Street Witnessing 31310

Repent and Turn Ministries

Learn to share your faith....Simply...Effectively...Biblically

Springfield, MO St. Patrick's Day Parade
&
Jeff Dunham Concert

March 13, 2010

Springfield St. Patrick's Day Parade

This is normally a big event. There are thousands that attend, sitting in parked cars along the parade route. Many are sitting in their chairs or standing on the sidewalks lining the street, just to see the parade and get candy thrown at them.

Today was a little different than the normal Springfield St. Patrick's Day Parade that I've attended in the past. It was cold (43 degrees), windy and misting/sprinkling rain. Some of us had prayed that the rain would stop as the parade started. It did. Instead of thousands being out to watch the parade, there were probably hundreds.

I had some of the folks from my church come out with me to this event. In total, there were 11 that hit the streets to pass out gospel tracts and to witness as the Lord led.

To see all the pics of the event, Click Here or see below.

We met up with Greg Marlin of Born of Him Ministries and the group he brought out. So in all, there were approx. 16 of us passing out gospel tracts and sharing the gospel.

We gathered, shivered, got wet, then prayed that God would direct us to folks that needed to hear the gospel or who would take a tract. We asked the Holy Spirit to open the hearts of each person we talked to or who received and read a gospel tract. We split up and began passing out tracts.

Judy and Dawn passing out gospel tracts

BJ talked to an older lady who appeared to be drinking. He handed her a million dollar bill gospel tract. She apparently was collecting them, because she had about 5 others in her pocket already that others had given her. She asked what she is to do with them. BJ asked her to read the gospel message on the back of the tract. She then hugged him.

We had a great time while at the parade. Not only did we get to plant the seed of the gospel into lives and water other seeds that were previously planted, we were able to have a great time of visiting with each other and other Christians we met while out.

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Jeff Dunham Concert (Show)

At the John Q. Hammons Arena, Springfield, MO

In front of the John Q Hammons Arena

That same night, we went to Springfield to the Jeff Dunham Show. Jeff is a ventriloquist/comedian. He is very popular. From my church S.W.A.T. Team, Chris Carter came out with me. He passed out tracts and took some of the pics of the evening.

We met up with some friends, Ken and Teresa Stevens and Tony Walker. They drove in from out of town to attend. Greg Marlin was also here - we were double-dipping events today. There were approx. 8 of us altogether.

To get to the link of all the pics, Click Here. Or, see below.

Thanks to Ken, who took the pic

We prayed and dispersed to cover all entrances to the building. It was cold and misting/raining the entire evening. We passed out gospel tracts and a few were able to do some witnessing. Sometimes it's difficult for someone to stop and talk when they are in a hurry to get to an event.

Folks kept on arriving, slow and steady, then faster. We were able to pass out lots of tracts.

Chris passing out a gospel tract

At one point in the evening, one of the Sheriff Deputies came up to me and asked what we were doing. I explained to him that we were passing out gospel tracts. He asked if we had permission from Missouri State University (MSU) to do this. I explained that we did not. I asked him if the John Q Hammons Arena was public property. He explained it was property of MSU. He said what we were doing is not prohibited, just that we had to have permission to be on their property. He was very polite.

He used his radio to call and ask if we could have permission. The person on the other end said that we could do this, but we had to move to the outer public sidewalks. From where Chris and I were standing, it was only about 10 feet, so it didn't really make a lot of difference. However, as our group talked about this, we decided we need to check further into this. MSU is state operated and this Arena may be "public property". I will do some research and find out for sure. If so, we will be able to stay on the property and they cannot restrict us to the outer perimeter next time an event comes around.

Teresa passing out tracts

Greg witnessing

We had a fruitful time this evening, as many tracts were passed out and witnessing conversations took place. We pray the Holy Spirit convicts each person's heart so that they will repent of their sins and trust/believe in Jesus as their Savior.

Many people are dying and going to hell every second in this world. It's up to the Christians to be faithful and obedient to Jesus' command in Mark 16:15, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature". Is it always easy? NO. Is it always fun? NO. Is there always something else to do? YES. One day, when I stand before God, I want to hear, "Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness." Matthew 25:23

I don't want this to apply to me....
"If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his Father's glory with the holy angels". Mark 8:38

If this is you, repent and begin sharing the gospel. You will be blessed and glad you did.

God bless,
Brad

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