January 1996
Some of you may be surprised to get an “SOS Ministries” Newsletter instead of your usual ISEMA (International Street & Evangelism Ministries Association Newsletter). In 1985, I began writing the newsletter for what was then called ISMA (International Street Ministries Association) four times a year. Since 1988, I have been sending out the newsletter every month. After much prayer, and with sadness, I believe it is time to let it go.
ISMA began in 1984 with four people on staff–Jonathan Gainsbrugh, Scott Hinkle, Sondra Berry Young, and Scott Crawford. Sondra put together the first newsletter (which was actually a 36 page newspaper) in 1984. This paper included extensive outreach reports, a preview of upcoming evangelism outreaches, several teachings, a book review, and an introduction to regional and state directors for ISMA. I was appointed the regional director for Northern California. In 1984, fifteen ISMA directors met together at the first National Street Ministry Conference in Dallas.
In 1985, Jonathan Gainsbrugh asked me to take over the administration and newsletter writing for ISMA. I also organized four ISMA evangelism conferences in Northern California. ISMA also organized evangelism conferences in Portland, Denver, Atlanta and Lake Worth, Florida from 1985 to 1988.
Do We Need a Street Ministry Association?
Street preachers have the reputation of being very independent. Some do not even see a need for the local church. Separated from other believers, they often become harsh, bitter, argumentative, and self-righteous. When I first came to San Francisco, I used to watch the preachers at Powell and Market call other preachers “devils” and condemn everyone to Hell. But in the early 1980’s, God raised up a number of street ministers who understood their responsibility (Ephesians 4) to equip the church to do the work of ministry. A number of these evangelists witnessed each year at the Mardi Gras in New Orleans. Through these relationships, both ISEMA and the National Street Ministries Conference were born.
From the beginning, there was disagreement among those who were leaders of street ministries as to whether a street ministry association was needed. Ultimately, there has been a dramatic decline of interest and involvement in ISEMA which has led me to my decision to let it go. I still believe in the concept of a street ministry association. But a true association is not possible without the active involvement of street ministers. I believe that a successful street ministry association would help all of us, and would promote street evangelism in the local churches. But I also understand the problem. Most street evangelists are so busy with their own ministry that they think they can’t commit their time to a street ministry association. Most are overworked because they lack laborers and funds. But an active street ministry association could do a lot to help these ministries become more effective.
Some of you are familiar with Exodus International, an association of Christian ministries to homosexuals. Exodus organizes an annual week-long conference. At this conference, member ministries meet to elect Board members. The income from this conference largely supports Exodus, allowing them to pay four staff members. The Exodus Board meets twice a year to discuss policy issues. The staff puts out a quarterly newsletter and a shorter monthly newsletter with information about what is happening in different ministries. They also have a referral list of 75 member ministries around the country. They have sent out missionaries to start ministries in other nations. They also have literature on many different subjects. They have booths at major Christian events and often write articles in Christian magazines. By joining together, the various Exodus ministries have been able to help one another, to help new ministries get started, and to promote the idea that Jesus Christ can help those who are struggling with homosexuality.
I still believe in a street ministry association. I pray that God will raise one up, and I will be happy to participate. Last month, I spoke with Sondra Berry Young. She told me she intends in the near future to work to revitalize ISEMA. She says you can expect to receive a new ISEMA newsletter in the near future. Sondra can be reached at P O Box 92802, Pasadena, CA 91109, (818) 441-6777. She would welcome your input and encouragement.
Meanwhile I will try to incorporate some aspects of the ISEMA newsletter into the SOS Newsletter. From time to time, I hope to include a list of upcoming outreaches around the country. We will continue to mail out teaching tapes on various issues related to evangelism. If there is sufficient interest, I will continue to update and reprint the Street Ministry Directory. I will mail out the SOS Newsletter to ISEMA readers for the next few months.