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Coming Events
(Outreaches subject to change. Call (510) 282-5629 on day before outreach to confirm.)
Friday August 3, 17, 24, 31 5 – 8 PM Witnessing in San Francisco neighborhoods.
Sat. August 4 UN Plaza, 7th St. and Market. 12 – 5 PM. “Bueno” band.
Sat. August 18 Union Square, Powell and Geary St. 12-2 PM Bridgepoint Comm. Church, Pacifica. 5th and Market 3 – 5 PM
Sat. August 25 5th and Market 12 – 4 PM
Sat. Sept. 1 Union Square, Powell and Geary St. 12-2 PM “Bueno” band 5th and Market 3 – 5 PM
SALT OF THE EARTH
Dear Christian friends,
I am writing this newsletter before our 39th annual SOS-San Francisco outreach — July 25-28. I plan to include a report on this outreach in our September newsletter.
Often, Christians ask me why we are still preaching the gospel in San Francisco. In their minds, San Francisco is hopelessly corrupt and headed for certain destruction. My answer to these people is first, that God has called me here and has not changed His instructions. Second, there are many people here who need to hear the gospel. Even if every adult resident of this city had heard and rejected the gospel (which hasn’t yet happened), there are thousands of children born here every year, thousands more immigrants and foreign students, and millions of tourists who come here every year. These people have not all heard and rejected the gospel.
Finally, San Francisco is one of the most influential cities in the world. Over the past 50 years, our society has gone through tremendous changes – away from God and Christian morality. To a large extent, these changes originated in San Francisco. San Francisco was a leader in the drug movement, introduction of Eastern religions, gurus and cults, new age thinking, occultism and Satanism, radical left-wing political movements, sexual immorality and homosexuality, etc. It was the first U.S. city to allow “topless” bars and have a “Church of Satan.” It was the first U.S. city to officially endorse homosexual relationships.
These changes did not remain confined to San Francisco and a few other cities. They have influenced every city and town in the United States, and almost the entire world as well. In the Bible, leaven (yeast) represents sin. “Don’t you know that a little yeast works through the whole batch of dough” 1 Cor. 5:6. Sin does not remain confined in one location. It spreads everywhere. In 1965, illegal drugs were available only in large cities. Today, they are sold in every town in the U.S. More than 1 in 40 San Francisco residents is now a regular intravenous drug user. San Francisco’s mayor allowed same-sex marriages in 2004. In 2015, the US Supreme Court forced the entire nation to allow same-sex marriages.
The United States is by far the most influential nation on earth. Almost every nation, even Communist China, is now seeking to adopt American-style capitalism. American movies and television shows are seen by billions of people in almost every nation. They show an extravagant standard of living and glorify our corrupt morals and hostility to Christianity. The moral decay of cities like San Francisco and Hollywood is spreading around the world – rapidly.
Just as the spread of an infection is stopped by antibiotics, the spread of sin can only be stopped by proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ. By mobilizing Christians to pray for San Francisco and proclaim the Gospel to the people of this city, we are helping slow the moral decay in this city–and its spread throughout the world. Jesus said, “You are the salt of the earth” (Matt. 5:13). The Wycliffe Bible Commentary writes: “Salt. A common food preservative, often used symbolically. Believers are a restraint upon the world’s corruption. Unbelievers are often kept from evil deeds because of a moral consciousness traceable to Christian influence.”
Jesus said, “I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day. The night is coming, when no man can work” (John 9:4). We too must seek to be a strong witness for our Lord Jesus Christ while we can. The day may soon be coming when we will no longer be able to witness openly for Jesus Christ in our nation. Please pray for us and help us be light and salt to a dark and decaying world.
On the Streets
On Fri. April 27, we witnessed at the Metreon entertainment complex, 4th St. and Mission. Matt witnessed to Victor, a Buddhist who had never heard the gospel. Cal witnessed to Steven, who hears voices that gives him direction. Cal told him he needed to judge things by the Bible.
The next day, we witnessed at 5th St. and Market. Matt prayed for Paul, who hurt his leg when he tried to kill himself. Since then, he has been saved. Cal witnessed to Chios, who professed to be a Christian but used a lot of drugs.
On Fri. May 4, we witnessed at Powell and Market. Matt witnessed to Huni, a Muslim woman from Yemen. He also prayed with Arthur, 20, from Hungary, who said he needed an experience with God. Dave witnessed to Fred, who said “I need this. I know I’m not right with God.” Bernie and I ministered to C.J., a Christian who was struggling with drugs. Tom and Kathy prayed with Lauren, a young homeless woman, who said she wanted to be saved.
The next day, we witnessed at Fisherman’s Wharf. Dave witnessed to Amar, a Sikh from India. He also witnessed to Avery, 16, who said she was not a Christian “yet.” Her grandparents are Christians and she was quite receptive. Cal witnessed to Miguel, who only spoke Spanish. Cal used a Spanish Bible to share scriptures with him. I witnessed to Aaron, 25, who is Jewish. I told him about Messianic prophecies. I also ministered to Ricky, who is homeless. He said he knows Jesus but smokes pot. Finally, I witnessed to Randy, an atheist. We had a good discussion for about 20 minutes. Then he asked me about a scripture in the Old Testament saying that rebellious children should be stoned. As I tried explaining it to him, he suddenly went berserk and started screaming at us.
On Fri. May 11, we witnessed at 24th St. and Mission. Dave spoke with Jimmy, who grew up in a Christian home attending an evangelical church in San Francisco. He said he had several girl friends he “hooked up with” each weekend. He knew fornication is wrong, but said he didn’t want to give it up.
The next day, we held our first park outreach of the year at UN Plaza. “Tim Moon and the Stars” played music. Scott prayed with Margaret to rededicate her life to Christ. She was tormented by demons. Cal witnessed to Dave, a homosexual who grew up in a pseudo-Christian family where he was molested at the age of 5. “I yelled at you when you were preaching here last fall, and you showed me love and kindness.” He started crying. “I know God doesn’t like me being homosexual and I’m trying to repent.” He was angry at God because of the molestation. Cal ministered to him about forgiveness.
On Fri. May 18, we witnessed at 16th St. and Valencia. Matt witnessed to Neptune. He bought him some pizza and prayed for him. Kathy ministered to Jerry, a homeless Christian. She encouraged him to get into the Salvation Army program. Dave and I witnessed to Daniel, a Jew who believed in Hinduism. We spoke with him about Abraham sacrificing his son, the Levitical sacrifices, and the Passover, but he rejected the message. Cal witnessed to Tony, a Jew who had been quite hostile towards us in the past. After he bought him some food, he became less hardened.
The next day, we witnessed at Fisherman’s Wharf. Mike witnessed to six Catholic high school students. He shared his testimony and the gospel, and encouraged them to read the gospel of John.
On Fri. June 1, we witnessed at 16th St. and Mission. A man was preaching in Spanish on one corner, so we went to another corner. Dave witnessed to Airi, 23, a man who was raised by a Muslim family in Iran but says he is an atheist. He also spoke with Ryan, 35, who claimed to be a born-again Christian but also was a 32nd degree Mason – the highest level.
Cal witnessed to Arturo, a Latino Hebrew-Israelite. They believe that Jesus was black and only blacks, Hispanics, and Native Americans can be saved. James witnessed to Alberto, an Hispanic who asked him what color he thought Jesus was. James said he didn’t know, but that it didn’t matter. The important thing is that He loves us and died for our sins.
Ministry Needs
Thank you for your prayers and financial support for this ministry.
I have contacted the Pacific Justice Institute about the fact that we are not allowed to obtain amplifier permits at Washington Square and Dolores Park while other groups are granted permits there. After speaking with one of their lawyers, I wrote the Park Department, asking them to explain their policy. They said they would be responding to my letter in a few weeks. Please pray about this situation.
Yours in His love,
Larry Rosenbaum