy Spirit will use it to convict their heart. Some people don't take gospel tracts, or are not even near us - like those on the other side of the event or even those driving in their vehicle. But, they get to see "Trust Jesus" or "Jesus Saves from Hell" from the sign. God will use it to convict their hearts. The Holy Spirit can flash that in their memory and make them think about it.
When we first arrived, a lady who was standing there came up and asked if we were going to preach against Bob Dylan. We explained that we were not preaching against Bob Dylan, we are going to preach the gospel. We go to any events where large crowds of people gather. She was glad to hear it, as she likes him.
She kept standing around and talking to us. It was time to pray before beginning, so we asked her if she wanted to pray with us. She did. She held our hands and Greg prayed. The Lord led Greg to pray for us and those arriving to the concert, just like normal, but then he also prayed the gospel. Pamela, the lady who was praying for us, began crying and wiping her eyes during the prayer. The Lord was working on her heart. Praise God.
The open air preaching was very low-key at this event, more of a conversational tone. Greg, Dennis and I all preached - more than once. We had all kinds of reactions. There were young, middle-aged and really old people who attended.
While I was preaching, one lady stood by and listened. When I stepped down, she smiled and nodded at me and said, "Thank you".
One time, a group of teenagers, possibly college age girls, began singing very loudly to try to cover up the preaching. They were good singers, but I just preached louder.
Greg had some good stories and lead in's for his open air preaching. Once, a man walked up and began recording his open air preaching on his phone. He walked from behind, recording, and walked around to the front, recording the entire time. Then he took some pictures of Greg and of me holding the sign, then walked away. This is good. He will replay it for himself and others, probably. They will all hear the gospel message again.
When Dennis stepped on the step-stool to open air preach, we had some interesting moments. Like I said, most of the preaching was kept low-key. However, it's not the preacher and his volume or tone much of the time that offends the sinner, it's the gospel.
The Bible says, "For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God." I Corinthians 1:18
"He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed." John 3:18-20
Where there is a vile, vulgar person cursing out the preacher because of the gospel message, it's just like the verse above says, "everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed." When they are around the "light", the Gospel - God's Word - and the Christian who is delivering the message, their evil deeds and life is exposed and they can't stand it.
Two middle-aged women were being dropped off from a vehicle right behind where Dennis was preaching. They stepped out of a car and immediately said, "Shut the F--- up!". Of course, Dennis didn't stop, he actually preached a little louder. She walked around to the front of him and said, "F--- you!". As she walked off, Dennis continued preaching louder - so that she could hear him all the way to the door, letting her know that she has to stand before God on the Day of Judgment and give an account of her life, and that we must repent and believe in Jesus.
I am proud to see a young man (16 years old, I believe) who comes out to pass out tracts and even open air preach at times. I wish more young people would do this.
We had a fruitful time tonight in sharing the gospel. We pray for conviction for those who received a gospel message, heard the preaching and saw the gospel sign.
I thank God for these faithful servants who set aside their personal desires to go into all the world and preach the gospel as Jesus commanded us.
I encourage you to share your faith and be a witness to those in your circle of influence.
In Christ,
Brad St. Clair