SOS Monthly Newsletter - June 2007

Freedom Under Attack

Dear Christian friends,

On April 30, the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals released their ruling in the Federal Civil Rights Lawsuit we filed in 1996. Their decision is one of the most dangerous ever made by any US court. The three-judge panel ruled unanimously that the police have a right to arrest a person speaking on a public street whenever the police have warned him of a complaint and one person is willing to sign a complaint form. It is hard to believe that any court, especially the court one step below the US Supreme Court, would make such a ruling.

Recently, we have heard about “abortion distortion” where it appeared that judges were so hostile to those opposing abortion that they made rulings that would never have been made in other matters. It appears that the judges’ hostility to Christian preaching has reached the same level. Of the three judges, one was appointed by President Bush and another was appointed by his father. I do not think these are extremely liberal judges. But they are clearly more concerned about protecting people from having to listen to the gospel than protecting the rights of those who are preaching the gospel.

We are filing an appeal, asking the 9th Circuit to appoint an 11-judge panel to review the ruling. This is something that happens very infrequently, especially when the original ruling was unanimous. An appeal to the US Supreme Court is also possible, but such appeals are rarely granted. As I write this, the US House of Representatives has passed a hate crimes law that most likely will make it illegal for Christian ministers to speak about homosexuality. Combined with the 9th Circuit ruling, a Christian preacher could be arrested for disturbing the peace if someone complained and he refused to stop. Hate crimes charges could be added if the complainant claims he said anything against homosexuality. Please pray that God will have mercy on our nation and cause this terrible decision to be reversed.

In the parable of the talents (Matt:25:14-30), the man who was given one talent of money to invest was afraid and hid it. It was taken away. In the US, God has given us a great gift — freedom to preach the gospel in public places. But if we are afraid to witness and don’t use this gift, it will be taken away as our nation becomes more ungodly.

Child of the Sixties

It is hard for those growing up in the new millennium to understand the radical changes that took place in the 1960s. Those changes have had a profound effect on the world in which we all live. Although my testimony is unique, I hope it will give you some idea of what the Jesus Movement was like. I also want to give some historical context for understanding it.

After the Pearl Harbor attack in 1941, our nation entered World War II. Our young men (and their wives) made great sacrifices to win this war. When it ended in 1946 (the year I was born), these men returned home to build their families. At this time, the world learned fully about the holocaust – the murder of six million Jews. Soon after this, the Cold War began. We grew up facing the prospect of nuclear annihilation.

The 1950s decade was an amazing time. People were marrying, buying homes in the suburbs, and living “normal” lives. Watching reruns of “I Love Lucy,” “Father Knows Best,” or any TV show from that era gives a somewhat accurate picture of the times. Television became very popular in the 1950s. The black-and-white sets with no remote control, though expensive, were soon in almost every home. At first there was programming only at night on one channel. Eventually it was extended into the day on three channels. Then color TV was introduced. With TV came the first generation of “couch potatoes” – whole families spending their evenings in the living room, glued to their TV sets, with little conversation.

Americans in the 1950s were very religious. Most attended church weekly. Most claimed to believe that the Bible is God’s Word and that Jesus died for the sins of the world. However, few had a relationship with God that was evident in their lives. Although I grew up in Indiana (part of the “Bible belt”), nobody ever explained God’s plan of salvation to me. I attended a few “Youth for Christ” meetings in high school and was favorably impressed, but never heard the gospel.

Many churches had been weakened by liberal teachings that cast doubt on the truth of the Bible. The apparent conflict between Darwinism and Christianity also created a serious problem. Darwinism was accepted as “gospel truth” by the overwhelming majority of scientists and educators. Many of us wondered how the Bible could be more than a fairy tale. (to be continued)

Summer of Love-Jesus Movement Now July 27 - Aug 18

Summer 2007 is the 40-year mark for three significant events: the San Francisco Summer of Love, the Jesus Movement, and all of Jerusalem coming back into Jewish hands for the first time since AD 70! Since Jerusalem is a sign in the natural of what God is doing spiritually, 1967 marked the beginning of a huge shift in the spirit world. 40 years later, it is time for the next generation to cross over into the promises of God with the Calebs and Joshuas on board helping to steer. Malachi 4:5-6

1967 was San Francisco's Summer of Love, which ignited a "hippie" counter-cultural explosion of drugs, casual sex, and eastern mysticism that swept around the world. Over 100,000 young people from around the world flocked to SF's Haight-Ashbury, Berkeley, and the cities of the Bay. In the midst of all this, out in the streets a powerful move of God began sweeping thousands of kids into the Kingdom. Many of the pastors and leaders in the church today were saved during this revival later dubbed The Jesus Movement. According to one account, the Jesus Movement began in 1967 with the opening of a small storefront evangelical mission called the Living Room in San Francisco's Haight - Ashbury district by Ted Wise (http://one-way.org/jesusmovement).

As we feel the wind of God stirring, preparations have begun for Summer of Love / Jesus Movement Now this summer. The focus will be the three weeks from July 27 - Aug 18 with Pastor Michael Brodeur, coordinator, and Pray the Bay providing leadership with a steering committee from Jesus Revolution Now, San Francisco House of Prayer, Justice House of Prayer (Lou Engle), The Homeless Church, and SOS - San Francisco. Congregational & ministry leaders from all over the city & region are beginning to work together with us on this evangelistic thrust. Lou Engle and his assistant Chuck Mervin are planning to bring a large group of youth from “The Call”, a major youth gathering in Nashville, to San Francisco during this time. Many local Christians will be joining them. We have planned large worship rallies on July 28 and 29 and August 4 and 5 (Saturday and Sunday).

SOS-San Francisco August 10-18

SOS-San Francisco will be the final week of this three-week “Summer of Love” outreach. We have scheduled daily outdoor worship rallies in San Francisco and Berkeley during this time. On Sat. August 11, 12-5 PM, Lou Engle will lead a large rally at Sharon Meadow, Golden Gate Park, near “hippie hill.” We have obtained permits for Haight and Masonic St. from 12-4 PM on Fri. August 17 and UN Plaza from 12-5 PM on Sat. August 18. We are seeking to get permits throughout the week. Please pray that we will be granted these permits. This year we will be meeting at Voice of Pentecost, 1970 Ocean Ave., SF. They have a large facility (a former movie theater) with two parking lots. We are very thankful to the church leadership for allowing us to meet there.

Registration begins on Fri. August 10 at 6 PM. Meetings will be held daily (except Sunday) from Aug. 11-18 at 9 AM. I hope you will join us as much as possible during this time. We will provide housing in Sunday School rooms and will serve breakfast and lunch from Aug. 13-18. Youth under 18 need adult supervision. This outreach is an opportunity to bring the love of Jesus Christ to people who desperately need to know Him. It is truly a life-changing experience.

We have printed 4000 cards to advertise the outreach. (The photo on the front is an actual mural on Haight St. in SF.) We have also enclosed a registration form. Please register early so we will know how many people are coming.

ON THE STREETS

	Harvest City Youth from Canada minister through dance at UN Plaza
	Loi and May minister to teens at UN Plaza
	Richard witnesses to man at UN Plaza
	Eric, Jeremiah and Richard (back) pray with Jason (right) in Berkeley

Coming Events

Note: Outreaches are subject to change. Call (510) 531-5325 or 541-9903 (cell phone) to confirm outreaches or for more information.

Friday June 8, 15, 22 7:30 - 10 PM Witnessing in San Francisco neighborhoods.

Sat. June 9 San Francisco Evangelism Outreach. 12 - 1 PM Powell and Market St. 3-5 PM Union Square (Powell & Geary St.)

Sat. June 16 Berkeley Outreach. 12:30 PM – 4:30 PM Telegraph and Haste St.

Sat. June 23 San Francisco Evangelism Outreach. 1-5 PM Dolores Park (20th St. and Dolores)

August 10-18 SOS-San Francisco (year 28)

Ministry News and Needs

We have a new member in our house. Larry DuBois is from Everett, WA, where he regularly witnessed on the streets. He learned about our ministry through the local Calvary Chapel, and has been witnessing with us almost every weekend since last fall. He also has been helping me with office work -- another answered prayer. Here is something he wrote about the first time he witnessed with us:

“My first night I met them downtown at the corner of 4th and Mission. Before I introduced myself I was checking out the gear they were unloading and saw a megaphone in a box. I thought, hmm, they don’t use that to play music, they must preach through that thing. I knew I was in the right place. Although on occasion I have done what is called ‘open air preaching,’ these guys took it to another level. After a little music SOS ministry team members take turns preaching the Gospel, sharing testimonies, and reading God’s Word. My first night I was able to preach the simple Gospel message and read from Scripture. God has really opened a door for the Gospel there. Granted the people are not getting saved in droves, however; in such a pagan city, the openness of many people amazes me. I should mention that several denominations are involved in this ministry.”

Thank you again for your prayers and financial support for this ministry. Please pray that the 9th Circuit would reverse its ruling in our legal case. We still have openings in our house for mature Christians with a desire to witness for Jesus.

Our Tape of the Month is How to Reach your City for Christ. This is a teaching I gave at an evangelism conference in Florida.

Yours in His love,

Larry Rosenbaum