Repent and Turn Ministries
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Street Witnessing 071412
Street Witnessing
Downtown Springfield, MO & Park Central Square
July 14, 2012
Downtown Springfield, MO & Park Central Square
July 14, 2012
This evening, we went to the Park Central Square area in Downtown Springfield, MO to go street witnessing. The Lord blessed us with quite a few good witnessing conversations with people hanging around the area. The weather was not as hot as it has been, which made it even better.
There were four of us that decided to go out and be a witness for Christ. Jeff came out, who goes to my church, and Dennis - who goes out quite often, and he invited his friend, Kelly. Kelly is also part of my Repent and Turn Ministries facebook page, and I didn't even realize it until towards the end of the night. This was both Jeff's and Kelly's first night out street witnessing. I appreciate both of these men for stepping out of their comfort zones to share the gospel.
It took two pictures to get us all in the pic.
The Atheist & Satanist
We began by praying in the square, for the Lord to be with us, guide us to those to witness to, to show us favor with others, and to draw people to Him. Dennis and Kelly split off in one direction to pass out gospel tracts and witness and Jeff and I headed the other direction.
The first group of young adults we walked up to were sitting and laying down. We gave them gospel tracts. Most took one, but a couple declined. We started a conversation with them. There was "Easy" (an atheist), Meghan (a Satanist) and Charles. There were a couple others, but I can't remember their names. While we were talking, one of the young men was listening to me, but at the same time he burned holes in the gospel tract with his cigarette. I told him that he wasn't the first to do that.
We went through some of the Ten Commandments, using the Law to show the young people what sin is and that they are guilty of sinning against God. Most admitted to being liars, thieves, adulterers-at-heart and blasphemers. They admitted that if they died now, they would go to hell - well, one or two said they didn't believe in it, but if we were using the analogy I used, they would be going to hell.
One guy thought that we wouldn't be judged by "God", but by "St. Peter". Another guy thought none of us had anything to worry about on Judgment Day, because "Jesus died for all of our sins, right?...so that we'd all go to heaven". These two comments are examples of how the true gospel isn't getting out to people. It also shows that there are Christians who only tell people that Jesus loves them and died for their sins so they can be forgiven. They don't tell them they have sinned against God, and that if they don't repent and be born-again, they will go to hell.
I explained the courtroom analogy, that if they were in a court of law and owed a fine they couldn't pay, they would be headed for jail. But if someone paid their fine for them, they would be free to go. That is what God did for us when Jesus died on the cross and took our sins upon Himself. We broke God's law, but Jesus paid our fine.
If we will repent ("I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish." Luke 13:3) and believe in Jesus ("that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved." Romans 10:9) you will be saved / born again ("Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." John 3:3)
We asked if we could pray for them, but they didn't want us to. I told them we would be praying for them. They appreciated our conversation with them.
Praying for Jeff
After talking with the young people, a older gentleman in a wheelchair came up me in the square, named Jeff, I believe. He asked what denomination I was with. I started talking with him and learned that he knew Jeff, who was out with me. Small world. He said he was a Christian and God has healed his legs. He said he can use them a little more than he used to, and that they are being healed. Jeff and I prayed for this man.
Girl Said Churches are Judgmental
Dennis and Kelly were walking around passing out gospel tracts. Dennis said one of the first two girls they talked to said that she grew up in church, but that her church was judgmental about her tatoos and piercings (so she left the church when she was old enough to leave). She said that she didn't have faith now and that she loved her sins. But she was very open and honest with us.
The Atheist, Pagan, Wiccan, Homosexual, New Ager and Parolee
Dennis said Kelly is very bold, especially for his first night coming out - he will talk to anyone. One atheist was yelling I'm an atheist, I'm an atheist, and Kelly kept trying to talk to him. They ran into an atheist, pagan, wiccan (and her girlfriend was a professing Christian), a new ager and a guy that had recently been released from jail, plus several others. The Lord showed us favor. Normally, we'll pass out a bunch of gospel tracts and possibly have a few conversations. Tonight, it was having a lot of conversations and not giving out as many tracts.
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There were quite a few interesting folks downtown tonight. We met a guy who was just released from jail yesterday. Jeff started talking to an 18 year old young man, Lucas, who was on the streets and didn't have anywhere to live. We talked to him for a while and prayed for him. We gave him an idea of a few places he might check with to stay. I felt really bad for him, as he said he didn't have any friends or family around here.
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Chelsie, Tawanda & Adam
Jeff and I walked over and gave gospel tracts to three young people who were sitting down in the square. Chelsie, Tawanda and Adam. Chelsie primarily was on her phone and texted while we talked. Tawanda listened intently, and Adam, who said he was gay, listened, but said that he's already been told he's going to hell for being gay.
They admitted to sinning against God and are on their way to hell. We gave them the gospel and told them that if they will repent (turn from their sin) and believe in Jesus, they can be saved and not go to hell. We let them know we would continue praying for them. They were nice to us.
Tony at the Bus Station
Jeff and I walked over to the bus station and passed out a few gospel tracts. Jeff started up a conversation with a man waiting for the bus, Tony. Jerrod was sitting next to Tony, so he was listening as well. Tony was very nice and open when speaking with us. He said that he really liked reading the bible, but he didn't have his any longer, and missed having it. He said that God has done a lot in his life over the years. I told Tony that I'd look for a bible when I get home and mail him one. He gave me his address.
While I was handing a particular gospel tract to Tony, one that unfolded into a large, colorful "Map of Eternity", Dennis and Kelly walked up. Dennis took one of them from me and walked behind me. I didn't know until later that there was a woman behind me that was listening to our conversation and looking at the gospel tract. When Dennis took one, he walked it over and gave it to the woman who was listening. Team work!
Christians - Adam & Ethan
While the four of us were standing in the square area, two young men walked up to us, shook our hands and introduced themselves. They asked us what do we think is the most important question of all time? We could tell they were Christians, street witnessing like we were. We talked for a while. They were from a local church. They encouraged us and we encouraged them in the Lord. It's great to see others out sharing Christ with the lost.
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Please keep those we witnessed to tonight in your prayers.
In Christ,
Brad St. Clair