Repent and Turn Ministries
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St Patricks Day Mar 2012
St. Patrick's Day Parade Outreach
Springfield, MO
March 17, 2012
Today was the St. Patrick's Day Parade in Downtown Springfield, Missouri. We had a total of 11 who came out witnessing today. In total, we gave out approx. 3,500 gospel tracts to the thousands in attendance.
Those coming out with me today were Michael Borich, Jane, Keith Donaldson and his daughter, Carolyn. We also met up with Greg Marlin and his ministry, Born of Him Ministries. Those coming out with Greg were his wife, Kim; Steve Williams and his son, Kyle, as well as Dennis Vance and his daughter, Summer.
Brad, Michael, Jane, Dennis, Keith, Carolyn, Steve, Kyle
Our group started at Park Central Square - the end of the parade route. We passed out gospel tracts to those around the square and those in the square. I handed this person one of our custom made Million Dollar Bill gospel tracts. I then asked if I can take a picture - Sure. Notice the gospel tract in this person's left hand.
Most people around the square took the gospel tracts. Only a few turned them down. I had on my bold witnessing shirt. The front side says, "Fear God and give glory to Him". The back says, "Repent or Perish". As I was walking down the road, a teenage girl I handed a gospel tract to asked if she could take a picture of the back of my shirt. I allowed her.
While walking down the street, a very nice man caught up with me and thanked me for passing out gospel tracts and shook my hand. He asked me which church I attended. He said he recently moved to the Springfield area and cannot find a church where he and his girlfriend feel accepted. He then proceeded to tell me that he and his girlfriend lives together.
He didn't really want to stay and talk longer. However, as Christians, we are to love everyone with the love of Christ - even if someone is living in sin. In this case, this man and his girlfriend are living in sin - they are fornicating. We are to warn them of their sin against God. The Bible says in Galatians 5:19-21:
Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
If someone, especially someone who claims to be a Christian, is living in sin, it is the church who should tell them what the Bible says about what they are doing. It is not the responsibility of the church to bring everyone into the church and make them only feel the love and blessings of the Christian life. However, this is what many churches do in this day and age. The church should warn people to live holy lives if they claim to be a Christian.
I tried to pass out gospel tracts to some Muslims. They did not want them at all. However, later, Michael told me that he went to the same group and spoke their language, something to the effect of "Peace be unto you", and they took the gospel tract from him.
I know a lot of the folks were reading the gospel message on the back of the tract, because there was a lot of time before the parade arrived to the end point. They were sitting around reading them.
Finally, the parade reached where I was. I positioned myself in the crowd and took pictures. Michael and Jane, as well as Greg and his group had been walking alongside the parade, as if they were in the parade. They were passing out gospel tracts to those along the parade route.
Jane and Michael in the parade passing out gospel tracts
Greg and Michael in the parade passing out gospel tracts
Dennis passing out gospel tracts in the parade
Kyle, Jane, Michael, Dennis, Kim, Greg, Brad and Summer
Michael Borich and Brad St. Clair
Michael (above) is a good friend. He has been going out street witnessing with me, as he is able, for over six years.
Greg and his group told me that they showed up before the parade at the beginning of the parade route. Greg started to open air preach with amplification. First a police office told him to stop, until Greg reminded him it was a public sidewalk. But then, a parade event worker showed up and told Greg that he didn't have a permit for his amplification, so he couldn't use the speaker. They put it away and began to preach with just their voice.
The nice, family crowds that were gathered to watch the St. Patrick's Day Parade suddenly turned mean. They turned into hecklers and even tried to push the step-stool Greg was standing on out from under him. Now, we expect this from the rougher crowds we go to - rock concerts, etc., but not from folks at a family event.
This this just goes to show that Satan hates it when we preach the gospel, and so do those who are living in sin. The Bible says in John 3:19-21:
"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. But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God.”
Like I said above, in total, we passed out approx. 3,500 gospel tracts at the parade. We are praying that the Holy Spirit convicts those who read the gospel message. We pray they repent and ask for forgiveness and be born again.
I encourage every Christian who is reading this to think seriously about what you are doing for Christ when it comes to sharing your faith. Jesus says in Luke 19:10: "for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.” If that is why Jesus came to earth, shouldn't we follow Jesus' lead and do the same?
Plus, Jesus said in Mark 16:15, "And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature." It is a command, not a suggestion.
The reason we go out and share the gospel is to be obedient to the Lord. One day every person will step from this life into eternal life. It will be either in heaven or hell. I don't want anyone to go to hell.
If I can help you in any way in learning to share your faith, please contact me.
In Christ,
Brad St. Clair
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