Coming Events
(Outreaches subject to change. Call (510) 282-5629 a few hours before the outreach to confirm)
Friday Feb. 1, 8 5 – 8 PM Witnessing in San Francisco neighborhoods.
Sat. Feb. 2 Berkeley outreach 12 – 4 PM Shattuck and Center St.
Sat. Feb. 9 5th St. and Market SF 12 – 4 PM.
Using Signs and Banners
People respond to altar call last summer at UN Plaza. We may no longer be able to afford permits here under new Park Dept. rules. (Details below in Ministry Needs.)
Dear Christian friends,
Signs are an extremely easy and effective method of witnessing, yet Christians almost never use them. Political protest groups and labor unions know the power of signs, and have used them for years. A dozen people carrying signs looks like a major event. If the event is put on TV, it can influence millions of people.
When we have an outreach, we might give out a few hundred gospel tracts. Several hundred people might walk by us and hear our preaching, but they may only hear a few sentences. We might get to talk to a dozen people. But often over a thousand people will be challenged to think about Jesus by reading our signs.
People read signs. Someone may refuse to talk with you, may refuse a tract, but they will read the sign you’re carrying that gives a brief portion of the gospel message, and they’ll think about it. Signs are the only way to witness to the people who are driving by while you’re out on the streets. Many bars and restaurants have large windows. The people inside will read your sign as you walk by. Signs attract people’s attention. Often, they’ll come up to you and ask you why you’re carrying the sign or what you’re protesting. This gives you a perfect opportunity to witness.
It is easy to make a sign using stencils, poster paint or magic markers, cardboard, a stick and nails. The message you use on a sign needs to be brief. Some of the messages we have used include:
- Open your heart to Jesus.
- Ask me about Jesus.
- Wise men still seek Him.
- Jesus Christ is God.
- To know Jesus is to love Him.
- Where will you spend eternity?
- What will you say on judgment day?
- Jesus Christ: our only hope.
We have two 10 foot banners that read “Jesus: Open your heart/Open your mind” on one side and “Only one way to God: Jesus” on the other. Whenever we have evangelism outreaches, we put up these banners in the most conspicuous place and thousands of people read them.
Arthur Blessitt popularized the idea of carrying a cross down the street, witnessing to people about Jesus. Everyone knows what the cross represents. As you carry it, people are reminded of what Jesus did for them. Often, they will ask you why you are carrying the cross. Some people make large crosses with a wheel on the bottom. One person I know uses a Styrofoam cross (much lighter!) When we carry a cross down a street known for wickedness, people really come under conviction as they think about what Jesus did for them, and how they are not following the Lord.
You can combine these methods by having a march for Jesus. We find it very effective at getting people to think about Jesus. Take a group of Christians– 10, 100, 1000, or more and start marching down the street. If possible, bring a cross, lots of signs and banners, and some guitars and other instruments. Sing worship songs as you march. This is a powerful witness to the unsaved and a great encouragement to other Christians.
Witnessing in the Rain
I was saved in a Christian house ministry in Portland, Oregon in 1970. One month after I was saved, everyone in our house quit their job and we witnessed full-time for two months. It was winter, and it rained almost every day. It was impossible to stay dry, or to keep our gospel tracts dry. So, I spent my days in downtown Portland offering wet tracts to people. Amazingly, many people took them, and some even got saved.
San Francisco has one the best climates in the world for street witnessing. We average 3 inches or more of rain only three months a year. New York City averages 3 inches or more of rain every month! Most of our rain comes between December and February. It rarely rains here from May through September.
We almost never cancel an outreach because of rain. On rainy nights, we usually witness at Powell and O’Farrell Street, one block from Union Square. This location has a store awning that extends over the sidewalk, and lots of people walk by. On rainy afternoons, we set up canopies, either in Berkeley or at 5th St. and Market. Both are busy locations, even on rainy days. The canopies keep our musicians, preachers, and sound system dry.
It is hard to get people to stop and talk with us during the rain and a lot of Christians will not witness on rainy days. (Sadly, not many more will witness on sunny days.) It also could damage our PA system. We have canopies to protect our equipment, but it can get wet when we unload it and reload it into our van. Also, it is hard to keep the wind from blowing rain onto our equipment. But, so far, God has protected our equipment — and us.
Sometimes, Christians say they are afraid they will get sick if they witness on cold or rainy days. As far as I know, nobody ever got sick from witnessing in the rain with us. People seem to have a different attitude about going out in the rain when it involves a secular pursuit. Rain doesn’t keep hundreds of thousands of football fans from attending games. Football players often play on cold, rainy days with the flu. Some even play with broken bones! “They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.” 1 Cor. 9:26.
When I find witnessing in the rain uncomfortable, I think of the sacrifices made by Christians who endured tremendous suffering, torture, and death to spread the gospel. I think of the sacrifice Jesus made to save me from my sins. In comparison, the sacrifice I am making, witnessing in the rain, seems small – even insignificant.
On the Streets
On Fri. Nov. 16, we witnessed at 24th and Mission St. Dave witnessed to Michael, whom he had met here 4 months ago. Michael told him he had almost completely stopped drinking and had started reading the Bible. Mike, Tom, and John all witnessed to Robert, who went to Berkeley High School. They shared the gospel with him and he was seriously considering committing his life to Christ.
The next day, we witnessed at 5th and Market. Dave and John witnessed to Adam, from Algeria. He said he had no religious belief, but wanted to hear about Jesus. After they presented the gospel to him, he said “I’ve never understood it like this before.” Dave also witnessed to Bella, 14, who had been attending church with her Christian friend and her Christian mother. Scott witnessed to Anthony and prayed with him. He said he wanted to get his life right with God. Mike witnessed to Anestesia and her two children, Theodore and Ellen. They were from Greece and receptive to the gospel.
On Fri. Nov. 30, we witnessed at 16th and Mission. Dave spoke with Dylan, who was listening to the preaching. He said he had been saved in prison, but was not living right with God. He also witnessed to Jair, 16, who lives in San Francisco. He took a gospel of John. Mike witnessed to Tony, a Catholic. He used to have a house, job and wife, but lost them because of alcohol and gambling problems, and is now homeless.
Ministry Needs
Thank you again for your prayers and financial support for this ministry. In this newsletter, I tried to explain the importance of the signs we use in our evangelism outreaches. Our signs are made from corrugated plastic. We had a professional artist design them. Ten years ago we ordered four sets of eight signs, and they lasted until now. We want to order five sets of the signs. It will cost $950. While that is a lot of money, it is less than $100 per year to bring a Christian message to many thousands of people.
Please pray about our permit situation with the San Francisco Park Department. Not only are we being denied permits at Dolores Park and Washington Square, the Park Department is now threatening to charge us outrageously high fees for any permits involving music in all parks. A five hour permit at UN Plaza used to cost $70. Under the new rules, it would cost about $1000! As a result, we may no longer be able to play music in San Francisco parks.
Yours in His love,
Larry Rosenbaum
