Coming Events
(Contact me at mail@sosmin.com or (510) 282-5629 for outreach locations and times one or two days before outreach.)
Friday September 10, 17, 24 4-7 PM Witnessing in San Francisco neighborhoods.
Saturday September 11, 18, 25 12-5 PM Witnessing in San Francisco neighborhoods.
USING GOSPEL TRACTS (PART 1)
Dear Christian friends,
Passing out gospel tracts is one of the easiest, yet most effective, ways to evangelize. It takes skill to be a good conversationalist – to start a conversation about Christ, to explain the gospel message clearly, to help a person see his need for salvation, to deal with objections. Friendship evangelism also involves skill – developing a friendship, bringing your conversation around to spiritual things, and sharing the gospel lovingly but without compromise.
Some Christians are good at engaging strangers in conversations. Some are good at friendship evangelism. Many of us have a hard time witnessing either to strangers or to friends. Our skills in these areas can improve with training and practice. But every Christian can pass out gospel tracts – both to friends and to strangers.
A few years ago, a team from Eureka, CA joined our outreach. One member of that team, Robin Anderson, first started witnessing with us in the 1980’s. He not only preaches but passes out gospel tracts. Robin is blind. If Robin can pass out gospel tracts, anyone can.
So what stands in our way? Mostly, it is fear of people’s reactions to us and the sense that what we are doing is unnatural or somehow wrong. If I needed a job, and the only one I could get was passing out fliers for a restaurant, I would do it. It is an honorable job. If there is nothing wrong with passing out restaurant fliers, why would it be wrong to pass out gospel literature? Certainly, every Christian believes that people will benefit more from a gospel tract than from a restaurant flier.
I’ve heard the objections: “You can’t put the gospel on a piece of paper.” The Bible is printed on paper. “You need to make friends with someone before you can share the gospel.” Where is that in the Bible? “It’s too impersonal or mechanical.” Who says? You can certainly be friendly and personable while giving out tracts. You can also be ready to engage interested people in a conversation. But a good gospel tract can be effective regardless of our personal shortcomings — and we all have shortcomings.
One of the best things about gospel tracts is that you can’t argue with them. How do you argue with a piece of paper? If I give someone a tract that clearly explains the gospel, the recipient can either read the tract, throw it away, or put it in his pocket to read later. Regardless, I have given him an opportunity to hear the gospel and respond.
I would like to see every Christian become more skillful in witnessing both to strangers and friends. But, for many of us, the easiest yet most effective thing we can do is give well-written gospel literature to people. And it is even easier to leave gospel tracts in public places — like tables, literature stands, and public restrooms.
During our SOS outreaches, a person walking down the street may hear only a brief excerpt of our preaching or music. They probably will read our signs, but they don’t present the whole gospel message. A few are willing to stop and talk with us, but most do not. But many people will take a gospel tract and read it. That is why we use gospel tracts that are written in an intelligent way to relate to the people of the San Francisco area, and that explain the gospel clearly. They also contain our contact information and a coupon people can mail in to get more information.
Every year, we sow many thousands of gospel seeds on the streets. These seeds need to be “watered” and eventually some will bear fruit in that a person will be saved. We sow in faith, trusting God to work in people’s lives and save some. Most of the fruit of our labors we will not see until we are in Heaven. “I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase. So then neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase” 1 Cor. 3:6,7. We need to be content to take the initiative to share Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit, leaving the results to God. We walk by faith, not by sight, and trust that God is working in people’s lives, regardless of what we see or don’t see.
On the Streets
On Fri. April 16 we witnessed at 4th and Market. Mike witnessed to Nate, 28, who had used meth for a long time. He grew up in Petaluma in a Jehovah’s Witness family. His parents told him to avoid other children at school, so he had no friends at school and got into fights and was kicked out of school. He had also been tased by the police, forcing him to fall over a 4 story balcony. Miraculously, he survived but has difficulty walking. He has two twin sons, 13, who don’t live with him. He had a soft heart towards the gospel and Mike got his phone number.
On Sat. April 17, we witnessed at Fisherman’s Wharf. James Croci played music. The previous week, our team had been told by police at Pier 39 for the first time that they could not use amplification without a permit (which is impossible to get). This week, Tats went to the Pier 39 entrance and started preaching without amplification. The head of security approached him and asked him to move to the island across the street. Alex asked if they could use amplification and, surprisingly, he said yes. So they were able to preach there once again. Corey witnessed to Mary, who was backslidden into lesbianism. She asked how he knew Jesus loved her. He said that he willingly went to the cross for our sins. She momentarily softened, but then started screaming at us. Andy, Alex and Kevin ministered to Terry, who was into the Jesus Only doctrine. Mike witnessed to Luis. Tats was preaching that a person’s money would not get them into Heaven. Luis, who claimed to be Christian, said he loved giving. He said he had made $3 million on Bitcoin yesterday and gave us $200. He said “I have 60 businesses.” Mike shared with him how money can be an idol.
On the way back from Valley Springs, Scott noticed a child’s bicycle for sale at a yard sale. He felt God wanted him to buy it so he purchased it for $40. As he was preaching, he mentioned the bicycle several times. As he was about to leave, a women with three kids mentioned that one of the children needed a bike so they gave it to her. Mike also witnessed to 4 teenage boys from San Francisco. They were Catholic but quite open to the gospel
Several house members have been preaching during the week. One day, Tats was preaching in Chinatown with Corey and Joshua. They met Carlos, who was living in a homeless camp. He indicated a desire to follow Jesus so they helped him get into Victory Outreach in Oakland. To do this, they had to help him get a COVID test then buy him a hotel room for one night. Carlos stayed at Victory Outreach for three days and left. Tats saw him again at 24th and Mission.
On May 10, Cody visited us from northern California. Joe Absher had found him on the streets over a year ago. He had been homeless for 6 years and had pus coming out of his skin. Joe helped him get off the streets and move in with his parents. He is doing very well spiritually and was blessed by meeting everyone in our house. He wants to visit us again, but isn’t ready to live in San Francisco.
On Fri. May 14 we witnessed at 16th and Mission and 16th and Valencia. Mike witnessed to Tony, who was giving out government-sponsored phones. He knew the Bible well but was addicted to drugs. He gave Mike his phone number. Ryan ministered to Megan, who was backslidden and demonized. She listened to our preaching the whole night.
The next day, we witnessed at Fisherman’s Wharf. We were once again able to witness at the Franciscan Restaurant. It is a much better spot than the place we had been using, since the restaurant blocks most of the cold wind. However, for several months, a group of break dancers had not allowed us to be there. They would lie and say that they had gotten there before us. We did not want to get into a fight with them, so we moved to another spot.
On Fri. May 21, we witnessed at 4th and Market. Mike spoke with Raymond. He used to run an underground casino in San Jose before he was arrested by a SWAT team and imprisoned. After he was arrested, he prayed to God and eventually came to trust in Jesus Christ. Today he lives in Monterey where he feeds 300 homeless persons each day. Mike encouraged him to share his faith in Jesus with those he was feeding. Andy witnessed to Scott, who said he had overdosed on fentanyl and almost died two days earlier. Scott came with Andy to church that Sunday and shared his testimony. However, he walked away during the church service. Ryan witnessed to three lesbians, Francis, Emma and Hanna. They were offended by our preaching, but listened as Ryan gave some evidence for the Christian faith. Hanna was the most receptive of the three.
A Final Word
Thank you again for your prayers and financial support for this ministry. We will be witnessing at Dolores Park on Sat. Sept. 11 from 1:30-5 PM. On Sat. Sept. 18, we will be joining several Christian groups for a Praise Rally and Parade from Justin Herman Plaza (Market & Embarcadero) at 10AM to SF City Hall. We will march around City Hall 7 times. Afterwards, we will have a rally at UN Plaza (7th St. and Market) from 1-6 PM.
Yours in His love,
Larry Rosenbaum
