World Cup Evangelism

Catch all the Evangelism outreach chronicles at Luke 9:23 Evangelism.

Luke 9:23 Evangelism posts

The World Cup kick-off is less than a day away. Evangelists - both local and from abroad - are ready to take the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the multitudes who are coming to idol worship at the stadia-shrines around South Africa.

Here are some chronicles posted at the Luke 9:23 Evangelism blog:

* Christians Head to World Cup to Evangelize Soccer Fans. There is an interview that appears in Charisma Magazine.

* Chronicles of some fishers of men (Part I)

* Chronicles of some fishers of men (Part II)

* Chronicles of some fishers of men (Part III)

2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™ Evangelism – Letter #3

Dear Brethren


We write this letter with 31 days to go to the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ kick-off of the opening ceremony and match between the host nation South Africa and Mexico at Soccer City in Johannesburg. Preparations have been made and it is by God’s provident grace that we see His Hand in all that has come together during our administration.

We started out about a year ago just after the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup™ and our prayer at that time, and since, has been for brethren to labour with us at the 2010 event (Matthew 9:37, 38; Luke 10:2). It has been amazing and all praise and glory to our Living God who has brought brethren together to labour and make commitments to labour in His harvest fields. Brethren who we have only known through the electronic media, like FaceBook and the blogging-sphere, have connected and met with each other: praying, fellowshipping, laboring and eating together as the early Church did after Pentecost (Acts 2:43-47). The verse that speaks volumes is Acts 2:44:

And all those who had believed were together and had all things in common; (my emphasis).

Our Lord Jesus Christ is building His Church and when He builds there will be no confusion as to what is True and there will be no division between believers. God brings His children together which speak the same Truth and their desires, passions and obedience is common – it is the same. Our God is not a god of confusion. Hallelujah.

At the outset in 2009 there appeared to be few labourers, but God has brought the labourers together and still the numbers are growing – labourers like Bill Adams and Jason Karroll (both USA), Nigel Titus (Cape Town, legintitus@gmail.co.za or 083 642 4454), Vincent Piater (Empangeni, who will be travelling up to Gauteng with Gary), Glenn Smith (Durban, glenn@brandmasterpromo.co.za or 073 192 9399), and Ben Janse van Vuuren (Bloemfontein, who will be conducting some training on 15th May 2010 for a group in Bloemfontein in the Free State Province – contact him on benvanvuuren@mtnloaded.co.za or 083 233 9225) together with their teams of evangelists (which names are not all known at this time – we thank you for your passion to reach the lost and obedience to Christ Jesus) have been brought together with a common cause – to take the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ to the various nations coming to South Africa. Then there is Brother Syd Warren from Centurion, Tshwane/Pretoria who will also be laboring with us in the greater Gauteng / North West area and he will also be conducting ‘The Way of the Master’ boot-camp at the Bethel Chapel, Pretoria (Gauteng Province) on 22nd May 2010 from 9am – 1pm (for more information visit their website or contact Syd on Email or (012) 653 1368) where he fellowships – training laborers in the Biblical proclamation of the Gospel – and we will also be networking with Michael Sischy from the ‘Jews For Jesus’ ministry in Johannesburg. I met Michael in Pietermaritzburg at a Hayfield Baptist Church meeting where I was only visiting in March 2010 and he was conducting a sermon ‘Jesus in the Passover.’ It was there that I found out that Michael Sischy had met Bill Adams (SFOI) at a conference in Moreleter Park, Pretoria during the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup™ (where I had chauffeured Bill) and that he would be laboring with an evangelistic team also at the World Cup. Praise God for these divinely appointed meetings!

During this time we have also been blessed of our Lord Jesus Christ, where Brother Ray Comfort and the family at Living Waters have graciously partnered with the Luke 9:23 Evangelism and Sports Fan Outreach International ministries by giving us a gift of specially commissioned Million Euro Bill Gospel Tracts with football (soccer) caricatures on them and with the presentation of the Gospel in Portuguese, German, Italian, French and English. It is a blessing when one receives emails from far a field as South Korea, like this one (it has been censored to withhold certain classified information, and shortened):

Good Morning,

I am a (Christian) Canadian English teacher living in South Korea, where I have met many US Military personnel and one particular brother is leaving to visit his hometown of Sierra Leone for the South African World Cup in June. After receiving the Way of the Weekly Update, I noticed that you guys were giving away World Cup gospel tracts. I went to the link but could not find anything pertaining to this situation.

I am not sure if you are sending tracts from the US or they already have them in South Africa, but if you could send some to the soldier's address, he said that he would be more than happy to give out tracts.

Actually, he also said that he took the Way of the Master course sometime back.

Here is his mailing address:
(Name withheld)
(Address withheld)

In Christ,

Brian (Surname withheld)
(City withheld), South Korea

At this time we are still working out the logistics of tract distribution to the various centers around South Africa where established teams of evangelists are ready to hit the streets. Although we would love to send tracts to various nations at this time it would be prudent, discerning and wise to focus our attention, prayers and resources to the mission field at hand. Should the soldier be in South Africa during the World Cup we request that he contact us to labour in our Lord’s harvest.

We would also ask that you remember our dear brother Thomas Nunes who has gone on to glory. Brother Bill Adams has written the following in remembrance of our brother in Christ.

OBITUARY

Brother Thomas Nunes passed on Tuesday morning, April 13th, 2010 at 1:33 AM. He had been sick with pancreatic cancer & essentially bed ridden for six months & as I spent the last week of his life with him he was taking large amounts of pain killer still. He was very thin & was unable to speak. It was sad to see such a former soldier for Christ in this state but we know of the promise of a new glorified body.

Thomas & I had spent quite a bit of time together over the last year including our journey to Johannesburg for the '09 Confederations Cup. He was easy & a joy to be with. He demonstrated a love for God that most of us would like to exhibit; he was tireless on the streets & grateful for his salvation. Perhaps the Confederations Cup was the best time of ministry personally as he returned to the continent from which he was from to preach & as the Lord would have many Zimbabwean refugees – Thomas although of Indian decent was a native of Zimbabwe – were in downtown Joburg, as we preached there.

Yes, Thomas was able to return to his earthly home & declare his faith before he was called to his eternal home. I think all of us on that journey, Gary Crous, Willem Pretorius & me, had a special bond & Thomas will be missed when we reconvene Lord willing June 17, 2010.

Thomas continued to preach from the end of June '09 until October '09 before he fell ill. We had wonderful journeys to the MLB All-Star weekend in St. Louis & Knoxville, TN for college football both trips where six of us had the chance to fellowship with Thomas for an extended time & enjoy his delightful presence.

May we take a moment to remember this faithful brother & then go out in victory to proclaim Christ. That's what he would've done & would've wanted us to do.

----- ooo -----

Here are also Schedules for the missions taking place in –

Gauteng (Johannesburg & Pretoria) / North West Provinces (Rustenburg):
Contact Gary Crous at 072 221 1233

Western Cape Province (Cape Town):
Contact Nigel Titus at 083 642 4454

We ask that you kindly keep the work of our Lord Jesus Christ in prayer making prayerful intercession for your Brethren in the harvest field for protection, discernment, wisdom, understanding and knowledge and we also pray for the Holy Spirit to work miracles by calling the elect to repentance and faith. May all the work we are involved in be of Almighty God and that we set aside our own will and desires. Allow God to use us to Glorify Himself and His Son our Lord Jesus Christ, in and through His Holy Spirit for the extension of His Kingdom. Let us worship our God in obedience to Him.

In Christ’s Service until He returns

It's getting Dangerous Out There

We are witnessing the constriction of Christian speech and the criminalizing of Christian ministry. The Bible clearly condemns homosexual behaviors, and the Christian church has been clear about this teaching for twenty centuries. But now, the statement that homosexuality is a sin can land a preacher in jail.

Tuesday, May 4, 2010

We have seen this coming for some time now. The public space has been closing, especially when it comes to Christian speech — and especially when that speech is about homosexuality. Read more at AlbertMohler.com

A Christian street preacher was arrested and locked in a cell for telling a passer-by that homosexuality is a sin in the eyes of God. ~ By Heidi Blake. Read the report that appeared on Sunday May 2, 2010 at this link: 'Christian preacher arrested for saying homosexuality is a sin'.

'The Way of the Master' Evangelism Boot Camp in Gauteng

Leading up to the FIFA World Cup™ Evangelism Outreach taking place around South Africa, Brother Syd Warren from Centurion, Pretoria – in connection with the church where he fellowships, Bethel Chapel - will be running an evangelism boot camp at their premises to train up evangelists in a ‘Crash Course’ in ‘The Way of the Master’ Biblical Evangelism. Syd has invited folk from their church and any other evangelists or brethren who would like to learn to step out of their ‘comfort zone’ and take the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the world to consider attending.

For more information on the evangelism boot camp – and what to expect – please visit Bethel Chapel’s Evangelism web page.

The particulars for the event are as follows:

Date: Saturday 22 May 2010

Time: 9am-1pm (Lunch will be provided)

Place: Bethel Chapel, 621 Beagle Road, Garsfontein, X13, Pretoria (Gauteng Province)

Directions: See the Map

Contact Syd Warren at Email or (012) 6531368 for further information and to confirm.

Team members of ‘The Way of the Master’ Ministry who would like to put together Evangelism Boot Camps in the provinces leading up to our outreach please contact Gary Crous at gary@gdlk.co.za with particulars in order to advertise timeously.

Read more about this outreach at the Luke 9:23 Evangelism blog.

Summer4Souls™ Reports

Here are two Reports that appear at our Luke 9:23 Evangelism blog:

1. Praise Report ~ Train Ministry: Retreat - Cape Town - Retreat

2. Canvassing Report ~ Harry Gwala Stadium, Pietermaritzburg

Praise Report ~ Summer4Souls™ Cape Town

Here are two Praise Reports written by Nigel Titus that appears at our Luke 9:23 Evangelism blog:

1. Wynberg to Muizenberg Outreach and Back Again ...

2. Muizenberg and Sunrise Circle Beach

Apologies for the delay in posting at this blog.

Project Ezra ~ The Gospel of John

On Saturday I attended a farewell for our dear family in Christ Regardt Reynolds, his wife Lynette and their son Leonard who are immigrating to Australia. It was a wonderful time spent fellowshipping and partaking in a real South African braai (what you would call a barbeque). We were unable to get a team together for the Project Ezra reading, and what would have been an ideal day for the reading then changed and the rain came.

Not to be deterred I waited for Sunday and although it was still fresh and cloudy, I went down into Alexandra Park in Pietermaritzburg in the afternoon where there was an event taking place known as 'Fantasia'. The event has a fun fair with big-wheel, swings, and other rides and there is a flea-market style set-up for people making their last effort bargain buys for Christmas. The location is in a rockery area with one main entrance. So this is the place where I took up 'residence' for the greater part of about 4 and a quarter hours.

Earlier I had prayed as the 'dreaded fear' was gripping me and I asked God to take control of the situation as I did not want to do anything in my own strength. I prayed for God to lead me and give me His strength to accomplish what He has already ordained.

God is Awesome!! I felt calm after praying to God for His protection and ventured out of my parked vehicle. It is so humbling to know God is in control of every situation. At this point I placed a pink parking ticket tract under the vehicles' windshield wipers and made my way along engaging some groups of people in one2three and more conversations. The boldness was increasing with every step I took - not because of any of my efforts, but by the grace of our loving Father.

Standing at the entrance allowed me to ask the questions: What is the REAL reason for the season? What does Christmas mean to you? Why was Jesus born and had to come into this world? What is going to happen to you the day you die? How will you stand before God on Judgment Day? There were many people that from their appearances you could see that they were Muslim or Hindu and there were those who just looked with blank expressions on their faces that spoke "What are you talking about?" Some people stopped and spoke to me which allowed me the opportunity to open the Perfect Law and the Gospel of Divine Grace to any hearers passing by, too.

It was a wonderful time spent preaching the Word of God to lost souls as our Lord Jesus gave me utterance. There were the professing Christians who would walk on by and say "I am saved" (but they were apparently indifferent to the plight of the lost) and then there were also Christians who encouraged the preaching of the Word of God. I did the Project Ezra reading from the Gospel of John from chapter 1 through 7 -- intermittently pausing in between chapters and verses to expound upon the Word of God, to open the Law and preach Grace through the Saviour of Who's birth we are celebrating. I also brought to the persons' attention that celebrating Christmas is not about Santa Claus, father Christmas, presents, Christmas trees and/or parties, but the miraculous birth of Jesus Christ -- Almighty God revealing Himself in the person of His Son to be the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29).

Many Gospel Tracts were handed out and even late in the evening some Muslim teenagers - who were initially upset by what I was saying that other religions are false - came over and engaged me in conversation while they waited for their lift. From not wanting to take a Gospel Tract at first, when they left I held out the tract to the one lad and said: "Come, take it, what have you got to lose? - read it and do with it as you want. But read it."

I thank God for His Goodness in allowing me to do His will -- not that I deserve to be used of the LORD. It is an awesome privilege to be able to speak the Word of God in public to those who are dying in their sin. The Truth the inhabitants of Pietermaritzburg heard last night is -- If you die in your sin because you have rebelled against God by breaking all His commandments and also because you have rejected God's Son the Lord Jesus Christ you will be punished for eternity. Your only hope is repenting of your sin and trusting in Jesus Christ for His finished work upon the cross to be your Saviour to save the repentant sinner. Jesus is to be both Lord and Saviour of your life. There is no other way to receive eternal life.

Praise Report ~ Summer4Souls™ Outreach in Cape Town

This Praise Report is written by Brother Nigel Titus for an outreach that took place on Wednesday December 16, 2009.

Yesterday, evangelists and like minded Christians heeded the Macedonian call and descended upon Muizenberg to preach the gospel and engage strangers with one2one witnessing encounters. Amongst the team were three new faces, eager to do their bit to obey the Great Commission. After the day’s events, they gave their verbal commitment to support us in our future evangelism endeavors. Praise God for adding to the team!

You can read the full report by clicking this link.

Summer4Souls™ Outreach in Cape Town

Our out-reach campaign for the summer gathers momentum this week with 2 planned evangelism events. On Wednesday the 16th December 2009 (public holiday), we will be at the Sunrise Circle flea market @ Muizenberg from about 12pm onwards. We will then move onto the general Muizenberg beach area and eventually end up at Surfer’s Corner. We anticipate ending at about 5pm. One2One witnessing and open air preaching will be on the menu.

The fact that Wednesday is Reconciliation Day creates a perfect springboard to talk to strangers and beach-goers about the necessity of being reconciled to God. It’s also getting closer to Christmas Day, so talking to people about their understanding of the day and what it means to them will also lead to great witnessing encounters.

Let me know if you are available – We will post a Praise Report and photos on our blog site after the event. Details of the 2nd trip will be communicated soon.

Your supplication, as always, is appreciated.

Blessings

Nigel Titus
legintitus@gmail.com
Cellular 083 642 4454

Report from the FIFA Final Draw in Cape Town

On the evening of Thursday December 3, 2009 we had a meeting at Brother Nigel and Sister Charlene Titus’ home in Grassy Park where we discussed the schedule and prayed for the outreach in and around the Cape Town city centre to take place the next day.

By the grace of God and after some time of planning this event, the day arrived on Friday December 4 where a team of evangelists would be taking to the streets of Cape Town to meet sinners whose only interest in this particular day would appear to be “to go out and party in Long Street”.

We left Nigel’s home shortly after 12:00 and proceeded into the city. The team would eventually comprise an “early” team and a “later” team for those joining us after work in the late afternoon / early evening. The members present were Nigel Titus, Donovan Nelson, Timothy Brown, Madge Titus (Nigel’s mother), Veronica Neutt, Bradley Scott, Bernadette Wagner, Craig Ernstzen, Barion Smith, Daniel Manuels (cameraman) and Gary Crous.

THIBAULT SQUARE

We arrived at Thibault Square; Nigel had received a call to collect the gospel tracts delivered to the mail room at his work in God’s perfect timing from Living Waters Africa. At the Square there were many people sitting around, walking through, waiting or taking their lunch break, and some were even on their “smoke-break” from work. Meeting these people allowed us opportunities to witness to them about the Day of Judgment that is approaching them as we opened the Perfect Law of God to their consciences and revealed the mercy and grace of Jesus Christ through the perfect atonement of sins through His sacrificial death on the cross, but most importantly His resurrection to life where He has conquered the sting of death, the grave and sinners’ sins for those who will repent and believe the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

During this time there were many one2one witnessing encounters undertaken by us zealous evangelists. Challengers were also encountered and overcome by the power of God. One particular incident was when Veronica was approached by a security officer, who is employed at the Square, who questioned her about handing out tracts and whether she had permission to do so. Veronica approached Gary to discuss the situation, whilst he was witnessing to an elderly gentleman who understood the Word being opened to him. Afterwards, Gary explained to Veronica that the Square was public domain unless there was any signage prohibiting the distribution of written materials (including Gospel Tracts) or a code of conduct that was viewable. The situation did not proceed any further as we were not approached again by security. In all that unfolded in the Square He is the One who is glorified in all the good works that took place. We were merely the vessels that were available to God for Him to speak His Words to dying sinners. No praise is due to us – God is the One to be glorified for orchestrating us. There were some persons who were receptive and open to discussion and there were also those who held fast to their unbelief and were prepared to take a gamble with their eternal wellbeing where their consciences terminated the conversations rather than receive the Truth in and through Christ Jesus.

ST GEORGES STREET MALL

From Thibault Square, the soldiers of the cross rounded up and proceeded up St. Georges Street Mall. After taking a short “time-out” the work of the Lord continued with handing out of tracts, one2one witnessing and ministering to believers and the unsaved. Craig Ernstzen shared that there was a security guard who had heard the gospel proclaimed to him once before and was at the point of making a profession for Christ Jesus. We pray the Holy Spirit convicted him of sin, righteousness and judgment (John 16:8) and saved him by reconciling him into God’s family by making him a child of the Almighty.

There were many more opportunities of handing out tracts as we walked the length of the Mall and we also had opportunities of engaging the lost in conversation taking them through the Good Person Test, opening up the Perfect Law and expounding upon the Goodness of God expressing His Mercy and Grace through the cross by the sacrificing of His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ.

THE GARDENS (Outside Parliament)

This would be where we would do our Project Ezra readings - we had chosen Matthew 5 – 7 and other readings. Today would also be the first time for five of our brothers and sisters in Christ to break the sound barrier. God is gracious in bringing His children to a place of overcoming what we call obstacles. In God’s strength all things are possible. Hallelujah.


(From Top L to R through to Bottom L to R in order of Project Ezra readings – Nigel Titus, Gary Crous, Veronica Neutt (Newbie), Madge Titus (Newbie), Timothy Brown (Newbie), Donovan Nelson (Newbie), Craig Ernstzen, and Barion Smith (Newbie))

While the readings were taking place, passer-bys were handed many tracts and witnessing conversations also took place under the tree lined walkway. It was also at this point that a few of the brethren commenced with open-air preaching as the proclamation of God’s Law and the Gospel of Grace echoed in the Gardens of Cape Town. During the preaching of the Word Nigel handed a Million Dollar tract to a guy named Matthew. On receiving it he looked intently at it and said: “Is this the Way of the Master tract?” A conversation commenced between Nigel and Matthew – who opened his backpack to reveal that he, too, was carrying Living Waters tracts and material. Matthew has recently moved down to Cape Town from Durban to work there and Nigel now has his contact details. It is awesome to know that the ekklesia is being exposed to The Way of the Master Evangelism. Praise God that Biblical Evangelism is being preached!!!

LONG STREET (The Party-Zone)

We proceeded down to Long Street in the heart of Cape Town where the party-zone was cordoned off by the ever present South African Police Services (SAPS). To gain access you had to enter from the side streets – after being bodily searched by SAPS Law Enforcement Officers. It was a sea of humanity and chaotic – we could never even think about having meaningful conversations with the hoards of lost souls from every creed, tribe and tongue who were there for one thing – to party. Long Street was out of the question, but the side street we entered the zone from was ideal. Conversations could be had even with the everpresent soundings of the Vuvuzelas and we were also able to open-air preach to the lines of fans waiting to enter the party-zone.

“But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone. For the coming of the Son of Man will be just like the days of Noah. For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and they did not understand until the flood came and took them all away; so will the coming of the Son of Man be.” – Matthew 24:36-39

There is so much more that can be written about our evangelising the lost and hopefully individual stories and testimonies will be penned and sent in to be posted by our Lord’s labourers. Praise belongs to Our One and Only God – The Lord Jesus Christ for without His Good Works we can do absolutely nothing.

The Class of 4 December 2009 – Back Row L to R – Donovan Nelson, Bradley Scott, Craig Ernstzen, Gary Crous, Nigel Titus, Timothy Brown; Front Row L to R - Veronica Neutt, Barion Smith, Bernadette Wagner, and Madge Titus; Cameraman – Daniel Manuels. Late arrivals Emile & Teri Jansen and their daughter.

After a long day, with tired limbs, hoarse throats, but vibrant in heart we fellowshipped as a family around a meal at Nandos where we discussed our experiences, shared “war stories” and testimonies of how Great and Good our God really is - it was a perfect way to end a perfect day.

SOLI DEO GLORIA!

To see all the photographs view them at this slideshow.

Photos of FIFA Final Draw Outreach

Here is a link to the photographs from our outreach in the heart of Cape Town.

Reports to follow.

Absent from the Blog, But Preaching Much More!!

While it might seem that I have been neglecting posting some blog material - possibly suspected of being A.W.O.L. (Away Without Leave for those who haven't done military or other duties), the lack of putting reading material up here has three reasonable explanations:

1. I have been more disciplined with my time at work;

2. I have been more active preaching the Law and the Gospel of Grace in my lunch-times and on weekends; and

3. To a lesser extent my computer at home has problems and I think it needs an upgrading.

God has been good to us all who have been participating in Project Ezra and while we are possibly not all reading the same Scripture verses at the suggested times the Word of God is still being read in the public arena and proclaimed as God directs. The Word of God is powerful and never returns void (Isaiah 55:11).

I have noticed that there has been an increase in the amount of people who actually stop to listen and even approach us to find out where we fellowship with other believers. The frequently asked question at this time is: What church do you attend? This question, as those who have followed this blog will recall, is normally answered with a "We do not attend a church building, but we are the Church." Normally blank looks or even more inquisitive questions arise like: "Um - but what denomination do you belong to?" "None. I belong to Jesus Christ and Him only." There seems to be alot of misunderstanding as to what it means to be the Church (ekklesia). There are those people who hear the preaching of the Law and the Gospel of Jesus Christ and do want to learn more or attend the Church we attend, and more and more we are finding ourselves giving out our cell numbers, our addresses after we have had an opportunity of witnessing to them 1-on-1 and telling them to meet us on 'such-and-such' a day where we are right then and there preaching. The invitation is extended. When God does His work in their hearts they will arrive. For now we need to be obedient to God and continue preaching as if this is the last day to preach. For one day in the future, that Day will come to pass.

This past Friday 14th August, I posted the following on my Facebook page:

Today Mark McDonogh and I open-aired preached while Johan witnessed 1-on-1 in Church Street and then God gave me a boldness a while later when I fetched my son Chad from school. I was a Jonah who fled but today GOD gave me boldness to preach the Law and the Gospel of Grace to the school boy parents while they waited outside Maritzburg College for their sons. I stood atop a grass bank and lifted the Name of Jesus Christ to them. All Glory to GOD.

On Saturday Johan and I went out into Church Street again to preach at our local pond. But on the day we were joined by Dylan, our brother-in-Christ - a grade 12 pupil at Maritzburg College who had seen me when I had preached the day before outside the school. It was a longer day than usual and it is All Glory To GOD. The Project Ezra reading that I read as a springboard was Ecclesiastes 3:1-22. We preached to longer lines outside banking houses, crowds passing by, gatherings of people sitting around and one-on-ones. The beauty of this day was that we had a few - possibly about ten or so - tracts and the Word went forth. We are realising that we can preach the Word with or without tracts, although we would like to leave them with material to read, at this time we are relying solely on the Word of God.

There were those who heard the Word and there were also those who were ocassionally offended by the Word. But let us rejoice in the positives and even in the negatives.

Mandela Day - 67 minutes

On Saturday July 18th, 2009 the ex-President of South Africa, Mr Nelson Mandela celebrated his 91st birthday. From what was read in the local and international press and from watching the news of his birthday celebrations in certain places around the world, it can be seen that there were those secular persons that revere Mandela - as an icon and idol of social justice.

For me and other street evangelists, this particular day would be no different from any other Project Ezra day. It would be another day of proclaiming the Word of God to a dying world. Here in South Africa in our Lord's harvest field, Mandela Day would allow me to speak of the justice of God and the mercy of God in Church Street, Pietermaritzburg. There were no cameras and no back-up, but I am thankful for God's goodness and faithfulness - He allowed me to preach the Law and the Gospel of Grace twice.

My first reading was the Book of 1 John whereafter I held up the cover page of The Witness newspaper and made reference to the headline that read, quote -

"In recognition of the 67 years Nelson Mandela has devoted to social justice, Mandela Day is a call to people to spend 67 minutes doing good on Madiba's birthday tomorrow."

but Scripture tells another story... we are not called to give 67 minutes to our neighbours, but we are "to love thy neighbour as thyself". I then put the verse in context and read Matthew 22:36-40 (NKJV) -

Master, which is the great commandment in the law? Jesus said to him, You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it, You shall love your neighbour as yourself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.

Although the publishers of the list below might have had noble intent of getting people to do good to one's fellow man, they missed the Spiritual message of worshipping God everyday and loving their neighbour as themselves then we wouldn't have to fabricate ways that we should act for 67 minutes.

67 Ways to help your neighbour

1. Adopt one of SA’s 1,5 million orphans.
2. Ask some neighbours over to dinner.
3. Baby-sit to give some parents a break.
4. Bake a cake for a person who needs it.
5. Be an Angel in the mayor’s “Angel Appeal”.
6. Be a Big Brother or Sister to a needy child.
7. Be a neighbour and help someone.
8. Be polite and greet the people you meet.
9. Celebrate silence and cut down noise.
10. Clean Symmonds Stream in Howick.
11. Clean out your cupboards for charity.
12. Cook a meal for a person who needs it.
13. Cover for a colleague who needs a break.
14. Crochet or knit a comfort doll for a kid.
15. Cuddle a cat at the Woodhouse Road SPCA.
16. Cut snares in the forest or open veld.
17. Do the shopping for someone housebound.
18. Donate food to the Community Chest.
19. Don’t do crime - it hurts your community.
20. Drive safely and obey the road rules.
21. Feed the birds in the garden with a bird table.
22. Foster a child for PMB Child Welfare.
23. Get to know your neighbours if you don’t.
24. Give a lift to someone with no transport.
25. Give blood and save a life, maybe three.
26. Give R67 to PMB Community Chest.
27. Help the wild animals: clean up green areas.
28. ‘Help Rob do his Job’ - clean up the city.
29. Help Cindi plant a garden in France.
30. Hold a tea party to your neighbours.
31. Honour an elderly person like Mandela.
32. Hug someone that needs a warm touch.
33. Ideas for kids: tidy your room, do chores.
34. Join the local Community Policing Forum.
35. Keep the PMB Children’s Home open.
36. Knit squares for SPCA blankets.
37. Know your status: get a free HIV test.
38. Start learning one of the 11 official languages.
39. Make peace by settling a dispute.
40. Organise a work party to fix a community place.
41. Paint a wall at Lifeline’s house in the city.
42. Pay your school fees. The school needs them.
43. Pick up litter to clean up the rivers.
44. Plant a tree to beautify your community.
45. Prepare refreshments for those who serve.
46. Pretend it’s the last 67 minutes of your life.
47. Raise funds for charities that need them.
48. Recycle your rubbish to help the planet.
49. Remember apartheid, share the memories.
50. Remember those in prison - help NICRO.
51. Save the planet from plastic, it’s a no-no.
52. Say ‘thank you’ to community workers.
53. Share cuttings and plants from your garden.
54. Smile at people you encounter tomorrow.
55. Stand in line at a govt office for someone.
56. ‘Stop crime, say hello’ - join the move.
57. Talk about Nelson Mandela’s example.
58. Teach someone a skill or hobby you have.
59. Tell your ‘struggle’ stories to the children.
60. Tip someone, esp. if you don’t often.
61. Use your voice on audio-books for the blind.
62. Visit the Mandela Monument near Howick.
63. Visit someone who needs a visitor.
64. Volunteer to help a community group.
65. Walk a dog at the Woodhouse Road SPCA.
66. Wash a car, soccer club’s kit or church linen.
67. Write a will and leave money to charity.
Compiled by The Witness newspaper, Friday, July 17, 2009

I also referred to item #46 and then went through the Ten Commandments, which is the perfect Law that converts the soul (Psalm 19:7).

The Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:1-17) is the only moral standard we need to adhere to - God's Law:

1. You shall have no other gods before Me.
2. You shall not make yourself any graven image (idols).
3. You shall not take the name of the Lord God in vain (blasphemy).
4. Remember the Sabbath Day to keep it Holy.
5. Honour your father and mother.
6. You shall not murder.
7. You shall not commit adultery.
8. You shall not steal.
9. You shall not bear false witness against your neighbour (lie).
10. You shall not covet your neighbour's house nor his wife and his possessions.

During the preaching of the Law and the Gospel of Grace that Jesus is the way, the truth and the life (John 14:6) I told the hearers that if people love men - like Mr Mandela - more than God, then they are idolaters and they need to repent of their evil and wicked sins against a Holy and Just God.

The Bible says that it is appointed to men once to die, but after this the judgment (Hebrews 9:27) and like each one of us, Mr Mandela will also stand before God Almighty on the Day of Judgment and give an account of his life. The only way we can receive eternal life is by repenting (turning from and forsaking evil and wicked sin) and throwing ourselves upon the mercy of Jesus Christ. He will return and judge this world in righteousness (Acts 17:30,31).

The second reading was the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7) and again a plea was made to the inhabitants of South Africa...

If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land (2 Chronicles 7:14).

There is one Lawgiver and Judge - Almighty God. We do pray for Mr Mandela, and every other person still breathing, that they will truly repent and believe the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Them that are born again are given a new heart, spirit and mind and will think Christ-like. Remember: "Over 700,000 babies have been killed by abortion in South Africa – officially, legally, often with tax payers’ money – since Nelson Mandela legalised abortion on demand, 1 February 1997. As head of the ANC Mandela didn’t even allow his parliamentarians a conscience vote, they were forced to vote for abortion" (The Battle for South Africa - Frontline Fellowship). According to God's standards - that is MURDER.

The new "One Billion Rand" Gospel Tract was put to good use on Mandela Day. It reads as follows:

These days, we celebrate many freedoms... but are you really free? The Bible says that we are slaves... slaves to sin. What is sin? Sin is violating God's law... the Ten Commandments. Need proof you are a slave to sin? Ever told a lie? The ninth commandment says, "You shall not lie." Ever stolen anything? Have you ever used God's name in vain? That's called Blasphemy. Have you looked with lust (sexual desire) after another person? Jesus said, "Whosoever looks upon a woman to lust after her has committed adultery already with her in his heart." How many times have you been guilty of any of these serious violations? You, like the rest of us are a slave to sin. God's word tells us that all liars, blasphemers, the sexually immoral, thieves, etc. will end up in the lake of fire... for eternity.

The Bible makes it clear that we have to be holy to go to heaven. The problem is "... all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." We also read: "There is none righteous, no, not one... There is none who does good, no, not one." God will justly judge you when you die and none who are unholy will enter heaven. We have to be holy to go to heaven.

But there is hope! God lowered Himself and became a man, Jesus Christ. He lived a perfect (sinless) life. Then, He died on the cross for you paying the penalty for sin. After three days he rose from the dead defeating death. Only His blood can make us holy! In order to have this holiness, you must repent (turn from your sin) and put your faith in Jesus Christ. Humble yourself, and start living for God. Realize you are created to give God all the glory! True freedom is only found in Jesus Christ. Read your Bible daily and obey what you read. www.TheGoodPersonTest.net

First John Preaching

As part of the Project Ezra challenge to open-air street preachers / evangelists, on the 4th July 2009 the Scriptures to be read was the Book of First John and to preach the Law and the Gospel of Grace.

From the photos at the following link, please look at the faces of the people who passed by and those that lingered and others who stopped to listen. The photos are in number order and from first photo (#001) to last (#055) the reading and preaching took about 45 minutes. You will see my son Chad handing out my last few tracts and his brother Jason, who was asked to capture as many peoples' reactions, was busy taking the photos. Notice how long - from frame to frame - some people stayed to hear the Awesome Word of God.

Glory to our King Jesus.

Brothers on Mission

There is nothing sweeter than the fellowship of brothers walking with our Lord Jesus Christ in His harvest field. During the FIFA Confederations Cup 2009 in South Africa, four brothers from two continents prayerfully backed by their brothers and sisters in Christ from around the world proclaimed the Law and the Gospel of Grace to the hoards of local and visiting soccer fans.

The Word was proclaimed and preached to a dying, dark world. The Light entered into a spiritually dead and hungering vineyard, and we believe and trust in the Name of Jesus that God’s Word went forth and accomplished what He had sent it to fulfill His purposes.

From the time I fetched Bill Adams and Thomas Nunes from Oliver Tambo International Airport there was a togetherness that was evident. We would all be learning as we got to know one another better and also glean from each other what God had already prepared us to learn. My lesson to be learned up front would be patience. To drive and negotiate the Johannesburg traffic with the additional complications of roads being closed around the stadia we would visit and the “endless” roadworks was a definite test. The first trial was when I picked up our brethren and upon trying to negotiate the roadworks at the airport to get to the currency exchanger we were “swung” out onto the highway leading away from the airport. Patience and a few kilometres of the “scenic route” and we were back on track… mmm … patience.

Let us also not forget our most wonderful hosts who truly have servant hearts for our Lord Jesus, in the families of Michael, Natalie and their two young sons Caleb and Calvin and Grenville, Ruth (Michael’s sister) and their two young sons Joel and Nathan. Their hospitality to us leaves me – and I am sure the brothers, too – speechless, but rejoicing in Jesus. It was truly how the body of Christ should function. The fellowship, prayer and morning devotions were sweet to the soul. Michael Rogers heads up Living Waters Africa, so most mornings we would stock up with Gospel tracts in his study from where he runs the ministry. He was also kind and gave us many discounts and we also thank Grenville and Ruth for purchasing us some tracts, too. We love you all.

Bill and Thomas are true Ambassadors of Christ who are truly on fire for the preaching of God’s Word and engaging in conversation, with the lost and also amongst ourselves. What I was challenged by most of all with Bill is his many, many questions. Here is a man with a servant heart and a probing mind that had me tested to the limits. He is a brother that wants to learn as much as he can from his brothers and sisters around him, and I really enjoyed his probes. It had me examining myself and searching for the correct answers. In our Q & A sessions he also ministered into my life. Thank you brother and I look forward to labouring with you for our Lord Jesus.

Thomas, my room-brother, is a gentle and prayerful soul. He is a brother that has a heart for the lost who not only went the extra mile with his time spent with the lost souls, but made the added effort of taking down many, many, many names that would later find their way into his prayer journal. This brother is a kind man whose love flows towards mankind and children. I saw this trait in Bill, too, the way they spoke to the young sons of our hosts. For Thomas, being an ex-Zimbabwean, he found himself witnessing to many Zim-refugees at the plaza in downtown Johannesburg. I believe this was an appointed time by God for Thomas to be used of the Lord to minister into their broken, poor, sinful lives and those who were encouraged as Christians, too.

Later in the week our brother from Badplaas – Willem Pretorius arrived and joined up with us. Here is a brother who we are sure God challenged and brought him to a place where he exceeded unchartered territory. Here is a young man who has a passion to learn and please God and who broke the sound barrier by reading Scripture and preaching the Law and the Gospel of Grace for the very first time in a public forum. An Ambassador of Christ who stepped out of his comfort zone – and who nearly did not join up with us – and allowed the strength of Christ to overcome his challenges. Thank you Willem for your obedience in joining us in our Lord’s harvest field.

What was also a precious few days was that Thomas travelled from the USA and he got to see his brother Dilip (Botswana) and his dad Mr Nunes (Zimbabwe) who travelled to Johannesburg to visit. A reunion after five years. A wonderful work of God’s Hand bringing family together.

All Glory to God for the time we spent lifting up the precious Name of His Son our Lord Jesus Christ. As you can see from the posts hereunder from the FIFA Confederations Cup there are many witnessing stories that have been related to and there will be more to follow.

Under the Photos tab above there is a link to our photo gallery that reflects all the photos from our time on mission. We hope to have a video that captures the full extent of the mission up here in the near future.

"I will make you fishers of men" ~ Jesus

To try to win a soul to Christ by keeping that soul in ignorance of any truth, is contrary to the mind of the Spirit; and to endeavor to save men by mere claptrap, or excitement, or oratorical display, is as foolish as to hope to hold an angel with bird-line, or to lure a star with music. The best attraction is the gospel in its purity. The weapon with which the Lord conquers men is the truth as it is in Jesus. The gospel will be found equal to every emergency; an arrow can pierce the hardest heart, a balm which will heal the deadliest wound. Preach it, and preach nothing else. Rely implicitly upon the old, old gospel. You need no other nets when you fish for men; those your Master has given you are strong enough for the great fishes, and have meshes fine enough to hold the little ones. Spread those nets and no others, and you need not fear the fulfillment of His Word, "I will make you fishers of men." ~ Charles H. Spurgeon

While watching the first video posted here, I couldn't help thinking how these professing "Christians" berated our brothers in Christ Pastor Brett Coronado (my team leader from Ambassadors' Academy June 2008) and Mark Mackey and shouted down the preaching of the gospel. During the video clip you will hear a woman tell Brett "he must learn to preach" when in fact he was preaching the gospel and nothing else and relying implicitly upon the old, old gospel -- the Gospel of Jesus Christ.



Two Scriptures jump out of the Bible -- Matthew 5:14-16 and 1 John 2:6 -- what conflicting message were those professing "Christians" sending out to the unbelievers who were standing in line? The unbelievers listened and were not hypocrites. The Word also says ~

Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love for the brethren, see that you love one another with a pure heart fervently. ~ 1 Peter 1:22

It leaves the obvious to be noted -- the hecklers were not loving towards the preachers of the gospel.

So under what teaching are they sitting? Seeing they brought an accusation against brother Brett that "he must learn to preach", we will allow the Word of God to speak for itself against the accusers ~

For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; and they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. ~ 2 Timothy 4:3,4

Here is the second video...

IPL Cricket ~ Sahara Stadium Kingsmead, Durban

On Friday May 1st, 2009 – a public holiday known as Worker’s Day – my family and I together with Gerald traveled to Monteseel to visit my in-laws and to allow my wife, son and grandson to visit my father-in-law while Gerald and I headed off to Durban on our evangelism mission. Durban is situated 85 kms from Pietermaritzburg on the east coast of the province KwaZulu-Natal. This cosmopolitan city is known as Surf-City. This day we would be outside the Sahara Stadium Kingsmead’s gates at the Indian Premier League match between the Bangalore Royal Challengers and the Kings XI Punjab teams.

Since the IPL requested Cricket South Africa to help them out by staging the Twenty/20 format, due to the terrorist problems India experienced in the Mumbai attacks earlier this year, it would appear that this format of the game would appeal to the large Asian community in South Africa, and more specifically in Durban where the Indian community dominates the surrounding areas. Some people have even referred to this community as “the little India”. This was the mission before us - to hand out tracts, witness one-to-one, read Scripture and open-air preach the Law and the Gospel of Jesus Christ to what turned out to be crowds of approximately 98% Asian persuasion.

From the dress, religious symbols and appearances it was evident that those attending were predominantly of the Muslim and Hindu religions and other Asian cults, as well as some professing Christians and those who don’t believe.

We started out by handing out the following tract, designed specifically for this particular event with a Q & A on cricket trivia from the IPL 2007/2008 season followed with the Law and the Gospel presentation on the reverse side:

INDIAN PREMIER LEAGUE 2009
SOUTH AFRICA

QUIZ ~ Q & A
(Test your knowledge and please do not cheat by looking at the answers first)

1. What was the highest total scored?

2. What were the largest victory margins by runs? By wickets?

3. Which Kings XI Punjab batsman scored the most runs in 2007/08?

4. Who scored the most sixes in an innings?

5. What were the best bowling figures in an innings?

6. What were the names of the top two teams in the standings?

7. What holidays do South Africans commemorate on 27th April and 1st May?

~ Please read the reverse side for more knowledge ~

Answers*: 1) 240/5 by Chennai vs. Punjab. 2) 140 runs by Kolkata vs. Bangalore and 10 wickets by Deccan vs. Mumbai. 3) SE Marsh – 616 runs. 4) BB McCullum (Kolkata) 13 vs. Bangalore. 5) Sohail Tanvir 6/14 (Rajasthan) vs. Chennai. 6) Rajasthan 22 points and Punjab 20 points. 7) Freedom Day and Worker’s Day.
* Answers (except 7) were verified on IPL internet sites and are taken as being correct as at 29th April 2009.

Gary Crous +27 72 221 1233

Now that you have answered the questions on the reverse side of this handout ~ how did you score? Some right? Most right? All right? We tend to know a lot about our sport and worldly matters, but spend little to no time thinking about the million dollar question which will make every other question you have ever answered appear to be insignificant. Do you know what will happen to you the day you will die and pass into eternity? People tend to think about everything else including attending a Twenty/20 cricket match than thinking about their eternal destiny. Reality is 150 000 people die every 24 hours and you are guaranteed one thing in this life ~ someday you will also die. If you should die today, will you be good enough for Almighty God to let you into Heaven? Most people profess to be good, but by what standard are they basing their goodness on? What about you? To truly see if you are a good person you must use a more perfect standard to judge yourself by looking into the perfect moral Law of Almighty God. This Law is the Ten Commandments. Here goes … How many lies have you told in your life? Half-truths, fibs, white lies? A lie is a lie and by definition God sees you as a liar. Stolen something? The size or value of the object matters not, and time does not excuse the crime. God sees you as a thief. Jesus said in old times it was said do not commit adultery, but I tell you whoever looks upon a woman to lust after her has already committed adultery with her in his heart (Matthew 5:28). Ever looked with lust? Had sexual thoughts in your mind? Indulged in fornication (had sex outside the bounds of marriage)? Homosexuality? Porn? If this is you, God will judge you as an adulterer. Ever committed murder? God’s Word says hating someone is murder (1 John 3:15). Abortion is also the murder of unborn children. Ever used God or His Son Jesus’ name to show surprise or disgust? Like, “Oh my G-D!!” This is blasphemy and it is a serious offense in the sight of God. God also says you shall have no other gods (idols) before Him. Are you guilty of idolatry? If you have answered “yes” to any of these violations then God sees you as a liar, a thief, an adulterer, a murderer, a blasphemer and an idolater. If God finds you guilty and judges you for every crime you have committed against Him, as He sees your every thought, intention of the heart, every word uttered and every deed done, even those in secret, and He gives you the justice you rightfully deserve on the Day of Judgment (Acts 17:31) as a lawbreaker, then will you go to Heaven or Hell? Any person in their right mind will know that breaking the Law demands a payment and God has assigned a place called Hell as His prison for sinners who have transgressed His Holy Law. That is the bad news. The Good News is that God is so kind and merciful that He expressed His grace and love to sinners by choosing to reveal Himself in the person of His Son Jesus Christ. Fully God and fully Man and without sin, Jesus gave us the divine standard by which we are to live. He lay down His life for sinners and went to the cross to be punished by God’s righteous wrath. You broke God’s Law and Jesus took your punishment. Your life on earth is not a game to be played by your rules. God’s precious Son Jesus took your filthy sin upon Himself and made unmerited payment with His Holy blood. He resurrected to life defeating death and sin. God saves by offering free Grace so no man can boast. You are not good. God is so Good to want to save evil and wicked sinners from eternal damnation. Repent before God’s throne and put your trust in the Lord Jesus Christ by faith alone while you still have time.

www.NeedGod.com
www.luke923evangelism.wordpress.com
www.chroniclesofafisherofmen.blogspot.com

From using question 7 on the tract, our main springboard would be: What does freedom mean to you? As you will see from the following clip, I read Galatians 5:1-26 to show the True meaning of liberty (freedom) in Christ Jesus our Lord. [Please forgive the shaky filming of the clip as the cameraman is still in training :) - what is more important is that the clip is to encourage our brothers and sisters to step out in faith and believe God will work the miracles of having you out there seeking and saving that which is lost – as Jesus did (Luke 19:10)].



The game had commenced and we decided to leave and to head on home. This is a view of Warriors Gate opposite the stadium as the sun was going down. God painted a wonderful sunset for us…

And inside the stadium, we knew idolatry was taking place. We pray that the idolaters who came to their “shrine” will repent and worship the only True God Jesus Christ and stop their evil and wicked worship of their Bollywood stars and the cricket players (their idols). There is a difference to supporting and worshipping. We hope and pray God will show His Goodness and Mercy and cause the false worshippers (idolaters) to repent of their evil and wicked ways.

2009 Nissan UCI Mountain Bike World Cup ~ Pietermaritzburg, South Africa

Post that appears at the Luke 9:23 Evangelism blogs ~ blogspot and wordpress.

Lord willing, the first round of the MTB World Cup is being staged in Pietermaritzburg, KZN from 10th to 12th April 2009. It will take place over the Passover (Easter) weekend and what an ideal and opportune time to proclaim the Law and the Gospel of Grace ~ why Jesus was crucified upon the cross to redeem repentant sinners.

Here is a video clip of the most recent mountain bike event known as the ABSA Cape Epic which was staged in the Western Cape in March 2009.

The schedule is, as the Lord directs:

Friday 10th April 2009:
07H30 ~ Meeting Time at the Cascades Shopping Centre
07H30 - 08H00 ~ Set Up and time in Prayer
08H00 - 19H00 ~ Preaching commences, handing out tracts, one-to-one witnessing

Saturday 11th April 2009:
07H30 ~ Meeting Time at the Cascades Shopping Centre
07H30 - 08H00 ~ Set Up and time in Prayer
08H00 - 19H00 ~ Preaching commences, handing out tracts, one-to-one witnessing

Sunday 12th April 2009:
07H30 ~ Meeting Time at the Cascades Shopping Centre
07H30 - 08H00 ~ Set Up and time in Prayer
08H00 - 19H00 ~ Preaching commences, handing out tracts, one-to-one witnessing