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.

Witnessing with Children

       My kids often ask if they can come along and street witness to others. After a number of requests and the desire to model witnessing to my children, I decided to take them along. I have been including them each week in outreaches and street evangelism outings.

The boys and I at the Titanic Museum in Branson, MO. We were excited to have such a perfect tract for this area. Especially since no one we met knew about the Titanic trivia on the tract.



       One of their favorite things to do is handing out Trillion Dollar Bill tracts. They do such a good job too. They listen to what I say to people and even tell some of my ice-breaker jokes to people.

I recently found some photos on a memory card that never got posted. Here is a rare picture of me sharing the Gospel with a man on the streets of Albuquerque, NM. (I am usually taking the pictures :)



       This has been a great way for them to see how to act on their concern for peoples' eternal salvation. I think this is important for children to see and take part in. Whether it be praying for non-believers, volunteering or participating in an outreach there are many ways to serve the Lord in evangelism.

 Door to Door

       We are in Branson Missouri and have been helping out at Calvary Chapel of Branson. Pastor Sparky Ferguson has a heart for Branson and sharing the Gospel door to door. But, his health and the consecutive weeks of 100 degree temperatures have hindered his ability to do much walking around outside. So, this has been a great opportunity for us to serve the local church. This was also a first for us, as we have never gone door to door. So we made some flyers and took some New Testaments and Gospel of John booklets to pass out as well.

        And, of course, we brought some tracts too. Some times people were home and didn't answer the door. Most people who are home and answer their door are nice and give us a few minutes to talk to them. Those people who get excited about what we are doing tell us of which church they go to and send us on our way with encouraging words. We will continue going door to door this coming week.

Never Leave Home Without Them

        Wallet sized tracts have been one of my favorite tracts to pass out when I open my wallet at the store. I have been using the IQ Test tracts from LivingWaters.com. I put them by my debit card and give one to the cashier. Usually, cashiers are busy and don't have time to chit chat, so I give them the tract and tell them that it is something fun to read on their break. These tracts are a available with different IQ tests on the front. They have the answers on the back. There is a second test on the back that ask questions about God and gives the Gospel. If no one is in line behind you, most cashiers start reading it while you are there. This becomes a great opportunity to answer questions and ask them about Jesus Christ.

All the tracts mentioned above are available from LivingWaters.com. We buy nearly all of our ministry resources from them. Ray Comfort, Kirk Cameron, E.Z. Zwayne, Tony Miano, Mark Spence and the rest of Living Waters staff work hard to share the Gospel and equip Christians to share their faith in Jesus Christ. I encourage everyone to visit their website. Stock up on tracts and check out their free resources. 

May God bless you and guide you.

Christopher      

Our First Blowout

      

       Praise God we were able to safely pull over to the side of the road. And, thank God for the blowout of a trailer tire instead of an RV tire. After I was able to view the damage, I started looking for the tools. I continued looking for the tools and they weren't in the back of our van by the rear door as usual. This lead to a road side unpacking session.

       It was already hot inside our RV while driving as the RV's air conditioning doesn't work. Outside in the sun was miserable. Trying to figure out how to change the trailer tire with a van still on it, just added to my frustration. I was able to figure it out, find the tools and change the tire. During this time I was thinking, why me? Why on this hot day did we have to break down? God quickly interrupted my brief pity party with the thoughts of our persecuted brothers and sisters in Christ. I admit, I felt ashamed that a flat tire got me so worked up.

       Later that day we called a few tire shops and found one that could put our spare tire on the rim while we waited. They were short handed and one of the guys working in the front of the shop went into the back to get us on the road faster and avoid a long wait. I was very thankful as it had already been a long hot day. I shared the Gospel with the man who fixed our tire. He had customers waiting and sent me on my way with no charge. As I drove away, the Holy Spirit gave me the thought, that the blowout was God's way of directing us to a man who needed the Gospel. It's so easy to look at the day as my day, instead of a day that I have asked God to direct. Therefore, what may seem on the surface a problem, is really a unique opportunity to meet people we normally wouldn't have crossed paths with.

       The trials and tribulations that I and most Christians in the U.S. face are trivial in comparison to the church in China, North Korea, Nigeria and the list goes on. The thought never crosses our mind, what if our church is bombed today? Will I be discovered as a Christian today and sent to a prison labor camp? We don't worry about hiding our Bibles from the government.

       The persecution that our brothers and sister face in many countries is much more gruesome than these examples. And yes, Christians today are being martyred. Please visit the websites below for more information on pursecution of Christians in the world. These site are a great place to stop by often and intercede with prayer.

http://www.persecution.com/ 

http://www.persecution.org/

http://www.christianpersecution.info/

“But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong” 2 Cor. 12:9 – 10

“If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you.  If they persecuted me, they will persecute you.” John 15:18-20 NIV

God bless you all and thank you for praying for our safety.

-Christopher