Post by Kerrigan on Jun 26, 2006 10:40:02 GMT -5
My wife and I met Tony and Shayna in downtown Raleigh on Saturday night to reach out to those who were partying at Raleigh Downtown Live. Man, there were lot's of people! It was hosted in Moore Square, which was barricaded off. We went in and didn't get our hand stamped, because we obviously weren't there to drink. We found a great spot, where the music wasn't as loud and where there was a captive audience. Our spot was right near the bathroom line and some beer vendors. It was great because I remember that when I was a drunkard, I would go to the bathroom quite a bit. Anyway, Tony and I prayed and then cast lots as to who would preach first. Tony won. During Tony's 1st OA, there were many drunken hecklers. There were some who mocked and some who even called him drunk. Sounds like they were misunderstanding the fact that he was filled with the Spirit. Sounds familiar to the Day of Pentecost, huh? Anyway, after about 9-10 min, it was my turn. I started hitting the sins of drunkeness and fornication pretty hard. I know that when I was in their place, that is what I was heavily involved in. I had people cussing me out left and right during my 1st O/A of the night. I had a mock preacher as well and even had someone shake my hand and tell me God Bless (that guy seemed sincere, but you have to wonder what he was doing there). Then the authorities of the place came over towards the end of my 1st O/A. They told me I had to leave. I didn't believe him and he went to get the cops. I spoke with one police officer about it and then humbly went to the entry ways to preach the Gospel. He was a very nice police officer and he is the one who gave us the idea of preaching outside the gates! As soon as Tony started off his 1st O/A at the entry ways, he was interrupted by a lady who was working for the function. She told us a lie about how close we could be to the entry ways. We stood our ground and kept preaching. I got up to preach to quick ones, just in case she wasn't lying. They never told us to move, so we kept preaching. Tony did another short O/A while people were coming in and out and then I stood up to do the same. In my last O/A of the night in front of the entry ways some rude guy burped in my face and then his drunk girlfriend told me that she loved me. I preached about beer names and how they are all mixed up as well as drunkenness. Then we spotted a local bar that was pretty packed inside and out. We went to go preach there and almost as soon as Tony started preaching, the owner angrily came out and asked us to move. We stood our ground until the police came and told us he was right. What I have learned is that people lie to you to try to intimidate you and get you to do what they want you to do. One the police came, he asked us to get on the sidewalk, which we gladly did. Then we just kept preaching. In my last O/A of the night (in front of the bar), I had a drunk heckler who wasn't making any sense, but the Word of God was preached! A Christian couple who were out for a walk, stopped to listen to my last O/A. They were very encouraged and are going to talk to their Pastor about me coming to speak at their Church. All in all, it was a good night of preaching. Many people listened intently, both Drunk and Sober. Pray for them, that the seeds of the Word of God will take root in the soil of their hearts, bringing forth a tree of righteousness. Here are some pictures from the night:
Our Congregation in Front of the Bar
Tony Speaking With One of the Congregation
My O/A in Front of the Bar Interrupted by the Police
WARNING! Listen to the ALARM of Your Conscience!
Sorry the pics are soooo big!