This Week: Bikers, Open Mic Night and Trillion Dollar Bills

 

Biker Outreach   

     This was a first for me. I have never been to a biker rally. Today, Trace from Calvary Chapel of Branson and I went to a "Bikers Against Child Abuse" rally and fundraiser. Up until today, the only bikers I've met were incounty jail when I was a chaplain. So I didn't know what to expect. But, I did know it was a great opportunity to reach people.

 

    The Trillion Dollar Bill tract went over great with just about everyone. One couple whose matching t-shirts pointed out an affirmation of evolution, did not want our tracts. They made their way quickly past us... I was hoping we could have had a chat. Over all, we had a warm reception. Some bikers thanked us for coming and passing out tracts.

      We were able to read the whole tract to those who couldn't read the small print. So far, I have not had anyone stop me from reading the whole Gospel presentation on the back of the Trillion Dollar Bill. This lead us into some great conversations with bikers about Jesus. Some our conversations with people uncovered some interesting beliefs about death, salvation and the Bible. These were great opportunities to teach what the Bible actually says on these subjects.

 Here are some statements people made:
    "I don't believe in the old Testament, I only believe in the New Testament."
    'As a Christian, "I believe you go to heaven and if you need to, you come back to do it over."

     We went away rejoicing. God had some great divine appointments for us.We even got invited to a biker rally to hand out tracts by the promoter. He said, 'you're welcome to come out and pass 'em out, or until we get tired of you.'

 Open Mic Night at Waxy O'Shea's

 

Trace sporting the name above all names: Jesus

     Another first for the both of us. Trace is one of the musicians on the worship team at CC Branson. He's has had it on his heart for a while to play some worship music at a local open mic night. We discussed how he planned to share the Gospel and how we could hand out tracts. Trace played three songs and gave a brief testimony. He even joked with the audience. He told them that he brought me to bribe everyone with Trillion Dollar Bills, to listen to him. He played and I passed out tracts. When he was done, we finished our non-alcoholic lemonade and my non-alcoholic Coke.

     Some people may question going into a bar to share the Gospel. And I think we should think carefully about where we go, how we represent Jesus, and how we share the Gospel to different people groups. We don't need to participate in sin to reach sinners. Rather, we ought not be afraid to rub shoulders with unbelievers. The Book of Jude has some powerfull verses on reaching out to sinners and apostates.

^Jude17"But you must remember, beloved, the predictions of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ. ¹⁸They said to you, "In the last time there will be scoffers, following their own ungodly passions." ¹⁹It is these who cause divisions, worldly people, devoid of the Spirit. ²⁰But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, ²¹ keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life. ²²And have mercy on those who doubt; ²³save others by snatching them out of the fire; to others show mercy with fear, hating even the garment stained by the flesh."

     Sometimes, pulling a person out of the fire requires us to get close to the flames.

Church Army
The Church Army is an outreach that restores people and families through a new life in Jesus Christ. They offer community drug and alcohol recovery services with Jesus as their focus. I got a chance to meet staffers and offer some care pack supplies and reading glasses.

Photo Credit: SwiftShots for Branson Landing

Time to Hit the Street with the Gospel

     The Landing is an outdoor walking mall situated on Branson's riverfront. Overlooking the retail stores and restaurants are condominiums. This venue draws many visitors and shoppers. We felt this was a good place to hand out tracts. We filled our pockets with tracts and hit the walk ways. We talked to people and handed out Trillion Dollar Bill tracts. This lasted for a short time before security informed us that we needed prior permission to distribute free literature. We asked the security guard if he had seen the Trillion Dollar Bill, and he had. In fact, he told us, one of the other security guards would pass them out to his co-workers. So, we are prayerfully seeking permission to hand out tracts.  To be continued...    
-Christopher

Busy In Branson

Constitution Seminar Outreach

            Earlier this month I was invited to hand out trillion dollar bill tracts at The Making of America Seminar. With the promoters blessing I was able to hand out tracts at the entrance to the Andy William Moon River Theater. The trillion dollar bills were a hit with everyone thinking about the recent budget crisis in Washington D.C. 

            One lady recognized the tracts from the Way of the Master. For me, this was a first, no one else this year responded to getting a tract with, 'oh, Way of the Master.'

            One man was so upset with the leaders of our nation that he began yelling at me. As his blood pressure went up, his wife tried to calm him down. He told me that he was so mad that he 'might just hit someone with his cane.' In this case, as in all, Jesus Christ is the only one who won't disappoint us. Elected officials will always to some degree let us down. I hope the people I met remember Jesus' faithfulness when they feel that their leaders aren't representing them. Jesus can give us a peace that surpasses our understanding while a storm rages around us.

Psalm 46

1 God is our refuge and strength,
   a very present help in trouble.
2 Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way,
   though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea,
3 though its waters roar and foam,
   though the mountains tremble at its swelling. Selah

4 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
   the holy habitation of the Most High.
5 God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved;
   God will help her when morning dawns.
6 The nations rage, the kingdoms totter;
   he utters his voice, the earth melts.
7 The Lord of hosts is with us;
   the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah

8 Come, behold the works of the Lord,
   how he has brought desolations on the earth.
9 He makes wars cease to the end of the earth;
   he breaks the bow and shatters the spear;
   he burns the chariots with fire.
10 “Be still, and know that I am God.
    I will be exalted among the nations,
    I will be exalted in the earth!”
11 The Lord of hosts is with us;
   the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah

Sunday Sermon

            This past Sunday I was a guest speaker at Calvary Chapel of Branson. I spoke on evangelism. I was encouraged by some of the responses that I received. One brother n the Lord, told me he learned a lot. and wanted to take the Gospel to his old friends.  Praise God! It's wonderful to see the Holy Spirit prompting people to share their faith.

             If you would like to listen to it. just go to the home page of our website: ontheroadfamilyoutreach.com

Care Packs

            We've been taking our care packs supplies to local food and Bible study outreaches. We are giving out tooth paste, toothbrushes, mini first aid packs, New Testaments, Gospels of John, tracts, and reading glasses. One of the local churches feeds 150 people at their Wednesday study. A good portion of them are children. This area seems to be far from an economic recovery.

 Prayer Requests

            Please keep us in prayer. We are facing some new challenges in our ministry. We have also seen God open many doors to us, in the Branson, MO area. At the same time we have had some doors shut unexpectedly. We need your prayer for the ministry, our family and our baby on the way. Thank you and God bless you.