May 2012

A Strong Delusion

Young people listen to Tim Moon in Berkeley.

Dear Christian friends,

Because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: That they all might be condemned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness” 2 Thess. 2:10-12.

Since 1972, that National Opinion Research Center has conducted an annual survey regarding American’s views on homosexuality. One question that they asked was whether people believed that homosexual relations between adults were right or wrong. In 1972, 73% of Americans believed they were always wrong. In 1992, the results were exactly the same. However, by 2010, only 44% of Americans believed they were always wrong and 49% believed they were at least sometimes right.

A Pew research poll showed that in 1996, 27% of the public supported same-sex marriage. By 2011, that had increased to 46%. Meanwhile, opposition to same-sex marriage decreased from 65% to 44%.

If these surveys are correct, and I have no reason to doubt them, there has been an amazing change in American public opinion on this issue in a very short time. How did it happen?

I believe that one major factor is the execution of a public relations strategy that was published in November 1987: The Overhauling of Straight America by Marshall Kirk and Hunter Madsen. This was later published in greater detail as a book: After the Ball—How America will conquer its fear and hatred of Gays in the 1990’s. Here are some of the details (I am quoting directly from the article):

“[1] TALK ABOUT GAYS AND GAYNESS AS LOUDLY AND AS OFTEN AS POSSIBLE.

And when we say talk about homosexuality, we mean just that. In the early stages of any campaign to reach straight America, the masses should not be shocked and repelled by premature exposure to homosexual behavior itself. Instead, the imagery of sex should be downplayed and gay rights should be reduced to an abstract social question as much as possible. First let the camel get his nose inside the tent–only later his unsightly derriere!

Where we talk is important. The visual media, film and television, are plainly the most powerful image-makers in Western civilization. The average American household watches over seven hours of TV daily. Those hours open up a gateway into the private world of straights, through which a Trojan horse might be passed. As far as desensitization is concerned, the medium is the message–of normalcy. So far, gay Hollywood has provided our best covert weapon in the battle to desensitize the mainstream. Bit by bit over the past ten years, gay characters and gay themes have been introduced into TV programs and films…

When conservative churches condemn gays, there are only two things we can do to confound the homophobia of true believers. First, we can use talk to muddy the moral waters. This means publicizing support for gays by more moderate churches, raising theological objections of our own about conservative interpretations of biblical teachings, and exposing hatred and inconsistency. Second, we can undermine the moral authority of homophobic churches by portraying them as antiquated backwaters, badly out of step with the times and with the latest findings of psychology. Against the mighty pull of institutional Religion one must set the mightier draw of Science & Public Opinion (the shield and sword of that accursed “secular humanism”). Such an unholy alliance has worked well against churches before, on such topics as divorce and abortion. With enough open talk about the prevalence and acceptability of homosexuality, that alliance can work again here.

[2] PORTRAY GAYS AS VICTIMS, NOT AS AGGRESSIVE CHALLENGERS.

In any campaign to win over the public, gays must be cast as victims in need of protection so that straights will be inclined by reflex to assume the role of protector…. Straight viewers must be able to identify with gays as victims. Mr. and Mrs. Public must be given no extra excuses to say, “they are not like us.” To this end, the persons featured in the public campaign should be decent and upright, appealing and admirable by straight standards, completely unexceptionable in appearance

First, the mainstream should be told that gays are victims of fate, in the sense that most never had a choice to accept or reject their sexual preference. The message must read: “As far as gays can tell, they were born gay, just as you were born heterosexual or white or black or bright or athletic. Nobody ever tricked or seduced them; they never made a choice, and are not morally blameworthy. What they do isn’t willfully contrary – it’s only natural for them. This twist of fate could as easily have happened to you!”

[3] GIVE PROTECTORS A JUST CAUSE.

Our campaign should not demand direct support for homosexual practices, should instead take anti-discrimination as its theme. The right to free speech, freedom of beliefs, freedom of association, due process and equal protection of laws-these should be the concerns brought to mind by our campaign.

[4] MAKE GAYS LOOK GOOD.

In order to make a Gay Victim sympathetic to straights you have to portray him as Everyman. But an additional theme of the campaign should be more aggressive and upbeat: to offset the increasingly bad press that these times have brought to homosexual men and women, the campaign should paint gays as superior pillars of society. Yes, yes, we know–this trick is so old it creaks. Other minorities use it all the time in ads that announce proudly, “Did you know that this Great Man (or Woman) was _________?”

[5] MAKE THE VICTIMIZERS LOOK BAD.

At a later stage of the media campaign for gay rights-long after other gay ads have become commonplace-it will be time to get tough with remaining opponents. To be blunt, they must be vilified…Our goal is here is twofold. First, we seek to replace the mainstream’s self-righteous pride about its homophobia with shame and guilt. Second, we intend to make the antigays look so nasty that average Americans will want to dissociate themselves from such types.

The public should be shown images of ranting homophobes whose secondary traits and beliefs disgust middle America. These images might include: the Ku Klux Klan demanding that gays be burned alive or castrated; bigoted southern ministers drooling with hysterical hatred to a degree that looks both comical and deranged; menacing punks, thugs, and convicts speaking coolly about the “fags” they have killed or would like to kill; a tour of Nazi concentration camps where homosexuals were tortured and gassed…                         [to be continued]

On the Streets

On Friday March 30, we witnessed at Powell & Market St. Dave S. witnessed to Aria, a Hollywood actor who was here interviewing for parts. He was a Catholic and quite receptive to the gospel.    He also witnessed to Alan, a backslidden Christian who was addicted to drugs. He was quite humble, and realized he needed to get free from drugs and right with God.

Several of us witnessed to Christian, who is 13, lives in the Tenderloin, and attends Catholic school. Initially we offered him a Bible, but he refused it. After talking with him, he became more receptive and he took a Bible and allowed us to pray with him.

The next day, we witnessed in Berkeley. Heavy rain had been forecast, and it was raining as we arrived. As we set up our canopies, it stopped raining and it didn’t rain all afternoon. Richard Griffin and Dave Gould played music. Amanda witnessed to a Hindu couple from India. She spoke with them in detail about the differences between Hinduism and Christianity. She also witnessed to Kim, who asked for a Bible. Finally, she witnessed to a young man from South Africa who was a philosophy major in a Florida college. She explained the gospel to him and prayed with him.

Coming Events

Note: Outreaches are subject to change. Call (510) 282-5629 to confirm outreaches or for more information.

Friday May 4, 11, 18   7:30 – 10 PM Witnessing in San Francisco neighborhoods.

Sat. May 5 11 AM – 1 PM San Francisco Outreach, Fisherman’s Wharf (Jefferson St. near Mason) 3-5 PM Union Square (Powell & Geary St.)

Sat. May 12 1-5  PM San Francisco Outreach, Dolores Park (19th St. and Dolores)

Sat. May 19 12:30-4:30 PM Berkeley Outreach (Telegraph & Haste St.)

Ministry News

We have another new member of our evangelism house. Eddie Shields is 24 and has only been saved two years. He loves to witness for Jesus and is a good preacher.  Please pray that he will find work.

        Two months ago I shared about Serena, whom I met at Fisherman’s Wharf. She was a meth addict and we prayed with her seven years ago at UN Plaza. She has been following Jesus since then, and is free from drugs. Last month, I spoke with Don, who lives in Reno. 35 years ago he sailed from Hawaii to San Francisco on a 37 foot sailboat with three friends. Before he left, he told God that if he made it safely, he would serve Him. However, when he arrived, he forgot about his prayer.

        I met Don on the streets soon after he arrived, and witnessed to him. I brought him to a Bible study I was attending and he committed his life to Christ. He was with us for 6 months before moving to Reno. He is involved with a Catholic prayer meeting and, after resisting for years, has recently started praying the rosary. I shared with him my concern about looking for a mediator to God other than Jesus and seeking to communicate with someone who has gone on to be with the Lord. I reminded him of the story of Saul, who used a witch to communicate with Samuel. Please pray for Don.

I hope many of you will join us for an outreach this next month.

Yours in His love,

Larry Rosenbaum

Dave G. and Dave S. pray with Jake, a backslidden Christian, at 16th St. and Mission.

Dave S. witnesses to young man at Wharf.

Eddie answers questions at Wharf.

April 2012

Sowing Gospel Seeds

Paul Coca and Valley Springs youth ministered at Washington Square last summer.

After 30 years, we can’t get permits there any more.

Dear Christian friends,

When people enquire about living in our evangelism house, we send them some information about our ministry, in addition to an application form. Recently, I decided to add this section to the information sheet, in order to help people understand what it is we do on the streets, and why. I thought you would be interested in reading what I wrote:

The central focus of our ministry is our Friday night and Saturday afternoon evangelism outreaches. On Friday nights, we witness in different neighborhoods of San Francisco. We choose locations primarily because they have lots of people. Each neighborhood is different. We witness to everyone – rich or poor, young or old, immigrants and tourists from almost every country on earth. We normally use a small amplifier on Friday night for music, preaching, and sharing testimonies. Most of the time, we pass out gospel tracts and try to get into conversations about Jesus with non-Christians.

On Saturday afternoons, we witness either in San Francisco or Berkeley. We usually have permits to set up a PA system in a park or on a street corner. We either have Christian bands or individual musicians to play music. Sometimes churches bring their worship band or youth drama team. We try whenever possible to work with local churches. A large part of our ministry is encouraging other Christians to witness boldly for Christ. 

When we preach, we try to share the gospel in as loving and gentle way as possible, without compromising the message. We also use banners and signs that challenge people to think about Jesus, such as “God resists the proud and helps the humble” or “Open your heart to Jesus.” We have learned that playing music, especially worship music, helps create a spiritual atmosphere in which non-Christians sense the presence of God and become more receptive to the gospel. Both San Francisco and Berkeley have a lot of residents who are quite hostile to Christianity. Many are well-educated. So we try to give them good reasons for trusting in Christ, and help them see their sinful condition and need for a savior.

One of the most important things we can do on the streets is giving out gospel tracts. A person walking down the street may hear only a brief excerpt of our preaching or music. They probably will read our signs, but they don’t present the whole gospel message. A few are willing to stop and talk with us, but most do not. But many people will take a gospel tract, and read it later. That is why we use gospel tracts that are written in an intelligent way to relate to the people of the San Francisco area, and that explain the gospel clearly. They also contain our contact information and a coupon people can mail in to get more information.

Every year, we sow many thousands of gospel seeds on the streets. These seeds need to be “watered” and eventually some will bear fruit in that a person will be saved. We sow in faith, trusting God to work in people’s lives and save some. Most of the fruit of our labors we will not see until we are in Heaven. “I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase. So then neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase” 1 Cor. 3:6,7. We need to be content to take the initiative to share Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit, leaving the results to God. We walk by faith, not by sight, and trust that God is working in people’s lives, regardless of what we see or don’t see.

Our ministry is more of a “seed ministry” than a “need ministry.” A “need ministry” is focused upon meeting the felt needs of people and using this to provide an opening to share the gospel with them. One common example is giving out food to the homeless. We sometimes have groups that provide food or clothing for the homeless, as part of a gospel witness. But this is not our main focus of outreach, and is not suitable for all neighborhoods. It is more difficult to find a way to meet the “felt needs” of middle class or wealthy people. After Jesus fed the multitudes, a lot of people followed Him for the free food. He told them, “Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you.” John 6:27.

In a “need ministry” it is easy for Christians to find personal satisfaction in the grateful appreciation of poor people in having some of their felt needs met. This encourages us to continue ministering. In a “seed ministry” we can easily get discouraged by the opposite response—rejection and hostility towards the gospel message. While we often experience joy when we witness, we need to remember that our purpose for ministry is not our own personal pleasure. It is to please God and bring the gospel to people who desperately need Christ, whether they realize it or not.

The decision to repent of one’s sins and trust in Christ is a very serious one, and not one to be made casually. That is why we do not try to pressure a person to make an immediate profession of faith. I have known evangelists who were good salesmen. They could talk almost anyone into repeating a “sinner’s prayer.” But few of these people showed any evidence of being true converts. Often, they became more resistant to future attempts to witness to them. Many of them told us, “I tried that and it didn’t work.”

We are a team ministry. Normally, we all witness in the same area. That way, we can help one another and encourage one another. By working together, we can accomplish more than we can as individuals. We can help establish a Christian atmosphere in one location where the Holy Spirit will draw people to Christ. “For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them” Matt. 18:20.

Some of you may have no previous experience in street evangelism. Others may have experience with a different kind of outreach. Witnessing to strangers involves overcoming fear and getting out of our “comfort zone.” Nobody likes to be rejected, but we will experience rejection if we do evangelism. We must learn not to take it personally. It is easier to witness to homeless people and drug addicts, because they often realize their lives are in trouble. Middle-class people are often less aware of any need to change their lives, but we need to help them see their need for a savior. Everyone needs Jesus, whether they realize it or not.

On the streets, we usually do not have time to develop a friendship with someone before witnessing to them. Nonetheless, we often are able to get into productive conversations with people about Christ. Learning to witness is a life-long process – one for which we will reap eternal rewards. We will make mistakes, but we can learn from them. “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up” Gal. 6:9.

While the gospel message never changes, sometimes our methods need to change. We welcome and will prayerfully consider new ideas for how to be more effective in reaching unbelievers with the gospel. “I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some” 1 Corin. 9:22.

Coming Events

Note: Outreaches are subject to change. Call (510) 282-5629 to confirm outreaches or for more information.

Friday April 13, 20, 27  7:30 – 10 PM Witnessing in San Francisco neighborhoods.

Sat. April 14 12:30-4:30 PM Berkeley Outreach (Telegraph & Haste St.)

Sat. April 21 12-4 PM San Francisco Outreach (5^th St. and Market)

Sat. April 28  11 AM – 1 PM San Francisco Outreach, Fisherman’s Wharf (Jefferson St. near Mason) 3-5 PM Union Square (Powell & Geary St.)

Ministry News

“I will answer them before they even call to me. While they are still talking about their needs, I will go ahead and answer their prayers!” (NLT) Isaiah 65:24. Often, I send out prayer requests with this newsletter. Occasionally, the prayer is answered before the newsletter is even mailed out!

On Friday February 17 I was printing out our March newsletter. In it, I asked for prayer that we would once again get permits in Berkeley. We had not been able to get permits there since last November, when there was a fire across the street from the place where we minister. I had called city officials numerous times, but nobody could give me even an estimate as to when we would be able to get permits. I assumed this could take many months. However, as our newsletter was being printed, I received a fax from the city of Berkeley. It was our permit for the next day! We had planned to minister in San Francisco, even though the Bay Bridge was closed and we knew it would take a long time to get there. We quickly changed our plans and witnessed in Berkeley.

Several hundred high-school students were there as part of a national debate tournament. Most of the boys were wearing suits and ties, an unusual sight for Berkeley. We gave out tracts to many of them. Dave St. Marie witnessed to Jesus, a debater from Union City. He was raised Catholic but did not attend church. Dave shared with him about sin, God’s judgment, and the need for a payment to be made for his sins. Jesus was quite receptive to the message.

Ministry Needs

Thank you for your prayers and financial support for our ministry. Loi Carstensen has been replacing the front and back steps of our house. They were rotting and unsafe. This is costing us over $3000. We would greatly appreciate it if anyone could help us with this expense.

As I was applying for San Francisco park permits, I was told that we can no longer receive permits for amplification at Washington Square Park. This park is located in the center of the North Beach area of San Francisco. We have obtained permits there for about 30 years, and it is quite sad that we will no longer be able to do outreaches in this park. Some of the local residents are strongly anti-Christian and have complained about us for years. They finally got their way.

As I write this, I do not know if we will be able to minister in Dolores Park this year, as it is being renovated. Fortunately, this is only a temporary problem. Please pray about our permit situation, that good locations for ministry would remain available to us. As San Francisco (and the world) becomes more wicked, people become less tolerant of any public Christian witness.

I hope some of you will join us for an outreach this next month.

Yours in His love,

Larry Rosenbaum

Larry passes out tracts at Fisherman’s Wharf.

Dave St. Marie witnesses to young man at Wharf.

Jimo and Jackson listened to gospel at Washington Square  last summer.

March 2012

City of San Francisco in an Uproar

Descendants of David sing at Fisherman’s Wharf.

Dear Christian friends,

Last month, I included an excerpt from an 1857 book called Seven Years’ Street Preaching in San Francisco by William Taylor. It is interesting to think about how much things have changed, and how much they have not changed. Here are two more excerpts:

Sunday, twenty-third of February, 1851, was a day of great excitement in the city. It was ascertained that there was a large organized band of thieves and robbers in California in those days, operating at the same time in different parts of the state, yet all acting in concert. Men were knocked down and robbed in the streets, in the twilight; and stores and safes were broken open almost daily.

The public forbearance, which had been taxed to the last point of endurance, now gave way to one almost universal burst of indignation. The people gathered round the jail to the number of about ten thousand men. I was requested by Windred’s wife to visit him, as it was believed that the prisoners would be hung by the people before night. I had great difficulty in getting through the crowd; but finally succeeded in having an interview with the prisoners. Cries of “Have them out! Hang them!” filled the air. It was with great difficulty that the public indignation could be suppressed.

I preached on the Plaza that day to about fifteen hundred persons, on the value and indispensable necessity of the Bible, believed in and practiced. It is indispensable to our safety and happiness, personally, collectively, socially and politically. It is the very foundation on which the glorious structure of our confederated nation is built, the chart by which we may navigate the stormy sea of life and gain the peaceful haven of eternal rest.

Good order and great seriousness prevailed. Windred afterward was freed from jail, and cleared himself; Stuart was cleared by the courts. But the “Vigilance Committee of 1851″ was organized as the result of these frequent robberies, and the inefficiency of the courts; and they executed some, and banished others.

Objections to Street Preaching Considered

I. Do I hear you say it is a degradation of ministerial dignity?

I reply: Any minister of the Gospel, whose “ministerial dignity” depends, for its elevation and support, upon the sacredness of a consecrated pulpit, is not, I confess, a suitable person for a street preacher. A preacher, to succeed in the streets, must be dignified by a special unction of the Holy Spirit. He must feel such an undying thirst for the salvation of sinners as will prompt him, like Aaron, to run out into the camp, and “stand between the living and the dead” — not only to offer the incense of earnest prayer to God on their behalf, but also to warn them from the example of their neighbors, who have perished in their sins. Then the accompanying presence of Him who hath said, “Lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world,” will consecrate any place in which he may open his commission, as much as the spot where Jacob slept, and dreamed, and saw the ladder that reached from earth up into Heaven; and cause every one to feel, “Surely the Lord is in this place. How dreadful is this place! This is none other but the house of God.”

II. It makes the preaching of the Gospel too common.

I think there is much more danger of making the preaching of the Gospel too uncommon than “too common.” Not common enough to flow readily into the common channels of human thought and sympathy, nor materially to affect the common relations and conduct of men. A man, to succeed as a street preacher, must be eminently practical in his preaching. Nothing but the simple preaching of our common Gospel, in a manner to arrest the attention and engage the feelings of the common people, will enable him to get, or to hold, an audience in the “highways.” It was this that made the “common people” hear Jesus gladly.

I will here add, that the street is not the place for sectarian discussions; but the Gospel, in all its essential characteristics, should be clearly announced.

lII. It creates riots and confusion in the streets.

I apprehend that much of the trouble which has been heard of in connection with street preaching, resulted from injudicious attacks upon Romanism, or upon personal character, or for want of tact in controlling large audiences. I do not know, definitely, the merits of any given case, but can readily see how, in various ways, a man could bring upon himself a great deal of trouble, and defeat the object of his mission.

Still, “men love darkness rather than light” and it would not be surprising if an earnest, faithful modern street preacher should share the same lot that St. Paul did at Athens, Philippi, and other places, but we never learned that the apostle considered that a sufficient objection to lead him to desist from preaching in the streets. I have been preaching regularly in the streets for more than ten years, and seven of them among California gamblers and rum-sellers, and through the good providence of the Lord, I have never had a serious disturbance, nor lost a congregation in the streets.

IV. It will bring the preacher into collision with the civil authorities.

We should be careful, while we do our duty fearlessly, not to provoke a collision with “the powers that be.” If we succeed in controlling the masses, and preserve order at our meetings, we will not be likely to have any trouble “at court.” But if, after all, we should be interfered with in the conscientious discharge of our duty, under the functions of our high commission, then return the apostolic answer, “Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye. For we cannot but speak what we have seen and heard.”

Fruit that Remains

It has been over 150 years since William Taylor wrote this book. There are still Christians preaching the gospel in San Francisco. Every year, we sow many thousands of gospel seeds on the streets. These seeds need to be “watered” and eventually some will bear fruit in that a person will be saved. We sow in faith, trusting God to work in people’s lives and save some. Most of the fruit of our labors we will not see until we are in Heaven.

The decision to repent of one’s sins and trust in Christ is a very serious one, and not one to be made casually. That is why we do not try to pressure a person to make an immediate profession of faith. I have known evangelists who were good salesmen. They could talk almost anyone into repeating a “sinner’s prayer.” But few of these people showed any evidence of being true converts. Often, they became more resistant to future attempts to witness to them. Many of them told us, “I tried that and it didn’t work.”

Paul taught on the difference between worldly sorrow and godly sorrow: “Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.” (2 Corin. 7:10). Often when we go to a place like UN Plaza, where there are a lot of people who are in bondage to drugs and alcohol, and often living on the streets, many people come to us for prayer and profess faith in Christ. We usually cannot tell which ones are asking God to help them make their present situation better, because they have a worldly sorrow, and which have a godly sorrow and are grieved that their sin has displeased God.

On February 4, we were witnessing at Fisherman’s Wharf. A woman named Serena spoke with me. She said she had picked up one of our tracts on the ground seven years ago. A short time later, she saw us ministering in UN Plaza and she prayed with us to receive Christ. At the time she was a “meth” addict living on the streets. She has been free from drugs and serving God for the past seven years!

I’m sure we only see a small portion of the fruit that comes from our ministry, but it is a real encouragement to us when God allows us to meet someone who was saved through our ministry and is going on with God.

Coming Events

Note: Outreaches are subject to change. Call (510) 282-5629 to confirm outreaches or for more information.

Friday March 2, 9, 30  7:30 – 10 PM Witnessing in San Francisco neighborhoods.

Sat. March 3, 10 11 AM – 4 PM San Francisco Outreach, Fisherman’s Wharf (Jefferson St. near Mason)

Sat. March 31 12-5 PM San Francisco Outreach (5^th St. and Market)

Ministry Needs

Thank you for your prayers and financial support for our ministry. Loi Carstensen has been replacing the front and back steps of our house. They were rotting and unsafe. This is costing us over $3000.

We have a new house member, Tale Yang. Tale is 30 and attended Calvary Chapel Bible College. He is planning to attend Patten Bible College this fall. Several other people have expressed interest in our house. Please pray that God will bring us the right people to live here. Our house is open to both men and women who are serious about evangelism.

Please pray about the situation in Berkeley. We haven’t been able to get permits there since the hotel across the street from where we set up was destroyed by fire last November. They need to reinforce part of the building so they can take down a fence across the street before they give us permits again. Please pray that this happens soon.

I hope some of you will join us for an outreach this next month. If we want to reap a harvest of souls, we must first plant some gospel seeds.

Yours in His love,

Larry Rosenbaum

Larry preaches during March for Life on Market St.

People gather to hear Tim Moon sing at Fisherman’s Wharf.

Tale (r) witnesses to man at Wharf.