Coming Events
Friday December 1, 8, 15 6 PM Witnessing in San Francisco neighborhoods. (Call us at 510-282-5629 a few hours before outreach for outreach location.)
Saturday December 2, 9, 16 11 AM—3 PM Witnessing in San Francisco neighborhoods. (Call us for outreach location.)
THE WORLD MUST KNOW
Dear Christian friends,
By Gadi Ezra, from Time Magazine online:
I’ve received hundreds of messages from people around the world, claiming that the images they see of the Israel-Hamas War are too hard to bear. I can’t blame them. The murdering, raping, kidnapping, burning, and slaughtering of women, children, and babies is unthinkable. Chilling images of children ripped from the arms of their parents, and elderly people paraded through the streets of Gaza. They are innocent civilians, who simply asked to live peacefully in the only Jewish and democratic state in existence.
But the world must know.
The world must know what Hamas did to us on October 7. It is necessary to understand that what happened in peaceful villages and kibbutz in southern Israel, embodies horrific acts of barbarism the mind and soul cannot bear. Those 1,400 dead victims symbolize every nation’s biggest nightmare, and it happened to us.
The world must know that Hamas isn’t fighting to oppose a border or a policy, but our very existence. Their charter states their goal is to obliterate Israel and make it an Islamic state. The massacres occurred in internationally undisputed territories, while Israel has long maintained a humanitarian policy in Gaza: it provides electricity, water, and the entry of goods. And despite the terror organization that controls the Strip, 18,000 Gazans work in Israel daily, providing for tens of thousands. That does not imply that the situation in Gaza isn’t hard. It is. But the one to blame for it is Hamas, who stole the future of Gazans and relegated them to a life of poverty and ongoing incitement.
The world must know that history is judging us now. Depicting such heinous acts as a “two-sided story” undermines Hamas’ link to ISIS and Iran, and legitimizes crimes against humanity. There’s nothing “complicated” about innocent babies intentionally burned in their cribs. Any attempt to claim otherwise is morally wrong. Moreover, Hamas’ atrocities impacted not only Israelis, but people from 43 different countries. It is therefore obligatory to condemn and speak against such acts, as the hate that begins with the Jews never ends with the Jews. May the words of Martin Luther King Jr. not be in vain: “In the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends.”
The world must know that when we say never again, we mean it. This is why we’ll fight and win. But for now, facing what happened is essential. Acknowledging the dark truth of these crimes is necessary for building a brighter future.
Shock and tears: Hamas massacre film screened in Congress
On the Streets
On Friday July 21, we witnessed at the Powell and Market cable car turnaround. When we arrived, there was a very loud band playing there. We set up as far as possible away from them, and waited until they stopped singing and began preaching quietly. Within a few minutes, they packed up and left. The rest of the evening, we were able to preach for 15 minutes or longer to those waiting in line for the cable car. Andy spoke with Ben, 28, who is Eastern Orthodox. He thought that certain works need to be added to our faith to enter Heaven. Andy showed him some Bible verses that our works can’t be added to Christ’s work on the cross to save us. Andy got his phone number and plans to get together with him again.
The next day, we witnessed on the sidewalk next to Dolores Park. Because of the unreasonable conditions and fees imposed by the Park Department, we can no longer get permits in San Francisco parks. Instead, we witnessed on the street corner to those entering and leaving the park. Andy spoke with Helena, whom he had seen at Dolores Park two years ago. The last time he saw her, she was quite hostile. She said she had been drunk and aggressive at the time. This time, she was much more pleasant. She believes that God should be tolerant of all lifestyles and religions. Andy tried to reason with her from scriptures but to no avail. As our outreach was about to end, a Park Ranger approached us and said the sidewalk was park property. Alex was preaching and he had cited him before. Alex was cited four times by Park Rangers for participating in church services during Covid. He paid the first citation, but contested the other three and won. I asked Alex to move away from that sidewalk. This ranger has previously mailed Alex citations without any notice but he did not cite Alex this time. Several people were playing loud amplified music in Dolores Park that afternoon, but he was only interested in shutting us down.
On Friday August 11, we witnessed at the Outside Lands Festival. This is one of the largest events in San Francisco, bringing over 200,000 people for a three-day rock concert. Tickets cost $500 for 3 days, and it was sold out. This is the second year we witnessed at this event. We stood across the street from one of the main entrances, and hundreds of people heard the gospel. Mike witnessed to a man who said his name was Batman. He claimed to believe in Jesus, but tried to justify his drug use and fornication. Two women spoke with a female police officer for an hour, trying to shut us down. The officer was nice, and allowed us to preach.
The next day, we witnessed at Fisherman’s Wharf. The band Sonhouse played music. Their leader, Dave Angeles, has been ministering with us since 1980, when he was part of the band Gideon’s Army. Mike and Romero spoke with an older man and younger couple. They were from an Apostolic Church and did not believe in the Trinity. They also believed a person needed to be baptized to be saved. Mike showed them Acts 10:44-47, where the Holy Spirit fell upon Cornelius and his companions before he was baptized. Mike and Tats witnessed to Brandon, who called himself Lucifer. Mike warned him not to follow Lucifer, as he would only deceive and destroy him. He showed him Rev. 20:10 where the Devil is cast into the lake of fire. Brandon allowed them to pray for him.
On Friday August 18, we witnessed at Powell and Market. Again, we were able to preach the gospel to hundreds of people waiting to get on the cable car. Mike witnessed to Bobby and Josephine, both about 30. They were arguing, and asked Mike about marriage counseling. Although they claimed to be Christian, they were meth addicts. Bobby said that he was filled with fear, and didn’t know how to get rid of it. Mike told him that when he uses drugs, he gives Satan access to his life, and he will fill him with fear. Josephine was struggling to know what was real and what wasn’t real. These are both common affects of methamphetamine. Tats witnessed to Matthew, about 50, who was wearing women’s clothing. Tats shared his testimony of leaving the homosexual lifestyle. John witnessed to Tom, 30, who said he was afraid of going to Hell. He said he had had visions of Hell. At the same time, he asked how he could know that Christianity is true. John shared about Bible prophecy. Daniel approached me, asking for prayer. I prayed for him. He said he was a Christian but didn’t attend church. I gave him contact information for City Impact church.
The next day, we witnessed at Fisherman’s Wharf. Paul and Noreen Coca and Mark Whitehead played music and preached. I spoke with Michael, who sat down at a bench to listen to us. Alex had spoken to him last month. He told Alex he believed there was truth in all religions. Alex responded that there are elements of truth in other religions but ultimately, they distort the truth. Mike is living in a homeless shelter. He had spent 7 years at Pelican Bay, the highest security prison in California. He said he liked being at Pelican Bay better than being in San Francisco. He said the gang leaders at the prison kept everything safe and orderly. Mike Hodgdon witnessed to him for an hour the following week. Tats offered tracts to two groups of Japanese students. He told them in Japanese that Jesus died for their sins and rose from the dead.
On Friday August 25, we witnessed at Powell and Market. There were fewer tourists, as many children have returned to school. Still there was a line of people at the cable car hearing the gospel. Mike met Esther, who is from Africa. She said she was a Christian, but was looking for a church. Mike invited her to attend City Impact with him. Greg met J.R. He asked him if he ever wondered why he is on the earth. J.R. responded that this was a private matter, but that he would like to be part of a group that discusses this matter. Greg got his contact information. The next day, they connected and arranged for J.R. to attend a men’s group with him in San Mateo.
A Final Word
We have two special needs. First, our garage roof is leaking. It needs to be repaired or replaced. We store our sound equipment, gospel tracts and Bibles in this garage is it is important that they stay dry. While I have not gotten an estimate on the cost, it could be up to $3000. We also need to repair the front end of our ministry van. This could cost $500-1000. If any of you can help with these repairs, or know someone near us who could, please let me know right away.
Thank you for your prayers and financial support for this ministry. I hope you all have a blessed Christmas and New Year. We at SOS Ministries really appreciate your help in bringing the gospel to the people of San Francisco and visitors from around the world.
I hope many of you will join us for an outreach this next month.
Yours in His love,
Larry Rosenbaum