Showing posts with label Evangelism. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Evangelism. Show all posts

Saturday, January 29, 2022

The Years Go By

Funny how things work out. I was checking the stats on the Iowa Seed Sowers website, and a post from 5 years ago to the day showed up. It was January 29, 2017 and was just some comments on stuff I do when the weather is just too cold to get outside for evangelism. Here's a screenshot of that post:


Fast forward to January of this year, and I was home sick for a while, and used some of that time in a similar way: making a new witnessing cross! I had a large older witnessing cross I made out of some shelves I took down in my garage. It was my "How Great Thou Art!" cross I made to use at the Art Festival here in Marshalltown but haven't used much the last few years.

I cut the boards narrower and thinner to make it easier to use, and here's the result (sides 1 & 2):


I used a light stain before painting the lettering and wiped it down with boiled linseed oil to protect the wood, so it's ready to go once I get the chance to get out to my street corner. 

Jesus said, "...for the things concerning me have an end." (Luke 22:37). Everything the Bible says that is going to happen either already has happened (like the death, burial and resurrection of the Lord Jesus) or will happen, exactly as the Bible says it will.

History has marched on since January 2017. In these darkening days we live in, now is the time to trust God more, to read & meditate on his word, and to point people to Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins & the gift of eternal life. If you're reading this and do not know Jesus as Savior, turn to him now with all your sin and put your trust in him alone for the forgiveness of those sins. God's promise is that all who believe on Jesus will never perish but will have eternal life (John 3:16). If you are born again and saved, keep walking daily with Jesus and be the light & salt we are called to be in this growing darkness. And find other Christians for the fellowship & encouragement so needed today (see my last post).

Maranatha! Come quickly Lord Jesus! Maybe today....
Paul.

Thursday, December 23, 2021

A Blessing to Sunny Hill

Our brothers and sisters from New Life Church visited the residents of Sunny Hill Residential Care Facility in Tama, Iowa on Tuesday evening to sing Christmas hymns & carols about the fulfilled promises of God to send us a Savior to rescue us from our sins. 

The promise made in Genesis chapter 3 regarding the seed of the woman - the suffering Servant who would come to take upon himself the sin of mankind - was being fulfilled in the birth of Jesus 2000 years ago.

"And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel." Genesis 3:15 

"Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." Philippians 2:5-11

We sent along these small gift bags. Just a small stuffed animal, a candy cane, and two small cards: one a holiday-themed gospel tract and the other an offer to share God's word, the good news of Jesus Christ, and some contact information.


We pray for the 50 residents at Sunny Hill, for their families, and the employees who work there: if they know the Savior, that they would be strengthened in their faith. If not, that they would understand the gospel and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of their sins. This is why Jesus came to live among us, died on the cross and rose again. God has fulfilled that promise which began to be spoken of back in the book of Genesis and continues to fulfill it today.

"To him (Jesus) give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins."       
Acts 10:43 










Saturday, November 20, 2021

2021 Holiday Stroll Gospel Outreach in Marshalltown, IA

Today is our Holiday Stroll gospel outreach in downtown Marshalltown. We are setting up inside and out front of the Stepping Stones Bookstore on Main Street, giving away hot chocolate and over 700 holiday-themed gospel messages. It's taken Mary and myself a month of planning and effort for a 4-hour window of opportunity to present Jesus Christ yet again to our community...our Jerusalem. The weather looks good: in the low 50's and looking like 39 degrees at 8PM when we finish up. We hope for a lot of people to be out on the streets.

I confess at this point I am weary in the work, but not weary of the work, as Dwight L. Moody once said (if I'm remembering this right). Jesus Christ and His gospel are worth it, and the souls of precious men & women, boys & girls are worth it.

This is what we do. It's who we are.

We are Christians. Come join us!




Tuesday, September 14, 2021

Iowa State Fair Outreach 2021 - 8.21.21 That Doesn't Look Normal!

 So the rest of the time at the Iowa State Fair Answers In Genesis (AiG) booth went well. People were hearing the Gospel, and having great conversation and getting their questions answered. I took a break from the AiG booth to help the Gideon's International with theirs. Tuesday and Wednesday I decided to take some time away from the fair to do a different kind of fishing. I caught two 13in bass and my friend caught one 20 in / 2lb bass. It was a great time to get away and regroup without burning out. 

Thursday and Friday I had some good conversation but not as well as the beginning of the week. I ran into many teens and college age students from a very large Lutheran Church in the area that rhymes with DOPE, that couldn't tell me what the gospel was, or that Jesus saves people from their sin. Not only that, but once, I  asked a kid who was wearing a cross around his neck how a person gets to heaven, he didn't know. I kept looking down at his necklace and asked, "So, what does this cross around your neck mean? What's the symbol of it." He said he wore it for good luck. 


Saturday rolled around and I was really motivated to make this second weekend the best this year. I couldn't get my normal parking but had to park three blocks further. The place was packed. I was excited that this place was going to be full to capacity. I got into the fair, and it was filled to the max with people. I made my way to the booth and met up with my wife and friends from church. I gave them tattoos and showed them around the booth. They left and about twenty minutes later, the unexpected happened. 

I was speaking with one of our team members and my knee kept getting caught on the opening of my shorts. I kept adjusting and was really getting annoying. When I pulled up my shorts slightly, the team member I was speaking with pointed down at my knee and said, "That doesn't look right." I looked down and my right knee was the size of a baseball, and felt like a water balloon. I sat down right away trying not to panic; my knee felt very weird, and I knew I was done working. With all the standing in the booth witnessing and talking with people, my body broke down and said, no more. 

I never thought in a million years I would incur injuries sharing my faith; maybe getting punched or kicked, but not because my body is falling apart. But I guess it's that time I need to take care of myself as I get older. 

But this should be a lesson for all of us. Many people put off God and doing His will until later on in life. They'll say they have plenty of time later or they're too busy now. It reminds me of Luke 12:16-21. 

Then He [Jesus] spoke a parable to them, saying: "The ground of a certain rich man yielded plentifully. "And he thought within himself, saying, 'What shall I do, since I have no room to store my crops?' "So he said, 'I will do this: I will pull down my barns and build greater, and there I will store all my crops and my goods. 'And I will say to my soul, "Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years; take your ease; eat, drink, [and] be merry." ' "But God said to him, 'Fool! This night your soul will be required of you; then whose will those things be which you have provided?' "So [is] he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God." [Luke 12:16-21 NKJV]

Like this rich man, later might not ever come. People need to serve God while they are able, not only mentally and physically, but while they are alive. We are not guaranteed tomorrow, and this should be a warning for all of us. I'm not saying that you need to give up your jobs or careers, but fit God and His will in there. Make it first in your life. When we put God first He gives us our needs and daily bread (Proverbs 2:8-9; Matthew 6:25-34). 

UPDATE: 8/23 the water dissipated in my knee and as of 9/13 I am able to walk on it without a brace or compression bandage. Praise God. 


Monday, August 30, 2021

Iowa State Fair Outreach 2021 - 8.15.21 Atheist Teen + Dating Christian Girl = Questions Answered

 



A junior in High School named, John, walked up to Brandon -- an evangelist from Kentucky, and stated that he was an atheist. Not just any atheist, but one dating a Christian girl who bought him a bible, prays for him daily, and told him that he needed to come down to the Answers In Genesis (AiG) booth to talk to us. Wow. Even though she is unequally yoked to this guy, God is using her in a big way. 

John was really engaged and asked many good questions. So Brandon gave him two tracts to read: "Why Christianity" and "Big Problems With The Big Bang." I looked over and Brandon was sitting next to him while he read both tracts in their entirety right at the booth. After reading them both, he had even more questions. Brandon then called me over and asked me to jump in. After hearing his story, I pulled up a chair and we formed a triangle in the middle of the booth. I opened my bible and asked John what his three biggest hang-ups were about the bible, or God. 


First, he said that God was not loving, especially towards the Egyptians with the plagues and murdering the first born. I turned my bible to Ephesians 2 and asked him to read it while I answered a question from a customer at the booth. I shortly came back to John and asked him the synopsis of what he read. He said that we were sinners and walked according to the devil and this world and did what we wanted. But God who loved us had mercy and gave His Son, Jesus, to save us. So I asked him to read verse 4 again. 

"But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us." 

 Brandon and I were blown away that he understood that. 

I asked him, "Do you know one of the most terrifying chapters in all the bible?" 

"No." 

"Romans chapter 9. Because God didn't have to lift a finger to save any of us and He would still be God, still be holy, still be just, and still be righteous."

"Oh."

"Do you know one of the most awesome amazing chapters of the entire bible?"

"No."

"Romans chapter 9. Because He did." 

I took one of my tracts and said, "Suppose I created this. I own it. Can I do anything I want with it?" He nodded. "Can I do this?" And I crumpled it up in my hand. He nodded. "Can I do this?" And I tore it up in little pieces and threw it in the trash. He nodded again. "So if God created everything and all of us in this world, then why is He called evil for judging His creation?" The light came on a bit. 

So he asked, "So if God created hell for the devil and His angels, then why doesn't He create a hell for people?" 

I answered and said, "So, do you separate your garbage?" John looked puzzled. "Do you throw your building materials in a different can from your food or separate your dust from dryer lint?" He shook his head. "So, why should God separate His garbage?" 

"But what about recyclables? I separate my pop cans from garbage," John stated. 

"Recycles are different. Recycles are the Christians. After you collect pop cans you go to Hy-Vee and put them in the machine to recycle. After you're done, you get a slip of paper and take it inside where you give it to the customer service desk and they give you money. You are redeeming the useless empty cans for money which is useful. That's what Jesus did. God redeemed useless people through the blood of Christ and made us useful. Redeemed garbage and made us valuable." Throughout our conversation Brandon added to it, so I don't want anyone to think that I kicked him out of the conversation. 

John nodded the whole time I talked. He got up and asked if he could take stuff. We told him everything was free. He went to each table and took one of everything: DVD's, tracts, books, etc. I walked over to the Animal Rescue League (ARL) booth and got him a bag. I gave him my card from GotQuestions.org and also my email if he had any questions. Brandon gave his. 

This wasn't the only conversation I had that day. We had many more, but this was the most memorable. 


Sunday, August 29, 2021

Iowa State Fair Outreach 2021 - 8.14.21 The Woman at the Well.

If you've ever had a "woman at the well" conversation with someone, you know what I mean when I say those conversations are a special moment between evangelist and potential convert. They are rare, but when they happen, you know that it was a divine encounter. They are touching and usually leave you and the other person crying. Today was one of those conversations. 

Lisa, who works at the fair in another booth of the Varied Industries Building, came over to our booth because her coworker received one of our Ark million dollar bills and was laughing about it. She was curious and needed to talk with someone here. I happened to be that someone. She was looking around like she was lost, or amazed -- I really couldn't tell. Sheepishly, she looked through our DVD's, pamphlets, and such. I walked over to her and started a conversation. 

Lisa revealed that she came from a bad background, and made many mistakes along the way. She got saved, and had been a Christian for over twenty years. But with tears in her eyes she shamefully said, "I never shared my faith. Not like this. Maybe to friends and family once or twice, but never with strangers. I've always been afraid, and overcome with fear. I wish I was bold like you." 

I shared with her my testimony, and how just a few feet from where we were standing was where I heard the gospel for the first time. When I got saved several months later, I was given the opportunity to be discipled by someone mature in the Lord, to take me out and share my faith with strangers. That led me to study fear and how Satan uses fear to keep us in one spot, tired and afraid to move. She needed a mature Christian woman to come alongside her and help her become the soul-winner she desired to be. She teared up again and said, "I have no one to show me." 


I looked under the train cabinet to see if we had any books on the topic that we were giving away. We had at least two cases of  "Begin: A Journey Through Scriptures for Seekers and New Believers", but that wasn't really what she was needing.  Then I noticed in the corner some orange books, and pulled them out. It was exactly what she needed. It was a copy of "Will Our Generation Speak?" handbook and the Study Guide. Will Our Generation Speak? is filled with dialog—recounting witnessing conversations and giving practical ideas for beginning conversations with unbelievers about the Lord. It teaches how to ask good questions and answer objections, while illustrating points with humorous cartoons and stories. From a young person to other young people, it addresses the fears we face and excuses we make, and provides vision for being strong for the Lord in our youth. It communicates how exciting it is to be working alongside the God of the universe in the mission of saving souls. I pulled them out showed her the books, and before she could even ask how much they were, I just said, "These are my gift to you; I want you to have them." She started to tear up, I started to tear up. It was a beautiful moment. 

Even though this post is short, we spent at least 45 minutes talking. She said she only intended to visit for five minutes and needed to get back to work. It's amazing how the Lord works things out. Like the woman at the well, Lisa had a plan to come to the booth looking for something. But what she received was way better than she could have possibly imagined. 


Friday, August 27, 2021

Iowa State Fair Outreach 2021 - Friday the 13th.

 I arrived at the  Answers In Genesis (AiG) booth at the fair about a few minutes late. The crew already had things out, prepared, the televisions on, and trains running around the model of the ark. Chatted with the workers for a few minutes before starting, and noticed that the glass on the ark was dirty, so I cleaned it free of fingerprints and snot from little kids.

The morning went well, and even got my hands dirty giving kids dinosaur tattoos. I really love giving kids tattoos because it's about the only time I can talk with kids on a one-on-one basis. But in putting the tattoos on, I have about a minute to share something with them. Even the adults get at least a dinosaur million dollar bill. But I usually talk about the Ark, that it's 450 ft long, 75 ft wide, and 7 stories high. That you can fit over 500 shipping containers inside -- that there was more than enough room for people, animals, food, and supplies. In fact, only one-third of the ship was dedicated to the animals. I enjoy talking with the teens as well while giving tattoos. I show them that the ark is a picture of Jesus Christ -- that just like there is one door of the ark for people to walk through to find salvation from the flood, that Jesus is the only Door to find salvation from eternal damnation. Most kids, teens, and adults have at least heard of the story -- but to put it in the context of the New Testament, most never understand the relationship. 


That afternoon I had a strange conversation with a man who I thought was interested in the things of God. He came in and looked around. Nodded several times, and even took some tracts and pamphlets. I asked him how he was doing and gave him an Ark million dollar bill. I said it had the "million dollar question" on the back: "In the days of Noah, God judged guilty men with a global flood. When you face God on Judgment Day, would you be innocent or guilty?" He looked at it for a minute looked up and said, no. So I probed a little. 

"The Ten Commandments are God's standard of goodness; as a mirror to see how dirty we really are. Like when you wake up in the morning you look in the mirror to see what damage happened during the night. Do you think you've kept the Ten Commandments?"

"Sure I have."

"All the time?"

"Yes." 

"OK, let's look at a few and see. Have you ever told a lie?"

"Like Republicans? Sure. I've lied like Republicans."

Looking surprised and afraid to ask I said, "Well, what does that make you if you lie?"

"Republican. Or more specifically, a liar."

"Have you ever stolen anything. Even if it's small?"

"Like Republicans? Sure, I've stolen lots of things. Maybe not as much as Republicans, but, yes."

Rubbing my forehead I said, "Sir, let's try to leave the politics out of this, ok? Many people lie and steal on both sides of the isle and..." 

"Well, maybe you can answer a question for me! Why did God murder my two kids, let me become an alcoholic, and damage my marriage. If God is so awesome, forgiving, and loving -- then why did He do that to me! Huh!?" 

I started to have pity on him, and realized that this was a sensitive issue. I started to explain that God didn't create sin, and that God doesn't murder anyone. But before I could explain deeper he yelled an obscenity at me and walked off, grabbing two more tracts as he left. 


One of the new Testify students were there and looked horrified. I told him, "Sometimes you can't give the good news to people, if they don't see their need for it." That's a hard lesson to learn sometimes. But giving someone the good news when they are clearly not wanting it, would do more damage than good. It would make them into an inoculated sinner -- people who know they are a sinner and that God will forgive them anyway. 

It reminds me of the time I was sent to a hospital to pray for a man who got throat cancer. Upon arriving he asked me, "Why would God do this to me?" I asked him, "Did you smoke?" 

"Yes," he replied

"Do you have cigarettes here?"

"Yeah, in the drawer." 

I walked over to the drawer and pulled them out. I held them up to his face and said, "What does that say on the side of the box?"

He read it out loud, "Surgeons General Warning: Smoking causes lung cancer, throat cancer, heart disease, emphysema and may complicate pregnancy." 

I paused for a minute. "So you were warned every time you bought a pack. God didn't do this to you. You ignored the warnings. The bible warns us of many bad things to come, and how we are sinners in the hands of God, that we broke His law, and are deserving of judgment. But God also shows us in the bible how to escape from that as well. Would you like to know how to escape God's wrath?"

"Get out." 

And so, I left. There's a saying where I'm from, "Self-infliction gets no sympathy." I do have pity on them both. I'm no monster. But until people see that they have a disease, they will not receive the cure. They will laugh and mock it like the Greeks in Acts 17. If either of them would have stayed, or not told me to leave, I would have shared the gospel till I was blue in the face. But that wasn't the case. 


Iowa State Fair Outreach 2021 - Arrival


It was Thursday morning, August 12th. The bustling crowd, people laughing, kids running around; the smell of deep fried food, animals, and corndogs cooking in the fryers; the sound of classic rock and talk radio walking past the WHO radio booth. All these sounds, smells, and senses hitting me as I walked into the Iowa State Fair for the first time since 2019. My heart started beating harder -- not from nervousness as I headed to the Answers In Genesis (AiG) booth, but from excitement -- excitement in catching up with my evangelist friends, engaging the people who come into the booth, and to meet the new people who come and want to be a part of this amazing ministry. 

I first started sharing my faith at the AiG booth in 2018. It was an amazing experience; also joined up with them in 2019. In 2020, the Iowa State Fair was cancelled because of the worldwide plandemic. But this wasn't the first time I was at the booth. The booth holds a very special memory for me, and one that literally changed my life forever. 

The first time I came to the booth was in 2003. I was new to Iowa, engaged to my now wife, and living with my friend and his family starting a new life in Iowa. The prior year we all went to the fair, and had a blast, but missed much of it and couldn't see everything in one day. This certain time, I decided to start in places that I didn't see. My first stop was indoors at the Varied Industries Building. At this time the both was run by the General Association of Regular Baptist Churches (GARBC). AiG would later take it over in 2016. But it was at this booth in 2003 that I heard the gospel for the first time. 

I remember him as a man about 35-45 years old. There wasn't anything special about him, but he really took the time to show me things in the bible. For some reason I couldn't understand him -- like someone put their fingers in my ears. He was very patient with me and shared the gospel, some bible verses with me, but no matter what, I couldn't get it. He even gave me this tract, which I have to this day. 

I wish I could have gotten his name and phone number. The stories I could tell of how my life changed over the years with that one conversation I had 18 years ago. 

But when I got to the fair this year, I was talking with a new booth-worker who told me he was talking with a man who ran the booth the same time I heard the gospel in 2003; that he works just a few booths down the day I arrived this year. So I took my tract I received all those years later and went to talk with him. 

I introduced myself and told him my story. I recognized him right away, and thanked him for working all those years and leading the booth. Even though he was not the man I talked to, he took my information down and said he would at least try to find who it could have been. It was a touching moment for both of us; we even shed tears, and the other guys working his booth got choked up as well. It was a great reminder to the both of us that you just never know who you will impact when sharing your faith. We may never even get the entire gospel out, or go as planned. But God can use even our faithfulness of getting His Word in the hands of lost sinners. 

This was the exact encouragement I needed to fire me up to start my ten days sharing Jesus at the AiG booth. I was more motivated than ever, and looked forward to see what the Lord has in store. 




Sunday, March 28, 2021

What the World Desperately Needs

The Bible is timeless: it is relevant for today, just as it was yesterday, just as it will be tomorrow. I'm reading Acts chapter 3, and a note I penned in the margin some years ago rings truer now, if that's possible, than ever before. That's not just me saying it...a headline from a March 23, 2021 article in The Irish News reads:

"Google searches for 'hope' and 'prayer' peak while 'party' and 'festival' slump."


Acts 3: 1-8. This "certain man lame from his mother's womb...whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful...." had a great physical need. A desperate need. He was lame from birth and had to beg for a living. He needed physical healing, but what he really needed was Jesus Christ and to be spiritually healed from the "disease" of sin and the "prognosis" of death and eternal Hell because of it. 

God used Peter and John to deliver physical healing in the name of Jesus, and we can infer that the man believed on Jesus for the forgiveness from his sins, since he is found standing with the Apostles before the Jewish religious rulers later in Acts 4:14.

My little margin note on Acts 3:1-8 says, 
"The world desperately needs what we have: not silver or gold, but the gospel of Jesus Christ! Give it to them!!!"
They need what we Christians have. They need it just as desperately as the lame man did. Mary and I pray every morning before I leave for work, and usually I include a request that God raise up His church - His people - to be light and salt, to point people to the Lord Jesus and give them the gospel. He is our only hope, and this world's "party" is almost over!


That's why we go out and offer Bibles and prayer for our neighbors here in Iowa, or wherever we find ourselves. Christian, I hope you join us in sowing the word where God has you planted.




Friday, November 13, 2020

Getting Creative During Covid-19

 The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted all aspects of ministry. Many churches have been shut down across the country, and also even more going virtual doing Facebook Live church services and having board meetings with Zoom calls. So far, all of our evangelism events this year have been cancelled, including St. Patrick's Day parade, Des Moines Farmers Market, and the Iowa State Fair. It was a huge loss for us Evangelists, and I think most of them would agree, that we all feel a little lost because of it. 

One of such evangelistic outreaches that took a hit this year was the Gideon's International, which I am a part. Each fall we look forward to reaching the major college campuses across our state distributing Gideon New Testaments to thousands of students. Many of these students have never owned a copy of God's Word, and even more come from all over the country, and even the world, to study in Iowa. But this year all but one college distribution were cancelled. 

That one distribution was hampered by many social distancing restrictions, including placing testaments on tables for students to take one instead of handing them out, talking through a mask, and staying over six feet from where students take the book. So how were the results? Last year at this particular campus, 2147 New Testaments were handed out, and in 2018 we distributed 2115. This year, unfortunately, we passed out an all time low of 259. 

We wonder if making arrangements with campus staff, adhering to the COVID rules, and the time and effort it took to lug those boxes across campus, for only 10% of previous years, was worth it all. I believe it was. It could be that 259 students are now seeking a life Christ, understanding the gospel, and surrendering to His will. More than likely this distribution was even more fruitful because those who took a testament had to possibly conquer their own fears and pick it up themselves, not just take it out of guilt, as some do. But even if one person comes to a saving faith in Jesus, what a celebration! Our job is to be obedient and faithful to the call and the distribution of God's Word. 

In the past several months, we Gideon's have had to get creative in sharing God's Word with those around us, without the ability to do mass distributions. This past month, members of my camp met to fill care packages to First Responders in Central Iowa. So, if you think about it, if it wasn't for the pandemic, this new group may have otherwise never been able to hear the gospel. Romans 8:28 says, "And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose." All things work together for good. Even pandemics. 

This year I decided to try something new and was accepted to become a Staff Writer for Got Questions Ministries, answering personal questions about God's Word, Christianity, cults, etc. This has been a huge blessing to the point where I am considering removing my other blog site, Honest Answers.  I have also been sharing Christ on a one-to-one basis having bible studies with unbelievers over the phone. One in particular made it through the Gospel of John without dying [I have studied the Gospel of John with several people, all of whom have died before finishing it]. 

As Christians, we must be willing to change with the times and paradigm shifts to share God's Word. We must be open to try new ways to reach people with the gospel, without compromising Scripture. For God's Word says to be ready in season and out of season (2 Timothy 4:2). If you have any suggestions on how to share Christ during this pandemic, or if you have tried anything in this off-season, please comment below. We would love to hear from you. 


Monday, November 25, 2019

Marshalltown Holiday Stroll 2019


Saturday, November 23rd, 2019

My table set up and ready to go with tracts & DVDs
We had a great time handing out Candy Cane gospel tracts, "God of Wonder" DVDs, along with free hot chocolate at this year's Holiday Stroll in Marshalltown, operating out of the Stepping Stones Christian Book Store on Main Street. A big thank-you to Mindy, the owner of the store, for allowing us to be there. I had a table set up outside with tracts and DVDs, and Mary, Karen and Priscilla were inside with tracts and DVDs plus hot chocolate to give away.

The weather was a lot better than what I was planning on. Friday night was so cold, I thought I would be in my insulated Carhart overalls and using "hot hands" hand warmers, and coming into the store to warm up. But is was not too cold at all - maybe just cold enough to want a nice cup of hot chocolate!

Looking inside Stepping Stones Christian Bookstore
There were a ton of people out this year. Main Street was packed with people for the Holiday Stroll parade, and then afterwards we had a steady stream of folks coming into the bookstore.

Thanks to Adam and the church family at Solid Rock Bible Church in Toledo for providing the funds for the tracts, DVDs and all the supplies needed to pull this together; for my wife Mary for helping organize and serve; for Karen M. and Priscilla S. for helping us out in a big way in the store; and for all the prayers that God would use this outreach to plant the seed of the gospel in many hearts and minds both here in Marshalltown, and for a similar outreach the church supported down in Grinnell, Iowa on Friday night. Please keep on praying for people to understand and believe the gospel, that they might trust in Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of their sins and be born again into the family of God.


The last of the 100 DVDs and 200 Candy Cane tracts that went out tonight
















Sunday, November 3, 2019

All Who Live Godly in Christ Jesus

Mary just showed me an article from The Daily Caller, and the headline is, 

"Allegedly Transgender Woman Gashes 79-Year-Old Man's Head With Stiletto For Preaching On Subway: Report"


Here's a screen shot of him holding his head after the attack. You can access some short videos through the link above from the article, and I also put another link to an Instagram account below.

It goes on to say that this brother in Christ was preaching the gospel and singing gospel songs. There are some video links in the article, and the person who took the video says:

"This old man right here was just singing some gospel songs and sharing the word of God to people on the train, he didn't say anything to hurt anyone, he wasn't even loud, you could barely hear him talk but this is what he got in return...."

I don't know this brother's name, but if he was speaking God's word and singing gospel songs to the subway riders in New York City, God bless him! He's my kind of man. Not knowing the details, let me say this: we who engage in public ministry don't go out and proclaim Jesus Christ because we hate people. We love them, as fellow human beings. We want to make sure someone loved them enough in this life to point them to the One who alone can give them eternal life, even if that means not everybody likes us. We strive to make sure that is the message of the cross, and not ourselves, that is the offense, if there is one.

And so this brother in the Lord has experienced what the Bible says we will experience:
"Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution" (2 Timothy 3:12)

Saturday, October 26, 2019

The Why and How of God's Forgiveness

Saturday, October 26, 2019.

FORGIVEN! witnessing cross

Last day of the 2019 season for the Downtown Des Moines Farmers Market. I tried the past 2 weekends to make it down for public gospel ministry, but extreme cold weather, and rain, kept us away until today, which although it was on the cool side, we had sunshine and an open door to share Jesus with many folks at the Market. 

I wanted to share about the "why" of the forgiveness of God, and also the "how" and the "how not" as well. We all need to be forgiven, don't we. J. Vernon McGee reminded me recently that, although God is love, and that God does love you and me, God cannot us by his love, or you could say that God cannot save us by his love. But, his love motivated him to provide a way for us to be forgiven. I used my "FORGIVEN!" witnessing cross and spoke on that, this last day at the Market. The link to the audio is at the bottom of this post.

The "Dark Knight" heard the gospel, too!
And, Batman was there - right in the middle of the intersection of Court Avenue and 3rd Street, where we usually speak!  I don't know if he's born-again or not, but he heard the message we were sharing, and Mary got a picture with him, too.

Last day of the Farmers Market. 
Last days of things always calls for reflection. So, let me share a little....

You know, we've been allowed the privilege of doing this gospel outreach in Downtown Des Moines since 2008, and I have several "last day the the Market" photos I like to pull up and think upon. Many gospel tracts have been offered and taken...some rejected; many preaching messages have been written and delivered; time spent kneeling in prayer, in crying out to God for wisdom, strength, especially for courage and conquering fear; for souls to be saved and saints to be encouraged and challenged to live boldly for the Lord Jesus.

Last Day of the 2019 Farmers Market

There are people I met down there that are now gone on to be with the Lord. Some of the brothers and sisters in Christ that we've labored with have gone on to other things, and I miss them. Some new ones, perhaps, are around the corner. Many good memories.

Solomon wrote in Ecclesiastes 7:8, 
"Better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof: and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit."

MacLaren's Expositions of Holy Scripture makes this commentary note on this scripture:

"The life which is lived for God, which is rooted in Christ, a life of self-denial, of love, of purity, of strenuous 'pressing towards the mark,' is better in its 'end' than in its 'beginning.' To such a life we are all called, and it is possible for each. May my poor words help some of us to make it ours."

The Apostle Paul writing to the Church in Corinth said, by the Holy Ghost:
"Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord." (1 Corinthians 15:58)


"To such a life we are all called."
"...your labor is not in vain, in the Lord."

These are deep things to really reflect on. And so I am thankful to God for, among many things, giving someone like myself the chance to stand up in public and lift up the name of Jesus Christ. And for my wife's shared passion and partnership in getting the gospel out. Its been a good year, and more to come, Lord willing.

Here is the link to the audio from today's public speaking: LINK


Tuesday, May 14, 2019

Tulip Time Outreach 2019

Tony Ramsek sharing the gospel
 Once again, Tulip Time in Pella, Iowa May 2 - 4 was a huge success, and our numbers more than doubled from last year. With more evangelists on the streets, we were able to cover more ground and get alot more done.

Jon Niefert, who organized the event, provided us all with tracts that he created specifically for Tulip Time. With the addition to the tracts from last year, he also created a new tract which elaborated on how Pella got its name from the original city in the Holy Land.

Each morning was started with amazing teaching from Tony Ramsek of Answers in Genesis and Allen Atzbi of  Living Waters Ministries.  Their motivation, encouragement and tactics were invaluable along with a ton of free tracts, dvd's, and booklets for us to use. Their teaching and stories inspired us to get out there and share our faith. As they hit the streets they took others with them who were either new to evangelism or wanting to try different approaches.

Tony Didlo sharing Christ with
some teens
My mentor, Tony Didlo and I had a blast working together for most of the time spent. We joked around alot, and was like in the early stages of our ministry efforts when I first got saved. He is really challenging to work with because he tends to see witnessing opportunities before I do. One of my tactics on how to conquer fear is to "just do it". I know that I have less than 2 minutes after getting out of the car to give a person a tract, or I will start to feel the fear. Hesitation to fear is like wood to a fire. Literally, the first person I see, no matter who it is, has to get a tract. This sets the tone for the rest of the outreach, and is very important. The bad thing working with my mentor, Tony, is that he tends to see those opportunities before I do. I need to make myself ready, with tracts in hand before I even get out of the car.

As like last year, it was slow getting started. Since I am an introvert, I do not like crowds. They really drain my energy, and I get tired very easily. Because of this I want my conversations to be meaningful, so I opt for more one-on-one's than just passing out tracts. But this does not excuse me from sharing the gospel. I need to put my body into subjection, and force myself to overcome any and all obstacles to get the gospel to a lost world. One way I like to approach the situations and get me talking is to look for people who are trying to take selfies and are struggling trying to get the picture just right. They need help, and I am just the man for the job.

Jon Niefert, our team leader presenting the gospel
When I see a couple or group struggling, or I see someone in a group taking the pictures of others in the group, I will ask, "Would you all like a picture together?" Most of the time they are extremely thankful and start handing over their phones. The only times I get rejections is if they are worried about their phone, in which I will joke and say something like, "I'm big and slow. I think you could catch me pretty easily." It's even funnier when I say it to a group of elderly ladies and one is on crutches. I've gotten some pretty good laughs with that. I try to get a few good shots. Humor is great. Sometimes I walk closer as I'm zooming in and get really close to one person. As everyone laughs I'll ask if they are new to the neighborhood, or from around here hand them tract or a gospel of John and tell them it's a gift. Many times it leads into spiritual things, or they ask questions about the area like restaurants, nightlife, etc. If they don't stick around to talk, or have somewhere else to go, I don't push it. You not only shared the gospel, but was friendly, helpful, and it gets you talking to strangers. The friendlier you are, the more apt they are to read the material you gave them. The best part is that if you are at an event like Tulip Time, other people see what you are doing and want their picture taken as well, which opens up more conversations!

As the time went on it got easier, and I was able to have multiple conversations with other people. Prayer is important when you are looking for those individuals to talk to. There were times when I got "stiff-armed" alot, so I moved to a different area, or tried other approaches. Sometimes the best tactic is just sitting down somewhere and let the "fish" come to you. Just leave your line in the water and wait in the boat. The food court is a great way to sit with strangers, especially when it's very busy and nowhere to sit. Conversations need to take place or it's super awkward when your eating looking at each other and not saying anything. 

The weekend ended very well and everyone in the team was able to have several conversations. Coming to Pella is a great way to share the gospel with complete strangers. The training provided in the mornings really help inspire us to go out and give it our best. If you are wanting to get some training in evangelism, or want to find people in the Des Moines area to go with, don't hesitate to contact us. We would love to help.


Friday, November 2, 2018

New Evangelism Site and App

I wanted to talk about a fairly new evangelism website and app that could revolutionize how we do evangelism, not only in our local churches, but throughout the United States, interdenominationally as The Church, the universal Body of Christ. Imagine Christians working together as one team throughout the United States to save reach every household for Jesus Christ.

Every Home For Christ, which started in 1946, has the mission to reach every single home in the world with the gospel of Jesus Christ. Part of that mission is to equip and engage those in the United States. Their new website for the U.S.A. is Encounter Life. Here you can receive training, tracts, and a plethora of information at your fingertips. This is nothing new. We have seen many websites like this throughout the years. But what I am about to show you will blow your mind.

Every Home For Christ put out an app called Encounter Outreach. With this app you can keep track of your evangelism efforts. The homes that you encounter for Christ. It will keep track of prayer requests, whether the person you talked with was open or defensive against the gospel, or if you left any information. You can create groups to do evangelism with your church, neighborhood, or with whomever you want. But what is really cool about this app, is that you can see how everyone else is doing, and share your information with the entire country. One more thing...this is entirely FREE!!!

So, lets work together. For our neighborhoods, hometowns, ... for Iowa!!!


Saturday, October 20, 2018

100 Reasons & Ways to use Gospel Tracts



100 Reasons & Ways to use Gospel Tracts
(From a pamphlet published by Moments With The Book (www.MWTB.org))


Reasons to use Gospel Tracts
Using good-quality Gospel Tracts gives every Christian a simple and effective way to share the good news of Jesus Christ.
1. Tracts can get inside homes and stay there. You can’t.
2. Tracts never lose their temper or become involved in arguments.
3. Tracts never flinch or show cowardice.
4. Tracts can stick to the point without compromising.
5. Tracts never get discouraged.
6. Tracts are willing to be sent anywhere.
7. Tracts can work 24 hours a day.
8. Tracts are not expensive.
9. Tracts can be read many times over.
10. Tracts contain portions of Scripture, which God will use and bless (Isaiah 55:10,11).
11. Tracts can be used without fear.
12. Tracts have unlimited patience. 
13. Tracts are a great way for Christians to fulfill the Great Commission by sharing the Gospel often and widely.
14. Tracts are easy to give to another person with a smile and some encouragement to read them.
15. Tracts explain the Gospel clearly and simply so that the reader can make a decision to trust Christ (if he is at that point in his understanding and personal desire to believe).
16. Tracts go anywhere with you—work, school, vacation, shopping, repair shop, eating out, etc.
17. Tracts can accomplish their purpose anytime—day or night, winter or summer, good times or bad, “right now” or “later.”
18. Tracts can take advantage of a special event or activity—elections, sports, etc.—by taking that interest and relating God’s truth to it.
19. Tracts inject spiritual truth through specialized Gospel messages during seasons such as Christmas, New Year’s, Easter, Halloween, etc.
20. Tracts are proven to work. History records the testimony of many who were saved through tracts.
21. Tracts often get read by more than one person.
22. Tracts are “portable”—carry them in your pocket, purse, planner, notebook, or laptop bag.
23. Tracts are also portable when used for large outreaches. Just one person can pack and carry several thousand tracts.
24. Tracts can be used in quantity, multiplying your witnessing opportunities.
25. Tracts can be distributed as part of your normal routine (if you’re living a consistent Christian life).
26. Tracts are available in a variety of designs and formats to suit your tastes and preferences.
27. Tracts address subjects that are current as well as topics that are timeless.
28. Tracts give God’s point of view about life and death issues.
29. Tracts get their point across in an easy-to-read, brief format suited for a generation raised on sound-bites, e-mails, and texting.
30. Tracts cross educational hurdles and are available on various “grade” levels.
31. Tracts can communicate in languages you don’t speak.
32. Tracts cross age and gender differences.
33. Tracts don’t require a degree, special giftedness, training, or experience to use.
34. Tracts never compromise their message.
35. Tracts cross socio-economic barriers.
36. Tracts may contain the only portion of God’s Word some people have ever read.
37. Tracts never get tired.
38. Tracts give their message when the reader is ready to receive it.
39. Tracts continue to repeat their message as often as necessary.
40. Tracts cross ethnic and cultural barriers.
41. Tracts can start a conversation.
42. Tracts reinforce what you say about the Gospel in a conversation, talk, or sermon.
43. Tracts get their message across when no conversation is possible—in a letter, with a bill payment, or when you have only seconds with another person.
44. Tracts can address difficult issues (when written by an expert) on which you aren’t an expert.
45. Tracts can communicate to a non-reader who asks someone to read it to him.
46. Tracts generally add their message to other factors from the reader’s past that may eventually lead that person to salvation.
47. Tracts are a testimony—even if the recipient doesn’t read the whole message, they are reminded of their need of Christ.
48. Tracts provide a point of reference for the reader to find spiritual help by contacting the publisher, church, individual, or website listed on the back.
49. Tracts can directly address certain beliefs—like Islam, Catholicism, and Mormonism—comparing them with Biblical truth.
50. Tracts can be adapted to share their message through various media to reach people and places that you cannot otherwise visit.

Ways to use Gospel Tracts
Hopefully the following list will give you some ideas of how you can put the “silent missionaries” to work. No matter where or how you choose to distribute tracts, seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit for each tract placed, and then pray for the Lord of the harvest to bless the seed sown.
51. Tracts can be placed in greeting cards.
52. Tracts can be passed out door to door.
53. Tracts can be shared with fellow campers.
54. Tracts can be posted on bulletin boards in public areas.
55. Tracts can be put in pockets of used clothing given away.
56. Tracts can be passed out at parades, festivals, and other special gatherings.
57. Tracts can be handed out at stadium entrances before sporting events, concerts, etc.
58. Tracts can be left in laundromats.
59. Tracts can be included in a mailing to people in your community—or around the world.
60. Tracts can be given to attendants at parking garages, toll booths, etc.
61. Tracts can be left in motel rooms (in the drawers, telephone book, etc.)
62. Tracts can be included in bills paid by mail.
63. Tracts can be handed to store employees, check-out clerks, valets, etc.
64. Tracts can be left in returned library books.
65. Tracts can be put with other reading materials in waiting rooms.
66. Tracts can be placed in tract racks in stores and other public places—with permission, of course.
67. Tracts can be enclosed with letters to prisoners, pen-pals, etc.
68. Tracts can be left with a (generous) tip in restaurants
69. Tracts can be given to hospital and nursing home patients while visiting.
70. Tracts can be handed out at zoos, picnic areas, and beaches.
71. Tracts can be left on a seat in a bus, cab, plane, etc.
72. Tracts can be left in a locker at the gym.
73. Tracts can be passed out on busy street corners.
74. Tracts can be given out on college campuses.
75. Tracts can be left in the break room or cafeteria at work or school.
76. Tracts can be left for paper and mail carriers, etc.
77. Tracts can be placed in each box or bag of merchandise you sell.
78. Tracts can be placed in airport lounges, or distributed in bus, train, and subway stations.
79. Tracts can be given to students at Vacation Bible School and Sunday School.
80. Tracts can be given away from booths rented during fairs or carnivals.
81. Tracts can be given with Christmas cookies (or gifts) to neighbors each year.
82. Tracts can be given to attendees of church choral programs at Easter and Christmas.
83. Tracts can be handed to anyone who has helped you at a store, given you a haircut, serviced your car, or worked in your house.
84. Tracts can be taken overseas on short-term missions trips in the language of the country being visited.
85. Tracts can be handed out during special community outreach programs and events like fall festivals, Christmas programs, etc.
86. Tracts can be placed on a business counter or in an office for people to pick up.
87. Tracts can be included in disaster relief packages.
88. Tracts can be placed in Thanksgiving and Christmas baskets that are given to needy community families.
89. Tracts can be included with Christmas cards and annual letters for a clear gospel witness.
90. Tracts can be given out during appointments with doctors and health care workers. 

Ways NOT to use Gospel Tracts
When distributing the Gospel, be sure to do so in a way that brings glory and honor to God. With that in mind, here are some things to avoid.
91. Don’t litter—tracts left outdoors can easily blow around and become a nuisance to those who have to clean them up.
92. Don’t leave tracts in Post Offices, mailboxes, or other places where literature is prohibited.
93. Don’t force tracts on people.
94. Don’t be rude when someone turns down your tract.
95. Don’t trespass.
96. Don’t leave tracts on houses or cars where they can get wet and make a mess.
97. Don’t leave a tract in place of a tip (or with a tip of less than 15%)—it is a very poor testimony.
98. Don’t use bad tracts. Make sure they are attractive and contain the true Gospel message.
99. Don’t use tracts that you haven’t read. Make sure to study the message (and all referenced Scriptures) so you are familiar with what you are distributing.
100. Don’t do it alone—seek God’s guidance and blessing at every turn.

A Gospel Tract in a Grocery Store Checkout Lane


“Nothing surpasses a tract for sowing the seed of the Good News.” –Billy Graham

“When preaching and private talk are not available, you need to have a tract ready . . . get good striking tracts, or none at all. A touching gospel tract may be the seed of eternal life. Therefore, do not go out without your tracts. Let each one of us, if we have done nothing for Christ, begin to do something now. The distribution of tracts is the first thing.”  –Charles Spurgeon

“The smallest tract may be the stone in David’s sling. In the hands of Christ it may bring down a giant’s soul.” –Robert Murray M’Cheyne 

Did you know that George Whitefield, a preacher of the Great Awakening, was saved by a Gospel tract? After reading it he wrote, “God showed me I must be born again or be damned.”

The great missionary to China, Hudson Taylor, was also saved by reading a tract.


God even used a Gospel tract as the tool that led Greg Koukl, founder of Stand to Reason, to Christ. He has stated that “some brave soul” put it in the bottom of his grocery bag while checking out.

Mary Passing Out Tracts - Downtown Des Moines Farmers Market