The Word Street Journal

FEAR NOT

2012-01-20T01:36:00.000-05:00

This 2 minute video is an encouragement to me. I trust it will be for you, as well.

THE NARROW GATE

2012-01-14T20:38:00.000-05:00

This 2 minute excerpt from a sermon preached by Dr. Steve Lawson, of Christ Fellowship Baptist Church in Mobile, Alabama, contains a powerful message that we have and will continue to bring to the streets of Ottawa this year: the narrowness of the gate Christ calls His own to enter into and the requirements of doing so. A very sobering and encouraging message, indeed.

EMMANUEL BAPTIST CHURCH - HERE WE COME!

2012-01-05T01:24:00.000-05:00

WOW! 2012 is already here! To reflect on all that has happened in 2011 would require much more than just a blog post. How about a book?!

God was very gracious to Kim and me in 2011 by giving us more than ample opportunities to share the gospel with people all over Ottawa. "With people" in regard to those we gave the gospel to ourselves and "with people" in regard to fellow brothers and sisters we gave the gospel with.

(Click on photos to enlarge)

Aside from the many personal opportunities we were given to share the gospel in 2011, Winterlude, St Patrick's Day Parade, Easter Weekend, College Outreach, March For Life, Ottawa Marathons, Westfest, Canada Day, Changing of the Guard Ceremonies, Bluesfest, Ribfest, Busker Festival, Mission Ottawa, Zombie Walk, Santa Parade, were some of the city events our intrepid team of street evangelists from our church were present at to proclaim the saving gospel of Jesus Christ.

Lord willing, if there is one thing you are going to be seeing more of in 2012 here on the old blog, it is our church. Our two year old church plant is now a church. We are on our own and on our way to becoming incorporated. The name we have chosen for our church is Emmanuel Baptist Church.

By God's grace, we have been richly blessed with a small and devoted group of men to lead our present congregation of about 35 people. Our pastor, Bob Doble, is a most humble man with a deep love for the Lord that is clearly evident not only in his preaching but in all aspects of his life and ministry.

One of the most encouraging characteristics of our band of believers the Lord has assembled together, from Pastor Bob on down, is a shared burden for lost. We have, therefore, committed ourselves to continue serving the Lord in the building of His kingdom by bringing the gospel outside the four walls of our building and into the public square.

We have every intention to be found continually busy in all aspects of street evangelism, giving God the glory He deserves by exalting the name of Jesus, open air preaching, public Scripture readings, tract handing, one-to-one and group conversations, etc.

The missionaries we will be supporting will be from our own church and the mission field our own backyard - Ottawa - the national capital city of Canada.

There was a time up until a year and half ago we could count on one hand how many regular street evangelists were proclaiming the gospel in this city of almost a million. Now there is Emmanuel Baptist Church. Over the last two years, the Lord has seen it well to answer our prayers that He would give increase to the quantity of gospel laborers here in Ottawa. We are deeply grateful and excited.

If 2011 is any indication as to what it will be like in 2012 on the streets of Ottawa with the gospel, we are going to be in for another busy year. We are looking forward to it with a great sense of duty and anticipation.

Glory to the Lord via the public proclamation of His glorious gospel!

"Therefore said he unto them, The harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few: pray you therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth laborers into his harvest." - Luke 10:2

ICE FISHING ON CHRISTMAS EVE

2011-12-25T08:56:00.000-05:00

Despite the frigid temperatures on the day before Christmas, hordes of people were out busy finishing their Christmas shopping in downtown Ottawa. Despite the frigid temperatures on the day before Christmas, five of the Lord's people were out busy (ice) 'fishing' on a downtown Ottawa street.

Myself, along with Pastor Bob Doble, Elder Denis Pomerleau, his wife, Peggy, and son, Daniel, got all bundled up for a couple of hours of sharing with passersby the true meaning behind what we and the world know as "Christmas", namely, the gospel of Jesus Christ...the same message we preach on the streets all year round.

The Lord blessed us with the opportunity to hand gospel tracts to literally hundreds of people as Denis and I stood at a busy crosswalk and open air preached the Good News of Christ to coincide with the secular side of Christmas that was on the minds of many who walked by.

Two hours after we started, it became obvious that we were in great need to thaw out our hands and feet. A round of hot chocolate and coffee in a warm nearby shop was a most welcome treat for us as we sat for an enjoyable hour of fellowship before heading home.

We were grateful for the time we had to bring the Good News of salvation through Christ to the many who celebrate "Christmas" but know not Christ as their Lord and Savior and the profound reasons why He came to earth in the first place.

The name we exalted is the same we proclaim throughout every winter, spring, summer and fall.

"Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved." - Acts 4:12

JESUS CHRIST, SON OF GOD, LORD AND SAVIOR!

SIN IS THE REASON FOR THE SEASON

2011-12-14T13:09:00.000-05:00

We hold dearly to our annual traditions that make Christmas what it is and that in itself can be a good thing. But do we go far enough in appreciating the real "reason for the season"?

When we gather around the Christmas dinner table with saved and/or unsaved family and friends, does the real reason of WHY God came to earth in human form ever come up in conversation? What is the real reason anyway?

There is a familiar phrase that we see and hear around this time of year displaying an attempt by well meaning religious and non-religious traditionalists to keep "Christ" in Christmas, fighting against the commercialization and the 'political correctness run amuck' regarding the "happy holidays".

The popular phrase proclaims: "Jesus is the reason for the season."

True enough. But there is a particular rephrasing of that statement that I have come across recently that I believe exposes a deeper truth. It goes one step further in pointing the finger at you and me.

The unpopular phrase proclaims: "Sin is the reason for the season."

Think about it: had it not been for our sin and rebellion against God in the first place, there would have been no reason for God to provide a sacrificial Lamb, in the person of His Son, Jesus, for our salvation. There would have been no need for Jesus to come to earth to suffer and die for sinners, in their place, to open up the gates of Heaven for all who repent and believe the gospel, alone.

John MacArthur wraps up the real reason for the season and how our almighty and gracious God dealt with it in this short, yet very powerful, expository on 2 Corinthians 5:21.

God's holy word says that Jesus was born to die for "sinners" and the "ungodly". Did Jesus die for YOU?

"For God so loved the world that he gave His only begotten Son that whoever would believe in him would not perish but have everlasting life." - John 3:16

If you are outside of God's grace and mercy through His one and only provision for your salvation, I pray that He would do a work in your heart to see that you are a sinner in need of a Saviour and cause you to repent and believe in the gospel, that the Lord would once and for all do away with your sins - the real reason for the season.

PREACH THE (CHRISTMAS) GOSPEL !

2011-12-07T21:55:00.000-05:00

"Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people." - Luke 2:10

ETERNITY

2011-11-30T12:43:00.000-05:00

Today, by the sovereign will and grace of God, I am 56 years old.

What am I here for? To love and serve God with all my heart, mind, soul and strength through Jesus Christ, my Lord and my Saviour.

How long will I live for? ETERNITY!

Where? In Heaven.

How? By grace, through faith in Christ, alone.

Sins? Repented of and forgiven, paid for in full by Christ on the cross.

Guilty? Acquitted.

Deserved? Not in the least.

Grateful? Speechlessly so.

For how long? ETERNITY !!

HARK! THE HERALD, JEFFREY, SINGS

2011-11-24T06:51:00.001-05:00

Fellow gospel herald and friend, Jeff Mardling, of Ridgetown, Ontario, joined Kim and me this past weekend to herald the gospel of Jesus Christ at this year's 'Help Santa Toy Parade' in downtown Ottawa.

Hundreds of tracts were handed out, a portion of a Christmas carol recited a couple of times (one much better than the other) and one conversation following an open air gospel presentation that resulted in a young woman breaking into tears expressing her desire to know more about God and finding a solid church that preached the right gospel. After a few words of encouragement, we gladly pointed her in the right direction.

Christmas or Santa parades, however they are called, are one of those public events in the year that are a no-brainer when it comes to going out to spread the gospel truth.

The theme, the birth of Jesus, is the obvious springboard to the preaching of the gospel even though it may take a born again Christian or two to dig it out and proclaim it aside the guise of a jolly fat man, commercialism and man-made religious traditions. Keeping the name of "Christ" in the word "Christmas" is not a issue with me. Putting "Christ" in the hearts and minds of the lost who celebrate Christmas but know not Christ, is.

Not that Christians had ever been commanded by God's word to commemorate the birth of Jesus, but Christmas is an opportunity where we can set the record straight to the world, religious and nonreligious, as to why He had to come. Sometimes in creative ways as our dear friend, Jeff, demonstrated.

What a privilege it was to serve the Lord with him again this weekend.

GLORY TO GOD!

WON FOR THE GOOD GUYS!

2011-11-15T22:55:00.001-05:00

Here is an encouraging video from Southern Australia where an open air preacher, after being arrested by police and acquitted over 30 times for preaching the gospel on a pedestrian mall, finally had his day in court and the Lord won it for him and his team of street evangelists, enabling them to carry on as usual, despite the protests against them.

"But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourself fighting against God." - Acts 5:39

PASCAL'S TESTIMONY

2011-11-06T22:51:00.003-05:00

There is not much more that warms my heart than hearing how others came to saving faith in Jesus Christ.

We can come from different backgrounds, different cultures, different life circumstances and different countries, yet, the end result for God's chosen people is the same: forgiveness of sin and eternal redemption by grace through repentance and faith in the saving work of Jesus Christ.

Not long ago, my dear brother in the Lord and friend, Pascal Bougie, was baptized in his 13th year as a born again, faithful follower of Jesus Christ. As you will hear, Pascal was graciously saved from faith in a false religion and eternal wrath for his sins. The Lord Jesus suffered and died for him in his place.

This is Pascal's story, told in his own words to the congregation of our church and his family preceding his long awaited baptism.

'FAMILY' ZOMBIE WALK

2011-11-01T06:31:00.001-04:00

This world gets sicker and sicker by the day. This past Hallowe'en weekend proved that.

Again, all the more reason why we Christians must be out there on the front lines doing battle for the Lord, bringing the Good News of salvation to all the world - starting right in our own backyard!

Last Saturday saw a team of us doing just that. And of all places, at a so-called "Family Event" in Ottawa's Westboro community. A family 'zombie walk' was the kicker for the morning at "Wickedly Westboro" .

There, little children and young teens were brought to join their parents in being made up as murdered dead people (zombies) complete with depictions of blood, gore and all things frightful. They were taught how to walk and groan like zombies before parading themselves in character through the retail corridor of Westboro.

V

Glorifying murder, bloodshed, guts and gore. Death galore. These people have no idea what, or who, they are playing with. They have no idea what they are teaching and planting in the hearts and minds of their little ones. They have no idea that their wickedness is an abomination to the one true God, but obviously not to the god they made up in their minds to suit themselves, if any god at all. Yet, what can we expect from those who know not Christ, nor His gospel that saves?

So what are Christians to do about this problem?

GO! "Go out into all the world and preach the good news to all creation." - Mark 16:15

Our church family happens to worship in Westboro and a few of us made it our business to be a witness for the Lord by spreading His saving gospel to all that would receive a tract at this event. We also tagged tracts to utility poles and many cars throughout the neighbourhood. We stood at the main intersection, as well, for two hours with our "Are You Ready" crosses following the short parade as we continued to hand out tracts.

People don't take death, nor what truly happens after death, seriously. Not until it hits close to home. Even then, the harsh reality of it may only last a while before they are making light of it again. The saddest thing is that they pass on their ignorance to their children. But we Christians know full well what happens after death.

We, therefore, we must be active proclaiming the sobering truth, warning people and then telling them how they can come to peace with God through His Son, Jesus Christ, that they too may be saved and guaranteed eternal life in heaven instead of hell.

It's what we are here on earth to do: seek and save that which is lost while joyfully serving our King and Savior!

MISSION OTTAWA 2011

2011-10-24T20:41:00.001-04:00

Five days in September.

An intensive evangelism event called "Mission Ottawa", was effected by members of our humble church, including our pastor, where we hit the streets of Canada's capital city sharing the Good News of Jesus with people in a variety of ways all over town.

Joining us again was our brother in Christ, Vernon Costolo of Canton, Georgia, actually the first whom the Lord inspired to help make this event a reality. This was our second year serving and giving glory to the Lord this way and we're already counting the days to Mission Ottawa 2012.

With many praying for us, the Spirit of God was with us the whole time, to His praise and glory. Here is a look at some of what we did.

THE GOSPEL OF JESUS

2011-10-18T02:12:00.001-04:00

I can never tire of the simple yet powerful gospel message. Never.

THANKSGIVING SUNSET GOSPEL

2011-10-11T12:47:00.000-04:00

Thanksgiving weekend in Canada. 'Indian summer', colourful fall leaves, quilted landscapes, mountain trails, sunrise and sunsets are only a few of the many things we are reminded of to be thankful for at Thanksgiving.

I drove by a church last week where the presiding denomination is known for its lean toward political correctness, social issue priorities and, therefore, void of sound gospel doctrine. It had one of those lit up signs on their front lawn that usually has cutesy, corny, christianese bumpersticker type lingo on it that said: "Remember to be Thankful". But it failed to point passersby just to whom they should be thankful to, namely, GOD.

One might argue it's a given. I would argue that, regarding this particular church, His Name was purposely left out for fear of offending some people, quite possibly those of other faiths, including atheists. We wouldn't want to offend atheists.

With the true spirit of thanksgiving to God at heart, Kim and I felt compelled to take the His Word and go to a spot where we knew many people would be enjoying beautiful fall scenery. There, with pre-selected portions of Scriptures that point to the glory of God in His magnificent creation, we would take turns reading from the Bible in hope of helping those who were willing to listen to have a greater sense of appreciation for who it is that provides all this earthly splendour and who it is that deserves all the glory and thanksgiving.

After spending a couple of hours prayerfully going through the Scriptures for the appropriate readings, we headed for the hills, the Gatineau Hills that is, where we set up behind over a hundred people who were there at the highest lookout to observe the beauty of autumn nature before them at sunset. There, for the better part of a half hour, we exalted the Name of the Lord as we read his word in public followed by the preaching of the gospel of Jesus.

It was a wonderful experience. Many listened even from a distance. What hecklers we had, as you will see, were no more that three feet tall. Following the gospel preaching, I offered a copy of the Book of John booklet and gospel tracts to whichone avid hearer asked me for. Even if just for one, it was well worth the effort. "Effort"? More like, privilege and joy.

Reading the Scriptures in the public square is one of the many ways you can "preach the good news to all creation." You don't even have to use your own words. It's all there right in front of you, provided by the Author Himself. If you have not done this form of evangelism yet, please be encouraged to do so.

"Until I come, devote yourselves to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching." - 1 Timothy 4:13

OF STREET PREACHERS, ABORTION SURVIVAL AND MEN BEING MEN

2011-10-06T23:56:00.000-04:00

This is a powerful video produced by Damien, a friend and brother in Christ, in Australia.

AN OPEN WINDOW FOR THE GOSPEL

2011-10-03T23:29:00.000-04:00

As all Christians should, street evangelist Allen Peek has a heart for the most vulnerable people on the planet: unborn babies. And he has grave concern for the very lives of those whose mothers make their way to the abortion "clinic" after deciding to terminate the life within them.

Watch this video as Allen takes the word of God and presents it through an open window at a Planned Parenthood murder mill where 12 mothers are on the inside waiting their turn to have their babies executed. It is a moving presentation that includes the saving gospel of Jesus.

God bless you, brother Allen.
All of us should be so bold.

SPREADING THE '180' WORD

2011-09-26T23:14:00.000-04:00

Today was the day that the 180 movie was released. And today was the day that Kim, myself and Nicole, along with our pastor, Bob Doble, began to spread the word about it.

Armed with Nicole's homemade "180MOVIE.COM" business card sized flyers, we set out at noon just outside the campus gates at the University of Ottawa and handed these generic flyers to almost 1000 students who happened to pass by in the hour and a half that we were there.

The only image and info on these little flyers was the 180 logo pointing to the website address where the film can be viewed. As we were offering them out, we would say, "This is a link to an online documentary that you might be interested in viewing." Most were satisfied with just being informed of that as they made their way to their next class.

When asked by a very few to be more specific we would say, "It's about the holocaust of WW2 and how it compares to the present day holocaust that is still going on." For most that was enough for them to take one and keep going.

We handled it that way in order to prevent ourselves from being drawn into a sidewalk debate about abortion as that was not what we were there for. It also kept peoples' curiosity at a peak which would most likely ensure that they would watch the film.

Close to one thousand flyers went out and a few 180 logo posters were taped or pinned here and there, as well. An hour and a half (for me, in between my work shifts) well spent.

We are praying that this video will go "viral"; that many would come to the same conviction and conclusion regarding their position on abortion; and that many would also hear and respond to the saving gospel of Jesus Christ which was appropriately presented as part of all this, as well.

We plan to continue to 'spread the word' in days to come for the sake of the voice of those who don't have one and for the glory of God.

180 - THE MOVIE

2011-09-25T20:48:00.000-04:00

Adlolf Hitler.

His name alone sends a shiver up my spine.

Can you believe that there are countless intelligent young people walking this planet who have never heard of Adlolf Hitler, let alone what he did?

THOSE WHO FORGET HISTORY ARE DESTINED TO REPEAT IT.

NEWS BULLETIN: History IS repeating itself, folks! And it's happening as we speak right in our own backyard!

What makes it worse is that what is taking place today is government sanctioned. As far as the end result is concerned, the only difference between what took place under Hitler's barbaric rule and what is taking place under "civilized" rule is that the latter daily adds to the list of innocent blood being shed to the global tune of over 125,000 per day.

That's nearly 46 million murders per year. Yes, 46 million cold blooded murders per year against the most vulnerable people on earth! And it's all legal.

There is a shocking, yet, hope-giving new documentary produced by Ray Comfort, of Living Waters, that has just been released and can be viewed on YouTube and, as of September 26, at 180movie.com. It is simply titled "180".

What's this all about? Well, whether you are Pro-Choice or Pro-Life, you need to watch this 33 minute documentary to find out for yourself.

You will also not be able to help but see how God, the Creator of all people, fits into the realm of things presented in this very unique and thought provoking film. You will not be disappointed.

WARNING: if you are Pro-Choice, you may change your mind. Very quickly. Viewer discretion is advised.

IDOL FEATHERS

2011-09-22T01:45:00.000-04:00

Last week at a National Democratic Party caucus retreat, former NDP leader Jack Layton's widow, Olivia Chow, presented the interim party leader, Nycole Turmel, with two eagle feathers that had belonged to Layton.

Chow presented the feathers, one of them blessed by a native Haida elder, saying they were "very sacred" to Layton. "He used these feathers to guide his decision-making", Chow told the caucus, adding that she hopes they will now give Turmel 'the wisdom and the strength' to lead the party until a permanent leader is chosen in March. Chow closed by invoking the spirit of Layton to "guide us, now and in the future."

That all seems sincere and spiritual, but the truth is:

1) Feathers are not sacred. Feathers are, for lack of a better word, feathers.

2) Trusting in created feathers (instead of the God who created them) in attempt to help people make any kind of decision in life is a form of idolatry which God hates and which will only continue to guide the practitioners of such sin on the road to eternal hell.

3) Feathers have no power to give anybody "wisdom and strength" to do anything, let alone provide guidance. They're just feathers, beautifully and masterfully designed by God enabling birds to fly.

4) Invoking the spirit of a dead person to guide those left behind is again a form of idolatry and, therefore, sinful. A dead person is not deity. A dead person cannot be prayed to. A dead person has no power And feathers have no more power than that of a dead person. A dead person is just that: dead!

The god(s) of pagan spirituality, or any religion that does not ascribe to the gospel of Jesus Christ, is not the God of the Bible. The two cannot co-exist. No person can embrace or practice pagan spirituality and try to harmonize it with biblical Christianity. God makes Himself perfectly clear in the Scriptures that He does not tolerate any form of idolatry, no matter how small, subtle or sincere. He severely punished the Israelites on many occasions for this grievous offence.

The Book of Hebrews in the Bible states that God has appointed man to die once and after that to face judgment. Judgement Day will see the reuniting of the body with the soul. Then, depending on whether or not the person's faith was in Christ for salvation before death, or in other words, whether or not the person was a genuine born again Christian, the individual will spend a conscious eternity in only one of two places: heaven or hell.

There is only one way to God. If that were not so, then Jesus was lying when He said, " I am the way and the truth and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me." - John 14:6

"But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let him be eternally condemned." - Galatians 1:8

There is, therefore, only one true gospel. All others are false. All ties to false gospels, like feathers and invoking the spirits of dead people, leave sinful and deceived people in the state they were born in: condemned.

Relying on feathers, or any man made object, in order to seek blessing and special favour is an abomination to the one true God, our Creator. But most people are very comfortable with a man-made god as it will never call them into account nor deliver eternal consequences for their sins. They could not as these gods simply do not exist.

Idolaters are, as found in Corinthians 6:9 and in Revelation 21:8, on the Lord's list of sinners whose place will be in the eternal lake of fire come Judgment Day.

What idolaters need is the gospel truth that they may be saved from their sins and just punishment. But in order for them to receive the gospel truth, they must be presented with the gospel by someone who has already heard it, believed it, repented and has put their trust in Christ as their Saviour. Who is going to do that?

The job is yours, Christian.

You know you have been commissioned by Jesus to "go out into all the world and preach the good news." You know you have been called to be an ambassador for Christ, no matter the cost. You know you have the answer to what the truth is. You know that you cannot keep this precious gift to yourself and not share it with someone who is as needy today as you once were before receiving the gospel and coming to faith in Jesus.

God has equipped His people with all the tools necessary to turn sinners like rebellious idolaters into sinners saved by grace, faithful believers in the Lord, Christ Jesus; saved and bound for Heaven.

Go! Go now, while there is still time and try to convince those who trust in the created rather than the Creator, that feathers always has been and always will be for the birds.

"And there is no God apart from me, a righteous God and a Saviour; there is none but me. Turn to me and be saved, all you ends of the earth. For I am God, and there is no other." - Isaiah 45:21-22

TIMELY TRACTS

2011-09-20T00:28:00.000-04:00

Joe Graves, a brother in Christ, dedicated street evangelist and friend of mine in West Virginia, sent me this letter on Saturday past that left me in awe after I read it.

If there was ever a great example of the importance, necessity and urgency in the simple act of handing out gospel tracts to people as a form of evangelism, it is this.

Here is Joe's letter which I would like to share with you:
___________________________________________

Even as I write this I am still grasping the impact of something that happened today. A group of 9 of us had an outreach at the Martinsburg Air Show. We had not been there before and were not sure of the logistics of where the best place was to give out tracts.

This is where it gets interesting...

Around 9am, from a site located off base, we ended up being shuttled onto the base (of the 167th Airlift Wing of the West Virginia Air National Guard). We started giving out tracts right outside the airfield at the gate where people had to line up to go through security to see the air show. Now keep in mind that in plain view for almost 3 hours we gave out probably 3,000 tracts.
Many of the tracts we gave out had "Are You Ready?" on the front and one tract design touched on 9/11 and the fact that those people on 9/11 never thought that it would be there last day on earth.

The attendance was light because of some rain in the morning but most everyone took a tract when we offered one to them...even the military personnel. All the while I kept thinking,"There is no way they are going to let us continue to give out gospel tracts on a military base". One military person even came over and asked us what we were doing and I told him and he said "well, I don't have a problem with that".

We had scheduled the outreach from 9am - noon. About 11:45am a couple of military police said they had gotten a complaint and would have to shut us down. We were almost done anyway so I told them no problem and we left. I was still scratching my head in awe because the Lord has allowed us to give out the gospel unhindered for 3 hours on a military base. We left around noon.

Now for the part that will blow you away...

About 3:30pm I got a text from Nate (one of the brothers who went out with us) saying that he heard from someone that there had been a crash at the Martinsburg air show. I looked online and didn't see anything and thought maybe they were confusing it with the one that happened yesterday that is all over the news. Well, a little later I did see a report and found out there was a crash at the air show that killed the pilot about 2:30 pm.

I found an article where the crowds who saw the fireball of the crash were crying and hugging and praying. Can you imagine the impact when those people who saw the crash finally got home this afternoon and pulled the tract out of their pocket or purse? Then it started to hit me...that's why God allowed us to give out those tracts when normally we would never be allowed to do so. The Lord is awesome and He will glorify Himself because He is worthy.

Pray that God uses those tracts to draw people to himself and that we might have people contact us through the website with questions about salvation. Pray for our future outreaches.

Until His nets are full,

Joe Graves
__________________________________________

Imagine attending an event, receiving a gospel tract at the gate from a regular "Joe" like anyone else, reading it, not thinking much about it and then suddenly being witness to sudden death right before your eyes?

I would venture to say that 3,000 people who received a gospel tract at this air show later read that tract with greater care and concern for the sobering content of the gospel message offered to them. The Lord has His ways of reaching peoples' hearts. I believe this was one of the more dramatic ways.

Praise God for people like Joe Graves and his team for their faithfulness in doing what they could to reach the lost for Christ by doing something so simple as handing out gospel tracts to people at a popular event.

Nothing could be easier. Nothing more important.

How many gospel tracts have you given out today?

DEALING WITH 'CHRISTIAN' HECKLERS

2011-09-16T12:09:00.000-04:00

What does an open air preacher do when a person in the attentive crowd speaks up, professes himself as a Christian and then proceeds to refute the biblical gospel that is being preached by preaching a different gospel?

Observe and take note as street evangelist Tony Miano demonstrates how to effectively handle a situation like that. This encounter took place recently during an open air session on a college campus in Southern California.

"But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let him be eternally condemned." Galatians 1:8

9/11 GOSPEL OUTREACH

2011-09-12T01:46:00.001-04:00

Almost 3000 lives sadly and tragically lost in a blink of an eye. Murdered. Three thousand people who woke up to a beautiful September 11 morning not knowing they had only a few hours left to live.

I think it safe to say that not one of those who perished woke up on that September morn, took a shower, packed for a trip or got ready to go to work as they did everyday, looked in the mirror before leaving and said to themselves, "Well, today is the last day of my life."

Ten years later we remember that terrible and sobering day. People the world around gather to commemorate the event with special observances. But soon, life will get back to normal for all and most will go back to taking every breath they take and every beat of their heart for granted without a concern for their own imminent death, let alone where they will spend eternity.

With that in mind three of us from our evangelism team at church made time to spend a few hours on Saturday and a few more on Sunday, September 11, to bring to the minds of those willing to hear and be helped to understand the fact that they are in the same boat as everyone else. Ten out of ten people will die.

A day is coming when they will die but they have no idea when. If not so already, they are in dire need of being made ready; to be put into a right relationship with God, before they reach the grave, through Jesus Christ in order to be acquitted in God's Court of Law and be granted eternal life with Him in Heaven.

It was a privilege for Kim, Nicole and me to share the Good News of God's saving grace through Christ with the hundreds who crossed our path and with those who heard the gospel through our preaching in the public square. Scripture reading, gospel tracts, one-to-one conversations and open air preaching were the order of the weekend while 9/11 was on the minds of most.

A video of our weekend witness will be forthcoming. Click on the photos if you would like to see them in them in their actual size.

May God be glorified in the faithful preaching of His word, always.

MISSION COMPLETE

2011-09-08T22:13:00.000-04:00

Mission Ottawa 2011 complete!

God was glorified in the faithful proclamation of His saving gospel in Ottawa over a period of 5 days straight by members of our church evangelism team and Vernon Costolo from Atlanta, Georgia.

Many heard the gospel being preached in the open air. Many received the gospel in their hands. Many saw the 'Are You Ready' crosses. Many held good conversations with us. Some received Bibles, as well.

Time to rest? A little, perhaps. Still lots to do as well as catch up on the everyday things that got left behind this past week. All worth it, however.

A hearty "THANK YOU" to those who were praying for us over during this event. The Lord was gracious to answer favourably. Praise Him, always! He, alone, is worthy of all praise!

I hope to have a video up in the very near future. Please stay tuned.

RIPPING THE DEAD

2011-09-01T00:23:00.001-04:00

Where and whenever a public outpouring of grief takes places following the death of a public figure, or the death of one or more resulting from a tragic event, there is a natural tendency for the public to create a makeshift memorial somewhere to honour the memory of the dead.

In and of itself, that is understandably a good thing. It unites people in shared grief and mutual comfort stemming from a sad circumstance, the loss of one(s) whom they mutually loved and admired whether they knew them personally or not.

Among the makeshift memorials, usually strewn with flowers, candles, teddybears, photographs, etc., are notes to or about the deceased that usually end with the acronym "R.I.P.", universally understood as "Rest In Peace", their sentiment being genuine and sincere.

It must be noted, however, in their heartfelt hope for the deceased to be truly resting in peace that they are acknowledging the fact that there is life after death. If asked, they would have to admit that in order for the dead to experience eternal rest and peace, they would have to be existing in a state of consciousness.

In other words they would have to admit that the dead are in some way still alive, their souls living on outside the realm of time. Many find solace in believing and expressing that the deceased is/are "in a better place now". If pursued to answer what this "better place" is called, most would likely say "heaven".

But what they don't know, understand or believe is that the eternal reward of rest and peace in heaven is not a reality determined by man, nor by a false religion they may follow, for anyone they deem deserving because the deceased had been a good, moral, influential and upstanding citizen while alive. They do not understand that these rewards are not granted dependant on how people die, no matter how sad, horrible and tragic the circumstances causing their death might have occurred.

In their ignorance or refusal to believe, they reject that it is God, the God of the Bible, the sovereign Creator, sustainer and provider of all life, who is the One that administers judgment on whether a person will be granted "rest in peace"...or not, in His heavenly court of law on Judgment Day.

If they don't know then they should know. The unregenerate need to be brought to and convicted by the truth because it is inconceivable and an offensive notion to them that there is even a remote possibility that a place called "hell" exists where, for all eternity, the Holy wrath of God will be continually poured upon all those who had never repented of their sins against Him and sought redemption while alive on earth through His one and only provision: the sacrificial substitutionary death of His Son, Jesus, on a cross for the payment of all sins.

That is why God has appointed us, sinners saved by grace, His already redeemed people, to be His voice, His earthly messengers, His trusted harbingers of His one and only saving gospel. We, who have already been given the promise of eternal "rest in peace", are the ones who have been commissioned by Christ, Himself, to "Go out into all the world and preach the good news to all creation." - Mark 16:15.

There are literally millions of people who have no idea of what the gospel truth is, both in the world of the "unchurched" and the "churched". The latter, if they know not Christ as their Lord and Saviour, have been lied to and therefore deceived. There are, unfortunately, more churches than not that preach "a different gospel" that is "really no gospel at all" (see Galatians 1:6-8) and, therefore, leads people on the broad road to hell. It all sounds and looks good and sincere, but falls short of the truth found in God's Holy Word, the Bible.

There is only one truth that lead to eternal REST IN PEACE in Heaven: Jesus Christ. There is no other way. We biblical Christians need to be found being busy proclaiming that truth everywhere we are and everywhere we go, no matter the cost. The gospel was never meant to be preached in church buildings alone. Churches are where most of the population is not.

What is the truth?

Jesus said of Himself: "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me."- John 14:6

Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved." - Act 4:12

Onward Christian soldiers! Let's be out there telling people the TRUTH in love and with sincere compassion!

Let's tell them that nobody, no matter how wonderful (even "religious") people may be or how tragically or sadly they die, that they will never experience this "rest in peace" without having had humbled themselves, repented of their sins and placed their trust in the Saviour, Jesus Christ, while they were still alive. We need to tell them that their tomorrow is not guaranteed to them and that Judgment Day will be one day too late to say "I'm sorry" to the Almighty God, their Judge. They need to be warned that there will be no mercy offered or given on that great and terrible day.

"I tell you, now is the time of God's favour, now is the day of salvation." - 2 Cor 6:2

"Rest in Peace" is a quasi-religious flowery sentiment full of emptiness. It means nothing, especially if the deceased was not a regenerate born again Christian. If that be the case then that person, in body and spirit, will never know rest and will never know peace. Eternal torment, unbearable pain and indescribable suffering in the promised "lake of fire" will be all they will know without end, forever.

"And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and the have no rest day or night..." - Rev 14:11

Let us be out there and bring the Good News to those who do not know it in truth, that they may one day, Lord willing, join the apostle Paul and us proclaiming:

"But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions - it is by grace you have been saved." - Ephesian 2:4-5

Then, for the remainder of their days on earth, they will be able to "rest in peace" knowing that they will truly RIP in glory.

ALL IN A DAY'S WORK

2011-08-18T00:01:00.002-04:00

A few years following the completion of my photojournalism career, the Lord blessed me with a new career five years ago in a field I really never thought I would ever find myself doing: city bus driver. I have now been driving for the past 5 years. Quite a change from what I had been used to doing for a quarter century.

As far as the actual work aspect of the jobs go, I thoroughly enjoy my new career as much as I enjoyed my previous one. By industry standards, I succeeded well in my newspaper job and I made sure everybody knew that with each award and commendation I received. The big difference in this new line of work I am doing today is that, now that I am saved, I have someone different to boast about to people instead of me, namely, Jesus Christ, my Lord and my Savior.

Far be it from me in being able to hand out a gospel tract to every one of the hundreds of people who get on my bus each day. Sounds good but it would not only be impractical but against policy, I'm sure. Amazingly, however, the Lord has given me hundreds of clear opportunities these last 5 years to share the gospel with fellow bus drivers, dispatchers, instructors, supervisors and even passengers.

I work 11 days within a 2 week pay period. Just in the last 3 weeks alone, I have had the opportunity to share the good news of Jesus to an average of two people per day! I start each day with a prayer to the Lord that He would allow me the privilege of being His ambassador and grant me opportunities to witness for Him. He has been very kind to answer this daily prayer with affirmation.

For obvious reasons, I have to be careful in witnessing to passengers and/or giving them gospel tracts. But most opportunities are given without me seeking. The Lord brings them to me which changes the dynamics of the occasion by having me being put in the position of the responder instead of the initiator.

They might see my Bible that I keep on the dash and they start the conversation by inquiring about it. They might see me reading my Bible during one of my breaks as I sit on a bench at a transit station. They might hear me say "God bless you" when they leave the bus and start a conversation the next time they are on. They might hear me say "By God's grace, I'm very well" with a smile instead of just saying "Fine" when they ask "How are you?"

Also, if anyone gets on my bus and says something or is wearing something with any reference to anything spiritual in nature, I'll quiz them on it in a friendly, nonchalant way and we start talking. For example, the rapper dude sporting a gold necklace with a cross hanging from it will get asked "So, does that cross you're wearing mean something to you or is it just "bling"?

There are many examples I could list. In short, I just keep the spiritual radar on at all times.

By far the best opportunity the Lord gave me to witness to my peers at work in one shot was on a bus loaded with fellow bus drivers. A well liked co-worker had suddenly died of a heart attack and it really shook those at my depot. A large group of us chartered a bus and we all went to the funeral, dressed in uniform, together. The family of the deceased were deeply touched.

On our way on the bus from the funeral back to the depot, everybody was talking about how we never know when we're going to die and that we should never take life for granted. I actually felt the Lord prodding me to get up and preach the gospel to my co-workers. A part of me didn't want to but I knew the opportunity was too good to pass up. I prayed for the Lord to grant me courage and the right words. Before I knew it, I was walking up the aisle to the front of the bus. I turned around and asked for everyone's attention. They had no idea what was coming.

The springboard was obvious and I open-aired the gospel inside the bus. Had it not been for the engine running, I'm sure one could have been able to hear a pin drop after I was done. Armed with a stack of my "Are You Ready" gospel tracts in my coat pocket, I thanked them for listening, encouraged them to take what they heard as good food for thought and told them if they wanted a gospel tract, to come up and exit from the front doors when they got off and I would give them one. All but two fellow drivers exited at the front and received a gospel tract. And they all said, "Thanks, Paul."

All this to say that if you are serious about reaching the lost with the gospel, if you are not ashamed and are ready and willing to share the good news wherever you may be, even at work, the Lord is faithful to provide and bless each and every encounter. After all, it is He who makes it all happen. His Spirit happens to be very creative.

I may not be busy doing street evangelism as often as I would like to, but the gospel is to be preached in ALL the world, in all places. Even on 'the highways and byways'...on a bus.

"Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, 'Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?' And I said, 'Here am I. SEND ME!" - Isaiah 6:8

"I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile." - Romans 1:16

BOBBY McCREERY - OPEN AIR PREACHER PROFILE

2011-08-12T00:41:00.001-04:00

Marcus Pittman, of Crown Rights Media, is a talented and knowledgable Christian video producer in Georgia.

As his website explains, the ministry exists "to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ by creating high quality productions centred on building, restoring and establishing a Christ centred world view in all areas of life."

In line with that, Marcus has recently begun to produce a series of features called "Open Air Preacher Profile". It is one thing to hear a gospel street preacher preach and another to hear him shed light on why he does what he does in this most unpopular yet most necessary and effective means of getting the gospel out into the ears, minds and hearts of people milling about the public square.

Meet street preacher Bobby McCreery:

MAN OR GOD CENTERED EVANGELISM?

2011-08-08T23:31:00.000-04:00

"What happened to the God-centered method of evangelism that calls sinners to repent and believe the Gospel?

For the last 100 years people have been told to repeat a prayer, come forward, sign a card or get baptized to be saved. Many of them have lived with a false hope because none of these methods are found in God’s Word. . . . Well-meaning Christians who use a man-centered approach to evangelism by manipulating people to make a decision are helping the devil plant tares. They promote easy believism with no call to repentance or discipleship because it produces quick results that people can measure. The unanticipated results of their actions are devastating: God is not glorified, the sinner is not saved, the church is not sanctified and the devil is thrilled and delighted. . . . We must quit seeking quick results and instead glorify God by making disciples and faithfully proclaiming His Word until the sinner asks, “What must I do to be saved?” " - MIKE GENDRON

HT: Defending. Contending.

MR DOOR TO DOOR EVANGELIST GUY

2011-08-04T02:03:00.000-04:00

I have never gone door to door with the gospel. Only the Lord knows if I ever will. But I do know a brave soul who has many years of experience doing such a brave thing: my pastor, Bob Doble. This is presented with him in mind:

"Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Christ." - Acts 5:42

IT WAS JUST THE RIGHT THING TO DO

2011-07-29T00:31:00.000-04:00

One of the many ways we spread the gospel is by "car tagging" with our gospel tracts.

When we go on our walks or when we go shopping, for example, anywhere where parked cars may be found sleeping, we slide a gospel tract under the driver's side front window wiper as we walk by.

I am sure there are those car owners who are genuinely relieved when they realize it's not a parking ticket. Then I am sure there are those who, after reading the tract, would have rather had a parking ticket.

Not long ago, Kim and I were driving home through our neighborhood when, at the same time, we saw a license plate on a parked car on the side of the road and we couldn't believe our eyes. Here's what we saw:

We laughed and pulled our car over as knew exactly what we had to do:

Our glove compartment is always loaded with a variety of gospel tracts ready for any opportunity to hand out or leave somewhere. Our homemade "Are You Ready" gospel tract was the obvious choice here. It was just the right thing to do.

Oh, what fun there can be in evangelizing! And thankfully, as always, we were ready for the unexpected.

SO, LIKE, YA KNOW, YA GOTTA, LIKE, SPEAK WITH CONVICTION

2011-07-26T23:09:00.000-04:00

This is funny 3min presentation that bears truth and comedian Taylor Mali offers a great suggestion at the conclusion that every Christian who shares their faith with others should take note of.

CROSSWALK AT THE CROSSWALK

2011-07-22T14:00:00.000-04:00

One festival, one corner, one evangelist, one cross...thousands of people. Cross evangelism does not come easier than this. All you have to do is be there! Here's a "quick" 2 minute look at what I mean:

KATRINA'S MUSINGS

2011-07-21T14:10:00.000-04:00

We have a dear sister in Christ and friend of ours in Otsego, Minneapolis, by the name of Katrina Oseid.

We have not yet had the pleasure of meeting Katrina in person and we are not sure we will on this side of glory. We know her from her blog called Katrina's Musings.

Katrina is an avid and faithful evangelist in her town. She usually is found sharing her faith with others in various ways on her own. She utilizes an "Are You Ready" cross in some of her outings, speaks one on one with anyone who would be willing to listen, hands out tracts and, at times, even hands out homebaked treats to go along with the tracts. Food for the body and food for the soul.

She has a quiet and gentle approach to her evangelism and she is able to do that without compromising on the truth of the gospel. Many of her stories are up-close, personal and heartwarming.

Whether the townspeople know it or not, Otsego is blessed to have someone like Katrina, whose love for the Lord and concern for others is demonstrated in her willingness to lovingly share the Good News to all the Holy Spirit leads her to and to those who the Spirit brings to her.

You would do well to peruse through Katrina's Musings. A very encouraging blog to say the least.

Here is a sample:

FRIDAY, JULY 15, 2011

Evangelism Focus 07/15/11

I mentioned last Friday that I visited my brother's friend in the hospital. Click hereto read that post. I visited two times. On both visits, Jeff (my brother's friend) was unresponsive (awake but not able to communicate, he had spent some time without oxygen to his brain, and there was the appearance of brain damage). At the point I first visited him, he had been in the ICU at the hospital for 12 days.

I also mentioned that I left the hospital (on both accounts) pleading with God to have mercy on him and allow him to hear (and understand) the gospel one more time.

I stopped back today, a week from my first visit. I was very self-conscious about visiting him for the third time when I hardly knew him. I considered leaving at least three times while I was in the waiting room (waiting for the nurse to give me the clearance to go in and visit him).

When I arrived in the room, I was amazed to find Jeff alert and responsive. We had a lengthy conversation. I was able to share the gospel with him and pray for him.

In the beginning of our conversation I said, "Jeff, God kept you alive for a reason."

He said, "Well if he did I don't know what that reason would be."

I said, "Jeff, if you had died when they first brought you into the hospital, would you have been ready to meet God?"

He said (most emphatically), "No!"

I said, "Well, I think that might be your reason right there."

I left Jeff with some literature about the gospel, and he invited me to stop back and visit next week. I pray God grants him the gift of repentance.

This time, I left the hospital overwhelmed by the mercy and kindness of a great God who hears our prayers.

MISSION OTTAWA 2011

2011-07-18T23:51:00.000-04:00

Last year at some point, the Lord put it on the heart of one street evangelist Vernon Costolo, of West Virginia, who is now of Georgia (a brother in Christ whom we only knew through our blogs and e-mail correspondence) to go somewhere outside his home comfort zone and preach the gospel for about a period of a week.

A bit of a "mission", if you will. Long story short, he called up his friend, Sean Borca, of Florida, and they showed up at our front door last October.

But not before spending a couple of days with Bill and Jenny Baker in Toronto where they got warmed up to preach the gospel on the streets with them before arriving here in Ottawa. Vernon and Jenny knew each other from a recent Ambassadors Academy session in Southern California.

With four days slated to be in Ottawa, Vernon and Sean teamed up with Kim, myself, along with our pastor, Bob Doble and his wife, Marie-Josee. We met, we talked, we ate, we prayed, we planned, we geared up and out the door we went.

The video is just a summary of all that we did for four days on the streets of Ottawa and Gatineau, minus all the great fellowship we had.

We are doing it again this year and are opening up the doors to any who would like to join us, be it for a few hours or a few days. We are looking at beginning on Sept 3 (Labour Day weekend) to Wednesday, Sept 7.

Like last year, as most of our outings, we'll be busy handing out tracts, handing out Bibles, initiating gospel conversations, open air preaching, etc. If you are new to street evangelism, then this is a good time to get involved and maybe hand out gospel tracts to people. As you can see in the video, it is not that hard a task and yet a most important and effective part of street evangelism.

If you are not able to make it, we would most certainly welcome your prayer support. And if you feel led to do so and are able, financial support would be welcome, as well, to help offset the cost of the thousands of gospel tracts we will be purchasing to hand out. We are already equipped with a few boxes of Bibles.

Ottawa is no different than any other city in any other country. The people here need to hear and receive the gospel. Not the extra-biblical ones or the candy-coated ones that are preached in the majority of churches everywhere, but the TRUE gospel, straight out of the Word of God.

Mission Ottawa 2011 will be a great opportunity to share in the task of building the kingdom for the Lord. A great opportunity to spread the saving gospel of Jesus with others in the capital city of Canada. A great opportunity to lift up and proclaim, in the public square, the Name that is above all names. A great opportunity to bring the living word to a dying world and give God glory in the process.

Please let us know by August 17 if you would like to join us on this gospel giving venture in Ottawa. Our e-mail address is thewordstreetjournal@gmail.com. Thank you, in advance, for your support.

Until the nets are full,

Paul & Kim

THE LIFE OF A GOSPEL TRACT

2011-07-14T22:50:00.000-04:00

There are those, some non-Christians and some professing Christians alike, who believe that the distribution of gospel tracts is an exercise in futility and a discarded tract is proof of their argument.

But I have read many accounts of born again Christians testifying to the fact that God came to them in saving power and might, convicting them in the reading of such simple literature. Some of them found a tract in a trash bin or crumpled up on a sidewalk somewhere and they have not been the same since. How so? God's own word printed in them.

Never underestimate the power and sovereignty of God and what He can do in the regeneration of a dead spiritual heart by the reading of such seemingly worthless material by one who receives or finds a gospel tract. Gospel tracts are a form of planting seeds and/or watering what seeds have already been sewn in a sinner's heart.

Our task is to obey the Lord and spread the gospel. Gospel tracts are one of the many and most simple and effective ways of doing so. You deliver and God takes care of the rest. You deliver and trust God with the results, no matter how well or not they have been received.

"...so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and will achieve the purpose for which I sent it." - Isaiah 55:11

CANADA DAY GOSPEL OUTREACH 2011

2011-07-11T08:30:00.000-04:00

A few of us went to hand out a few gospel tracts and open air preach a few times to a few people for a few hours in downtown Ottawa on Canada Day.

The Lord was kind to bless our team with good work with the Good News on a fabulously good day. God be praised, as always.

CANADA DAY GONETH

2011-07-04T21:05:00.000-04:00

Guess what 34,700 of these people received in their hands on Canada Day, July 1st. The first person to send in the right answer wins a million bucks!

When time allows me to get some editing work done, I'll post a video of our Canada Day gospel outreach project which saw a team of 26 hard working harbingers doing whatever they could to spread the Good News to as many people as possible in a span of 6 hours while Canadians by the tens of thousands were celebrating Canada's 144th birthday in Ottawa's downtown core.

CANADA DAY COMETH

2011-06-29T20:06:00.000-04:00

Canada Day is soon upon us. Prince William and his Princess Bride will be among those in attendance on Parliament Hill this Friday to help Canada celebrate it's 144th birthday.

As a result, tens of thousands of people will be congregating on the Hill or as close as they can get to it to get a glimpse of the Royal newlyweds. As a result, a team of 25 gospel harbingers (almost half from London, Ontario) will be congregating at four posts within the downtown core to bring the gospel to the throngs of revellers by tract and open air.

You might remember last July 1 when our team of 3 stood in one spot for four hours and handed out 7000 gospel tracts following open air preaching sessions. With this team of 25, split up into 4 locations, each with 2 people who have open air preaching experience and a handful of helpers, we are sure, with God's help, that we will be able to reach many more.

Please be in prayer for Kim and I as we finalize the planning and logistics involved in this project. For the Lord, always, for the Lord!

THE 'RED' BALLOON

2011-06-22T23:15:00.001-04:00

"If 2+2 = 5 is true for some people, then that equation is true for them. You can't tell just tell them they're wrong because that wouldn't be right."

Arguments like this have actually come from genuinely intelligent people both from certain personal circles and from many people I have spoken with on the street while witnessing to "the truth". It's astounding.

In speaking of spiritual matters with people, they will say that what I believe may be true for me but not necessarily for others. If that is the case, then Jesus is lying when He says he IS truth in John 14:6, among other things. Unless, of course, it's only true to Him and those who believe He is who He says He is, namely, God. Does anyone else see the paradox here?

They will argue that there is no such thing as absolute truth and they fully believe they are telling the absolute truth when they say that. ???? My head hurts. You go figure them out.

Josh McDowell wisely asks (I use this quote a lot to get people thinking) : "Is what you believe true because you believe it, or do you believe it because it's true?"

The above video is a clever demonstration of the ridiculousness of relativism when it comes to truth.

It's really quite good. It's true. No, really, it's true!

Well, for me anyway.

WESTFEST OUTREACH 2011

2011-06-17T20:37:00.003-04:00

"Westfest" in Ottawa is a popular annual arts festival in the neighbourhood known as Westboro.

Our church is in the heart of Westboro and we look forward every year to use this event as a means of reaching out to a multitude of passersby with the gospel of Jesus Christ. Here is a glimpse of our efforts last weekend.

Due to our presence on the Saturday, three people who strolled by our tables and spoke with us showed up at our Sunday morning worship service the next day. Following the service, a team of us continued the outreach for the remainder of the festival.

Glory be to God, always!

WAVES OF CONVICTION

2011-06-13T22:12:00.001-04:00

I have a dear friend and brother in Christ down in Georgia, Wayne Albrecht, who publishes a wonderful street evangelism blog aptly named "His Feet On The Street".

His latest post gives an account of him providing the gospel to people when he didn't even know it was happening. And his feet were far from being on the street. God has surprising ways of using his gospel harbingers even when they are not aware.

Ya gotta check it out. It's a great story!
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A funny thing happened while swimming in the ocean...

We are just back from our annual sabbatical to the beach for much needed rest and relaxation. As always, I try to make sure there are plenty of gospel tracts in the car, suitcase and pockets when we make our trip and this year was no exception.

One of my favorite things to do in the evening and early mornings while on the beach is a little prospecting. I bring my metal detector every year in hopes of finding a lost ring, loose change or something cool. Usually I find about $5-$10 in loose change or a kid's toy car; along with more pull tabs and beer cans to fill up a small cooler.

The cool thing with metal detecting is that many people will come up to you and ask you what you have found so far. This is the perfect opportunity to pull out a Million Dollar Bill tract and start up a conversation.

This year I found another way to give out tracts while at the beach...

One day while my wife and I were chilling on the beach and the kids were at the pool, I had to run back upstairs to the room and get the boogy board I'd forgotten to bring down with us. The waves were starting to roll in pretty good and this old man still likes to act like a kid at the beach when there are waves to be boogied. When I got up to the room I saw some tracts laying on the dresser so I grabbed them up and put them in my pocket so I would have some at the beach (just in case you know).

After stopping at the pool to check on the kids I headed back to where my wife was and chilled out a little more with her before I went out into the ocean with my boogie board. After getting out to the spot to wait for that perfect wave to ride, I swam around a little with the board and noticed that there was something floating away from me very quickly...gospel tracts~

Before I could gather a single tract up they swam away from me at breakneck speed and right into a trio of older teen girls about twenty to thirty yards aways. One of the girls plucked out a swimming tract and started to read it....out loud.

Well this is pretty cool, so I strained to listen to her read the tracts amid the sounds of the ocean.

She read the tract out loud to her friends but stopped and objected at the 7th Commandment. I could hear her say, "If you look with lust you are guilty of committing adultery in your heart."

"Wait" she told her friends, "that's not true...you can only commit adultery if you are married."

"No" said a friend, "it said in your heart...that's different than just being married."

They seemed to go back and forth over the lust/adultery issue for a few minutes and then an older lady (maybe a parent) walked out to where they were and joined in the discussion.

They ended up plucking out all of the tracts (which were 2 or 3 different types of tracts) and taking them back to shore with them.

Ocean evangelism without even trying!

RUN TO CHRIST

2011-06-09T11:36:00.000-04:00

Sometimes, it doesn't take much to get people thinking about the gospel outside of church on a Sunday morning.

One event, two crosses, a six word gospel, a few thousand people going by, a half an hour spent and you're done.

If the Lord has been pressing on your heart to be a witness for him in public and/or just starting, this is an easy way in: holding a cross at a city event. Be prepared to share the gospel and be encouraged whether you receive from passersby a thumbs up or a finger up. It means they have read the message on the cross and either way, they are thinking about it. Your mission complete. The rest in is the Lord's capable hands.

And as always, He gets all the glory!

GOD GRANTS REPENTANCE

2011-06-06T13:14:00.001-04:00

See what can happen when you are faithful and obedient to share your faith in the public square, even by the simplest of means?

This from our friends, Stephen and Connie Johnson, at I Am Not Ashamed blog in Colorado Springs.

God Grants Repentance!

By Stephen on June 5th, 2011

Connie witnessing downtown

We went downtown Saturday night, and Connie had a great story to share. This is it…praise the Lord!

Went witnessing in downtown Colorado Springs on Saturday night with a few fellow harvest front warriors. There happened to be a band playing in Acacia Park that drew a crowd of couples, families and homeless to enjoy being outdoors on a beautiful early summer evening. We handed out lots of tracts and had a few opportunities to do one to one witnessing.
I spotted a couple of moms with their tweenagers/teenagers sitting back quite a ways from the stage and thought I might have the chance to talk to them without the music overwhelming us. As it turned out, it was one of the sweetest witnessing encounters I have had in all these years of sharing the Gospel. I engaged Danny (around 14yrs old) in a conversation using the red & blues. He told me he thought he would go to Heaven because he was a really good kid. I began to take him through the law and he was immediately convicted and said he was very concerned that he was headed for Hell. I shared the Gospel with him and asked him if what I told him made sense. He said “Yes, this is intense!” Then I thanked him for talking with me and asked him to please think about what I had shared with him and to get right with God before he went to sleep that night. Then all of a sudden, his younger brother (approx 11 yrs old) piped up and said, “I heard everything you told my brother and I don’t want to wait til I go to bed tonight, I want to get right with God right now!” Then Danny said he did too and the two other girls who had also been listening said they wanted to as well.
So I told them to just pray to God by telling them what was on their heart right then, and ask for forgiveness and place their faith and trust in Jesus Christ. Those 4 kids poured out their hearts in the sweetest prayers of repentance and faith that I have had the privilege of hearing. I was choking back tears as they prayed. When they were finished, I looked at Danny’s mom and she had tears streaming down her face. She shared with me that she was a believer and just kept thanking me for sharing the Gospel with the kids. To God be the Glory!!!

HE GAVE HIS ONE AND ONLY SON

2011-05-31T20:28:00.000-04:00

This is good. This is powerful.
This should deplete what kleenex you have left in the box.

WAGE WAR AND KILL - DO IT!

2011-05-28T17:17:00.000-04:00

John Piper exhorting Christians to wage war and kill??

JUDGMENT DAY - THE GOSPEL TRUTH

2011-05-23T13:16:00.000-04:00

Everybody knows what was supposed to happen on May 21, 2011, according to the Harold Camping camp. Everybody knows how it ended. Or didn't.

Kim and I had long ago made plans for May 21 that had nothing to do with the end of the world, knowing it was all bunk and we were looking forward to our day together.

Knowing that "Judgment Day" was at least on the minds of most people on May 21st due to the false prophet's global publicity campaign, we were going ahead with the plans we had previously made, shrugging our shoulders and thinking, "Ah, if we, especially, go out with our "Are You Ready" cross, people will just lump us into Camping's doomsday cult and it probably won't be a fruitful outreach anyway."

Kim happened to post that concern on her Facebook wall on Saturday morning which happened to spark a quick and urgent 'call to arms' response via Tony Miano's blog titled "Don't Give Up the Ground".

We read it, were convicted and changed our plans. We called up one more soldier to come with us, our brother in Christ, Kevin Maguire, got geared up with Bible, a pile of AYR gospel tracts and the AYR cross, prayed and headed downtown.

The video below is a compilation of 3 open air opportunities the Lord gave me to refute Harold Camping and his false end times prediction and use it as a springboard to preach the saving gospel of Jesus Christ. In other words, to preach the gospel truth. Kevin and Kim distributed tracts and the three of us were not short of anyone to speak with. The Lord had richly blessed our efforts in the two hours we spent in the Byward Market area.

As I stood up on the box with the cross bearing the question "Are You Ready", we, as expected, were lumped into the Camping cult by passersby as they stopped to ponder and some to mock. The cross was the drawing card. But it was not long before people understood that we were not of the doomsday schtick and felt compelled to stick around to hear the gospel anyway.

We are grateful for Tony's encouragement and charge all the way from Southern California. As a result, many people here in Ottawa got the opportunity to hear a biblical Christian's response to the false end time prophecies of Harold Camping and, at the same time, hear and receive the gospel as we would normally proclaim it. God's Spirit was with us and He was glorified.

As far as our thwarted plans are concerned, there'll be another day.

Or will there ???????

CROSS ENCOUNTER WITH ALLEN PEEK

2011-05-20T00:57:00.000-04:00

Allen Peek is a friend and brother in Christ who shares his faith in public on a regular basis way over and down in California.

Featured here is a wonderful gospel witness encounter Allen had recently with two young fellows named Ethan and Garret. Allen was out standing on a street corner with his "Are You Ready" cross when these boys happened along. The cross bearing servant does not waste time getting right to the point of the matter with them.

Allen did not mince words and the boys seemed to be genuinely convicted and concerned. Toward the end of their meeting, one of the boys said to Allen:

"You're, like, the most blunt person with this stuff...Most people beat around the bush but you are, like, straight up and straight forward."

Allen responds: "I care for you too much to beat around the bush, man. I wanna be your friend I gotta tell you the truth first because if you die, man, it's too late."

Compassion. In a good way, and thankfully a good way, Allen is full of it. It's what should drive every Christian to go out "to seek and save that which is lost" in whatever way possible, no matter how big or small. This video is a wonderful demonstration of what it can be like.

Be encouraged.

COLLEGE GOSPEL OUTREACH

2011-05-17T14:18:00.000-04:00

Our evangelism team recently had a wonderful opportunity to share the gospel with hundreds of exam weary students on the campus of Algonquin College in Ottawa.

It was exam week and we participated in a college sanctioned (go figure!) outreach event which saw us offer free food for the body and free food for the soul. We were there for four hours and there was little, if any, downtime. Bibles, gospel books, gospel tracts and gospel conversations, along with the treats, were the order of the day. Over 350 students were blessed with both good food to eat and to ponder.

This was a great gospel giving opportunity handed to us by the Lord and we were quick to snag it. It would have been negligent on our part to reject it.

FELLOWSHIP OF THE UNASHAMED

2011-05-10T20:36:00.001-04:00

I hope this speaks not only to you, Christian, but of you as well.

CHRIST IS RISEN

2011-05-05T11:31:00.000-04:00

With a few friends and 4 custom crosses, made by Kim, to mark Resurrection Sunday and exalt the name of Christ, here is a view of what we did on a street corner to proclaim the Lord's name, His death and His resurrection on the Day of days for biblical Christians.

Glory to God, alone!

CHEER FOR JUSTICE - BUT WHAT OF GOD'S JUSTICE?

2011-05-02T14:49:00.000-04:00

I understand the rejoicing of all those who were hoping and waiting for human vengeance to come upon Osama bin Laden. It is easy to see it as a form of justice rightfully dispensed.

My concern, however, is for the souls of those cheering his death whom, unless they repent of their own sins and put their faith in Christ for their personal salvation, will sit under God's righteous judgment on Judgment Day after they die and end up suffering alongside bin Laden in the fires of hell for all eternity.

We Christians, those of us who have been redeemed by and know Christ, must be about our duty to proclaim the gospel in these days, as always. To warn those who support, demand and seek justice where wrong has been done, that outside of the grace and mercy of God through the sacrificial and substitutionary death of Christ on the cross for repentant sinners, God's righteous judgment shall be dispensed upon them, as well.

One does not have to be global public enemy number one to end up in hell.

Don't agree? How many lies have you told in your lifetime?

Jesus warned: "…and all liars will find themselves in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur." Rev 21:8

People must understand that God is holy, righteous and just. He WILL punish all sin. But He is also loving, merciful and kind. He WILL forgive and save those who repent (confess and turn from their sins) and trust in Jesus as their Lord and Savior, once and for all.

As we see and read about everywhere, there are all kinds of major events happening in the world these days that are causing people to wonder. There is no better time than NOW for followers of Christ to be out there proclaiming the Good News while we still have time.

Jesus came to live, suffer and die for the sins of all those who would come to repentance and faith in Him. Justice has already been paid for in full on the cross in the sinner's place.

Let's go tell them and let them know they need not suffer the justice of God for their sin. Nor would they want to.

GOOD WORD ON GOOD FRIDAY

2011-05-01T09:11:00.000-04:00

Good Friday was a beautiful day and the city was basically shut down for business. Except one place, the Byward Market, one of our favourite 'fishing spots'. The crowds were out and all outdoor patios open.

Four of us from our little church headed down to this busy place and spent a couple of hours handing out gospel tracts, speaking with people, reading from God's holy word and open air preaching the saving gospel of Jesus Christ.

Of all days of the year when the gospel should be proclaimed on the streets of our cities, Good Friday tops them all. Presented here are snippets of our time in the Market.

Sola Deo Gloria!

CHRIST IS RISEN

2011-04-24T00:05:00.001-04:00

Kim made four new crosses this long weekend, custom made for our use today on the streets of Ottawa. Today of any day, Resurrection Sunday, is a day to proclaim the name of Jesus in the public square.

Four of us will be heading out to stand with our crosses later today at a busy intersection just a couple of blocks down from our church, one on each corner. Two others will be with us to hand out tracts to passing pedestrians. All glory and honour to God our Savior!

Christ has died. Christ is risen! Christ will come again!!

I SEE MYSELF IN BARABBAS - DO YOU?

2011-04-22T00:05:00.000-04:00

"Now it was the governor’s custom at the Feast to release a prisoner chosen by the crowd. At that time they had a notorious prisoner, called Barabbas.

So when the crowd had gathered, Pilate asked them, “Which one do you want me to release to you: Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?” For he knew it was out of envy that they had handed Jesus over to him. While Pilate was sitting on the judge’s seat, his wife sent him this message: “Don’t have anything to do with that innocent man, for I have suffered a great deal today in a dream because of him.”

But the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas and to have Jesus executed.

“Which of the two do you want me to release to you?” asked the governor.

“Barabbas,” they answered.

“What shall I do, then, with Jesus who is called Christ?” Pilate asked.

They all answered, “Crucify him!”

“Why? What crime has he committed?” asked Pilate.

But they shouted all the louder, “Crucify him!”

When Pilate saw that he was getting nowhere, but that instead an uproar was starting, he took water and washed his hands in front of the crowd. “I am innocent of this man’s blood,” he said. “It is your responsibility!”

All the people answered, “Let his blood be on us and on our children!”

Then he released Barabbas to them. But he had Jesus flogged, and handed him over to be crucified."

Matthew 27:15-26

I see myself in Barabbas as one set free, despite my guilt, by Jesus who willingly bore that guilt for me in my stead and paid the horrific price for my lifelong crimes though He was perfectly innocent of any sin throughout His own life.

The perfect spotless Lamb of God, hung on a cross, in my place.

Jesus died for me. Did He die for you?

Thank you, Father, for sending your Son to take on my sin and punishment on the cross. Thank you Jesus for setting me free!

HT: Caleb and Sol

BUT WE GLORY IN CHRIST JESUS - (PHIL 3:3) - BOB JENNINGS

2011-04-18T20:28:00.000-04:00

You want a simple definition of a Christian, a true Christian?

He is one who glories, who boasts, who rejoices in Christ Jesus. His glory is not ambition, work, women, hobby, house, nor hunting trips. One dear old lady, whenever convenient, would bring the conversation around to her grandchildren. That was her glory. I’ve known folks that had collections of cars, tools, arrowheads, or even buttons. That is what made them stand out. For some, it is a weird hairstyle, a piece of clothing, or even their poverty. For some it is their church or their ministry. Folks must have something in which to glory, even if it is their sin, their shame, Philippians 3.19.

But the Christians glory in Christ Jesus – His person and His work. We boast of His eternal existence, His humble incarnation, His perfect life, His miraculous deeds, His substitutionary death, His powerful resurrection, His supreme exaltation, His effectual intercession, His sovereign reign, His second coming and righteous judgment. We boast of His incomparable love, His incomprehensible peace, His tender mercy, His incredible forgiveness, His great salvation, His majestic saints, His surpassing wisdom, and His blessed hope. It is the nature of a Christian to shun boasting in anything but the cross of Christ where his sin-guilt was put away, Galatians 6.14.

The Christian has seen that there is nothing else worthy in which to boast. All else is passing, is frail, is weak, is dust. All else is relative and next year someone else will do it better and then die. Kings die. Empires crumble, forgotten. But Christ Jesus lives and reigns. In the end, all will appear before Him and He will get the glory.

We shout it from the housetops. Are you proud of Christ Jesus?

by Pastor Bob Jennings

CROSS TRACTS

2011-04-13T05:30:00.001-04:00

If you are a Christian who wonders what it is like to hand out gospel tracts to perfect strangers on a busy street corner, have a look here and see how easy it can be.

As in any part of street evangelism, all you need is passion for God, compassion for the lost and, of course, some gospel tracts. And, if interested, the "Are You Ready" cross is a great help in bringing curious people to the gospel giving servant on the street.

Never underestimate the power of the gospel tract. As Charles Spurgeon once said: "A touching gospel tract may be the seed of eternal life."

I hope you are encouraged by what you see here and are moved to join the growing ranks of those who are willing to stand for and proclaim Christ in the public square, bringing the Good News to a lost a dying world in one of the simplest of ways.

'RELIGION OF PEACE'? WHAT SHOULD WE DO?

2011-04-06T17:53:00.003-04:00

Yet another reason why we who profess Christ,should be as vehement as this "salafi" in Britain, even more so, and be out there on the streets (before and when they come) to be found boldy preaching a completely different gospel than the one he preaches, the one given to us to proclaim at all cost: the gospel of Jesus Christ, Son of God, Lord and Savior.

The gospel that does not call for violent bloodshed or world domination over those who oppose biblical truth, but the one that lovingly calls all sinners to repentance and faith in Christ for the forgiveness of their sins, that they may know and have peace with the one true God through His Son and, by grace, be granted eternal life in heaven.

There is no other way. No other truth.

Jesus said so Himself:

"I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through ME." - John 14:6

Muhammad was a mere man. He is dead.

Jesus is God. He is alive and sits at the right hand of the Father. He is coming back to judge the living and the dead.

No matter what faith background people come from, motivated by a spirit of love or hatred, we must be out and about proclaiming the love of God through the saving gospel of Jesus, the Lord!

It is the only truth. It is, as for us, their only hope.

ALL IN THE LORD'S TIMING

2011-04-04T17:53:00.000-04:00

"The spirit is willing but"...sure been a lot of 'stuff' getting in the way of our desire to be out on the street with the gospel lately. It has been a relatively slow start for us this year on the evangelism front and we're not used to that.

As the Lord would have it, we have had to curtail recent opportunities to go out with the cross, hand out tracts, initiate gospel conversations, public Scripture reading, open air preach, etc.

The reasons are many and legitimate regarding our time taken up in having to deal with work issues, house issues, family issues, weather issues and, as we speak, health issues...you name it, we have just not been able to make the time to get out there as much as WE would like.

Not that all is lost, mind you, as our commitment to be ambassadors for the Lord is a daily thing no matter where we are or what we are doing. We have had ample opportunities to leave and hand out tracts everywhere we go. I have been blessed with numerous gospel conversations with people at work and some regular passengers who ride my bus and so on.

We do have a busy evangelism schedule this year, you know, the ones that take pre-planning efforts and for that we are glad. We are also very glad for the number of "laborers" the Lord has raised up for us to evangelize with from our church and elsewhere. We are thrilled to be part of a larger team of gospel harbingers, an answer to prayer.

Yet, to some degree, Kim and I have been missing out on our spontaneous jaunts together downtown and other places to present the gospel to lost souls for an hour or two at our whim. Aahh, but we know and understand that it is never at our "whim", but rather, always, the sovereignty of God in all things including our time.

There are only so many hours on the clock per day. So we must rely and trust in God's perfect timing and reasons for everything in our lives including that which He has called us to do in the field of street evangelism.

That's why we never lament over our sudden inabilities to get out there to share the gospel with people.

Well, kinda never.

THE WORD STREET JOURNAL 2 YEARS OLD TODAY

2011-04-01T00:06:00.000-04:00

As you probably notice from the photo below, there has been a lot of change since The Word Street Journal first opened it's office, along with the first open air sermon being preached, on Main Street in Ottawa, Ontario, a whole two years ago.

Click on the image for a larger view.

Yes, fashions have changed, pavement has replaced cobble stone, cars instead of horses, notepads to computers, etc.

Thankfully, the one and most important thing that has not and never will change is the Word of God.

We, here at The Word Street Journal, appreciate your patronage as we move into our third year of being a source of edification and encouragement to our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ who, like us, bear a burden for lost souls and have a burning desire to serve our King and "Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation." as He commanded us to do in Mark 16:15.

Leaving tracts, handing out tracts, one-to-one and group conversations on the street, reading Scripture in public and open air preaching are a few of the many ways we can all be bringing the saving gospel of Jesus to the world around us.

It looks like this year is going to be another busy year of sowing and watering seeds on the streets of the nation's capital. Come along for the adventure. Your support through the wonderful act of prayer would be most appreciated.

"...his word is in my heart like a fire, a fire shut up in my bones. I am weary of holding it in; indeed, I cannot." - Jeremiah 20:9

Always for the glory of God,

Paul & Kim

UNEQUALED GREATNESS

2011-03-28T11:26:00.000-04:00

I can never tire of the gospel.

I can never tire reading it. I can never tire hearing it. I can never tire preaching it. I can never tire thinking about it.

I can never tire loving the One of whom it speaks of, this "friend of sinners", Jesus, our Lord and Savior.

Here is a powerful presentation of the gospel by Pastor Art Azurdia:

HT: DPMosteller

REVERSE THINKING

2011-03-24T13:10:00.000-04:00

Now THIS is amazing!

HT: Deo Volente Media

G.O.S.P.E.L.

2011-03-20T21:15:00.000-04:00

Preach it. Teach it. Rap it.
Whatever.
It's gospel truth.
This is good.

G.O.S.P.E.L. from Humble Beast Records on Vimeo.

HT: 5pt Salt

ST PATRICK THE EVANGELIST

2011-03-17T00:01:00.002-04:00

For this St Patrick's Day discover the amazing humbling, adventurous and miraculous circumstances God had brought Patriciaus through in order that he evangelize to the pagan 5th century Irish with the gospel of Jesus Christ, by reading his account in his own words.

It is a fascinating autobiographical read which includes his experiences as one who spent 40 years going from place to place risking his life throughout pagan Ireland preaching the gospel, doing the work of an evangelist.

As much as I can't imagine what it would have been like to be a gospel harbinger in those days under such dismal conditions, I think I could imagine what he would think, say and do if he were able to see what the world does to "honor" his name every March 17, the anniversary of his death. Green beer and good luck, anybody?

Some exerpts from The 'Confessio' of St Patrick:

"Who am I Lord? Or, rather, what is my calling? That you appeared to me is no great a divine quality, so that today among the barbarians I might constantly exalt and magnify your name that I might imitate one of these whom the Lord already pre-ordained to be heralds of his gospel to witness to all people to the ends of the earth.

"Therefore, indeed, I cannot keep silent, so many favours and graces has the Lord deigned to bestow on me in Ireland. For after chastisement from God, and recognizing him, my way to repay him is to exalt him and confess his wonder before every nation under heaven.

"The Lord, prepared me so that today I should be what was once far from me, in order that I should be concerned for the salvation of others.

"I am greatly in his debt, because he granted me so much grace, that through me many people would be reborn in God."

Patrick wrote that 1,560 years ago.

It is an awesome thing to think that in our day, God is still calling His people and sending them out into the highways, bi-ways, streets and jungles as heralds of the gospel. He has not changed the means by which the Good News is to be spread. And He will continue to call laborers, everyday Christians, to preach the gospel, sending them out into His fields until the day King Jesus returns and the need for evangelism will be no more.

ST PATRICK'S DAY PARADE OUTREACH

2011-03-14T22:52:00.003-04:00

This year's St Patrick's Day Parade in Ottawa has come and gone and 875 people went home with little green gospel tracts in their pockets and many more with other kinds of tracts.

The day was mild and the rain held back and our team of six, including our pastor, were able to hand out tracts before, during and after the parade to many a person wearing green. A few of us had opportunity to spend a little time sharing the gospel with people verbally as they waited for the parade.

Three of us held the AYR cross over the duration of the parade giving many onlookers passing by something to think about. During a lull in the parade, as I was holding the cross, a group of people near me asked the proverbial question. It gave me an opportunity to do a little open air in reference to St Patrick and the gospel he preached. They had all received gospel tracts earlier.

Two from our team went far down Bank Street to hand out tracts along the parade route while we were stationed at the Civic Centre where the parade ended. It was encouraging to see people on floats passing by the rest of us waving to people while holding a little green gospel tract in their hand. Confirmation that the job was getting done.

Following the parade, the participants and the general public lined up for a huge Irish party being held in the Civic Centre. I took it as an opportunity to stand up on a bench beside the line-up and enlighten the crowd with a bit of St Patrick trivia and then proceeded to preach the same gospel he would have preached had he been there.

There was only one person who took offence to our being there and had rudely made it known during the parade and again at the line-up where I was preaching. He actually thought I was going to "shut up and go away" just because he loudly demanded me to do so. He labelled us as "protestant bigots" with an agenda to refute everyone's (his) belief that St Patrick went to Ireland to convert the Irish to Roman Catholicism. Obviously, our only agenda was to bring the gospel of Jesus Christ and that's all we did.

Aside from that minor disagreement, it was a great way for brothers and sisters in Christ to spend a couple of hours on a Saturday morning to be and work together as an evangelism team, witnessing for Christ, being fools for Christ and making sure people know that the luck of the Irish cannot save anyone, but that the grace of God can, through Jesus alone.

To God be the glory forever, amen!

ARMED AND READY

2011-03-11T22:08:00.000-05:00

Well, the St Patrick's Day parade is upon us tomorrow.

Several of us from our church will be heading out to hand out a large amount of homemade St Patrick's Day gospel tracts. Hopefully, we will be able to engage receivers in gospel conversations, as well. And if the circumstances point to some open air preaching, that will be on the agenda, too.

The tract was a breeze to create. A bit of internet graphic of a leprechaun, some shamrocks and a simple question all put together on Photoshop. The gospel text was printed for the back. Files were made and brought to Staples. They printed it on green card stock and, voila, 1000 gospel tracts ready to go.

And so are we.

Note: click on the text if you would like to read it clearly.

THINKING GREEN

2011-03-07T12:03:00.000-05:00

Saint Patrick's Day approacheth. And so does the annual onslaught of all things green and Irish.

Parades, shamrocks, Irish music, Irish dancing, green costumes, leprechauns, green beer, lots and lots and lots of green beer with toast after slurred toast to Saint Patrick, a man who 95 percent of anyone you ask, even Irish people, have no idea who he was or what he did that made him famous.

I would venture to say that if any of these Irish and non-Irish revellers knew the true story of Patricius Magonus Sucatus, who he represented and what he preached, they would have nothing to do with him.

Why? Because he represented Jesus Christ and he preached the saving gospel of Jesus Christ - in the open air, no less. God used Patrick powerfully for 40 years to convert the country of Ireland from pagan and druidic practices to biblical Christianity, calling countrymen to true repentance and faith in Jesus Christ for the eternal salvation of their souls.

Patrick boldly preached the gospel to a country that twice held him as a slave. This slave of the Irish became a slave of Jesus Christ and he obeyed what His true Master commanded him to do in Matthew 28:18-20.

A St Patrick's Day Parade is a great way to bring the gospel to the throngs of people who show up for it. Handing out gospel tracts along the parade route to people, including parade participants is probably the easiest way to do so.

Ottawa's parade is this Saturday, six days before the March 17th and we'll be there. If you have a parade in your area coming up, now is the time to start planning and preparing for it. It could be a fun venture for you as well, especially if you have others to go with you.

Here is a look at what Kim and I did at last year's parade. I hope this will be of encouragement to you to take advantage of a golden (greenish) opportunity to hand many gospel tracts to people.

And given it's a festive "Christian" event - far from it actually - it's easy to use the life and work of St Patrick as a springboard to sharing the gospel that he preached with those in attendance.

CATHOLIC CATECHISM VS THE BIBLE

2011-03-04T00:48:00.000-05:00

I grew up in the Roman Catholic Church. I became a Christian 11 years ago. I love Roman Catholic people and so want them to be able to distinguish right (God's Word) from wrong (man's word) where there is obvious conflict. Below is an example:

Article #841 of the Catechism of the Catholic Church states:

"The plan of salvation also includes those who acknowledge the Creator, in the first place amongst whom are the Muslims; these profess to hold the faith of Abraham, and together with us they adore the one, merciful God, mankind's judge on the last day."

The Book of John in the Bible, chapter 8:23-24 says:

"But he (Jesus) continued,'You are from below; I am from above.
You are of this world; I am not of this world. I told you that you would die in your sins; if you do not believe that I am the one I claim to be, you will indeed die in your sins."

Islam teaches that Jesus was a prophet, a man and no more. But Jesus, here, is professing that He is from heaven, not earth like us, and that following His many claims to be God incarnate. Muslims also do not believe that Jesus is the Messiah.

That being so, in light of what Jesus said above, how can the RCC teach in their catechism that, "The plan of salvation also includes ... the Muslims."??

Jesus clearly states that those who reject His claim to deity (which would only steer people away from the required repentance and faith in Christ for redemption) will die in their sins. They will not, therefore, be welcomed into heaven but, rather, cast into hell.

The Roman Catholic teaching clearly goes against what Jesus teaches in the Bible. Muslims may "profess to hold the faith of Abraham" but they outrightly reject the prophesied Messiah that came from Abraham's seed.

That being so, this should be of great concern to you, Christian. Your heart should be pounding with compassion for both Catholics and Muslims. Your love for them so deep that you would be willing to do whatever you can to kindly reach out and share the true gospel with them with "gentleness and patience".

Put away any sinful temptation to do nothing but verbally bash those of other faiths. You will trip over your pride and wrongful boasting. Love them and show them you love them by bringing them the truth!

The very least you could do is try. Some (most?) may reject what God has to say to them via the Scriptures you point them to but you will, at the very least, have done something.

We are to obey Jesus' command to "Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation". - Mark 16:15

Thankfully, the overall outcome is in the hands of our sovereign Lord.

'WE'RE LOSING IT' - PAUL WASHER

2011-03-01T16:29:00.003-05:00

For ten years, Paul Washer served as a dedicated gospel missionary in one of the most impoverished places on the planet.

As it turned out for him, coming back to "civilization" was harder than leaving it. Surviving on next to nothing there was easier for him than surviving with almost everything here.

Why? Find out here in this sobering video:

Can you imagine living for Christ without the distractions of "the world" to take us away from serving Him fully?

Washer's words here are good reminder that we must live Christ as we preach Christ, and only allowing Him to be our great desire and treasure here on earth.

We should be reminded to not let the 'things' of the world tempt us and steer us away from our mission, our goal, our duty to preach Christ and Him crucified on the busy streets of our cities to those who know not God and who worship the things of the world as a divine substitute.

HT: Faithful Servant 320

BAPTISM BY FLYER

2011-02-27T17:41:00.001-05:00

I wish I were a new Christian.

If I were a new Christian, I would eventually request to be baptized. And if I were to be baptized, I would like to be baptized by total immersion. It's the biblical way.

What you are about to see in this short clip is how I would have liked to have been baptized if I were to be baptized today. Yes, a little unorthodox perhaps, but total immersion nonetheless and that's what's important.

No sprinkling here:

Who's next?

THE KIND OF CHURCH YOU WANT (NEED) TO BE IN

2011-02-24T20:49:00.000-05:00

No glitz, no glamour, no grand hall, no hip preacher, no 'best-life-now' sermons, no spotlights, no rock band for worship, no jumbo-tron video screens, no bookstore, no coffee shop, no sensurround sound. Come to think of it, there is an old microphone that works but the ancient little sound board is on the fritz.

That's our church.

But what we do have sadly lacks in most bigger and better equipped churches throughout North America. Among other things, a dedicated, God-fearing, caring, humble pastor who faithfully preaches the saving gospel of Jesus "in spirit and in truth". A small band of biblical Christians who know, love and serve the Lord and each other; who work together, pray together and enjoy meaningful (and fun) fellowship. A good portion of our clan who share a burden for the lost and who actively do something about it in a variety of different ways through active evangelism.

Sinners saved by grace, we are the farthest thing from perfect. But we love and serve a perfect Savior.

Kind of like this church featured here in San Antonio, Texas:

Grace Community Church of San Antonio, Texas from I'll Be Honest on Vimeo.

That's what churches are supposed to be like.

Real people. Real life. Real Christianity.

HOW THE GOSPEL COMES TO US

2011-02-21T23:58:00.000-05:00

"The power of the Gospel, its condemning/killing and justifying/vivifying potency, is NOT conveyed through your life, your symbols of success, your soup kitchens, your church band—no, not even through your cliché-emblazoned t-shirts! The Gospel is an announcement; it is news, the best news that can ever be declared from human lips. Therefore, it is PREACHED!" - Dr. Michael Horton

HT: His Feet On The Street

SIGN HERE PLEASE

2011-02-17T00:33:00.001-05:00

There is a fairly large United church in the west end part of Ottawa. Down the street from where they are situated, a fairly large mosque is being built in order to meet the demands of the growing population of Muslims in the capital city.

As a way to welcome their new neighbours and provide an opportunity to get to know one another better, this United church parish organized a series of three discussion evenings over a period of three weeks. That, in and of itself, is commendable.

I believe this is a very positive way to extend a hand of friendship to one another and will do much to help keep walls of misunderstanding from creeping up, possibly threatening their desire for peaceful co-existence. I fully support the goodwill and intent behind the discussion series.

The only concern I have is that the Muslim contingent involved in these discussions probably believe that they are dialoguing with biblical Christians when, indeed, they might not be. I said "might not", so please drop the charge of me "judging others" if you feel the inclination to start.

The truth of the matter is that it is no secret the United Church, not unlike the Roman Catholic Church, has compromised and continues to compromise the truth of God's holy word, the Bible, in more ways than one. In essence, they preach what the Bible calls, "a different gospel". Galatians 1:8 comes to mind.

To preach a different gospel would be to preach no gospel at all. And if there is anything that Muslims need to receive in spirit and in truth, it's the gospel. The true one. The only one. The one found in the Bible.

With that in mind the Lord put in on my heart to somehow plant a seed or two, however small, in the minds of the attendees from both camps before one of their meetings by displaying something that would point them to the truth found in the gospel. I thought of standing at the entrance to the church parking lot holding the 'Are You Ready' cross as carloads of people turned in but then decided I needed something more direct.

The verse John 14:6 came to mind but I knew that would be too long a read for people in cars passing by. Staying with the John 14:6 idea, I decided to just make a poster with "John 14:6" painted on it in bold lettering and leave the rest to the Holy Spirit, trusting Him to lead the viewers to check the verse out on their own.

Last night's meeting was to start at 7:30pm. I had already painted the poster board earlier at noon. I got home from my evening shift at 6:30pm, quickly changed, packed and Kim drove me to the church for 7pm.

No sooner did I begin to stand at the entrance to the church parking lot with my sign that the attendees started to arrive in their cars. I was able to see that I got the attention of everyone who drove by. The cars would start to turn, slow down in front of me, the drivers and occupants would gaze at the sign and carry on.

Seeds planted. Mission accomplished. Or so I thought.

Just as I was about to get back into our nice warm car with Kim waiting for me, a car pulled up beside me and stopped. A middle eastern looking man with, who I assume was his wife, rolled down his window and called me over.

"I saw your sign and had to stop. What does 'John 14:6' say?", he asked. "What does it mean?"

"It's a quote from the Bible. They are the words of Jesus where he says 'I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.' ", I replied.

"OK, but why are you here?"

"There is a discussion meeting going on inside right now between members of the Muslim community and the people of this church so that they can have a better understanding of each other. I am here using this sign to proclaim the gospel because I doubt it will be brought up in this meeting when it should be the central theme coming from those who call themselves 'Christian'. I'm not protesting if that's what you might be thinking. Just giving people food for thought from the truth of the Bible."

"I am a Muslim. Why is this so important to you?"

Enter the gospel, explained in full, in about a minute and a half. We then exchanged some differences between Christianity and Islam which led him to say,"My father, who was a very religious Muslim, once told me, 'If you believe in God and you do good in your life, you will be in heaven after you die."

"Yes", I said, "but with all due respect, you are believing the words of a man and not God's own word. That's the whole point behind John 14:6. The fact is that God says we cannot get to heaven based on our own good works and/or religion, but only by the shed blood of Jesus who paid the penalty for our sins on the cross. That's how God demonstrated His love for us. And we are commanded by God to repent and believe the gospel in order to be saved. These are His own words. Jesus is God!"

"Very interesting speaking with you, sir.", he said in a friendly tone as he put his car back in gear to leave. "Thank you. And I respect what you are doing."

Many attendees viewed the sign on their way in to the meeting and a Muslim hears the gospel. All this, in a span of a half an hour, armed with no more than a simple sign that points to God's word. The Lord works in amazing ways through the most simplest of means.

I can't help but wonder what the buzz was inside the church after everyone arrived.

"Foolish!", you say? Yes, you are absolutely right. "But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong." - 1 Corinthians 1:27

I've never used a sign like this before in my gospel giving ventures. Lord willing, I plan to go back to do the same thing with the same sign for the final meeting next Tuesday evening. Please pray.

THE GOSPEL AT WINTERLUDE

2011-02-10T07:19:00.003-05:00

Ottawa's "Winterlude" event always draws the crowds. And where crowds are, so should the gospel be.

Opening Day, Saturday (Feb 5, 2011) a team of us from church took one hour out of our lives and went to one of the entrance of one of the main Winterlude venues with armed with the AYR cross, gospel tracts and a heart willing to share the Good News to a lost and dying world. Pastor Bob Doble led the team carrying the AYR cross (his first time doing so) that was viewed by many and caused some to stop to talk with him.

Though we were only there for one hour, the Lord blessed our efforts. The tract distribution was non-stop, the gospel conversations with people were many and one lady, who after speaking with us mentioned she was seeking a church, was led to attend our next day's morning service and evening Bible study with a promise to return. Just one example of how our sovereign Lord is pleased to bless the obedience of His saints.

If you are attending a church with no street evangelism ministry and it is on your heart to start one, I hope you are encouraged by this 5 minute video as you watch and see how easy it can be, especially at large public gatherings where the opportunities to put the gospel in the hands and hearts of people is a cinch. It is a wonderful opportunity to serve the Lord in the building of His kingdom and a great opportunity for fellowship with fellow believers.

Please feel free to contact us here at The Word Street Journal if you are local and are in need of guidance in learning the best way to hit the streets for Christ, either on your own or with your church, and we would be pleased to be of assistance.

We cannot emphasize enough the joy that is in serving the Lord in this manner, for His glory.

DO NOT FEAR EVANGELISM - TONY MIANO

2011-02-07T12:44:00.000-05:00

Has God put a burden on your heart for the lost? Has He placed conviction upon your conscience to do something about it? Are you thinking evangelism? Are you wondering what it can be like on the front lines of 'street evangelism'? Are you seeking some form of encouragement?

Then you have come to the right place.

My brother in Christ, friend and mentor from Southern California, street evangelist Tony Miano (a former deputy sheriff of the Los Angeles Police Dept.), takes to the pulpit as a guest preacher at his church, yesterday, and delivers a powerful message on the greatest act any Christian could ever do to show their love toward fellow human beings...share the gospel!

CROSS PROVIDENTIAL TIMING

2011-02-03T05:47:00.001-05:00

It never ceases to amaze me how God blesses all things in accordance to His perfect will. I love how He is able to co-ordinate the schedules of two strangers and blend them into one for His purposes and, of course, with perfect timing.

I went downtown with my AYR cross last Saturday evening and this video captures one of those moments. I hope this is of encouragement to you.

FALSE CONVERSION

2011-01-27T01:08:00.000-05:00

During an open air session a couple of weeks ago, a young man named Joshua told street evangelist Ray Comfort that he "tried" Christianity and it didn't work for him. Ray was quick to point out that he was never a Christian in the first place.

Here is a 4 minute excerpt of the "on the box" exchange:

One cannot become a genuine Christian through true repentance and faith in Christ and then choose to bow out of salvation later on. That would make God's power to regenerate a person's heart toward true conversion, and keep it there, absolutley ineffectual.

As you stand right now, you are either a genuine child of God, saved by grace, eternally secure and you have been made wanting to live your life in love and obedience to His will. Either God is your heavenly Father or, as Jesus put it, "You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father's desire." John 8:44

You may even be a "religious" person, like Joshua was, trying to earn your way to Heaven by your own good merit. If so, you are in no better a place than where Joshua always has been and still was as of two weeks ago. What he proved lacking was a God-initiated conversion experience that would have opened his eyes and mind to the truth that he is a great sinner in dire need of a great Savior.

It is not possible for any genuine Christian to willfully desire to turn his back on the immeasureable love, grace and mercy of God through His Son, Jesus, the Lord. If he did, it would be a clear indication that he was never a Christian from the onset, just like Joshua.

Truth is: once God has you in His grip, He will never let you go. Ever!

But sadly, there are millions upon millions of false converts in this world. They believe and regard themselves to be "Christian" for every reason but the one that counts. These untold numbers of people have been deceived, even by their own church leaders, and remain trudging along the broad road that leads to eternal punishment in hell, lest they repent of their sins and place their trust in Christ alone for their salvation.

All the more reason for genuine, obedient and compassionate Christians (like you) to be "out there" proclaiming the truth of the gospel where and whenever possible so as to encourage the lost to seek the truth in it that they may eventually find themselves truly converted...and saved!

CROSS ENCOUNTER

2011-01-22T15:20:00.000-05:00

I can't say enough about this video. A wonderful encounter made possible by God through my good friend and brother, Allen Peek.

A great example of what can happen when you are willing to stand like a fool for Christ, ready to share the gospel.

Please watch this video. It will be a blessing especially to those who have not done this sort of thing before, but have always wondered what it would be like.

Then GO do!

AYR CROSS GIVE-A-WAY

2011-01-19T00:00:00.000-05:00

My brother in Christ, dear friend, fellow blogger, instigator of Mission Canada 2010, street evangelist, honeycrisp apple enthusiast and woodworker guy extraordinaire, Vernon Costolo, of Huntington, West Virginia, has a wonderful offer you might be interested in.

If you have been following this blog, you will already be familiar with the Are You Ready cross we utilize for our evangelism efforts here on the streets of Ottawa. A wonderful tool thought up by Tony Miano, of southern California, a year and a half ago that has proven to be extremely effective in drawing attention, getting people thinking and creating gospel conversations with strangers with great ease.

Vernon is a gifted wood craftsman and is responsible for making many a person a cross to carry, even in different languages, that begs the same question.

Don't have a cross? Want to have a cross? Free of labor and cost? Then head on over to Vernon's blog, Proclaiming the Truth, and toss your name into the hat and wait til February 1st for a draw that just might win you your own custom made cross to help you boost your evangelism efforts.

We have one of his crosses. Quality workmanship at it's best!

Unfortunately, yet understandably, this draw is only open to street evangelists living in the States. But if you're not American and you know someone who is and who might be interested in this opportunity, then please spread the word. Thanks!

DO YOU APPRECIATE YOUR BIBLE THIS MUCH?

2011-01-17T12:53:00.000-05:00

There are just some things that we should never take for granted within our ability to easily access what we want. The Bible being the most important of all.

The Bible? Yes, the Bible! God's Holy Word. This video should warm your heart.

Take a little time out and watch the anticipation and pure joy of a distant tribe as they receive and celebrate the arrival of Bibles printed in their native language for the first time.

It might help you better appreciate the treasure, that is the written Word of God, already published in your own language long before you ever received or bought one.

My prayer is that you are just as overjoyed, like the Kimyal tribe, of being able to simply have a Bible you can call your own.

Cherish and know your Bible like there was no tomorrow. Read, study and apply. Who knows? The way things are going here, there may come a time when owning and reading a Bible will be against the law.

IS THE TRUTH TRUE? OR...

2011-01-11T13:28:00.000-05:00

MENU SPECIAL: HUMBLE PIE

2011-01-08T15:50:00.001-05:00

It's one thing for me to watch and hear a person recite Romans 12 verbatim, or any Bible chapter for that matter. But it's a completely different thing when that person is 52 years my junior.

This is a must-see of three year old Nathaniel Sippley reciting said Bible chapter. He is the son of a brother in Christ and FB 'friend' of mine, Chris, in Moncton, New Brunswick.

There is much to be said about the "down the road" benefits of Nathaniel being able to recite whole chapters of the Bible at such a young age.

And much to be said about Nathaniel's parents, who love God and their son enough to prioritize what he should be learning, especially at such a young age. Now that's good parenting!

I confess, being a Christian of 11 years now myself, I am not too proud of the fact that I cannot do what little Nathaniel can do at the age of 3.

"One slice of humble pie, please. Nay, make that the whole thing!"

SEND IN THE CLOWNS

2011-01-07T00:15:00.001-05:00

"Evangelicals once prided themselves that they were not like those small-minded fundamentalists who erected walls around their beliefs and stuck to the Bible.

Evangelicals were different, they claimed, because they believed in lowering the drawbridge into the culture so that the church could intermingle. Well, all these years later, evangelicalism is indistinguishable from the culture around it.

That's because the lowered drawbridge of evangelicalism wasn't sending out soldiers of Christ intent on evangelizing the lost.

It was sending traffic from the world's culture straight into the heart of the church. Traffic goes both ways on a drawbridge, and nobody bothered to stand watch at evangelicalism's gate."

Ingrid Schlueter
Crosstalk America

HEART 'N SOUL - FOR THE FUN OF IT

2011-01-04T00:15:00.005-05:00

Kim and I do a lot more than proclaim the gospel on the streets of Ottawa together as we are grateful to the Lord in that, as husband and wife, we share the same passion for a good number of different things. One of those things is playing the piano.

Well, the truth of it is, Kim plays the piano. I fake the piano. Kim is classically trained. I play by ear. Thankfully, my head doesn't hurt as much now that I have learned to use my fingers instead. Easier to play, too. :)

So, for our faithful subscribers, The Word Street Journal proudly presents something completely different for the first blog post of the new year. It has nothing to do with evangelism aside from the fact that the players are evangelists.

Featured below is an improvised version of a little fun piece called "Heart 'n Soul" that Kim and I do, but never the same way twice. You have heard the tune before, just maybe not quite like this.

The Bible says to "Make a joyful noise unto the Lord" - Psalm 98:4. Here's a little bit of noise, hopefully joyful:

The media scrum in the background is made up of our dear friends and fellow evangelists, Vernon and Sean, from the USA who were up here last October participating with us in what has been now dubbed "Mission Ottawa 2010". We played this for them.

Enjoy!

AN OLD BLESSING FOR A NEW YEAR

2011-01-01T09:35:00.006-05:00

For you, fellow brothers and sisters in Christ, present and aspiring gospel harbingers, on this the first day of 2011, a blessing.

A blessing composed by God and given to Moses to pass on to Aaron and his sons to bless the Israelites about 3,400 years ago as they made their way through the desert to the Promised Land after the Lord helped them escape 400 years of slavery in Eygypt.

“The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.” Numbers 6:24-26

All both of us here at The Word Street Journal, pray this blessing for you for 2011. And that the Lord would bless you with a great burden in your heart to be always at the ready to share the Good News of Jesus Christ with the lost, whoever and wherever they may be.

So much so that you would make the effort to purposely go out and boldly, lovingly proclaim the name of Jesus and His gospel in the public square by whatever means you have been blessed with.

Your time here on earth is your only opportunity to share the gospel with others.

If we can be of help, please feel free to contact us. That is what we are here for on this blog: to encourage you, that you may be blessed in having a hand in the building of the Kingdom of God and know the joy of such a privilege.

May God bless you abundantly in His service for 2011.

CHRISTMAS IN THE OPEN AIR

2010-12-24T22:23:00.000-05:00

Kim and I, along with friends James and Nicole, set out to the Byward Market in downtown Ottawa at noon time, yesterday, to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ to Christmas shoppers and to help bring out the true meaning of Christmas from the Bible, from some traditional Christmas carols and in the handing out of gospel tracts.

Kim stood up and read from Scripture and the carols. I followed with some open air preaching. The video depicts snippets of both, with clips of James and Nicole handing out candy-caned gospel tracts.

NOTE: due to technical difficulties beyond our control, you will notice at the 4 minute mark that the screen goes dark, yet the sound remains clear. Please do not adjust your set. Normal viewing will resume 50 seconds later.

We hope this will be of inspiration and encouragement to those who sense a calling to follow suit in the building of the kingdom of God. It is such a privilege to serve Him who has been immeasureably good to us.

ONLY 3 PREACHING DAYS LEFT BEFORE CHRISTMAS!

2010-12-22T00:11:00.001-05:00

Bring your Bible! Bring your tracts! Bring your voice and bring your facts!

That's right, folks! Only three days left to get out there and proclaim the Good News of the Bible and tell the world what the TRUE meaning of Christmas is all about!

On your way to "go tell it on the mountain", hit the streets and go where the crowds are: Santa parades, outside of shopping centres, outdoor market areas, special public Christmas events, etc...

Take to the stand and from your Bible, read aloud the portions of the Book of Isaiah that foretold the coming of Jesus, the Messiah, over seven hundred years before He was born. Read the accounts of the birth of Jesus from Matthew 1:18-21 and from Luke 2:18-14.

Lift yourself, lift your voice and boldy proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ to all around you in the public square. Hand out gospel tracts to them as well.

We have only three days left to help set the record straight while people are still thinking about Christmas, but think not of Christ and their dire need of Him for their eternal salvation.

'EXAM WEEK' GOSPEL OPPORTUNITY

2010-12-20T06:13:00.000-05:00

Following a period of various personal trials the Lord graciously saw Kim and I through in the last few weeks (which caused us to be sidetracked from our regular evangelism outings) we were very pleased to get back into the swing of things when we were invited by friends from Grace Baptist Church to take part in an amazing gospel giving opportunity at Algonquin College in Ottawa.

GBC had recently discovered that the Campus Ministry of Algonquin College offers various churches, under the banner of Christianity, each on their own assigned day over five days, to set up tables in a prime indoor traffic location on campus offering food for the body and food for the soul to students as they made their way to or from their mid-term exams before the Christmas holidays. Kim and I jumped at this once-per-semester chance to take part in this project.

Anne Minion, a member of GBC, joyfully took on the burden of organizing this goldmine of a gospel giving opportunity to make sure that it became a reality. She sought the support of others at GBC by having them provide a wide variety of homebaked goods for the students. A good variety of gospel tracts and bibles were provided by the church, as well. Last Thursday morning, two deacons delivered and set up the supplies before they went off to work leaving three volunteers to man the tables and deal with the students for the day.

Kim and I arrived later in the morning after I had finished my morning shift at work. We got there to find three long tables lined up and covered with all kinds of fruit, homebaked goods, storebought snacks, bottled water, coffee, juices, etc., among the piles of gospel tracts and what was left of the bibles. We brought with us an extra supply of tracts and bibles, all of which were dispensed of by the end of the day.

We immediately joined in on the offering of food and drink to passing students, handing out gospel tracts, bibles and engaging many in gospel conversations. So many students seemed to be genuinely keen on finding out what we were all about, who we represented, what and who we believed in. We answered many questions and gave many students "good food" for thought regarding their need for Christ. We, and the two kinds of food we offered, were well received.

We do not know of another learning institution around here that offers such a wonderful opportunity to share our faith and encourage others towards Christ right on campus during exam week. We are slated to participate in the same event during the spring final exams in the new year. This being the first time any of us have participated in such an event, it went so well that we are already looking forward to the next session which will see minor changes to benefit the students at Algonquin College even better, now that we know how effective this form of campus evangelism is.

What an amazing opportunity the Lord had blessed us with to help us put the saving gospel of Jesus Christ into the hands and hearts of the young at college. God be praised as we look forward to next spring when we will be there again during their final exam week. More food to enjoy and think about.

Glory to God!

PREACH IT, BROTHER LINUS !

2010-12-15T23:35:00.001-05:00

This was always a classic for me, even when I wasn't a Christian.

CHRISTMAS: IT'S ABOUT THE CROSS

2010-12-08T11:19:00.000-05:00

"Christmas—by and far, and above all other holidays—is best defined today by materialism and the mass consumption of stuff. Even non-Christians recognize and often bemoan this fact. It tends to be easier to practice moderation with other gift-giving days (like birthdays), but with Christmas there’s always an ever-present frenzy of vanity and materialism simmering just below the surface of the season that crescendos into an orgy of selfishness like no other holiday." The Pilgrim

Here is a video with a song by 'Go Fish' that tells of the true "reason for the season".

WORSHIP AT THE ALTAR OF STUFF

2010-12-06T12:23:00.000-05:00

This is sad. This is sick. This is sin.

This is what it's like when people worship the god of "stuff". This is the length people will go to get their "stuff".

Run and trample over fallen people and keep on going in the race to get their "stuff". "Stuff" is more important than someone's life.

God says "stuff" will eventually burn. As will all those who love their "stuff" more than God.

Oh, that people would be just as eager and willing to line up, no matter the length, the weather or time, to hear and receive the saving gospel of Jesus Christ and that without getting trampled.

But no, we go to them and go we must!

We might be labelled as fools when we do. But look at this video and tell me, who would you consider more foolish?

"Sell your possessions, and give to the needy. Provide yourselves with moneybags that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys." (Luke 12:33)

THE UNCONDITIONAL LOVE OF CHRIST

2010-12-02T00:23:00.000-05:00

THIS is what we preach!
THIS is what it's all about!
THIS is what the truth is!
THIS is what we shout!

8 TH COMMANDMENT IS FOR THE BIRDS, TOO

2010-11-30T13:16:00.001-05:00

Gospel harbingers, please, get out there on your soapbox today and start teaching the 10 Commandments to ALL God's creatures before things gets out of hand!

Watch this shocking news clip as the 8th Commandment is blatantly broken without regard to eternal consequences...

THE TRUTH ABOUT THE LIE

2010-11-27T18:42:00.002-05:00

A little photoshop-phun and some Kim-humor, with a picture I grabbed off Facebook, compliments my post from earlier today.

Millions make the effort to line up for hours on end, even through the night, in attempt to purchase the latest, greatest treasure at rock bottom prices. Items that they are deceivingly told will bring everlasting happiness to them if they had one.

But would they bother to line up at any time of the day or night to hear a message about Jesus that, if taken seriously, can lead them to the treasure of free redemption and eternal life with God?

No.

So that's why we who have heard and responded to this message, the gospel of Jesus Christ, must go out to those in lineups who wait to buy temporal 'things' and proclaim the free gift purchased for them through the shed blood of Christ, a treasure that lasts for eternity.

Original photo taken by Chris Jones, of Suffolk, Virginia, at a local Black Friday event where he faithfully preached the gospel to hundreds of people lined up through the wee hours of yesterday morning.

God bless you, brother, and thanks for the pic.

WHERE'S THE LINE TO SEE JESUS?

2010-11-27T07:02:00.000-05:00

Where's the line to see Jesus?
Is He here at the store?
If Christmas time is His birthday,
Why don't we see Him more?

Where's the line to see Jesus?
He was born for me.
Santa Claus brought me presents,
But Christ gave His life for me.

From out of the mouth of babes.
To read how this thought provoking song came to light, go to http://wheresthelinetoseejesus.com/

THE SEAN-O-MATIC TRACT DISPENSER

2010-11-24T14:31:00.000-05:00

A little bit of fun at Sean's expense from our Mission Ottawa 2010 gospel blitz last month.

CROSSING THE CROSSWALK

2010-11-19T22:07:00.000-05:00

One busy street intersection.

Twenty-eight lanes. Three hours. Four fools. Four crosses. Hundreds of cars. Thousands of people.

One humble effort to glorify God.

Talk about "Easy Evangelism 101".

CONVICTION FOR PISTOL PETE'S SAKE

2010-11-18T12:39:00.001-05:00

Kim and I recently purchased, watched and enjoyed a most amazing DVD film about the world's greatest basketball player that ever lived, "Pistol" Pete Maravich.

I now have a greater appreciation for why my older brother, an avid basketball player, coach and fan to this day, has held Pistol Pete in high esteem since high school back in the early seventies.

Maravich's stunning basketball skills are beyond anything anyone can match. Many of his records have yet to be broken, even though he stopped playing professional in 1980. I call him the Wayne Gretzky of basketball.

Here is a very small sample of his amazing talent:

The movie is called "The Pistol". The edition of the movie is called "the inspirational edition". But though Pistol Pete's story of him growing up in his early years before turning pro is inspirational to any aspiring basketball player, the edition is called "inspirational" for another reason.

The movie itself depicts the life of Maravich as a boy growing up honing and applying his incredible skills as he went through high school and college.

But the added features in this movie package reveal a deeply desperate man despite being the most famous and highest paid pro player in his time with worldwide superstar status. His life, and heart (literally, though he did not know it) was running on empty. That was, until, he came to a saving knowledge and faith in Jesus Christ.

Pete would never be the same. He travelled all over sharing his testimony and spreading the Good News of the gospel, inspiring others to aspire to the one and only way by which anyone can ever make it to heaven: through repentance and faith in Jesus, God in the flesh, who paid the penalty for our sins on the cross (as our substitute), died and rose again.

The video below is of Maravich sharing his testimony at a Billy Graham Crusade in 1987, eight months before he was suddenly taken by the Lord:

Pete Maravich died of a heart attack, at the age of 40, on December 5, 2008, fittingly on a basketball court during a scrap game with some Christian friends.

Thankfully, he did not leave this world in the desperate state he found himself in, despite all the fame and money in the world. He died a humble ambassador for Jesus Christ, a fearless and uncompromising spokesman for the Lord preaching the wonderful truth of salvation being achieved by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone.

As a harbinger of the gospel, I have been deeply moved and inspired by Pete Maravich's candor and boldness for the Lord and Savior, Jesus. I look forward to meeting him in Heaven.

I highly recommend "The Pistol" - the inspirational edition. You can purchase the DVD at your local Christian bookstore or on line at Amazon.

TV WORTH WATCHING!

THE WORD ON THE STREET

2010-11-15T06:33:00.000-05:00

There is something very powerful in the public reading of Scripture, though the act of doing so is not a common thing you see taking place on our streets. It sure can raise some eyebrows!

In our experience, many passersby just keep on moving as though nothing were happening. Some stop to listen for a while and when they realize it's the Bible that is being read from they do a one-eighty and away they go.

Others stay and listen for longer periods before moving on. Then there are those who stop, listen to the whole reading and then approach us with questions and comments. A gospel conversation usually ensues.

Does this sound like a strange thing to do? Do you assume this to be an excercise in futility?

God doesn't:

"As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it." (Isaiah 55:10-11)

Below is a video sampling of Scripture being read by Kim at the gates of the University of Ottawa last month during Mission Ottawa 2010 when our friends, Vernon and Sean, came up from the U.S. and joined us in a 4 day gospel blitz in the nation's capital. Included are some photos of the rest of our team at work, some while the reading is taking place.

Often, I use the public reading of Scripture as a springboard to open air preaching. On many occassions, Kim will read a portion of Scripture 'on the box' and then, following that, I'll step up and preach the gospel based on what she read.

Reading God's Word in the public square is a wonderful way to give glory to God with the proclamation of His very words. How can anyone go wrong? They are God's own words!

There are two ways you can go about doing this if you are interested in proclaiming God's Word in public places.

1) You can pray for God to lead you to what you should read, step up to the plate and do so.

Or,

2) You can pray and then follow the weekly Scripture reading, intended to be read in public, as recommended by the good folks at Project Ezra. (Click on the link to see what they are all about.)

If you can read, you can serve the Lord well in this particular and unique way. This is a means of evangelism any Christian can do!

"...devote yourselves to the public reading of Scripture..." (1 Timothy 4:13)

And may God be glorified!

PARADIGM SHIFT

2010-11-12T21:29:00.001-05:00

Every now and again, as a city bus driver here in Ottawa, I hear a number of my peers express their frustration and disappointment at the amount of passengers who fail to return a smile or a greeting after giving them one as they board their bus.

They conclude that if some people don't return a greeting in kind then they are just arrogant and miserable people.

I confess I would sometimes think like that a while back. That is, until I started seeing through a new pair of glasses, as this video protrays.

It's easy for us to erroneously judge a stranger's character by a momentary glance and/or interaction. We should always think twice before coming to conclusions. Seeing them as Jesus would.

On a sidenote, it sure would make things alot easier for gospel sharing Christians if they were able to see an indicator tag on people that read:
"NEEDS TO HEAR THE GOSPEL".

But we do have is the great commission found in Matthew 28. That really should be enough.

Shouldn't it?

HT: Bill Baker, Uxbridge, ON

NO SUCH "LUCK"

2010-11-11T01:28:00.000-05:00

Watch this short video and see the sovereign hand of God at work in the lives of people who, by a hair's width, missed being catapulted into heaven or hell...for that day anyway.

The world may call it "luck". Biblical Christians know it as "grace".

We often talk with people on the street who confess they have had near death experiences causing them to realize they have been given a "second chance". Most just don't know who gave it to them.

We are glad to let them know, as near death experiences are a great spring board into presenting the gospel. They are already well aware that their tomorrow is not guaranteed and we inform them that they can be made ready to face God on Judgment Day free from the just punishment for their sins through repentance and faith in Jesus Christ.

"Today is the day of salvation", we tell them. There may not be a third chance!

"Why, you don't even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes." (James 4:14)

JOHNNY JUMPS ON JOEL

2010-11-08T11:36:00.003-05:00

...And for good reason!

"For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, masquerading as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. It is not surprising, then, if his servants masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will be what their actions deserve." (2 Cor 11:13-15)

So what does this have to do with evangelism? Everything!

We need to be out and beyond the four walls of our church professing the truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ not only for those who have never heard it, or don't know much about it, but also for the countless church going folks who are being told outright lies through the preaching of a sick and twisted gospel that keeps them marching on the broad road that leads to eternal hell.

"The Body of Christ is not a pleasure cruise on its way to heaven but a battleship stationed at the very gates of hell." Oswald J. Smith