Street-preaching - you dont know how tough it is!

I've done that. Back in those days in the Philippines when I thought there were still 'lost' sheep that the merciful Lord had not covered with His blood, when I thought without preachers the Lord would not be able to do His work of regenerating His people, when I thought people had to accept Christ as their Savior or else Christ's title of Savior remains just that, a title.

Yeah, I've done that.

And I know what you mean when you say you had to choose your words, but not because people were simply just staring at you in a hostile way.

We've actually been stoned with stones, and with dung. We've had gospel tracts torn right before our eyes, and thrown back at us, and they walk away spitting. We've been spat at, kicked, slapped in the faces, embraced by others, served food in some areas, denied even water in some, welcomed in some areas, had doors slammed in our faces in some.

Tony Romasanta, a close friend, had his back pierced medya style, which means, in Filipino, just enough to draw blood, but not to kill.

We've gone on 48 hours non-stop street preaching in major street corners of Metro Manila, and the parks, in prostitution areas, and drug-infested areas, in gang controlled areas, and communist cadre controlled areas, in Muslim areas, and in heavily Roman Catholic areas.

And you know what ?

Street preaching is good. It makes you feel good, like you're really serving the Lord, you go home feeling satisfied, and with questions, like what's wrong with people ? Why can't they be like us, who love the Lord ? Like, look what we're accomplishing for the Lord.

And you know what ?

When all's been said and done, there ain't nothin' nobody can ever do to really pay the Lord back for what he's done for the sinner, and when all's been said and done, one realizes it's all about the immeasurable, unfathomable, amazing grace, kindess, and mercy of the Holy God who had no obligation towards anyone, yet condescended to save many, with or without pulpit, or street, preachers.

 

Street preaching here in Ghana is nothing like it is there evidently. I could stand on the corner for hours and keep a crowd with me most of that time. We go into villages with a movie projector and set it up with no prior announcement and show a film and draw as many as a thousnad people out to hear the preaching. Its a great ministry. We have to be careful about how we deal with those that respond in faith though. We do not ask people to repeat a pray. We always set up a time to meet with those that are serious about saving faith. We have prayed privately with many at those occasions when we can.

 

Sorry to have to close this thread. It was started by a poster who is a non-Baptist and therefore does not meet the rules for posting in the "Baptist Only" forums.

At a memeber's suggestion I have moved this thread instead.

[ November 29, 2005, 09:46 AM: Message edited by: C4K ]

 

Mike, my father has been out your way and his experience is similar. He said people were remarkeably receptive to the Word. What a wonderful quality for a people group to have. My prayers are with you.

 

Very moving very inspiring words may God truely bless all that do this work.


Rev. Jerry D. Lowery

 

A dear friend of mine has been stoned in her homeland of South Africa for working in a health clinic providing free care to one and all because she lives her religion


I cannot but feel anyone who would stone this good person and her confreres is destined for hellfires. (Goodness me a Catholic defending a Calvinist, my my what is the world coming to[tongue in cheek])

 

Goodness me, procyon why are you still standing.....you are preaching Christainity in the Maldives!!!!!!!!!!

I understood that the state is Islam and not real tolerant at that!!!

 

You go out and knowingly create a hostile situation....seeking a confrontation. I think you enjoy it...or you have a martyr complex.

 

Wow Pinoy (insert clapping hands here)

 

Why does anyone think that street preaching is a good use of God's time?

 

The Way of the Master has a lot of material on street preaching and witnessing.

http://www.wayofthemaster.com/

If you check the listings of your local Christian TV station you will probably get to see their 30 minute show. It's very informative.

 

While in Bible College we preached and sang in front of a high school, with the patrol car one block away. It does take fortitude to hit the streets. My experience was back in 1963 on the side of Duriff High School in Allentown, Pennsylvania, in the area of Bethlehem Steel and Lehigh University.

Pastor Berrian

 

Yes, I know what's entailed. I did it when I was a new Christian. But the Holy Spirit has called me to minister via other avenues.

Interesting thing about street preaching. Sometimes the hostility is well-deserved. I was once a target of a person who was street preaching and telling me, right to my face, that if I didn't stop and listen, that I was going to Hell.

OTOH, has anyone been to downtown Hollywood, in the aea of the Kodak and Grauman's Chinese Theatres? There are frequently street preachers there, and most of them are welcomed by the locals and passersby (I frequent the area probably once every 2 or 3 months). In fact, it's part of the atmosphere. And I've talked to a few, and they're quite warm, friendly, and eager to share the Lord with passersby.

Unfortunately, there's no shortage of streetpreachers who are doing more to drive folks further away from the Lord that bringing them closer. And the worst thing is, they don't realize they're doing it.

 

One of them is too many.

 

Myself and two others preached in the platform at a university I attended. Had about 2000 people listening. Have never preached in the street though.

 

We had one that came at least once a year to Texas A&M. I think according to him everybody was going to Hell except for him. He was a very hatefull person.

Street preaching is not my style, I prefer a more one on one relaxed style.