August 2011
21st Century Evangelism
Dear Christian friends,
This newsletter was written before the SOS-San Francisco outreach (July 12-16). I expect to have an outreach report on SOS-San Francisco in next month’s newsletter.
During the past 50 years, people in the U.S. and Western Europe have become increasingly hardened to the gospel message. Today, I rarely meet anyone who, when presented with the gospel, immediately wants to get saved. Increasingly, our challenge is to help those who are hostile or indifferent to the gospel to at least consider it.
A few years ago. I was witnessing at the Whole Earth Festival, a New Age event in Davis, CA. I spoke with about 50 people that afternoon, with conversations averaging 15 minutes. Sometimes I spoke with a group of 5 or 6 people at a time. Most of those I spoke with were high school or college students. Two girls said they were Christians, but neither had witnessed to her friends. A lot of people were sitting on the grass. I would walk up to a group, offer them gospel tracts, and start a conversation. I would say that the tracts were about Jesus Christ, and ask what they thought about Him. Usually one or more persons would tell me about their religious beliefs. I would listen to them, then tell them what I believe. Most were receptive to the idea that sin is the cause of the world’s problems.
I used the example of two children fighting over a toy—something that seems built into their nature, not something they were taught to do. This selfishness causes divorce, crime and war. Jesus Christ is the only totally unselfish person who ever lived. He came to give us a new nature, based upon love instead of selfishness.
Next, I shared some of my testimony, that I was raised in a non-religious Jewish home, that I was quite skeptical of all religions and that I went to college and graduate school. I told them about my experiences with drugs and Eastern religions. I told them how I met a Christian who showed me prophecies in the Jewish Bible that were fulfilled by Jesus. I told them about some of them. No mere human can predict the future — even a few days from now — with perfect accuracy. If they could, they could make unlimited amounts of money—in the stock market or by gambling. Yet the Bible predicts events hundreds of years in the future with perfect accuracy. This distinguishes Christianity from every other religion.
At this point, someone usually brought up an objection. Several said they thought it didn’t matter what someone believed. One mentioned Nostradamus’ “prophecies.” I tried to answer their questions. [Note: Most of Nostradamus’ “prophecies” are so vague that they could mean almost anything. One of the few clear prophecies he made was that plagues, famines and wars would cause vast depopulation of the world by 1732. This never happened. No clear prophecy of Nostradamus was correct.] Soon it became clear that our conversation had reached an end. They didn’t want to hear any more, so I thanked them for talking with me and left. Most likely, the Holy Spirit was convicting them of sin as they were considering the possibility that Christianity is actually true. They were getting uncomfortable and wanted me to leave.
The most difficult challenge we have in evangelism is helping people move from the place where they are hostile or indifferent to the gospel to the place where they are willing to consider the possibility that Christianity is true. At that point, God can deal with them and bring them to salvation.
It is hard to have a long conversation about Christ on the street, because most people are in a hurry. However, people in parks are usually not in a hurry. Many are willing to talk with you. Special events such as the Whole Earth Festival are also good for getting into conversations. I prefer to talk with young people, because they are usually less set in their beliefs. If you ask someone questions and listen to them, they will usually be willing to listen to you. Try to avoid arguments. Share with them what you believe and why you believe it. If I sense that someone sees their need for a savior and wants to receive Christ, I will pray with them for salvation. Otherwise, I might ask if I can pray with them for some other need. When I sense someone no longer wishes to talk with me, I thank them for the conversation and leave.
On the Streets
On Sat. May 28, we ministered at Dolores Park. Paul and Noreen Coca played music. It was raining when we arrived, so we put up our canopies. Once we started, the sun came out. The beautiful day brought about 1000 people into the park. Soon after we arrived, I started talking with Tony. He had backslidden into drugs. He stayed most of the afternoon, listening to the music and talking with us. I also witnessed to two high school students who were receptive to the gospel.
Near the end of the outreach, it began raining again. A drunk man from Australia heckled our preaching. He rode off on his bicycle, but hit a car and had to be taken away in an ambulance. Norman witnessed to him before the ambulance arrived. Fortunately, his injuries were not serious.
On Friday June 10, we witnessed at Fisherman’s Wharf. Jeromy and Dave witnessed to two young women, Vanessa and Moriah. Both were very much convicted of their sexual sin. They said they were going to talk with God that night. Dan witnessed to Darryl, who is one of the street performers. Darryl is considered one of the leaders of the street performers at the Wharf.
The next day, we witnessed at UN Plaza. We had scheduled two bands from Oakland to minister, but on Thursday they cancelled. One of the musicians, who was in both bands, had a family emergency. We were unable to find any musicians with so little notice, so we played music CDs and preached.
Kylan witnessed to Peter, who asked him about angels and aliens in the Bible. Kylan changed the conversation to tell him about the gospel, and his need for a savior. He also witnessed to Van, an unsaved Catholic who asked questions about the preaching and asked for prayer. Jeromy witnessed to Joshua, an Orthodox Jew, for about 45 minutes. Jeromy told him about the Old Testament prophecies concerning the Messiah and how Jesus fulfilled them. Joshua had difficulty, as many Jews do, with the concept of Hell. Dan witnessed to Mark, an ex-Marine who had spent over 25 years in San Quentin prison but was now a student at City College.
While we were preaching, about 200 demonstrators supporting the rebels in Libya passed by. Most were Moslem, and we gave tracts to as many as possible. Later, another 200 naked bike riders passed by. Kylan preached to them, but we couldn’t figure out any way to give them tracts! Yes, the police allow this in San Francisco.
The following Saturday, we returned to UN Plaza. Fifty youth from Shelter Cove Church in Modesto joined us for this outreach. Their worship group played along with the “Descendants of David” and Tony Tubera, who are Christian rappers. We prayed with about 20 people that afternoon.
Coming Events
Note: Outreaches are subject to change. Call (510) 761-6120 to confirm outreaches or for more information.
Friday August 5, 12, 19 Witnessing in San Francisco neighborhoods. 7:30-10 PM (Call for location).
Sat. August 6 Berkeley Outreach. 12:30-4:30 PM Telegraph & Haste St.
Sat. August 13 San Francisco Evangelism Outreach. Fisherman’s Wharf (Jefferson near Mason) 11 AM – 1 PM Union Square (Powell & Geary St.) 3-5 PM Son House.
Sat. August 20 San Francisco Evangelism Outreach UN Plaza 12-5 PM The Bridge, San Mateo.
Ministry News
Thank you for your prayers and financial support for this ministry. Last week, I had an opportunity to speak about the ministry on KFAX, which is the largest Christian radio station in this area. Normally, they invite me to be on their “Lifeline” talk show every year before our SOS outreach. This is a great way to speak about the importance of evangelism with thousands of Christians. I also had a chance to witness with a team of 17 college students who came here from Bakersfield.
We still have two openings in our house for Christian men who are serious about evangelism. I hope some of you will join us for an outreach this next month.
Yours in His love,
Larry Rosenbaum
1. Shelter Cove Church prays with people at UN Plaza.
2. Hundreds of people hear gospel at Dolores Park.
3. Shelter Cove youth worship band at UN Plaza.
4. Dan witnesses to Mark at UN Plaza.