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Post by Jeffrey Olver on Mar 21, 2007 17:33:09 GMT -5
The Montgomery College newspaper snapped this shot of me preaching on Monday. There was no story, just a captions saying who I was. After moving to Rockville, Maryland with my lovely wife LauRen, I discovered that we are located within walking distance to one of the most popular community colleges in the country; Montgomery College. To be safe I printed out their free speech policy which affirms spontaneous free speech, which does not require the procuring of a permit 'sponsorship.' Monday, March 20th I prayerfully walked to campus and arrived just around noon and began preaching near their student center. I don't believe MC has ever seen a campus preacher so I attracted a large crowd very quickly which stayed with me all day. A security officer tried suggesting that I needed to obtain permission until I showed her the free speech policy in writing. She said she'd check it out and never returned. The weekend before was St. Patrick's day, so I began proclaiming God's condemnation of drunkenness. After a few moments, hearing some students heckle I realized the hot button issues were, without a question, homosexuality and abortion. Once I began addressing those topics the crowd grew and got really involved. Two young women especially hated what I had to say about homos, abortion and the roles of women in the family. However, they didn't argue that much with me - some student who agreed with me objected outloud to what these feminists were saying and a loud arguement ensued so I had to change locations - TWICE! But the entire crowd followed me! Then a cement truck showed up! They were repairing a nearby sidewalk. So I walked clear across the courtyard I was preaching at and the crowd still followed! I ended the day as it began to get cold around 4pm by sharing my testimony and beginning some group discussions with my wife who came with me. It was a glorious day of exalting God's holiness, confronting sin and proclaiming the good news of Jesus Christ. Before I preached on this campus I was concerned that all I would get is a huge negative reaction since this is a very, extremely liberal region. But my prayers were answered as this was one of the most receptive crowds I ever preached to! They weren't by any means less intolerant, in fact they were fairly aggressive in their heckling and comments than other campuses in the Bible belt, but the crowd was very attentive. The Christians I came in contact with were skeptical at first, but very glad to see someone preaching the Gospel. I recieved a few notes from students, one desiring to talk about repentance. Here are some quotes from a couple e-mails I got from students at Montgomery College: "...I've heard so many people preach who don't know basic knowledge of the Bible. It was nice to see someone who really knew their stuff.""God's spirit touched me, I think. Instead of just walking past thinking, 'Oh no, please tell me he's not preaching the Gospel in a way that will embarass the church,' I turned around to hear you out.""You have convicted me that I am too timid and hesitant in sharing my belief with others."I'm really hoping to develop a partnership with the Christians on this campus and become a constant voice crying and light shining. Please pray for open doors to preach during the times I'm not working (I needed to get a job to bring in more income). And that souls would be saved at Montgomery College.
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Post by Jesse Morrell on Mar 21, 2007 18:06:12 GMT -5
Brother it's so awesome to see you going out unto the campuses in Maryland! Proclaim the truth! And I pray many souls will be saved!
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Post by Jeffrey Olver on Mar 21, 2007 18:26:50 GMT -5
I went again today after work - but most of the students went home for the day. I was able to engage in a small group discussion. Sadly it was dominated by a 'fool' who would not shut his mouth. The word went forth without compromise though and a Christian who was listening offered me encouragement.
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Post by Jesse Morrell on Mar 21, 2007 18:41:46 GMT -5
Go to them every chance you get!
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Post by victorialewis on Mar 21, 2007 20:38:59 GMT -5
To God be the glory! Thanks, brother, for a very encouraging report....
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Post by Miles Lewis on Mar 21, 2007 22:38:42 GMT -5
Yes, this is very encouraging. Praise the Lord!
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byhislife
Junior Member
No Compromise
Posts: 78
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Post by byhislife on Mar 22, 2007 2:53:59 GMT -5
I went again today after work - but most of the students went home for the day. I was able to engage in a small group discussion. Sadly it was dominated by a 'fool' who would not shut his mouth. The word went forth without compromise though and a Christian who was listening offered me encouragement. Amen! I am looking forward to the day when we see the word preached with signs following... as in Acts 13:8-11, another "fool" named Elymas atempted to hinder the preaching of the Gospel, but was dealt with severely by the Spirit of God through Paul. In fact, so intense was the demonstration of His mighty power, that the one to whom Paul was preaching to "... believed being astonished at the doctrine of the Lord." I believe, brothers , that God wants to manifest his power in such a way as to literaly stop the mouths of lions. Why? So that they (sinners) may know that He is God, and that He must be reverenced by all. My prayer for all street preachers is that they may, not only preach the word with boldness, but also move in the raw power of God as the Apostles of old did! Believest thou this?
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Post by brobreaud on Mar 22, 2007 16:06:40 GMT -5
Be encouraged brother! The colleges are such vacuums of political correctness that whenever someone preaches a substantive message like the gospel, crowds are attracted immediately.
Brobreaud
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Post by John McGlone on Mar 23, 2007 4:15:39 GMT -5
Praise God brother! I look forward to hearing more....my hometown is Alexandria, VA. Maybe I will make it up there to see the Lord work through you. God bless you and your bride as you start your new life to glorify the Son!!
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Post by Jeffrey Olver on Mar 23, 2007 17:34:21 GMT -5
Preached again Thursday.
We were blessed with beautiful spring weather again this Thursday, so my wife and I hit the campus.
As I preached I mainly spoke to students about the essence of sin: selfishness. There were a few sincere questions, but two individuals who were spouting profanity and insults. One man, wearing a shirt with the McDonald's sign and a picture of Lenin on it was particularly loud and obnoxious. We finally got on the topic of right and wrong - he said there was no such thing. I asked him if Hitler was right or wrong? He said for himself that Hitler was wrong, but Hitler was right in his own eyes. Then he spouted off with nonsense.
I cautioned another individual to watch his mouth because their was ladies present. The man with Lenin shirt on called me sexist. And said there's nothing wrong with profanity, but he would never call a woman a B****. I exposed his hypocrisy and denounced him as a fool and that I would no longer entertain his questions or comments. This caused the crowd to get fairly serious and start asking genuine questions.
Until a very foul mouthed and blasphemous woman showed up and spouted non-stop with profanity, blasphemy and insults.
As we wrapped up the day ending once again on the topics of homosexuality and abortion a young man who was a believer followed us into the parking lot asking questions in regards to hypocrisy and following God for the right motives. We gave him a ride home. He was very open and humble and realized that he'd been a hypocrite. We encouraged him to read 1st John and gave him some biblical counsel on how you know if you love God.
I'm looking forward to the next chance I get to hit MC Campus.
If anyone from MD or VA is reading this and would like to come up to the Rockville, MD area for some preaching e-mail me at Jeff@OpenAirOutreach.com
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Post by Jesse Morrell on Mar 23, 2007 17:40:30 GMT -5
Awesome brother! Keep going!
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Post by Jeffrey Olver on Mar 29, 2007 18:14:41 GMT -5
MC CAMPUS UPDATE. After I finished work at 2pm today I rushed home to change and hit the campus hoping there would be students still around for me to draw a crowd. It took a little while, but eventually I was able to draw some listeners. I was kind of dissappointed it was on the homosexuality topic again...but as the preaching went on I believe I made myself very clear on the topic of homosex; how it's harmful and hurts God. For a good while I preached specifically about Jesus Christ. His divinity and humanity. And I posed three questions to the students (from C.S. Lewis) Was Jesus a Liar, lunatic or Lord? From there I preached about sin and repentance, and specifically the motives for repentance and glorifying God. One man desperately wanted me to admit I was being paid for preaching. And when he 'quoted' the bible saying the typical 'judge not' stuff, I challenged him to show me where it was. He continued to rant on how I HAD to be paid for this and stormed off. I exposed a lot of hypocrisy today. Even in the life of a professing Christian who was decrying the infalabity of the Word. He said he believed that God is all powerful, but refused to believe that God's word could not be corrupted. He also denied that God is the same yesterday today and forever. A "Sinning Saint" tried to say I shouldn't be arguing with Christians - and I was able to expose how the man truly wasnt. Then the whole "living without sin" debate began. The Christian gentlemen were trying to block my access to the crowd and clamly speak with me when I wanted to preach...so I dodged them a bit until they formed a small group to the side and eventually left. Towards the end of the day a young jewish man approached. From the start he reminded me of the Pharisees Jeses confronted. He was full of pride and knowledge and it was kind of evident he was loving how he could spout off all sorts of knowledge that I didn't have. I read from Acts chapter two and the Psalms...but I realized this man was a fool. An intelligent fool, but a fool none the less - steadfastly denying the divinity of Jesus Christ. (From that conversation I realize I need to study more on the messianic prophecies etc.) That conversation gave me a good spring board to talk about Jesus Christ again and the forgiveness of sins and the glory of God. The day ended with showing some students how supposed 'contradictions' in the Bible are not at all and a brief talk on idolatry. Please pray for this campus. While LauRen and I are in this area my heart is very moved for these students and I want to be constant presence in this place. I hurt for students are mocking God and living a life of sin. While I'm at work I am usually thinking about three things: The Lord, my wife and those students. Pray I would have access into the lives of the Christians on campus and the Lord would grant me wisdom to speak to the many Jews and Muslims. Any questions or comments feel free to e-mail me: Jeff@OpenAirOutreach.com
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Post by jackjackson on Mar 29, 2007 21:25:03 GMT -5
I used to be a Laboratory Technician for the Water Company (WSSC) not far from there and was born and raised 40 years there.
It is a highly Catholic area, so beware conversations about Mary.
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Post by Jeffrey Olver on Mar 30, 2007 14:58:35 GMT -5
I've had a few conversations about Mary and I think I've really set some people straight on the issue.
The real concern it seems to be is the Jews and Muslims. Muslims demand that I quote from a Koran in my hand (which I would gladly do if I had one), when I admit that I'm not scholar of religion they scold and wag their fingers...but when I ask them about them questions about the Koran all I get is deflection; "Well you should know it!"
I confess, I definitely need to study up on the Koran and the context of the Messianic prophecies in the old testament.
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Post by ebrayley on Mar 30, 2007 15:44:23 GMT -5
Brother Jeff, great to hear you are doing well and preaching the Word up in Maryland! Praise God. Just thought I'd throw out this for you regarding Islam. I created a syllogism, really simple, that helps disarm Muslims. It's never failed and every Muslim I have spoken this too always walks away with nothing. it goes like this: A. Islam is based upon the belief that the Bible has been corrupted.-Muslims believe the Bible WAS the Word of God before it was corrupted. That is why they believe Allah gave the Qur'an to Muhammad. Their whole religion hinges on this point, because if the Bible is not corrupted, they run into major problems due to the countless discrepancies between the two. For example, the Qur'an says Allah has no son, but the Bible says Jesus is the Son of God. Only one can be right, and if the Bible has not been corrupted then the Qur'an is wrong; for the Bible was given first (Islam founded in the 7th century AD). Every Muslim I have ever talked to will agree that if the Bible is NOT corrupted than Islam is false. B. The Bible is NOT corrupted.-all you have to do in this step is show them that the Bible has never been corrupted but has been preserved, specifically the New Testament. You can prove this by the Ante-Nicene Father's writings, for they quote every Scripture of the Bible we have today and wrote commentaries on them. These men were the disciples of the disciples, so that is very early. Because we still have their writings today it proves that the New Testament has never changed since the days of the apostles. It is also interesting to ask a Muslim what proof he has that the Bible has been corrupted... I have never once received any, they simply have none. C. Therefore Islam is false-because the Bible has never been corrupted, the basis for Islam is non-existent. We can therefore look into the Bible and show that Muhammad was a false prophet because he meets all the criteria and did not teach the truth. To sum up: A. Islam is based upon the belief that the Bible has been corrupted. B. The Bible has not been corrupted. C. Islam is falseHope this helps brother. This isn't exhaustive so you can do a little more research on your own. Here is a link to an article I wrote on Islam: timothyministry.blogspot.com/2006/11/truth-about-islam.html Anyway, God bless you and LauRen. Miss you guys! Love in Christ, -Eli
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Post by Jeffrey Olver on Apr 19, 2007 19:50:35 GMT -5
Preaching has been going great at Montgomery College, Maryland. The newspaper just printed their feature article about the preaching. I'll post it here when I can.
If any of you would like to chat, or contact me as I'm not on the boards much at all these days please don't hesitate to e-mail me: Jeff@OpenAirOutreach.com
And if you like you can give me a call. :-)
God bless!
Jeffrey Olver
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