World Cup Evangelism

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

A Fun Picture

Can the South African national soccer team 'Bafana Bafana' (The Boys) win the World Cup? Here is a photo doing its rounds that depicts one way ...

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

'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.

Living Waters Weekly Update ~ The World Cup Outreach

Here is a portion of the Weekly Update by Ray Comfort of Living Waters.

The World Cup Outreach

Thanks to Paul Clarkson (one of our talented caricaturists), we now have World Cup Soccer Million Euro Bill tracts in stock. These come in Portuguese, French, German, English and Italian… each bill with that country’s most recognizable soccer star on the front. And thanks to the generosity of donors, we were in a position to send more than 100,000 tracts as a gift to our South African brethren who are reaching out to the millions that will attend the event. (This ministry’s website has further details on the outreach.) Please keep this in prayer.

Idol Worship

When you think of worshiping idols, what comes to your mind? Golden calves? Giant statues? Here's a sobering look from The Skit Guys at what we often look like when we bow down to our own idols.

This video shows clearly why we go to sporting events to proclaim Christ -


Please join us this winter at the FIFA 2010 World Cup™ in South Africa

Open Letter to the South African President: Mr. Jacob Zuma

Dear Mr President,

This letter, I believe, is written to you at a time when this country is crying for proper governance. Before and ever since you have taken the presidential reigns of this lovely country South Africa, the press has had a field day with your presidential and private lifestyles -- the facts are that you have made the headlines for mostly the wrong reasons. And more recently an article appeared in the Sunday Times newspaper titled: 'It is time to talk about our moral code' (February 21, 2010). This will also be addressed in this letter.

Mr President, it appears from the press and from many other well documented articles that fraud, crime and corruption are leprous illnesses that permeates the ruling party and government in general. What is saddening is that the citizens of South Africa go largely unprotected by the corrupt and insufficient governance that makes up the disorder of the day and they are the majority who are victims of the separatist elite's non-performance and ever escalating sins of crime, fraud, greed, lawlessness and other evils that are polluting our society.

Mr President, it is time for the masses to hear the Truth and that will also include you, sir, and every civil servant of this nation.

While your party members want to protect your private life from the scrutiny of the public, what their shortsightedness and lack of understanding fails to comprehend is that when you chose to be a parliamentarian you became public domain. Mr President, you are accountable to those citizens who voted you into office and you are also accountable to those citizens who chose not to give you their democratic vote. You, sir, are therefore to rule impartially for all the peoples of South Africa and not only for the interests of your ANC comrades.

Mr President, recently stories of your 'private sex life' made public headlines, and you have acknowledged the facts that have become known. What is of great concern is the lack of morals that you are showing to a wide audience which includes our young generation -- and also the international community who have also questioned your moral ethics. It is a fact that your rule is immoral and ungodly.

Mr President, you have acted immorally and without regard for the message that you are communicating to our children and as a public figure you should be the one who is to show respect of persons, morality and maturity in leading our nation. Your actions are in violation against Almighty God's commands -- and even if you or any other person does not want to believe in the One True God, you are still accountable to Him by your behaviour.

Mr President, there has been campaigns that have been instigated by government where parliamentarians have encouraged persons to 'be-wise-and-condomise' and then tell the people to abstain from sex to prevent HIV/AIDS -- what is the true message you are sending out? Not only have you not heeded these 'suggestions' you are also making South Africa a nation of fornicators (those who have sex outside the bounds of marriage). Mr President, by your actions you are a fornicator. This can set a dangerous trend where: If the president does it why should those following him not do like wise?

The Word of God (The Holy Bible) is clear when it says:

For this reason a man shall leave his father and his mother, and be joined to his wife; and they shall become one flesh (Genesis 2:24).

From the Scripture references you will note that they are all in the singular -- a man, his father, his mother, his wife, they [man and wife] shall become one flesh. From this you can see one man and one wife makes one marriage and you become one flesh. Mr President, to say your having many wives is your custom goes against what God says and it is a flagrant sin against Him as you are defying the Almighty's rule of marriage. Mr President, The Bible says that man has invalidated the Word of God for the sake of your traditions (Matthew 15:6; Mark 7:8). By your traditions you make the Word of God of no effect.

By taking more than one wife, Mr President, you are committing adultery and thereby you are breaking the Seventh Commandment: You shall not commit adultery. Sir, you are also making your 'wives' adulteresses and by their willingness to enter into polygamous marriages, they, too, are committing adultery. Polygamy and being a polygamist are illegal acts. Mr President, playing your Zulu-custom card does not condone your sin and immoral acts. You might want to hold to your custom and 'even expect others to tolerate and respect it', but it is sin before an infinitely Holy and Righteous God. 1 John 3:4 reads --

Everyone who practices sin also practices lawlessness; and sin is lawlessness.

Jesus also said

--"Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is the slave of sin. (John 8:34)

Mr President, it is at this very time that you, and every other person reading this letter, should consider how you will stand before Almighty God on the Day of Judgment, for there is a day that is approaching --

"... because He has fixed a day in which He will judge the world in righteousness through a Man whom He has appointed, having furnished proof to all men by raising Him from the dead." (Acts 17:31, my emphasis)

Each and every person will have to give an accounting of themselves on this Great and Fearful Day. People do not know when they will die -- death comes upon people very suddenly and often by surprise and God's Word warns you --

And inasmuch as it is appointed for men to die once and after this comes judgment, (Hebrews 9:27)

how will you kneel before God? At this point you should examine your lifestyle against God's Holy Standard, The Ten Commandments, and see where you are headed -- Heaven? Or Hell?

How many lies have you told in your lifetime? If you have told a lie you are a liar in the sight of God. You don't need to tell ten lies then a bell goes off or even ascribe a colour to your lie -- a lie is a lie in God's Wisdom. Have you ever stolen anything? This includes fraud, if you have you are a thief in the sight of God. We have already dealt with the committing of adultery, but listen what Jesus said --

"You have heard that it was said, 'YOU SHALL NOT COMMIT ADULTERY'; but I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart. ..." (Matthew 5:27,28)

We have already dealt with this crime against God and He sees even the intentions of peoples' hearts and their minds. This also includes the debauched acts of homosexual sex and marriages. South Africa became the fifth country in the world, and the first in Africa, to allow legal marriages between same-sex couples. This law which was promulgated by the ANC is a heinous stench before the LORD --

You shall not lie with a male as one lies with a female; it is an abomination (Leviticus 18:22).

Have you ever committed murder? God's Word says that if you are angry and hate anyone you have committed murder in the heart. Jesus said --

"You have heard that the ancients were told, 'YOU SHALL NOT COMMIT MURDER' and 'Whoever commits murder shall be liable to the court.' But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother shall be guilty before the court; and whoever says to his brother, 'You good-for-nothing,' shall be guilty before the supreme court; and whoever says, 'You fool,' shall be guilty enough to go into the fiery hell. ..." (Matthew 5:21,22)

Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer; and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him. (1 John 3:15)

Mr President, murder also includes abortion which your ANC party, under the ex-president Mr Mandela, promulgated the abortion law on February 1, 1997 and since then over 900,000 South African babies have been brutally murdered officially, legally and with tax payers' money.

Have you ever blasphemed God? Or made reference to Him or His Son Jesus by not showing Him the rightful reverence He deserves? It is evident from an article that appeared in Africa News that you have openly blasphemed God by making reference that God agrees with the ANC's policies, quote:

He said church leaders must persuade believers to vote for the ANC. “When priests pray for poverty to end and for development, then it means God agrees with the ANC because the ANC stands for those things,” Zuma said.

“When you preach in your churches, just explain to the congregation – in a paragraph – about the ANC. People who love God must not play with their votes, they must vote for the ANC,” said Zuma.

He added: "We in the ANC know God. When the ANC was born, it was baptized. We have respect, we are beautiful, and we conduct ourselves in a good way."

Mr President, it is clear that you have mocked almighty God by making fun and jokes about Him and His children. If you, or the ANC, know God you will keep His commandments --

For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments; and His commandments are not burdensome. (1 John 5:3)

God says He will hold everyone guilty for using His Name in vain. [SA: "ANC to rule till Jesus comes"]

Mr President, on the Day of Judgment when the Supreme Judge of the Universe, Almighty God holds Court; and He judges you according to His infinitely Holy Standard and Righteousness and finds that you, and all sinners, have transgressed His Law and you are found to be a liar, a thief, an adulterer and a fornicator, a murderer and a blasphemer, to mention a few charges, will you be innocent or guilty? The Bible says that all who sin against God will be guilty and not enter into the Kingdom of God.

Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, nor thieves, nor the covetous; nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God. (1 Corinthians 6:9,10)

The Word of God is clear and concise for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). If God gives you the justice you rightfully deserve, you will be found guilty and God will send you to Hell for eternity -- it is His place that He has set aside for eternal damnation for the lawless to be punished by His Divine Wrath.

Knowing that you will be condemned into Hell for all eternity should be horrifying you at this point. If you are not trembling and fearful then you have not seen your sin as being exceedingly sinful before an infinitely, Holy, Righteous, Good, Sovereign and Just God.

There will be no entering into appeals against His judgment. There will be no Constitutional Court or Court of Appeal. God's JUDGMENT is final and binding for eternity. Receiving a guilty verdict means receiving Hell for eternity. Don't make light of Hell; it's a very real place of torment. Jesus spoke more about Hell than about Heaven. Heading for damnation in the fiery pit of Hell should concern you. It should make you extremely fearful. This is really bad news.

However, there is Good News and this is the only way man can escape Hell's eternal torment. About 2000 years ago God sent His Son Jesus Christ to this world on a mission. What took place was God choosing to reveal Himself in the person of His Son Jesus Christ, the Anointed One. The Deity of Christ is revealed in The Holy Scriptures, God's Word -- The Bible --

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being. In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men. The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it. ... He came to His own, and those who were His own did not receive Him. But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God. And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth. (John 1:1-5, 11-14)

For the Law was given through Moses; grace and truth were realized through Jesus Christ. (John 1:17)

Jesus, the God-man was conceived by the Holy Spirit and He was born to a virgin named Mary --

And coming in, he said to her, "Greetings favored one! The Lord is with you." But she was very perplexed at this statement, and kept pondering what kind of salutation this was. The angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary; for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name Him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David; and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and His kingdom will have no end." Mary said to the angel, "How can this be, since I am a virgin?" The angel answered and said to her, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; and for that reason the holy Child shall be called the Son of God. (Luke 1:28-35, the angel sent by God to His maidservant Mary was the angel Gabriel)

He came into the world as "the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world" (John 1:29).

Jesus entered into His earthly ministry and this is an account by the apostle Peter --

Opening his mouth, Peter said:
"I most certainly understand now that God is not one to show partiality, but in every nation the man who fears Him and does what is right is welcome to Him. The word which He sent to the sons of Israel, preaching peace through Jesus Christ (He is Lord of all) -- you yourselves know the thing which took place throughout all Judea, starting from Galilee, after the baptism which John proclaimed. You know of Jesus of Nazareth, how God anointed Him with the Holy Spirit and with power, and how He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him. We are witnesses of all the things He did both in the land of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They also put Him to death by hanging Him on a cross. God raised Him up on the third day and granted that He become visible, not to all the people, but to witnesses who were chosen beforehand by God, that is, to us who ate and drank with Him after He rose from the dead. And He ordered us to preach to the people, and solemnly to testify that this is the One who has been appointed by God as Judge of the living and the dead. Of Him all the prophets bear witness that through His name everyone who believes in Him receives forgiveness of sins." (Acts 10:34-43)

Therefore if God gave to them the same gift as He gave to us also after believing in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I could stand in God's way?" When they heard this, they quieted down and glorified God, saying, "Well then, God has granted to the Gentiles also the repentance that leads to life." (Acts 11:17,18)

Mr President, with reference to your Sunday Times interview, I quote:

"He [Zuma] appeared shocked and surprised by the outrage that followed the scandal, telling the Sunday Times: "There are Muslims, Christians, Jews, Pedis and so on ... How do we live together with an understanding that we understand each other?

"Values may not exactly be the same, but how do we bring harmony to this?"

Mr President, the problem is not about 'understanding each other', because it is not about us and our diverse religions, values and communities. The answer is: It is ALL ABOUT GOD AND NOTHING ELSE MATTERS!! It doesn't matter what you believe in. What matters is what you believe in is it true? If the God of Creation is not centre in everyone's lives their evil and wicked ways will persist. The God of the Holy Bible has given us the First Commandment that He is to be the Only God and we all are to worship Him with all our heart, mind, soul and strength and the Second Commandment reads that we are to have no idols (gods) before Him. If man is trying to resolve anything and he has broken the first two commandments then anything else man tries to accomplish will come to naught. Worshiping other gods (including addressing songomas and praying to ancestors) is idolatry and eternal punishment in Hell awaits all idolaters. There is a real spiritual war being waged between the Kingdom of Light (God) and the kingdom of darkness (satan). Satan uses religion to keep people in the darkness blinded to the Truth -- he does not want to go to Hell only with his demons.

Man relies on religion to try appease God for their evil and wicked lives. God says in His Word, speaking through His prophet Isaiah --

For all of us have become like one who is unclean,
And all our righteous deeds are like a filthy garment;
And all of us whither like a leaf,
And our iniquities, like the wind take us away. (Isaiah 64:6)

The prophet Isaiah employed our righteous deeds by using the imagery of menstrual cloths used during a woman's period to picture uncleanness (cf. Leviticus 15:19-24). Man tries to get right with God by his works, but they are a stench before Almighty God. So it is through God's mercy by Him granting us grace (unmerited favour) that we can be saved. For we are justified by grace alone, through faith alone by trusting in Jesus Christ alone that a man can have his sins forgiven and be reconciled back to God.

And you were dead in your trespasses and sins, in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the air of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience. Among them we too all formerly lived in the lusts of our flesh, including the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest. But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up with Him and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them. (Ephesians 2:1-10)

Jesus said --

"I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me." (John 14:6)

Jesus said He is the Way and so any other way man tries to get saved by is a false way. Jesus said He is the Truth -- therefore any other 'truth' is a lie, because there can only be one Truth. And Jesus said He is the Life -- you cannot receive life through any other.

God's Promise and Warning
Thus Solomon finished the house of the LORD and the king's palace, and successfully completed all that he had planned on doing in the house of the LORD and in his palace. Then the LORD appeared to Solomon at night and said to him, "I have heard your prayer and have chosen this place for Myself as a house of sacrifice. "If I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or if I command the locust to devour the land, or if I send pestilence among My people, and My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin and will heal their land. "Now My eyes will be open and My ears attentive to the prayer offered in this place."For now I have chosen and consecrated this house that My name may be there forever, and My eyes and My heart will be there perpetually. "As for you, if you walk before Me as your father David walked, even to do according to all that I have commanded you, and will keep My statutes and My ordinances, then I will establish your royal throne as I covenanted with your father David, saying, 'You shall not lack a man to be ruler in Israel.' "But if you turn away and forsake My statutes and My commandments which I have set before you, and go and serve other gods and worship them, then I will uproot you from My land which I have given you, and this house which I have consecrated for My name I will cast out of My sight and I will make it a proverb and a byword among all peoples. "As for this house, which was exalted, everyone who passes by it will be astonished and say, 'Why has the LORD done thus to this land and to this house?' "And they will say, 'Because they forsook the LORD, the God of their fathers who brought them from the land of Egypt, and they adopted other gods and worshiped them and served them; therefore He has brought all this adversity on them.'" (2 Chronicles 7:11-22, my emphasis)

A Plea to the Unsaved

There are some of you standing in these aisles and sitting in these pews, who I feel in my soul will never have another invitation, and if this be rejected today, I feel a solemn motion in my soul -- I think it is of the Holy Ghost -- that you will never hear another faithful sermon, but you shall go down to Hell impenitent, unsaved, except you trust in Jesus now. I speak not as a man, but I speak as God's ambassador to your souls, and I command you, in God's name, trust Jesus, trust now. At your peril reject the voice that speaks from Heaven, for "he that believeth not shall be damned." How shall you escape if you neglect so great salvation. When it comes right home to you, when it thrusts itself in your way, oh, if you will neglect it how can you escape? With tears I would invite you, and, if I could, would compel you to come in. Why will you not? Oh souls, if you will be damned, if you make up your mind that no mercy shall ever woo you, and no warnings shall ever move you, then, sirs, what chains of vengeance must you feel that slight these bonds of love. You have deserved the deepest Hell, for you slight the joys above. God save you. He will save you, if you trust in Jesus. God help you to trust Him even now for Jesus' sake. Amen. ~ Charles Haddon Spurgeon

And with my Brother in Christ who has gone to our Lord Jesus in glory, I speak not as a man, but I speak as God's ambassador to your souls --

Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. (2 Corinthians 5:20)

"... that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved." (Romans 10:9)

"He who believes in the Son has eternal life; but He who does not obey the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him." (John 3:36)

Mr President, as an ambassador of God, I call you and the citizens of South Africa to REPENT (turn from and forsake) of your evil and wicked sin and believe the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It is your only hope.

An unworthy sinner, saved by grace
Gary Crous
___________________
All Scripture References are from the NASB (Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation)

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Nelson Mandela - Hero or Terrorist?

Posted by Cameron Buettel on Monday, February 15, 2010 at his blog The Bottom Line.

Dr. Peter Hammond is an heroic missionary based in South Africa. He is a rare blend of being combat trained, having an immense academic intellect, and fearlessness as an evangelist. As a man who has been tortured in the prisons of despotic communist dictators, he is not intimidated in the slightest by political correctness. And there is no greater darling of political correctness in his homeland than Nelson Mandela.

Mandela was the key player in the recently released movie, directed by Clint Eastwood, called "Invictus". Is this movie an accurate portrayal of history or the invention of politically correct revisionism?

Hammond contends that this is a politically correct work of fiction in his scorching movie review (see below). Hammond's review is a stunning and provocative read that is both Gospel centred and loaded with the inside historical story from a South African who has lived there for 50 years - so stunning that I had to post it:

INVICTUS IDOLATRY - A Film Review By Dr. Peter Hammond

This stirring new film on South Africa’s 1995 Rugby World Cup victory includes serious distortions of history. Directed by Clint Eastwood and starring Morgan Freeman as President Nelson Mandela, Invictus makes a major contribution towards the building up of the mythology of Nelson Mandela as a modern day idol.

Their Finest Hour

Invictus focuses on the New South Africa’s finest hour as the Springbok rugby team, led by Francois Pienaar, won the World Cup. It also focuses on President Nelson Mandela’s finest hour as he donned the Springbok rugby team’s green and gold jersey and cap and publicly associated with the Springbok’s triumph.

There is no doubt that this was probably Nelson Mandela’s most astute move to appear in public at the World Cup Finals in the Springbok uniform jersey and cap. One billion people were watching. This was, as Morgan Freeman playing Nelson Mandela in the film declared: “An opportunity!” Indeed any wise politician would seize the limelight and exploit such an opportunity to identify with his national team’s greatest moment of triumph.

In the context of the racially polarized New South Africa, this gesture was meaningful and it was appreciated. It particularly won Nelson Mandela much admiration and support from white South Africans to whom rugby was much more than their national sport. However, it was a political token amidst a much broader context of Marxist violence.

Racial Stereotypes

This beautifully crafted, stirring and inspiring film, Invictus, clearly has a political agenda. It has dangerous distortions of reality and a selective focus which portrays the whites in South Africa as narrow minded, disgruntled, racial bigots. In fact, all the white characters in Invictus are one or two dimensional, with no depth of character. Incredibly this even includes Matt Damon’s portrayal of Francois Pienaar, the South African rugby team captain. One never gets to see quite what makes him tick. His leadership seems completely inadequate to explain this spectacular triumph of the Springboks over the previously unbeatable Australian and New Zealand rugby teams.

A Political Hijack

Incredibly, Invictus boldly gives all the credit for the Springboks’ World Cup victory to President Nelson Mandela. This must be the first time in history that any head of state has been given the credit for a sport team’s achievements on the field. Does Queen Elizabeth II get the credit if England’s rugby team wins? Was US President Bush credited with American Olympic athlete’s achievements in Beijing?

An Astute Politician

It was undoubtedly a very wise and astute political move for Nelson Mandela to oppose his own party’s plans to abolish the Springbok green and gold uniform and symbols. Doubtless Nelson Mandela genuinely wanted the national team to win, not only for the desirable national unity it could inspire, but for the international prestige it could give to his government.

Ignoring the Context

However, the film maker should not have oversimplified the fascinating story by separating it from its real context of crime and violence after a brutal 30 year terrorist war waged by Nelson Mandela’s ANC.

Imaginative Idolatry

Time and again the film focuses on Mandela’s imprisonment on Robben Island, often with dream-like imaginative flashbacks of Nelson Mandela breaking rocks on Robben Island. The film even includes a pilgrimage to Mandela’s cell in the prison on Robben Island, but there is never any mention of why he was imprisoned.

The impression given is that he was imprisoned for opposing apartheid, but many people, including Bishop Desmond Tutu, vigorously opposed apartheid without ever being imprisoned.

The Unanswered Reason Why

The fact is that even Amnesty International refused to take on Nelson Mandela’s case because they asserted that he was no political prisoner but had committed numerous violent crimes and had had a fair trial and a reasonable sentence.

Nelson Mandela was the head of UmKhonto we Sizwe, (MK), the terrorist wing of the ANC and South African Communist Party. He had pleaded guilty to 156 acts of public violence including mobilizing terrorist bombing campaigns, which planted bombs in public places, including the Johannesburg railway station. Many innocent people, including women and children, were killed by Nelson Mandela’s MK terrorists.

South African President P.W. Botha had, on a number of occasions, offered Nelson Mandela freedom from prison, if he would only renounce terrorist violence. This Mandela refused to do.

New Maths

In Invictus Mandela’s 26 years in jail, custody and prison becomes 30 years in the cell in Robben Island, even though prisoners on Robben Island were allowed to walk freely around the Island during the day and were only locked up at night. No mention was made of the very comfortable warden’s house at Victor Verster (five star) prison where Mandela spent his last years of confinement.

Inspiring Words

Invictus regularly portrays Nelson Mandela as a most gracious, kind and forgiving man. Many most commendable words are put in his mouth including “the past is past. We need your services. We can only succeed with your help… reconciliation starts here…. forgiveness liberates the soul….forgiveness is a powerful weapon.”

Did Only One Group Have Anything to Forgive?

Under Clint Eastwood’s directorship, Invictus dogmatically asserts that Nelson Mandela and the black people needed to forgive the whites. Never does the film portray how much the whites had to forgive people like Nelson Mandela and his ANC terrorists who were responsible for the murder of thousands of South Africans. There is no mention in Invictus of the three decades of vicious terrorist warfare, including the burning down of thousands of schools, hacking to death of thousands of innocent people in homes and in the streets, pouring gasoline over a thousand innocent victims setting them alight, in the brutal necklace murders, the car bombs in public streets, limpet mines in shopping centres, petrol bombs and grenades through windows at night and assassinations.

Nor were economic sanctions referred to − which cost millions of jobs; and the sports boycott which had prevented the Springboks from competing internationally for decades.

A Negotiated Settlement

At one point in the film, Morgan Freeman’s Mandela character reminds his secretary: “The whites still control the army, the police and the economy.” That was correct, which gives the lie to the picture portrayed in Invictus of grudging, unwilling, narrow minded white racist bigots.

The fact is that white South Africans, who had the political, military and economic power and who had defeated Mandela’s ANC terrorists consistently, willingly handed over the reigns of power after a negotiated settlement.

The Communist Connection

Invictus never mentions Nelson Mandela’s open support for brutal communist regimes such as Fidel Castro’s Cuba, Robert Mugabe’s Zimbabwe, Red China, Gadhaffi’s Libya, Saddam Hussein, Yasar Arafat and other dictators. During the very time covered by Invictus Mandela received Fidel Castro, the longest reigning dictator in the world, and gave him the highest award that South Africa could give and then had both Houses of Parliament gather to hear an address from the Cuban tyrant.

The Ugly Reality

During the very time covered by the movie many hundreds of white farmers, and their wives and children, were being brutally murdered, actually tortured to death, often by UmKhonto we Sizwe guerillas, many of whom were now part of the South African National Defence Force.

Double Standards

Although Invictus gives all glory for the Springbok Rugby World Cup win to Nelson Mandela, it does not attach any blame to him for the rising crime and plummeting economy. During one short visual in the film Mandela looks at a newspaper headline which speaks of the rising crime and plummeting rand. This reality deserved a little bit more attention. During 46 years of National Party apartheid rule over 18,000 people had been killed by rioters, terrorists, by the police and the army, on all sides, including terrorists, civilian victims, military casualties and police. A total of 18,000 dead during 46 years of conflict. However, in peacetime, under Nelson Mandela, an average of 20,000 to 25,000 people were murdered every year.

Fueling the Crime Wave

Yet to celebrate his birthdays, Mandela would regularly open the prison doors and set many criminals, including armed robbers, murderers and rapists, free. Some of whom were murdering and raping within 24 hours of being released.

Economic Deterioration

In the 1970s, even while facing terrorism, riots and engaged in a border war with the Cubans in Angola, the South African Rand was stronger than the US Dollar. However, after years of US sanctions, the South African Rand had fallen to R2 to the Dollar. Under Nelson Mandela even with no war, no sanctions, no riots, no conscription, and with massive international aid and investment, the Rand plummeted to R8 to the Dollar, and even R10 to the Dollar, then R12 and even to R14 to the Dollar for a time. But according to Invictus, no blame can be attached to Nelson Mandela for the economic deterioration and the sky-rocketing crime rate under his presidency. However, he should be given all the credit for what the Springbok rugby team achieved on the field!

Legalising Abortion and Pornography

Viewers of Invictus also need to be aware that the kind and thoughtful gentleman portrayed in Invictus was the prime mover of the legalisation of abortion, pornography, gambling and homosexuality in South Africa and of the introduction of sex education in public schools. Since Nelson Mandela forced through the legalisation of abortion, not even allowing ANC MPs a conscience vote, and signed it into Law, 1 February 1997, over 900,000 South African babies have been killed through abortion, officially, legally and with tax-payers money.

Censoring Christianity

Another disturbing aspect of Invictus is the editing out of the Christian Faith of key members of the Springbok rugby team. There were many consistent reports of a core of the Springbok rugby team being Bible-believing Christians who regularly met for prayer before the matches.

Yet that is never depicted. The film does give a very anaemic presentation of the Springbok team kneeling in prayer after their victory, but it is such a lame and limp “Thanks Lord for letting us win the game” that it just doesn’t ring true.

As Francois Pienaar declared in his BBC Sport interview in 1995: When the final whistle went “I fell right to my knees. I'm a Christian and wanted to say a quick prayer for being in such a wonderful event, not because of the winning. Then all of a sudden, the whole team was around me, which was a special moment.”

Slanderous Distortion

Despite Francois Pienaar’s testimony, Invictus incredibly portrays him as fornicating before the winning match and swearing during it. And although the Springbok rugby team gave all glory to the Lord Jesus Christ for their triumph, Clint Eastwood’s production of Invictus transfers that glory to Nelson Mandela and a humanist poem by English poet William Ernest Henley, which he quotes: “I thank whatever gods may be for my unconquerable soul… I am the master of my fate: I am the captain of my soul.” It is the title of that poem, Invictus, after which the film is named.

Selective Focus

Francois Pienaar also pointed out in his 1995 interview with BBC Sport that the game favourites for the World Cup Rugby had been Australia, whom the Springboks beat in the opening game. This landmark victory is down played in Invictus.

Oversimplifying a Complex Country

It is unfortunate that Invictus reinforces stereotypes of narrow minded, white racists and whitewashes Nelson Mandela and the Marxists in the ANC. South Africa is far more complex and interesting than this film suggests. To understand South African history we need to understand the African context and the reality of the Cold War, which was the backdrop to the conflict in which Nelson Mandela played such a key role.

A Paid Political Advertisement?

It would be interesting to know from where the funding came for this film. At times it seemed like a paid political advertisement for Nelson Mandela and the ANC. If all that the film depicts of Nelson Mandela encouraging the team is really true, then it is commendable. But surely any sport team’s victory is to the credit of the Manager, the Coach and the team members’ dedication, training, fitness and skill?

For more background information see: The Battle For South Africa; The Battle For the Mind in the News Media; True and False Guilt; The Cold War and The Iron Curtain; The Paganisation of South Africa; and Over a Million Reasons Why I Will Not be Voting ANC, available on www.frontline.org.za

Dr. Peter Hammond
Frontline Fellowship
P O Box 74
Newlands 7725
Cape Town
South Africa

E-mail: admin@frontline.org.za
Web: www.frontline.org.za

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

The Mission Ball

Posted on January 27, 2010 by Gary Crous
Torrey Babb is also a graduate of The Ambassadors’ Academy (#3). The ministry our LORD has entrusted him and his wife, Heather, with is The Mission Ball. To read more of this missionary’s heart please check out Keloland Television where there is also a video clip.

Here is a part quote from the Keloland Television interview:

Because the Mission Ball is a non-profit group, the Babbs rely on donations and ball sales at Christian events like Lifelight to fund their trips. And now they’re planning their biggest one yet.

“Our goal is to bring 10,000 Mission Balls to South Africa during the World Cup,” Babb said.

Fans from all over the world – people who love soccer – converging in one place. Seems like the perfect opportunity.

Dave Eggen / Inertia Torrey Babb hopes mission balls featuring Biblical messages will be used on soccer field all over the world.

“It’s a once every four years, where the world does come together,” Babb said. “Every language will probably be represented, and it’s just an amazing chance to spread the gospel. Not just with the people who are attending the World Cup, but working with the local villages. And maybe the people who you won’t see on TV, when the games are being televised. Maybe the villages and the little shacks that are a mile away from the beautiful new stadiums.”

Please pray for God to draw and send forth the correct donors that will sponsor the mission balls for God’s Kingdom.

Here is also an article from Living Stones News titled – ‘Mission Balls’ are tools to reach others for Christ.

If you would like to help, go to torreybabb@frontlineint.org or check it out on the Web at www.frontlineint.org.

You can help reach the world with Christ through Mission Balls.

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.

Woza 2010 has arrived ...

and LORD willing, we will see you all in South Africa. A Happy New Year to all our Brothers and Sisters in Christ the world over. May Christ lead us in a deeper desire and passion for lost souls and that we will be faithful labourers for our King. Let us remember why King Jesus came to this world and what is required of us -

For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost (Luke 19:10) and the one who says he abides in Him ought himself to walk in the same manner as He walked (1 John 2:6).

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.

Report from the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront in Cape Town

On Saturday December 5, 2009, Nigel, Charlene and their son Jordan, Daniel Manuels (cameraman), Donovan Nelson and Gary Crous took to the V & A Waterfront to hand out Gospel Tracts, engage in one2one witnessing and read Scripture. This was the day after the FIFA Final Draw outreach in the heart of the “Mother City”.

I found there to be some interesting conversations – many terminated by the persons being witnessed to as their consciences were convicting them. The day had an edge about it; possibly it had alot to do with the actual area we were in that is a haven of self-love, lust of the flesh, idolatry (material possessions and money) and pride. The V & A caters for those who pamper after their flesh and sin. It is an ideal place to reach the lost.

View the photographs at this slideshow.

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.

2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa Draw™ Gospel Tract

The following appeared on a specially designed gospel tract that was in the form of a handout that was distributed on the streets of Cape Town during the carnival atmosphere leading up to the Final Draw that took place at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC) on December 4, 2009.

Side One:

2010 FIFA WORLD CUP FINAL DRAW™

CAPE TOWN

4TH DECEMBER 2009

QUIZ ~ Q & A

(Test your knowledge and please do not cheat by looking at the answers first)

1. What team has won the most FIFA World Cup tournaments?

2. In which year did the USA upset England by beating them 1-0?

3. Which player holds the record for the most goals scored at a single tournament?

4. How many host nations have won the World Cup?

5. Most goals scored by a team in one finals match?

6. Who has scored the fastest goal at any finals?

7. Which Brazilian player celebrates “finals” by wearing his “I Belong to Jesus” T-Shirt?

~ Please read the reverse side for more knowledge ~

Answers*: 1. Brazil Five Times (1958, 1962, 1970, 1994, 2002). 2. 1950. 3. Just Fontaine of France 13 goals in 1958. 4. Six Nations (1930 Uruguay, 1934 Italy, 1966 England, 1974 West Germany, 1978 Argentina, 1998 France). 5. Ten goals by Hungary (Hungary 10 vs. El Salvador 1) in 1982. 6. Turkey’s Hakan Sukur after 11 seconds in the third-place play-off match against South Korea 2002. 7. Kakà.

*Answers were verified on Football internet sites and are taken as being correct as at 3rd December 2009.

Nigel Titus: 083 642 4454 / Gary Crous: 072 221 1233

Side Two:

Now that you have answered the questions on the reverse side of this handout ~ how did you score? 25%? 50%? 100%? We tend to know a lot about our sport and other things, but spend little to no time thinking about the million dollar question that I will put to you now. This question 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 World Cup Draw event than thinking about their eternal destiny. Reality is 150 000 people die every 24 hours and you know that you are guaranteed one thing in this life ~ someday you will also die. If you should die this day, do you think you will be good enough to stand before a Holy God and go to Heaven. If I should ask you if you are a good person, most persons will profess to be good. But, by what standard are you basing your goodness on? Your own standard? To truly see whether you are a good person you should use a more perfect standard to judge yourself by looking into the perfect moral Law of Almighty God. This Law is known as the Ten Commandments. How many lies have you told in your life? Half-truths, fibs, white lies … it doesn’t matter what you call the lie, by definition God sees you as a liar. Stolen something? It doesn’t matter the size or value of the object, time does not excuse this 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)? Then God sees you as an adulterer. Ever committed murder? The Bible says hating someone is murder (1 John 3:15). This also includes abortion which is the murder of unborn children. Ever used God or His Son Jesus’ name to show surprise or disgust? Like, “Oh my G-D!!” That is blasphemy and it is a serious offense in the sight of God. If you have answered “yes” to any of these questions then God sees you as a liar, a thief, an adulterer, a murderer and a blasphemer and God finds you guilty and will judge you for every crime you have committed against Him. He sees every thought, intention of the heart, every word uttered and every deed done, even those in secret. If God gives you the justice you rightfully deserve on the Day of Judgment 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 against Him. 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 and then He went to the cross to be punished by the full wrath of God to pay the price and take the full punishment for the repentant sinner who will hear the Gospel and believe. Not just believe but to put your full trust in Jesus Christ for mercifully dying in the place of you the sinner. You cannot buy your way into Heaven. Your righteousness is as filthy rags (Isaiah 64:6) in the sight of a Holy God. You are not good. God is so Good to want to save evil and wicked sinners from eternal damnation. Repent (turn away and forsake your sin) before God’s throne while you still have time. Then read the Bible and live out what it tells you.

www.NeedGod.com

2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™ Evangelism – Newsletter #2

We, Bill Adams (www.sfoi.org), Michael Rogers (www.livingwatersafrica.co.za) and Gary Crous (www.luke9.23evangelism@wordpress.com) have received responses from four (4) brothers in Christ who have shown a willingness to labour with us at the 2010 event. Keep praying to our Father for more laborers (Matthew 9:37, 38; Luke 10:2).

We have received the following report from Brother Nigel Titus in Cape Town who is graciously coordinating The 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa Draw™ Evangelism Outreach from December 4th-6th, 2009 –

On December 4, 2009, Cape Town will welcome FIFA executives, representatives of the 32 qualifying teams, the international media, and FIFA guests to the city to witness the Final Draw for the tournament at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC). The Final Draw, which will take place in front of some 3 000 international guests at the Cape Town International Convention Centre will be broadcast live to an estimated audience of 150 million viewers in 200 countries.

The event is expected to have football fans around the world glued to their screens as the match order for the qualifying teams is announced. According to the City of Cape Town’s site, the Final Draw event will be attended by an estimated 8 000 people. Besides the local and TV audiences, a large number of soccer professionals and officials, associated celebrities, and sponsors will be in town for the event – bringing even more attention and visitors to our fantastic “Mother City”.

For Christians and like-minded evangelists, this presents a massive opportunity to spread the gospel and open-air preach to the thousands of fans, party-goers and tourists that will be descending upon the Mother City next week. In addition, we also hope to use this event as a good test run for the 2010 World Cup Evangelism Project which is coming up next year.

According to organizers, the main hot spots for the Final Draw will be the entire Upper Long Street, from Wale Street to Buitensingel which is to be converted into a festival zone for the Final Draw on Friday. The main stage will be situated at the Long Street baths, with several huge television screens further down towards Wale Street. The festivities will start at 12:00 noon with music and cultural performances with a South African and African flavor. Entrance to the festival is free and thousands of Capetonians are expected to congregate at Long Street to share in the world’s excitement of the Final Draw. Please also check out Cape Town Magazine.com Sport & FIFA 2010 for more information.

If you are interested in laboring with us to preach the gospel at this event, please feel free to contact us at the below numbers / email address. A final plan with all the necessary details of how we will operate will only be finalized by next week – we encourage you however to get in touch with us soonest if you wish to be a part of this event. We will also be setting aside next Wednesday and Thursday (2nd and 3rd December 2009) to earnestly seek God’s guidance in prayer and supplication on how we should approach this event. We acknowledge that our endeavors and actions will attract the attention of our spiritual enemy and we need to be sufficiently equipped and prepared before we go out.

For His Glory!

Nigel Titus
083 642 4454
legintitus@gmail.com

In Christ’s Service until He returns,

Gary Stephen Crous
tel. 033 - 394 9091 (Work)
Cell +27 722211233
e-mail gary@gdlk.co.za

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

[Jesus] saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe the gospel.” – Mark 1:15