ISEMA Newsletters
Thousands Saved in South Africa
Dear Christian friends,
I recently received an exciting report on the ministry of Peter Rahme from Sondra Berry Young, who has worked with Rahme in South Africa for several years. Here is an excerpt from this report:
In May 1985 I organized a preaching marathon which was held in front of Highpoint Centre in Hillbrow, one of the most densely populated areas per square mile in the world. During this time the Word was preached by twelve ministers of the Gospel (from various churches in and around Johannesburg) for a total of 144 hours, thereby setting a new world record for preaching. more importantly, God’s Word continuously went forth during these hours and over 500 people received Jesus and about 21,000 scripture-filled booklets were distributed. During 1985 I had the pleasure of ministering with Rev. Bob Barker from the United Kingdom on the streets of Johannesburg. In December 1985 the Street Ministry team performed a play of the “Trial and Crucifixion of Jesus” in central Johannesburg and approximately 550 people received Jesus as Lord in two morning performances.
In June 1986 I was privileged to spend a week in Oppenheimer Park, Johannesburg, with Arthur Blessitt, fasting and praying for South Africa and generally ministering to people from all walks of life.
One Saturday morning in 1986, before going out into the streets with Pastor Ray McCauley, of Rhema Bible Church, God spoke to me and said “I want you to teach my people how to be courageous and not dismayed, for I am with them always.”
I have therefore in recent months begun sharing and teaching on street evangelism, travelling to Harare, Zimbabwe, as well, to share the vision. In February and March 1987 I travelled and ministered with Joe Donato of the United States, during which time two weeks were spent at churches in Soweto.
I estimate that over the past 9 years I have seen close to 60,000 people saved by the Lord Jesus Christ. I have seen the power of God deliver drug addicts, alcoholics and heal the sick. We truly serve a mighty and wonderful God. For more information on Peter Rahme’s ministry, contact him at P O Box 606, Bromhof, 2154 Randburg, Republic of South Africa, Phone: 7923800.
The Strength of Sin
by Ray Comfort, P O Box 1172, Bellflower, CA 90706, (213) 920- 8431.
from the Living Waters Newsletter
I have often looked at 1 Corin. 15:56 and wondered what it meant. Recently, through a discussion with my pastor, Garry Ansdell of Hosanna Chapel, the following thoughts came clear. The Scripture reads, “The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the Law.” What does it mean, “The strength of sin is the law”? Here are our thoughts:
The Greek word for “strength” is dunamus – “power”. How may the power of sin be measured? It may be answered in asking the question, “How bad is crime in the city of Los Angeles?” It is to be measured by the law needed to combat or counter-act the crime. The L.A.P.D. is a massive police force, giving us some idea of the size of the crime of the city. The “power” of L.A. crime is seen in the law.
Or, for an idea of the power of the Colorado river, look to the size of the dam necessary to hold back the flow of water. The strength of the river is seen in the size of the dam. How is the flow of sin to be measured? Look to the dam of the Law of God. Look to the 613 moral, ceremonial and civil precepts, the lists of ordinances and commands. In doing so we will see the power of sin exemplified in the Law.
Reaching Israel with the Gospel
How do we reach Israel with the message of salvation? Most would say that we need to preach the Gospel to them, yet are they different from Biblical Israel? No – just as the Law acted as a schoolmaster to bring Israel to Christ, so the church must preach the Law to “them who are under the Law”. Most Israelis are far from God; they may draw near to him with their lips, but their hearts are far from Him. They are in the mess they are in because they have forsaken the Law of God. They need to hear the Law of Moses. Prov. 28:9 says, “He who turns his ear away from hearing the Law, even his prayer shall be an abomination.” He who hears the Law is left with a broken spirit and a contrite heart, something God will not despise. The Law will show them that they need the Savior: it will give them the “knowledge of sin”, and drive them to the grace of their God.
Ministry Spotlight:
Bob Porter Ministries
P O Box 7980, Roanoke, VA 24019, (703)563-5100
I recently received a letter from evangelist Bob Porter, requesting information about ISEMA and giving us some information about his ministry. Bob and his wife Babs have been involved in street ministry for almost 20 years. They carry a 6 X 12 foot cross to large cities in America. They also are involved in tract evangelism and television ministry. About 1800 Christians are distributing their tracts. Their television program “The Soulwinner” provides teachings for Christians on how to lead lost persons to Jesus. It appears on 2 television stations and 21 cable stations. Bob Porter Ministries also publishes a monthly newsletter: The Soulwinner. The following is an excerpt from the December newsletter.
Religion is Not Enough!
I have said on several occasions in recent weeks, that there are approximately 168 million lost people in America. For some reason, the average Christian believes that the majority of these people have heard the salvation message of being…born again. As an evangelist, I am afraid that millions who have heard about Jesus in the USA have not heard a clear presentation of how to have a personal relationship with Him. I can make such a statement after witnessing on the streets of America for the past 20 years. Many people with whom Babs and I share Jesus are totally confused about religion and Christianity. We have discovered that the average lost person we meet on the street does not know the difference.
To prove a point, I am going to share some of the dialogue Babs had with a dear lady. After getting her attention through one of our soul-winning tracts, Babs asked, “Do you have the assurance when you die you are going to heaven?”
The response to the question was, “I feel pretty sure I will.”
Babs recognized that she did not have the assurance of being saved. So she responded with a follow-up question by saying, “Has there ever been a time in you life when you repented of your sin and received Jesus into your life”?
The response was, “I am satisfied with my…religion.
Personally, I am afraid millions of people in America have religion, but have never encountered a God-breathed relationship with Jesus.
As Babs continued with the conversation, it was evident that the lady was not open to the Word of God and what it said about receiving the gift of eternal life. The sad commentary of this story…she is 82 years young…has lived in America all her life…and has never heard the…true Gospel. She was informed in the area of religion…but was limited in her understanding of Christianity. After a period of time, she walked away from Babs with no hope of being with the Lord when she dies. Once again, it was confirmed in my life that a person can live in the “land of the free” and have little or no knowledge about being…born again. Jesus said to Nicodemus… “Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God” (John 3:3).
Coming Events
January 20-21 Evangelism Training Seminar. San Antonio, TX. Contact Rev. David O’Dell, 3400 W. Park Blvd. #2117, Plano, TX 75075, (214) 519-0195.
February 8-11 Spiritual Impact/Evangelism Conference, Houston, TX. Fifth year. Contact Doug Stringer, Turning Point Ministries, Box 925308, Houston, TX 77292, (713) 621-1498.
February 10 Chinese New Year Parade Outreach, San Francisco. Over 200,000 attend parade. Meet 3 PM at Templo el Calvario, 1419 Howard St., SF. Contact SOS Ministries, Box 27358, Oakland, CA 94602, (415) 531-5325.
February 22-27 Mardi Gras Outreach. New Orleans, LA. $75. Deadline Dec. 29. Contact Christ in Action, Box 100, Chatsworth, GA 30705, (404) 695-1868.
March 9-10, 16-17, 23-24 Spring Break Outreach, Corpus Christi, TX. “America’s Third Coast.” Over 200,000 on beaches.For more information, contact Street Ministry for Jesus, Box 8222, Corpus Christi, TX 78412, (512) 991-1111.
March 16-25 Operation Christlift Outreach, Austin and San Antonio, TX. Contact Rev. David O’Dell (address above).
April 7-18 New York City Outreach. Contact Scott Hinkle Outreach Ministries, Box 380306, Duncanville, TX 75138, (214) 331-6902.
May 24-26 Indianapolis 500 Outreach. Indianapolis, IN. $40. Deadline March 29. Contact Christ in Action (address above).
It’s Time To Renew Your ISEMA Membership!
“Two are better than one… and a threefold cord is not easily broken.” We urge you to become a member of ISEMA if you have not already done so, linking up with other evangelism ministries and Christians who believe in the Great Commission. If you are already an ISEMA member, now is the time to renew your membership for 1990. As an association of street and evangelism ministries, ISEMA depends on your active involvement.
Ministry Needs
For those of you who are involved with a street or evangelism ministry, I’ve enclosed a form for including your ministry in the 1990 International Street and Evangelism Ministry Directory. Last year, about 400 ministries were included in the directory. The deadline for returning these listing forms is March 1. We hope to have the directories ready by April 1.
Again, I want to thank you for your prayers and financial support for ISEMA. Also, thank you for sending in your evangelism reports and information about your ministry. Keep sending in your reports and we’ll include as much as possible in each issue. Articles in the ISEMA Newsletter express a variety of viewpoints and we welcome discussion of issues, particularly those relating to evangelism methodology.
Our Tape of the Month is “The New Age Movement” by Bob Burrows. Bob is a researcher with the Spiritual Counterfeits Project in Berkeley and gave this teaching at an ISEMA Evangelism Conference. Millions of people have been influenced by the New Age Movement, and this tape will help you understand and witness to them.
Yours in His love,
Larry Rosenbaum
