ISEMA Newsletters
Parable of the Two Ships
by Larry Rosenbaum, SOS Ministries
Christians often ask us what the “SOS” in SOS Ministries stands for. “SOS” is the international distress signal, used initially for ships that were in danger of sinking: “Save our Ship.” Jesus often spoke in parables, and here is a parable that illustrates the central burden of our ministry: the Parable of the Two Ships.
Two ships were traveling together: Destruction and Salvation. Destruction was beginning to sink. This was evident to the people on Salvation, but those on Destruction couldn’t see it. Salvation had all the necessary resources to save the people on Destruction. So the people on Salvation sent out a few rescue boats. They rescued a few people but found that most people refused to believe their ship was sinking, and would not be rescued. “If they could see that our ship is sinking,” they reasoned, “why did so few people from Salvation come to rescue us?”
Word spread throughout Salvation that the rescue operation would be difficult because of this resistance. A few people were determined to continue the effort, but most refused to join them. They had comfortable living quarters, great food, and lots of activities to keep them busy. Why brave the seas on small boats to try to rescue people who didn’t want to be rescued? They also reasoned that they didn’t have any special training in rescue operations and that they were not especially gifted at rescuing people. So they continued on their cruise and pretty much forgot about the other ship, although some enjoyed speculating about the exact date when the ship Destruction would finally sink.
No Excuse
Jesus said, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation” (Mark 16: 15). “You will receive power, when the Holy Spirit comes on you, and you shall be my witnesses…to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8). Our Lord has commanded us to rescue those around us who are headed for eternal torment in Hell. He has given us supernatural power to rescue them. Still, most Christians refuse to obey Him. We are busy with our job, family, church activities, and entertainment.
Many Christians say, “I am not called to do evangelism.” It is like a person on a sinking ship saying, “I am not called to rescue people.” We have forgotten the urgency of the task God has called us to. Where is our compassion for the lost people Jesus died for? A hundred thousand people die each day, destined for Hell! Yet how much time do we spend trying to reach these people with the words of Eternal Life? Can you imagine someone who had discovered a cure for cancer and kept it a secret? We have a message that can change a person’s eternal destiny, and we are silent!
Our churches should be places where Christians are trained and stirred to bring the gospel to the lost. Instead, the subject is rarely mentioned from the pulpit. We need to stop being so preoccupied with the cares of this life, and start thinking about eternal things. This world is a sinking ship, and it is going down fast! We need to rescue as many as we can, before it is eternally too late!
Coming Events
Sat. January 22 San Francisco Worship Rally and Outreach. 3-6 PM. Powell St. BART Station. Contact SOS Ministries, Box 27358, Oakland, CA 94602, (510) 531-5325.
January 28-30 Street Retreat. Annual retreat for street ministers, evangelists, missions operators. Cost for lodging and meals: $99 before Dec. 31; $120 afterwards. Contact Kevin Brown Voice of the King Ministries, P O Box 602, Navesink, NJ 07752, (908) 571-0456.
January 28-30 Super Bowl Outreach, Atlanta, GA. Contact Rescue Atlanta Box 965029, Atlanta, GA 30066, (404) 924-0201.
February 7-9 Pastors’ and Leaders’ School. Over 6000 attended last year. Limited housing available in church members homes for those who mail registration by Jan. 21. Contact First Assembly of God, 13613 N Cave Creek Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85022, (602) 867-7117.
February 10-16 Mardi Gras Outreach, New Orleans, LA. Contact Christ in Action, Box 4200, Manassas, VA 22110, (703) 368-8286 or Rescue Atlanta (address above).
February 11-13 Mardi Gras Outreach, Galveston, TX. Contact Gulf Coast Christian Center, Box 143, Hitchcock, TX 77563, (409) 986- 7889.
Sat. February 26 Chinese New Year Parade Outreach, San Francisco. 300,000 people watch this parade, the largest annual event in San Francisco. Contact SOS Ministries (address above).
March 11-14 Spring Break Outreach, Port Arkansas, TX. Contact Street Ministry for Jesus, 6322 Whitaker Dr., Corpus Christi, TX 78468, (512) 991-1111.
March 18-19 South Texas Street Ministers Conference, San Antonio, TX. Contact Rev. David O’Dell, 3400 W Park Blvd. #2117, Plano, TX 75075, (214) 519-0195.
Sat. April 23 Fiesta Outreach, San Antonio, TX. Contact Rev. David O’Dell (address above).
May 6-7 Kentucky Derby Outreach, Louisville, KY. Contact No Greater Love Ministries, Box 263, DuQuoin, IL 62832, (618) 542- 4503.
FORWARD EDGE is sending outreach teams to Cuba, Central America, Europe, Vietnam, and several other places. For more information, contact them at 15121-A NE 72nd Ave., Vancouver, WA 98686, (206) 574-EDGE.
JOB OPPORTUNITY: Assistant Ministry Director. Help build on present ministry. Creation of new ministries. Training churches in personal evangelism. Public relations. Ministry operations. Additional job openings in various skill areas for both men and women available. Contact Outreach for Christ, Box 4326, Virginia Beach, VA 23454, (804) 428-8227.
DO YOU WANT to start a food and clothing evangelism ministry in your city? We will come to your city or you can come to ours. Victory Ministries has over 10 years experience in ministry to the poor. Contact Victory Ministries, Box 360833, Columbus, OH 43236, (614) 252-2500.
CONSULTING SERVICE for Christian ministries and churches–fundraising, public relations, administration, crusade planning. Contact David Patterson, The Patterson Group, 3380 Green Meadow Dr, Danville, CA 94506, (510) 736-7823.
Ministry Needs
Recently, we completed our financial report for our fiscal year, which ends October 31. We want to let you know our financial condition, so you can know where your donations are going. Our donations increased 6% from last year. As you can see, we have a “bare-bones” budget. Some of our expenses are subsidized by SOS Ministries. We don’t pay for office space and are not able to pay any salaries.
God is our provider and we are thankful that He has been faithful to meet every need and pay every bill. We are thankful to each of you who prays for us and supports this ministry financially. We do ask that you pray and ask God if He would have you support us monthly or on a one-time basis. Perhaps you could contact your church missions committee to consider putting us on their budget.
Finally, as we enter a new year, we want to encourage you to renew your ISEMA membership for 1994, or to join ISEMA if you haven’t already done so. ISEMA is the only association of street ministries, and your membership fee helps us to continue to serve those who are laboring in the gospel trenches.
Our Tape of the Month is “Revival in China” by Dennis Balcombe. Dennis has been a missionary to Hong Kong since 1969 and has been visiting and ministering to Christians in Communist China since 1979, making over 450 trips to the mainland. During that time, over 4 million Bibles have been given to Chinese Christians through his ministry. In this teaching, Rev. Balcombe talks about the fear of God as it relates to the revival in China.
Yours in His love,
Larry Rosenbaum