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

Friday February 3, 10, 17, 24 5 – 8 PM Witnessing in San Francisco neighborhoods.

Sat. February 4 Fisherman’s Wharf SF (Jefferson St. near Powell) 11 AM – 4 PM

Sat. February 11 and 25 Fifth St. and Market SF 12 PM – 4 PM

Sat. February 18 Berkeley Outreach (Shattuck St. near Center) 12:30 – 4:30 PM

THE WORD OF OUR TESTIMONY

Dear Christian friends,

For the past few months, we have been looking at various examples of preaching in the book of Acts. I passed over a brief passage, Acts 17:1-4, that speaks of Paul’s preaching in a synagogue in Thessalonica. Here it says that Paul reasoned with them out of the scriptures “explaining the prophesies about the sufferings of the Messiah and his resurrection, and proving that Jesus is the Messiah.” Later, in Acts 18:28, we learn that Apollos “powerfully refuted all the Jewish arguments in public debate, showing by the Scriptures that Jesus is indeed the Messiah.” These two passages show the importance of using the Old Testament prophesies concerning the Messiah in our preaching.

The next example of New Testament preaching is found in Acts 22. Paul was arrested while engaging in a ceremonial cleansing in the Temple in Jerusalem. He had taken a vow and offered a sacrifice seven days later, in accordance with Jewish law. He was accused of telling people to disobey the Jewish law, disrespecting the Temple, and bringing Gentiles into the Temple.

He began by giving a testimony of how he once persecuted Christians, but God spoke to him on the road to Damascus. They listened to him until he related how the Lord said, “I will send you away to the Gentiles.” Then they got extremely angry. The idea of God passing over the Jews and going to the Gentiles was abhorrent to them.

Paul had been warned by the prophet Agabus (Acts 21) that he would be imprisoned if he went to Jerusalem. Nonetheless, Paul was determined to go there. His arrest gave him the opportunity to witness to the crowd that had gathered there, to Felix, to Agrippa and to many others.

While giving his testimony, Paul tried to relate to his audience. He spoke in their language, Aramaic. He emphasized his Jewish upbringing, and how in his zeal to keep the Jewish law he persecuted Christians. However, his testimony was not well received. Jesus said, “A prophet is not without honor, except in his own country.”

Often, Jews are more receptive to the testimony of a Gentile. “Through their fall salvation is come to the Gentiles, to provoke them to jealousy.” (Romans 11:11). When Jews see Gentile believers living a godly life filled with joy and peace, they often find that desirable.

Unfortunately, many Gentile Christians are intimidated by Jews and afraid to witness to them. Jews often get angry when they hear of a Jew who believes in Jesus. They expect Gentiles to believe in Jesus, so this does not anger them. Similarly, ex-gay Christians are very threatening to homosexuals. Often, homosexuals are more receptive to the witness of a Christian who is not tempted by same-sex desires. But while the testimony of the Jewish believer and the ex-homosexual will not be well received, they must nonetheless be given. Jews need to know that some Jews believe that Jesus is the Messiah. Homosexuals need to know that some homosexuals have found deliverance through Jesus Christ.

On the Streets

On Friday October 29 we witnessed at Powell and Market. Allan witnessed to Cassie, who said her life was miserable and asked about a local church she could attend. She cried as Allan and Brandon prayed for her. They also witnessed to Doris, who said she wanted Jesus to save her but was unwilling to give up drugs and alcohol. Brandon bought her some food and witnessed to her. Kathy witnessed to Azariah, who was raised in a Christian home but had gotten involved in the occult. Jacob shared his testimony of being delivered from homosexuality with Trayvon, a young homosexual.

The next day, we witnessed at Fisherman’s Wharf. Paul and Noreen Coca and Cal played music. Jeff and Alina Parrott ministered through dance. They worked with us for many years while they lived in San Jose, but have been living in South Carolina for the past 10 years. Cal witnessed to Tia, who had left her job to travel on freight trains. Kathy witnessed to Alejandro, who was a Jesuit scout leader. Jacob witnessed to Nora, 16, who had been to church several times but was not saved. He shared the gospel with her, and she thanked him.

On Fri. Nov. 5 we witnessed at Fisherman’s Wharf. Paul and Noreen Coca were with us. They stayed in San Francisco for the entire Love-San Francisco outreach. Cal and Kathy witnessed to Tia, who was raised a Mormon in Utah but had become a Wiccan. They spoke for over an hour. Jacob witnessed to Ron, in his last year of medical school. He attends a Universalist Church but was interested in knowing why Jacob was an evangelical. Dave witnessed to three young Jehovah’s Witnesses: Zachary, his wife Yvette, and Darlene. He asked Zachary to read 2 Cor. 5:17 and asked him how we become a new creation in Christ. He said, “I don’t know but I will research it.” Dave also witnessed to Tommy from Vietnam. He knew about Jesus but was not saved.

The next day, we witnessed at 7^th St. and Market. This was the last day of the Love-San Francisco outreach and they were holding a large banquet at the nearby Whitcomb Hotel. We were able to invite quite a few people to the free banquet. Dave and Steve witnessed to Aime, from Rwanda, who grew up in a Christian home but was not saved. Jacob and Scott witnessed to Steve, a young homeless man. He agreed with the gospel but thinks he is demon possessed. Kathy gave out clothes and food to the homeless. Cal witnessed to John and Myson, who said they believed in Jesus but smoked pot and stole things.

While witnessing at Powell and Market, Jacob witnessed to a 13 year old Muslim girl. She had run away from home, because her parents were abusive, and was living on a roof. At first, she resisted the gospel, but she came back and wanted to know more about Jesus. He and another Christian helped her get into a Christian home for girls. A Christian family who works there wants to adopt her.

On Sat. Nov. 12, we witnessed at Fisherman’s Wharf. About 20 Christians from “Taking it to the Streetz” ministry in Sacramento joined us. Several Christians preached, sang and shared testimonies. Chuck Girard, Paul Coca and Cal Grant all played music. Dave witnessed to Belou, a Hindu from India, who was receptive to the gospel and took a gospel of John. Mike witnessed to Esai, who was with the Job Corps on Treasure Island. He took a Spanish Bible and gave Mike his phone number for follow-up. Mike invited him to attend church with him at City Impact.

On Fri. Nov. 18 we witnessed at 4^th St. and Mission. Cal witnessed to two young men, Ray and Tracy, who listened to his testimony and let him pray with them. Dave witnessed to Ricky, 17, and his girlfriend Semantha. Ricky was sitting on a newspaper stand listening to Cal play music and took a gospel of John. Dave also witnessed to Yao and Cheryl, students from China. Yao has been reading the Bible and talking with Christians. Both were clearly serious about learning about Jesus.

Jacob witnessed to Forest, a transsexual who had been living as a woman. He admitted his life was terrible and was thankful that Jacob was willing to speak with him. Jacob shared his testimony of deliverance from homosexuality. Bernie prayed for William, a homeless man, who said he wanted to be saved. We have his phone number for follow up. Manual prayed with Alex, a Christian man who suffered from serious pain in his leg. Before praying, Manual asked him to rate the pain in his leg from 1 to 10. He said “9.” After praying, he again asked him to rate the pain. He said, “The pain is totally gone for the first time in 3 years!”

The next day, we witnessed in downtown Berkeley. This was the day of the big Cal/Stanford football game, so there were a lot of people despite the occasional rain. Mike, Dave and Kathy all witnessed to Steve, who struggled with alcohol. He said he knew he needed to get right with God. They referred him to the Richmond Rescue Mission. Jacob witnessed to Nick, whom he had seen in Berkeley six months ago, Gary, who had a Muslim background, and Jerome, a pantheist. Dave witnessed to Aziz, a UC Berkeley student from Saudi Arabia, and Stanley, a bank employee from Kenya. He has a Christian background, but didn’t understand the gospel.

Ministry Needs

Thank you again for your prayers and financial support for our ministry. As we enter a new year, we are planning our outreaches for the year and applying for permits. Please pray that we would get permits, especially at Dolores Park. Last year they granted us permits there, but would not allow us to play music. We expect the permits to cost about $2500 this year. This is for 40 outreaches and the chance to reach several hundred thousand people with the gospel.

We have a new member in our evangelism house. DeAnna Dunbar works as a nurse and volunteers with City Impact in San Francisco. She also studies apologetics and has participated in many missions trips around the world. It is a blessing having her join us.

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