Post by bullhornbob on Aug 17, 2008 22:56:49 GMT -5
Bema Ministries 2008 Summer Update
As some of you already know, we ended our spring semester in Southern California. The Lord has also allowed us to spend the entire summer in the San Francisco Bay area, and to come alongside and labor with some of the local preachers.
During our stay here, we have preached at numerous events. Below, you will find a brief summary of some of our outreaches. It has been a very busy summer indeed!
Irvington High School: Here we preached and distributed Christian tracts. We were amazed at the hardness of the hearts of these students. It is sad to say that a high percentage of the students were homosexuals (mostly lesbians). These students were also very violent. This is the future generation of America.
City of Los Gatos: We preached and handed out tracts here, usually gathering mostly high school students. Many would mock, but would also listen to us preach the entire time we were there. We also had good one on one conversations with the students. Others would pass by and be encouraged by the preaching. One lady was very encouraged and mentioned to us that her husband would love to know more about open air preaching. Evangelista also had a great conversation with an atheist young man one of the nights we were out there, and clearly presented the gospel of Jesus Christ to him. He was very thankful and sincere, but sadly he did not submit to Christ.
City of San Francisco: We preached here mainly on Saturday in the early afternoon. This is one of JK’s favorite places to preach in the area. We have also met a few people who were encouraged by the preaching who shared their testimonies with those passing by. Lots of people here, and no need to try and draw a crowd.
San Jose, Sacramento, and San Francisco Gay Pride Parades: We were able to team up with various groups of local preachers for each of these events. Our stand for righteousness was met with the usual resistance and unbiblical excuses. We received local news coverage as well, and believe it was all well worth the prayers and time spent preaching. We also preached outside of the San Francisco City Hall for the gay marriage ceremonies. This was broadcasted nationally, and some of our banners were also shown on the news broadcasts. One gentleman actually dropped dead at this event while he listened to us preach. He apparently overdosed on drugs. God was very merciful as He gave the man one more opportunity to repent. Unfortunately, the man mocked as he played his guitar and sang of how God loves the homosexuals. As the paramedics worked to save his life, the crowd had no problem cheering on the couples as they streamed out of the courthouse. This was a once-in-a-lifetime preach, and very effective.
Pleasanton and Palo Alto: We also preached here, mainly in the early evenings. Many simply hated God and didn’t want to hear about Jesus. There were those who professed to know Christ, but would end up usually cursing and mocking us. These towns are very similar to Los Gatos.
Las Vegas Outreach: We drove to Las Vegas for the 4th of July weekend, with temperatures the low 100’s. Now we know why this city is called Sin City. We were bombarded with pornographic images as soon as we entered. For the remainder of the time we were there, there were porno billboards and signs on passing vans, porno literature on the streets, and people handing out porno cards to people on the streets, you name it. Unfortunately, it was sad to see that there were many parents there with little children. While JK preached one afternoon, a man passed by with his wife and little children, claiming to be a pastor. JK asked him what he was doing here, and he replied that he is teaching his children a different way. He continued to mock us as he left. There were many who professed to be Christians, but yet were getting drunk and doing other things God condemns. All in all, it was quite a preach, and we had many good conversations with people.
Hollister Biker Weekend: This is an annual biker event. We also noticed a few Christian biker clubs. Unfortunately, we met many who were still in sin. Evangelista met a pastor’s wife, who then introduced her cigar smoking pastor and their worship pastor. The Hell’s Angels were there and they, too, had the opportunity to listen to the preaching. We also saw the same belly dancer there who danced at the San Jose Gay Pride Parade. She mockingly danced around one of the preachers to the crowd’s delight.
Southeast Open Air Preachers Conference (SOAPA): We flew out to Norfolk, VA to attend this conference, as JK was invited to preach. We also preached nightly at Virginia Beach during our week there. One night was a great blessing, as a young man heard the preaching, became very convicted of his sins, and rededicated his heart to the Lord. We also met a local pastor who is also a street preacher, and was a tremendous encouragement to us. JK was able to share his testimony at the Sunday evening church service. As we sat on a flight back to San Francisco, we were able to minister to a flight attendant who was trapped in an adulterous relationship. She confided in Evangelista that she hadn’t been able to sleep, and could not look at herself in the mirror as a result of the shame and guilt she felt by being in this relationship.
Apparently, the devil had told her that it was a hopeless situation, and that she could not find repentance anymore. Evangelista assured her that if she would repent and turn from her sin of adultery, that God would forgive her. When Evangelista told her that, she was amazed and glad, and it seemed as if a light had been switched on in her face. Evangelista continued to minister to this woman, and prayed with her as tears streamed down her face. What a blessing! Before we deplaned, she seemed very confident of what she needed to do to in order for her to retain the peace she so longed for. We were very thankful to the Lord that He was able to use us in that manner.
George Michael, Toby Keith, John Mayer, Sammy Hagar, Motley Crue and Rock the Bells concerts: The Toby Keith concert was the worst of all of these. Most of the attendees consisted of young girls who were hardly dressed, and of course, drunk. Many also professed to be Christians. The scripture verse that comes to mind is 1 Peter 4:17-18: “For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?” The churches in America are in a sad, sad state indeed. This is the fruit of the American Church: rotten, smelly, worthless, and full of evil (Jeremiah 24).
Fremont Arts and Wine Festival: This was a great preach as there were many attendees at this event. We thank God for the liberty to preach there. Although banners were not allowed at this event, we wore sandwich boards instead. We were able to preach to hundreds, and had a very large crowd at the end of the day on Sunday.
City of San Jose: This is another interesting city to preach. You can actually sense the malice and hatred exuding from the young people here as we declare the Word of God openly. I have preached at a few events in my short tenure as an open air preacher, and have been knocked around a few times by people as well. But this city is truly in need of a savior! You must be on guard at all times, watching out for each other and the preacher, and carefully recording everything on video. You have to be there to understand it, but the kids there are wicked.
We are truly humbled that God is allowing us to preach and teach, and travel the country in this manner. We do not take God’s calling lightly. It is our sincere desire to see all men saved, and that they would genuinely come to repentance and faith in Christ. Our only request from you is that you would cry out to God in prayer! Pray for us, for the souls we will reach on campuses and during our travels, and for God’s will to be accomplished in and through us. He deserves all that we are, and even more so.
We are truly at war for the souls of men. Please pray. It is a matter of eternal significance.
Bema Ministries 2008 Fall Campus Itinerary
Univ of Calif Berkeley - Aug 25 to 29
San Fran St Univ - Sept 2 to 5
San Jose St Univ - Sept 8 to 12
Cal St Fresno - Sept 15-19
Northern AZ Univ - Sept 22 to 26
Univ of Oklahoma/Norman - Sept 29 to Oct 3
Univ of Alabama/Tuscaloosa - Oct 6 to 8
Univ of Georgia/Athens - Oct 13, 14
SOAPA Conf Marietta, GA - Oct 15 to 19
Univ of South FL - Oct 20 - 22
Key West Fantasy Fest - Oct 24, 25
As some of you already know, we ended our spring semester in Southern California. The Lord has also allowed us to spend the entire summer in the San Francisco Bay area, and to come alongside and labor with some of the local preachers.
During our stay here, we have preached at numerous events. Below, you will find a brief summary of some of our outreaches. It has been a very busy summer indeed!
Irvington High School: Here we preached and distributed Christian tracts. We were amazed at the hardness of the hearts of these students. It is sad to say that a high percentage of the students were homosexuals (mostly lesbians). These students were also very violent. This is the future generation of America.
City of Los Gatos: We preached and handed out tracts here, usually gathering mostly high school students. Many would mock, but would also listen to us preach the entire time we were there. We also had good one on one conversations with the students. Others would pass by and be encouraged by the preaching. One lady was very encouraged and mentioned to us that her husband would love to know more about open air preaching. Evangelista also had a great conversation with an atheist young man one of the nights we were out there, and clearly presented the gospel of Jesus Christ to him. He was very thankful and sincere, but sadly he did not submit to Christ.
City of San Francisco: We preached here mainly on Saturday in the early afternoon. This is one of JK’s favorite places to preach in the area. We have also met a few people who were encouraged by the preaching who shared their testimonies with those passing by. Lots of people here, and no need to try and draw a crowd.
San Jose, Sacramento, and San Francisco Gay Pride Parades: We were able to team up with various groups of local preachers for each of these events. Our stand for righteousness was met with the usual resistance and unbiblical excuses. We received local news coverage as well, and believe it was all well worth the prayers and time spent preaching. We also preached outside of the San Francisco City Hall for the gay marriage ceremonies. This was broadcasted nationally, and some of our banners were also shown on the news broadcasts. One gentleman actually dropped dead at this event while he listened to us preach. He apparently overdosed on drugs. God was very merciful as He gave the man one more opportunity to repent. Unfortunately, the man mocked as he played his guitar and sang of how God loves the homosexuals. As the paramedics worked to save his life, the crowd had no problem cheering on the couples as they streamed out of the courthouse. This was a once-in-a-lifetime preach, and very effective.
Pleasanton and Palo Alto: We also preached here, mainly in the early evenings. Many simply hated God and didn’t want to hear about Jesus. There were those who professed to know Christ, but would end up usually cursing and mocking us. These towns are very similar to Los Gatos.
Las Vegas Outreach: We drove to Las Vegas for the 4th of July weekend, with temperatures the low 100’s. Now we know why this city is called Sin City. We were bombarded with pornographic images as soon as we entered. For the remainder of the time we were there, there were porno billboards and signs on passing vans, porno literature on the streets, and people handing out porno cards to people on the streets, you name it. Unfortunately, it was sad to see that there were many parents there with little children. While JK preached one afternoon, a man passed by with his wife and little children, claiming to be a pastor. JK asked him what he was doing here, and he replied that he is teaching his children a different way. He continued to mock us as he left. There were many who professed to be Christians, but yet were getting drunk and doing other things God condemns. All in all, it was quite a preach, and we had many good conversations with people.
Hollister Biker Weekend: This is an annual biker event. We also noticed a few Christian biker clubs. Unfortunately, we met many who were still in sin. Evangelista met a pastor’s wife, who then introduced her cigar smoking pastor and their worship pastor. The Hell’s Angels were there and they, too, had the opportunity to listen to the preaching. We also saw the same belly dancer there who danced at the San Jose Gay Pride Parade. She mockingly danced around one of the preachers to the crowd’s delight.
Southeast Open Air Preachers Conference (SOAPA): We flew out to Norfolk, VA to attend this conference, as JK was invited to preach. We also preached nightly at Virginia Beach during our week there. One night was a great blessing, as a young man heard the preaching, became very convicted of his sins, and rededicated his heart to the Lord. We also met a local pastor who is also a street preacher, and was a tremendous encouragement to us. JK was able to share his testimony at the Sunday evening church service. As we sat on a flight back to San Francisco, we were able to minister to a flight attendant who was trapped in an adulterous relationship. She confided in Evangelista that she hadn’t been able to sleep, and could not look at herself in the mirror as a result of the shame and guilt she felt by being in this relationship.
Apparently, the devil had told her that it was a hopeless situation, and that she could not find repentance anymore. Evangelista assured her that if she would repent and turn from her sin of adultery, that God would forgive her. When Evangelista told her that, she was amazed and glad, and it seemed as if a light had been switched on in her face. Evangelista continued to minister to this woman, and prayed with her as tears streamed down her face. What a blessing! Before we deplaned, she seemed very confident of what she needed to do to in order for her to retain the peace she so longed for. We were very thankful to the Lord that He was able to use us in that manner.
George Michael, Toby Keith, John Mayer, Sammy Hagar, Motley Crue and Rock the Bells concerts: The Toby Keith concert was the worst of all of these. Most of the attendees consisted of young girls who were hardly dressed, and of course, drunk. Many also professed to be Christians. The scripture verse that comes to mind is 1 Peter 4:17-18: “For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?” The churches in America are in a sad, sad state indeed. This is the fruit of the American Church: rotten, smelly, worthless, and full of evil (Jeremiah 24).
Fremont Arts and Wine Festival: This was a great preach as there were many attendees at this event. We thank God for the liberty to preach there. Although banners were not allowed at this event, we wore sandwich boards instead. We were able to preach to hundreds, and had a very large crowd at the end of the day on Sunday.
City of San Jose: This is another interesting city to preach. You can actually sense the malice and hatred exuding from the young people here as we declare the Word of God openly. I have preached at a few events in my short tenure as an open air preacher, and have been knocked around a few times by people as well. But this city is truly in need of a savior! You must be on guard at all times, watching out for each other and the preacher, and carefully recording everything on video. You have to be there to understand it, but the kids there are wicked.
We are truly humbled that God is allowing us to preach and teach, and travel the country in this manner. We do not take God’s calling lightly. It is our sincere desire to see all men saved, and that they would genuinely come to repentance and faith in Christ. Our only request from you is that you would cry out to God in prayer! Pray for us, for the souls we will reach on campuses and during our travels, and for God’s will to be accomplished in and through us. He deserves all that we are, and even more so.
We are truly at war for the souls of men. Please pray. It is a matter of eternal significance.
Bema Ministries 2008 Fall Campus Itinerary
Univ of Calif Berkeley - Aug 25 to 29
San Fran St Univ - Sept 2 to 5
San Jose St Univ - Sept 8 to 12
Cal St Fresno - Sept 15-19
Northern AZ Univ - Sept 22 to 26
Univ of Oklahoma/Norman - Sept 29 to Oct 3
Univ of Alabama/Tuscaloosa - Oct 6 to 8
Univ of Georgia/Athens - Oct 13, 14
SOAPA Conf Marietta, GA - Oct 15 to 19
Univ of South FL - Oct 20 - 22
Key West Fantasy Fest - Oct 24, 25