Summer of Love – 30 years later
Dear Christian friends,
I was a senior at Yale in 1967. I had begun using marijuana and LSD. I heard about the “Summer of Love” in San Francisco: free food, free housing, free music, free drugs, and free sex. I came to San Francisco that summer, along with tens of thousands of “hippies.” We felt we were pioneers in a wonderful new world in which everyone would love one another.
Eventually, the hippie dream became a nightmare. People started taking harder drugs and stealing to support their habits. Many people died from drug overdoses or street violence. Others committed suicide or went crazy from bad drug trips. Fortunately, the “hippie movement” was followed by the “Jesus Movement.” Many ex-hippies, including myself, were saved by Jesus Christ and became radical Christians.
This summer is the 30th anniversary of the “Summer of Love.” Hundreds of youth still come to the Haight-Ashbury. Many sleep in a park or on the street. Most survive by begging or selling drugs. Many were followers of the “Grateful Dead” band until it dissolved after Jerry Garcia’s death. They wander the streets with little hope or purpose. But a few are coming to know Jesus.
This summer, for the 18th year, we are inviting Christians from all over the U.S. to join us for a major evangelism outreach called SOS-San Francisco from July 4-12. Two other groups are planning major outreaches in San Francisco the same week and we are all planning to work together. “Shake the Nation” Ministry is planning to bring 250-500 youth to the city this week, mostly from Assembly of God churches. And the Vineyard Churches in San Francisco and San Diego are planning to bring several hundred Christians at the same time. Together, we are planning some major outdoor rallies, possibly involving some nationally-known Christian musicians.
In Jail–Twice
The apostle Paul was in a Roman prison when he wrote: “Many of the brethren in the Lord, waxing confident by my bonds, are much more bold to speak the word without fear” (Phil. 1:14). I wish the same were true today. I have been advised not to mention anything about persecution in this newsletter. I am told that Christians who are already afraid to witness will become even more fearful when they hear about Christians being put in jail for their preaching. Instead, I should only talk about the joy of witnessing and the testimonies of those who respond favorably to the gospel.
There is great joy in witnessing, and some people do respond favorably. Paul had great joy as he wrote to the Philippians from his prison cell. But we are in a war, and God is looking for soldiers who fear only God. Before Gideon went to war, God told him to send away anyone who was fearful. I believe that God is raising up a “Gideon’s army” of Christians who are not afraid to witness, despite persecution.
On January 31, we were witnessing on Broadway Street. Eric Livingston had finished preaching and John Hurst began singing a Christian song quietly over our amplifier. Three minutes later, two police officers showed up. Without explanation, they took him to jail. He was released an hour later, but was charged with “disturbing the peace.” I wrote a letter to the editor about this, which was printed in the San Francisco Chronicle (see page one).
On February 22, we witnessed at Market near Grant St., before the Chinese New Year Parade. We had an outdoor rally with a music group called “Sound Advice” from noon to 3 PM. Then we continued witnessing in that area, using our small amplifiers. A group of 15 people joined us from Fresno and individuals came from as far as Washington state for the outreach. Several people prayed with us, including John and Manuel.
At about 7PM, the brother who was preaching saw Mayor Brown riding in the Parade. He said, “Mayor Brown, I don’t know if you’re saved. If you’re not saved, you need to repent of your sins and trust in Jesus Christ.” We don’t know if the Mayor could hear him, but he looked in his direction.
Ten minutes later, Captain Martel approached Eric Livingston and told him, “I want you to pack up this equipment and get out of here! If you speak one more word out of that thing, I am going to seize the equipment and you’re going to jail.” Eric was not speaking over the amplifier, and hadn’t preached since 3 PM. The brother who was preaching stopped immediately. Nonetheless, Eric was arrested. He was kept handcuffed in a paddy wagon for three hours with no police supervision. Then he was taken to jail. We called repeatedly and were wrongly told by jail officials that he had been released. At 1:30 AM, Eric was able to call us from jail. I bailed him out for $750. He is being charged with “disturbing the peace.” Captain Martel must approve all our permits on Market Street. He said we’d get any future permits “over his dead body.” We expect that both John and Eric will be found not guilty, but the process could take several months. Meanwhile, the police have confiscated three of our amplifiers.
We must keep this in perspective: we have not yet “resisted unto blood.” Millions of Christians have spent years in jails under far worse conditions. Millions have been tortured and killed for their faith. We were only in jail for a few hours.
Nonetheless, this is a very serious situation. It seems that the San Francisco Police Department is engaged in an all-out war to stop the gospel from being preached. We do ask for your prayers, but even more, we ask for God’s soldiers to join us on the streets. We need encouragement and reinforcements for the battle.
Coming Events
EVERY FRIDAY 7 PM. Witnessing in various S.F. neighborhoods. Meet at Vineyard, 7th St. and Harrison, San Francisco. Call (510) 531- 5325 for more information.
EVERY SATURDAY Noon. San Francisco or Berkeley witnessing. Call (510) 531-5325 for more information.
Saturday April 12 and 26 12-6 PM San Francisco worship rally. Call (510) 531-5325 a few days in advance to confirm location.
July 4-12 SOS-San Francisco. Set aside this week for our 18th annual outreach to the people of San Francisco.
SOS-San Francisco July 4-12
San Francisco is certainly one of the most influential cities in the world, along with New York, Los Angeles and a few other places. So far, its influence has been almost totally for evil. While most San Franciscans have heard something about Jesus, many still do not have a clear understanding of the gospel message. Also, there are thousands of children, immigrants and tourists here who have never heard the gospel. This city is the third most popular tourist destination in the world.
So for the 18th year we are sending out an “SOS” — a call for Christians to “preach the Word of God urgently” (2 Tim. 4:1) to the people of San Francisco. God also wants to use this outreach to shake us from our spiritual apathy and lukewarmness and give us a new excitement about serving Jesus. Those who think Christianity is boring have never been to SOS-San Francisco.
We are printing 2000 posters and 10,000 bulletin inserts to let Christians know about this outreach. Please help us get this literature to churches, Christian bookstores, and Christian schools in your area. You can give it out at Christian concerts and other events. Also, talk with your pastor and Christian friends and encourage them to get involved. Set aside the week of July 4-12 to attend the SOS outreach and bring a friend.
We have enclosed a registration form with this letter. If you register by May 10, you will receive a free SOS T-shirt. Free housing is available during the outreach. Bring a sleeping bag and foam pad. If you prefer, we can send you names of hotels in the area. See the bulletin insert enclosed with this newsletter for more outreach details.
DON’T DELAY. SEND IN YOUR SOS REGISTRATION FORM TODAY!
Ministry Needs
Once again we want to thank you for your prayers and support for this ministry. We still have an opening for two Christians to live in our ministry house. This house is not for new believers but for those who are ready for evangelism ministry. We are looking for soldiers who will endure hardship and persist in God’s calling to evangelize the San Francisco Bay Area. The house has been newly remodeled, and looks really nice with new paint and wall-to-wall carpeting.
Despite the persecution, many people are responding favorably to the gospel. Please pray for those who have written us in response to tracts this past month: Geoffrey, Chris, and Melody (S.F.), Alexander (Fremont), Troy (San Leandro), Diego (San Diego), Matthew (Hayward), James (Santa Rosa), and Karri and Pamela (Women’s State Prison, Chowchilla). Melody wrote, “I am hearing and speech impaired. I want to know more about Jesus. I don’t know what Jesus did for us. I pray every day and have trouble understanding what words mean in the Bible. I wish I had a dic tionary for Bible meanings. I am an alcoholic and addict. I’ve been clean for 31 months now.” Don’t give up on San Francisco. There are still people here who want to know Jesus.
I hope many of you will join us for an outreach this next month. Our schedule is listed above in the “Coming Events” column. Please help us bring the gospel to those who are perishing. Please pray that we would continue to get permits for these outreaches, as well as those scheduled for SOS week.
Our Tape of the Month is “How to Turn Your Church into a Soul- Winning Church” by Pastor Tommy Barnett. He is Pastor of Phoenix First Assembly of God, a mega-church totally centered on evangel ism. He also purchased a 1400 room hospital as the home of the Los Angeles International Church, which has already begun several dozen ministries.
Many of you have never read my book You Shall Be My Witnesses: How to Reach Your City for Christ. This 140 page book tells the story of SOS Ministries and contains teachings to help you reach your community for Jesus. If you’ve already read the book, you may want to get one for a friend.
Please continue to pray for us as we prepare for SOS-San Francis co. We need God’s wisdom in putting everything together. Pray that He will guide us in every area of the planning. Pray that we will be able to get our permits. Pray for a complete healing for my broken finger (see last month’s newsletter. It is much better.) And especially, please pray for victories in court and an end to the persecution. God bless you all. Don’t forget to order SOS posters and bulletin inserts, and to send in your registration form.
Yours in His love,
Larry Rosenbaum