Iowa State Fair Outreach

Frank and I gathered with some friends, and with the help of tracts supplied by Solid Rock Bible Church, we had a great opportunity passing out gospel tracts to some of the folks going to the Iowa State Fair on Saturday. I made up some canvas work aprons for holding tracts, and we set up on the northeast corner of E. 33rd Street and E. University Ave., where people walk to Gate 2 at the State Fair. 

I don't get down to the State Fair much, but last year I was invited to come with my son Alexander: he had won some tickets for a lunch put on by an agricultural group. Walking into the fairgrounds at this gate, I saw Jehovah's Witnesses set up on this corner with a magazine rack, and it got me thinking that we need Christians out here with the real gospel of Jesus Christ, not the false message of the JW's.

So this year, I had the opportunity, and made it a point to "commandeer" that real estate to use to share the gospel message of the hope we have in Jesus Christ. That meant getting there early: Frank got there a little before 7AM and I arrived shortly after.

7AM: getting set up on the corner of E. 33rd Street & E. University Avenue outside of Gate 2 of the Iowa State Fair

Work aprons I prepped for carrying tracts

Tracts provided by Solid Rock Bible Church

See the blue arrows? That's Chris Brown (far left), then Priscilla and Aquila Sletten, who helped us giving out the gospel

The weather was great: cooler and a little overcast starting out, but later it warmed up and got humid - typical State Fair weather. We handed out as many gospel tracts as we could until after 2:00, and then wrapped it up. I didn't feel the fatigue from this work until I stepped out of my car in Marshalltown around 4:30PM, and then it hit me! It really is warfare when you step out to publicly share your faith, and it does take a physical toll. Frank had the same experience: physically tired, kind of "fried", and a bit of a sore throat.

However, it was a wonderful opportunity to share the gospel with our neighbors, and I thank the Lord for it. Next year, if the Lord allows, I'd like to get more people involved so we could work in shifts and cover the entire day, and also to do the same at another busy gate around the other side of the fairgrounds. Wouldn't that be great?

"But when he (Jesus) saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd.

Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest."

Matthew 9:36-38

 

Do You Know For Sure? Can You Know For Sure?

When I give away Bibles out on the street corners in Marshalltown, I always try to give a brief overview of the Bible, give out the gospel message, and ask the person a question like this: "If one of these cars passing by went out of control, (remember we are standing on a street corner with traffic going by), do you know with confidence that  God would allow you into Heaven?" 

Most answer by saying, "I hope so", or "I'm trying", or "I don't know." I understand that answer: it was my answer some 24 years ago, before I came to saving faith in Jesus Christ. I explain this and more in the audio message that I gave at the Downtown Des Moines Farmers Market this past Saturday, August 3, 2019, from the corner of 3rd Street and Court Avenue. You may listen to that message by clicking on this LINK and then hitting the play button with the audio comes up.

Hope this encourages you. Maranatha!
Paul