The Lost Cause Ministries

Evangelism Update August 25, 2008

August 25th, 2008 by admin | Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »

Evangelism Memory Verse:

For godly sorrow works repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world works death. 2 Corinthians 7:10

Did you memorize last week’s verse? For a great aid for Scripture memorization, check out this FREE software here: www.memoryverses.org/smsw.shtml

Evangelism Quote:

“O that we were more deeply moved by the languishing state of Christ’s cause upon the earth today, by the inroads of the enemy and the awful desolation he has wrought in Zion. Alas that a spirit of indifference, or at least of fatalistic stoicism, is freezing so many of us.” –A.W. Pink

Evangelism Opportunities:

1. UNT Outreach on Tuesday, August 26^th: CANCELLED. We could not get a permit for a free speech zone this week because they are filled. We have rescheduled our first UNT outreach for Thursday, September 4^th (see below).

2. Friday August 29th, 9:00PM—1:00AM: Evangelism at Lower Greenville Avenue. If you are planning on coming, please let Ron Martinez know (817-822-8252). Once we get there, we will pray, split up and do one-to-one and tracts throughout the area. The meeting location will be at the Whole Foods Market parking lot at 2218 Greenville Avenue in Dallas. We’ll enjoy some good pizza\wings and fellowship at the Greenville Avenue Pizza Company and then hit the streets by 10:00PM. Greenville just gets started at 10:00PM and really starts getting busy at 11:00PM.

3. Thursday, September 4^th, 11:00AM-2:00PM: TLC Ministries will be doing evangelism at the University of North Texas in Denton. We have reserved a free speech area on campus and will pass out tracts, do one-to-one and open-air preach. You can find directions to the campus at www.unt.edu. If you would like to join us, please let me know.

4. Friday, September 5^th, 9:00PM—1:00AM: Details same as #2 above, except Tim Crawford will be the contact person. If you are planning on coming, please let him know (940)-395-9894 or tim@lostcauseministries.com.

5. Thursday, September 11^th, 11:00AM-2:00PM: Details same as #3 above.

6. Friday September 12^th, 7:00PM—11:00PM: Evangelism at Grapefest in Grapevine, TX. We will arrange the team outside of one or two gates and pass out tracts, do one-to-one and open-air preach. We will not go inside the festival since the event is gated and charges admission after 5:00PM. We will meet at the parking lots of FBC Justin and Countryside Bible Church in Southlake at 7:00PM and plan on meeting in Grapevine at 7:15 or so. For the meeting location, please contact me at jon@lostcauseministries.com.

7. Thursday, September 18^th, 11:00AM-2:00PM: Details same as #3 above.

8. Friday, September 19^th, 9:00PM—1:00AM: Details same as #4 above.

Looking Ahead:

State Fair of TX, September 26—October 19 at Fair Park in Dallas. During this event, we will organize some open-air preaching and witnessing at a couple of the gates. The Fair will be our focus on the weekends (Friday nights and Saturdays). More details TBA.

Evangelism Report:

North TX State Fair & Rodeo, Denton:

This week was another great blessing as many volunteers came out to assist TLC Ministries in spreading the Gospel at this event. Once again, these volunteers did a fantastic job sharing the Gospel with a wide variety of people with many different religious backgrounds. It is truly a pleasure for us to serve with you all (or y’all). Kudos to Kim Speed, Chris Diggs (2 shifts), Scott & Rhonda Miller, Jeff Pittman (who served during a whopping four shifts this past week), Rex George, Andy Waynick (two shifts), Jeff & Marie Wortham, Chad Welty, Richie Floyd (2 shifts), Rusty, Jason Sides, Byron Porter, Shelly Watson, Krista McCoy, Paul Tosello, Ovi Podbrochi, Kevin Wills, Jimmy Reesman, and Kirk Challgren. We had a grand total of 37 volunteers over the last nine days. We absolutely cannot do this without your help.

It would be very hard to summarize all that happened at the NTSF&R since the last update. What follows is just a sampling of what the Lord did through these committed volunteers. The Lord knows the work that each volunteer did and is the only One who knows what the true fruit was of this outreach.

To begin with, several thousand Million Dollar Bill tracts from One Million Tracts were given away. Many hundreds of other tracts from One Million Tracts were also distributed (What If?, Name Ten Beers, iCard, Who is Jesus?). Tracts from Living Waters were also given out (Curved Illusions, America America, and Are You Good Enough to Go to Heaven?). Four or five copies of Mark Cahill’s book, “One Heartbeat Away” (thanks Steve) and several copies of the Bible and Gospels of John were given away for free. Several audio CD’s of Ray Comfort’s “Hell’s Best Kept Secret\True & False Conversion” were distributed (thanks to Jeff Wortham for these). We also gave a copy of Ravi Zacharias’ book “Jesus Among Other Gods” to the Nepalese family in the booth next to us.

Looking over the list of people who were witnessed to reveals a wide range of one-to-ones. Please look over this list and pray for these folks as they think about the Word of God that they heard. Estella, an extremely open teenager who listened very closely to the Gospel message and took extra literature. Aton and Karen, who are Jewish but listened to the Gospel message with some conviction. Umah, who listened to the Gospel for about 20 minutes when Jeff Pittman witnessed to her. Umah is Nepalese and the wife of Sho, who we mentioned in last week’s blog. Umesh, a Hindu, who also heard the Gospel. Dave, a man who believes in God but who has a hardened heart. Pray for a softening there. Shannon, who has lost six family members in the last 1-2 years and is struggling with his faith. Joe, who is new here from California and is starting life over after a divorce. He was very foggy on the Gospel, but he did listen. Salmon, a Muslim UNT student from Saudi Arabia (and his two Saudi friends). We had a good discussion about the differences between Islam and Biblical Christianity. This was the first time Salmon ever heard the Gospel! Shawn and Thomas, both from Scotland, who heard the complete Gospel. Tony had never heard the Gospel before and his self righteousness was destroyed before the Law of God. Justin, Justin (there were two), Jennifer and Shea were four teenagers who were willing to listen to the Gospel. Rex is a man whose family are believers but he has terminal cancer. Of course, there were many, many more conversations that happened.

Tim Crawford, and several others at the booth on Saturday night, had a great one-to-one with a man named Gilbert who started off very hard to the Gospel. However, as he argued, he began to soften. He left but came back ten minutes later and gave his business card to Tim and asked him to contact him this week to talk more!

The work with these folks is not done. We appeal to you, the readers of this update, to lift these people to the Lord in prayer, asking the Lord to do a sovereign work in their hearts.

West End Marketplace, Dallas:

Ron probably wouldn’t want me to write this, but let’s give glory to God for what He is doing in Ron’s life. Saturday afternoon Ron called me at home and asked to borrow our amplification unit so he could open-air preach in Dallas. This was a shocker, because Ron has only open-aired once before, and that was during Evangecamp #1 in Niagara Falls, Canada! Ron felt like he needed to go on his own (without any of the team around) and do an open-air message he had prepared over in Dallas. So he and his wife Carla went out to the bus station near the West End Marketplace and Ron open-aired a couple of times. When he came to get the amp, I asked him if he had an open-air stool to stand on. He said he did and that Carla had bought it for him! Now that is a wife who loves her husband! Not only did she buy the stool for him, but she went along to hear him preach!

It has been exciting for us to see Ron grow in not only his passion for evangelism, but in his skill as a witnessing believer. Not every one will open-air preach and we don’t expect everyone to do so. However, many can who have never tried. May the Lord raise up more laborers to lift their voices in the marketplace with the truth. Preaching is not meant to be confined to four walls and a steeple.

Evangelism Resources:

1. Our friend and team member Steve Murphy has made a photo video using the audio from a lesson I taught at Countryside Bible Church a few years ago on tips on initiating conversations with family and friends. This lesson comes from the Grace Evangelism material produced by Grace Community Church (MacArthur’s church) in SunValley, CA. Here’s the link.

2. Check out this selection of FREE Scripture songs from Abigail Miller, a friend of the Speed family. These are great tools to help your kids memorize Scripture. Just click here and you will be taken to the website where you can access these for free.

3. Living Waters is selling Ray Comfort’s, “How to Win Souls and Influence People” for $5.00 plus shipping! This is a great read; I have this book in my library and it is a source of inspiration for all who do biblical evangelism. We highly recommend it.

Missions Report:

This report comes from Byron Porter, a member of our evangelism team, who just returned from the Dominican Republic recently.

“Imagine a country that is so open to the gospel that people actually respond to your handing out tracts by saying Amen! This probably sounds like a dream come true, especially if you are used to being ignored or persecuted for you faith. However, I don’t know what to make of it when that reception ends up with as much meaning as a common “How are you” with no genuine expectation learning about someone’s well being.

Perhaps this isn’t the best way to begin describing the evangelistic opportunities I’ve had while being on this mission trip, but it is true. If nothing else, the sincerity of the people I met at the local churches was of more encouragement possibly than I was to them. I miss their reckless abandon in singing worship and the hospitality that puts many a pristine community to shame. But honestly my heart hurt for those who live so closely among the gospel yet keep it so far away from their hearts. You have to understand that my first reaction when entering the country was to cry and upon leaving my impulse was sobbing.

Even still, God has used me in ways that I had not considered and has changed me through this time even well before I set foot on the departing plane.

The very first night we arrived in Santo Domingo, I was approached at dinner by a vendor selling bootleg movies and cds and such when he suggested me to look at his adult movie selection. So naturally my first inclination was hey, this is a guy that needs to hear God’s Law/Grace. While going through the first few commandments he stopped me to let me know that he knew all this already because he was a Christian. I was puzzled because these to things don’t go together and mentioning that if we continue to walk in darkness and say we are in the light then the truth is not in us and we lie.

Mr. Vendor wasn’t very happy about my response so he decided that I just needed to be sold a bootleg Christian CD. This scenario was very typical while witnessing out on the streets.

However, further out in the barrio, the conditions of poverty and just plain hard times made me question if the gospel presentation should be cushioned regarding man’s condition and God’s Law in the 10 commandments. I never thought that question would surface, even still man’s condition is worse if denied the truth of reflection in our inability to obey what God commands.

Three different venues allowed me to speak and give a gospel presentation. Best thing about this is that the sound system is set up to flood the message into the streets and passers by would even hang around outside to listen.

You know, the first place I got to open air (of sorts) was a church, and I broke a cardinal rule of translating words to another language. Well really 2 rules. One: don’t use words you don’t know and Two: don’t rely on only a translation program. So I was told that the testimony I translated into Spanish was comprehensible for all intents and purposes, however it was maybe a little weird. Unfortunately that would explain all the looks I received. Hey at least the bible verses were spot on.

Later that night I spoke again, and it was much better – no questionable translations! I had the chance to use the examples set up in Hell’s Best Kept Secret http://podcast.wayofthemasterradio.com/audio/podcast1.mp3

It was very quiet in the room and quite intimidating with the church’s pastor sitting on the side keeping an eye on me. We were able to preach the message half the time with a translator and the other half I was able to speak in Spanish. Please pray for the Templo Biblico Bethel Church family that they would be encouraged to reach out to the lost. The pastor shook my hand and didn’t throw me out on my ear…but I don’t know if that’s good or bad.

We went to the city of Barahona for a few days after this and participate in a community outreach and spoke with many Dominicans and Haitians in the area. My group brought sports wear and supplies to the Villa Olimpica which is a huge stadium and facility with the primary purpose of evangelism. This place was a bit rougher than any other that I have seen, but regardless I pleaded with a strong call to repentance and to faith in Christ. There were many people who seemed to take this seriously and seeing the contrition on the face of one gentleman in particular was worth the entire trip. I truly think that God was saving that man.

The rest of the trip was severely affected by Tropical Storm Fay because we lost power at our main outreach once we returned back to Santo Domingo. So many people were flooded out of their homes and evacuated the final days of my stay. We were in a gymnasium with around 250 people and lost power in the middle of service 2 days in a row. But the time was still redeemed as someone stood up in the dark and preached for 20 minutes, while everyone remained seated and the place was calm.

What a rebuke that was to me and how quickly I admitted defeat in a seemingly insurmountable setback. However God still proved Himself faithful to provide just what was need for the hearts the Holy Spirit was already convicting. He even used us to provide a new drum set for the Simon Bolivar Church which my pastor presented.

Now that I’m home again, I’m slowly acclimating to “normal” life. It’s weird being here where everything is so clean all the time and life is worth much less (depending how you look at it). I looked like I belonged in the Dominican Republic however; I didn’t speak the language and home in the U.S. I speak the language, but I still feel a little transient. My first witness encounter here at home was to be looked upon as crazy and then ignored. And then, today, I met with a group of Atheistic Evolutionists who were giving away free hugs at the mall.

However, as I’ve read, there is joy in Christ! The Christian has abundant joy in salvation that no amount of trouble can quench. We are no longer at war with God. And so we can sense peace with Him in His presence. I know that God is good, and ready to forgive and abundant in lovingkindness to all who call upon Him.

Evangelism Training Opportunities:

1. Consider attending the Deeper Conference in Woodstock, GA on October 17-18. Deeper is sponsored by Way of the Master. The featured speakers include Kirk Cameron, Ray Comfort, Paul Washer, Ken Ham and Pastor Johnny Hunt, among others. After the conference is over on Saturday the 18^th, a group of Christians from the conference will meet in Atlanta, GA to spread the Gospel. Transplant Ministries is spear-heading this effort called “The 500”. TLC Ministries is assisting Transplant Ministries in organizing this outreach. You can find out more about the outreach and register at www.thefivehundred.org.

2. TLC Ministries is partnering with One Million Tracts and Sports Fan Outreach to do the Super Bowl Outreach in Tampa Bay, FL in January 29-February 1, 2009! Come to Tampa for intense, powerful Biblical evangelism at one of the best venues to do evangelism in the world! From personal experience, we can tell you this is a great opportunity to share Christ with the average Super Bowl fan, other partiers who attend the Super Bowl pre-game events, and celebrities. In 2007 celebrities such as Snoop Dog, high level execs of Playboy publishing, TV crews from E! TV, Hulk Hogan, Cato Caelin, Orange County Choppers, and others all heard the Gospel.

This outreach only costs $325 (plus your own airfare\travel) and includes: two meals per day, lodging, evangelism speakers, travel throughout the Tampa area, formal and informal personal training, customized tracts designed especially for this event, a t-shirt, and a commemorative picture from the outreach.

The following speakers have been confirmed for this event: Tony Miano (Living Waters\Ambassador’s Academy), Al Whittinghill (formerly of Precept Ministries and now of Ambassadors for Christ International, recommended by Kay Arthur, Steve Green, Johnny Hunt, Leonard Ravenhill, Richard Owen Roberts, Ravi Zacharias, Vance Havner, Larry Burkett and others) , and Dr. Elias Medeiros (professor of Missions at Reformed Theological Seminary).

Prayer Update:

1. Pray for all those who heard the Gospel at the Fair and Rodeo the past nine days.

2. Pray for Tim Crawford and Jon Speed as we travel to Flagstaff, AZ to visit the evangelism team there and receive the donation of a van to our ministry. We’ll be driving back next Sunday.

3. Pray for the UNT ministry as we start up again after the summer break. Pray for wisdom as we open-air preach and do our literature table each Thursday.

4. Pray that we will get final approval to set up a booth at the Celebrate Roanoke festival in October.

5. Pray for finalizing details of The Five Hundred outreach in Atlanta on October 18^th.

6. Prayerfully consider attending the Super Bowl Outreach in Tampa Bay in early 2009.

7. Pray for the ongoing Texas Youth Commission ministry at McFadden Ranch in Roanoke.

8. Pray that the staff of TLC will grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

9. Pray that we will be men of God who lead our families in integrity.

10. Pray for wisdom as we consider future Evangecamps in various parts of the country.

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Evangelism Update August 18, 2008

August 18th, 2008 by admin | Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »

Evangelism Memory Verse:

Did you memorize last week’s verse? For a great aid for Scripture memorization, check out this FREE software here: www.memoryverses.org/smsw.shtml

“Riches profit not in the day of wrath: but righteousness delivers from death.”

Proverbs 11:4

Evangelism Quote:

“The upright soul is constant in his profession, and changes not his behavior according to his companions. Oh, that I might never through shame or fear disown Him who has already acknowledged me!” –George Swinnock

Evangelism Opportunities:

1. North Texas State Fair, August 18-23. As you will see below, the North TX State Fair & Rodeo is off and running. Praise the Lord, all of the spaces have been filled, with about 35 volunteers (not counting TLC Staff). If you are interested in getting on the back-up volunteer list, you can contact me at jon@lostcauseministries.com. If someone cancels, I can add you to the schedule.

2. Tuesday, August 26th, 11:00AM-2:00PM: It’s that time of year again! The summer is winding down and the college students are heading back to campus. TLC Ministries will be doing evangelism at the University of North Texas in Denton. We will reserve a free speech area on campus this week and will pass out tracts, do one-to-one and open-air preach. You can find directions to the campus at www.unt.edu. If you would like to join us, please let me know.

3. Friday August 29th, 9:00PM—1:00AM: Evangelism at Lower Greenville Avenue. If you are planning on coming, please let Ron Martinez know (817-822-8252). Once we get there, we will pray, split up and do one-to-one and tracts throughout the area. The meeting location will be at the Whole Foods Market parking lot at 2218 Greenville Avenue in Dallas. We’ll enjoy some good pizza\wings and fellowship at the Greenville Avenue Pizza Company and then hit the streets by 10:00PM. Greenville just gets started at 10:00PM and really starts getting busy at 11:00PM.

4. Friday September 12^th, 7:00PM—11:00PM: Evangelism at Grapefest in Grapevine, TX. We will arrange the team outside of one or two gates and pass out tracts, do one-to-one and open-air preach. We will not go inside the festival since the event is gated and charges admission after 5:00PM. We will meet at the parking lots of FBC Justin and Countryside Bible Church in Southlake at 7:00PM and plan on meeting in Grapevine at 7:15 or so. For the meeting location, please contact me at jon@lostcauseministries.com.

Evangelism\Discipleship Report:

Texas Youth Commission:

On Monday, I went with Ernie Black and Joe Todd out to the TYC facility in Roanoke to assist in the Bible study there. We had a good time of ministry, with about six guys in attendance. Ernie challenged the kids to read the Word more and I did a brief study of Matthew 20:17-28. We challenged the guys to be leaders there on campus in the sense that Jesus commanded, if they are true Christians. I was also able to share the Gospel with them from Matthew 20:28. Please pray that the guys will take the Word of God to heart and that good fruit will be born out of that time of study. Pray for Joe Todd as he shares the Word tonight and for Ernie as he works there on a regular basis.

Tim Crawford also met with the student he is mentoring there. Praise the Lord, they had a good meeting. Pray for this young man, that he will walk with Christ.

North Texas State Fair & Rodeo:

The NTSF&R is underway and has been a great blessing. We thank God for the following volunteers who came by this weekend to share the Gospel (in addition to TLC Staff): Ron Martinez, Chad Welty, Ben Moore, Art DeLeon, Jason Sides, Bob Chisolm, Chad Reeser, Gerry Amack, Steve Murphy, Wayne Owens, Kristi Rundus, Juan Santos, Mary Anne Feucht, Carlos Reyes, Mileydi Alonzo, Marc, DJ & Zachary Jonas, Chris Diggs, Brad Snow, Dennis Cain, and Jimmy Reesman. It is truly a pleasure working with all of these volunteers who love Christ so much and who are skilled in sharing the Gospel.

There have been many excellent one-to-ones with people from many different backgrounds. We’ve spoken to atheists, Mormons, and Catholics as well as those who are “cultural Christians.” I did see Ron have a very good one-to-one with an older woman who was very convicted about her sin and understood the Gospel. Ron did a great job sharing Christ with her and handled her patiently. Steve is fairly new to biblical evangelism and stepped boldly out of his comfort zone to pass out tracts to those who walked by.

Gerry, who is an elder at my church, did a great job engaging people in one-to-ones. Wayne was a lot of fun to watch as he got people’s attention and said, “Hey, are you ready? I’m going to throw it. Can you catch it? One…two…THREE!” and then he’d flip a Ten Commandment coin towards the person. It definitely broke the ice with many and we were able to give out many coins this way. Bob Chisolm, who is the Department Chair and Professor for Old Testament at Dallas Theological Seminary, was a blessing to the entire shift that he worked with since he was able to speak definitively to an OT\Hebrew language apologetics issue that was raised by one of the people who stopped. I had no idea when he signed up for the booth who he was, but I am glad he came! What a blessing to see a brother from academia who is passionate about sharing his faith!

Our youngest team member, Zach Jonas, passed out many tracts and even did a few one-to-ones! Folks, if an 8 year old can do it, you can too.

I had a good one-to-one with a lady named Jan who knows she has not been walking with God and is not ready for eternity. I had the blessing of reviewing the Gospel with her and challenge her to get right with God. Pray that she will do so. A couple of us had a good chat with Bob, a guy who has been confused with the Church of Christ doctrine of baptismal regeneration. Please pray that he will have a clear understanding of the true message of the Gospel.

Ministry does not just happen with the passersby. Our fellow vendors are also potential divine appointments. The booth next to us sells Nepalese jewelry and crafts. In fact, these vendors were next to us at the Wildflower Festival in Richardson back in May! Talk about a divine appointment! What are the odds that we would be set up next to the same vendor? I (and many other volunteers) spoke with Shoshan back in May about the Gospel. He is Hindu, and although he is very pleasant and has a lovely family, he is lost without Christ. When I came to the booth on Friday night, I looked over at the booth in shock and Shoshan’s wife looked at me at the same time and smiled. We had a good time “catching up”. They have been in Nepal most of the summer and just got back. Many in the booth have spoken with the family. I want to give Shoshan a copy of Ravi Zacharias’ book, “Jesus Among Other Gods”, which is an apologetic work written for Hindus, Muslims and Buddhists. Shoshan has background in both Hindu and Buddhism, so this should be an appropriate gift. Since the fair continues this week, I plan on trying to locate a copy to give to him either today or tomorrow. Please pray that Shoshan will receive this gift and read it. I offered him a Bible in May, and he did not accept it.

Praise the Lord, we were able to minister to a Christian vendor as well. He has traveled to the Fair from New Mexico and forgot his Bible. We were blessed to be able to give him an ESV version of the Bible and he was very appreciative. Pray for him as he travels, that he will be faithful in his walk with Christ.

God is working at the North TX State Fair and Rodeo. Are you?

Evangelism Resources:

1. I’m not sure how to characterize this, but it’s an interview that I did with Steve Murphy about evangelism at the North TX State Fair & Rodeo. Steve asked several good questions, including “What is the Gospel?” and “What is the number one reason why Christians don’t share their faith?”. We’re hoping to do an interview with Tim Crawford sometime in the near future. It’s a twelve minute interview you can watch here.

2. Check out this radio interview that Ray Comfort did recently on an ABC affiliate station on the subject of Intelligent Design vs. Evolution. Listen to the 30 minute interview here.

3. Here’s a free download on the topic, “Does God Exist?”. It’s a helpful 20 page booklet dealing with the apologetics on this issue. Check it out here.

Evangelism Training Opportunities:

1. Come to the first Holy Epidemic Conference in the United States, to be held in Austin, TX on September 5-7! Holy Epidemic is a conference for Christians who are interested in learning more about street evangelism AND Christians who are already active doing street evangelism. The keynote speaker will be John Legg of Way of the Master, Australia\Holy Epidemic. Also speaking will be Jose Muniz, founder of The Jesus Crew and our own Jon Speed of TLC Ministries. One Million Tracts is also co-sponsoring this conference. To see the promotional video and the details of this year’s conference, go to www.holyepidemic.com.

2. Consider attending the Deeper Conference in Woodstock, GA on October 17-18. Deeper is sponsored by Way of the Master. The featured speakers include Kirk Cameron, Ray Comfort, Paul Washer, Ken Ham and Pastor Johnny Hunt, among others. After the conference is over on Saturday the 18^th, a group of Christians from the conference will meet in Atlanta, GA to spread the Gospel. Transplant Ministries is spear-heading this effort called “The 500”. TLC Ministries is assisting Transplant Ministries in organizing this outreach. You can find out more about the outreach and register at www.thefivehundred.org.

Prayer Update:

1. Pray for all of our upcoming outreaches.

2. Pray for Jan, Bob, Shoshan, and all of those who have heard the Gospel at the North TX State Fair.

3. Pray for all of the volunteers who will be staffing the booth this week at the Fair\Rodeo in Denton. Pray for more divine appointments.

4. Pray for The Five Hundred Outreach in Atlanta. We still need to organize transportation from the church in Woodstock to downtown Atlanta.

5. Pray for an increased registration for the US Holy Epidemic Conference.

6. Pray for Jon and Tim next weekend as they travel to Flagstaff, AZ to meet with the Mews and their evangelism team there. Pray for their safety as they drive back in TLC’s “new” (to us) team van. Mark Mews’ parents have graciously donated a van to TLC for the use of our evangelism team!

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Evangelism Update August 11, 2008

August 11th, 2008 by admin | Posted in Uncategorized | 2 Comments »

Evangelism Memory Verse:

Did you memorize last week’s verse? For a great aid for Scripture memorization, check out this FREE software here.

“Moreover the law entered that the offense might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound.” –Romans 5:20

Evangelism Quote:

“What an honorable thing is it to be fishers of men! How great an honor shouldst thou esteem it, to be a catcher of souls! We are workers together with God, says the apostle. If God has ever so honored thee, O that thou knewest it that thou mightst bless his holy name, that ever made such a poor fool as thee to be a co-worker with him.”

–Thomas Boston

Evangelism Opportunities:

1. Friday, August 15—Saturday August 23^rd: North Texas State Fair (NTSF) evangelism booth! The NTSF is located in Denton, TX. Check their website for directions. This booth will be located INSIDE (in the air conditioning) the Commercial Exhibit Building in booth space #9, near the west entrance of the building. This event gives us an opportunity to present the Gospel to the “cowboy culture” of North Texas. Easy-believism and false conversion seem to be prevalent amongst the attendees.

The cost for the fair is $12.00. Four day passes are available online for $40.00.

We need your help to staff this booth. As always, we will provide the tracts, questionnaires, attractive banner, souvenirs, and discipleship material. All that you have to bring is yourself and your desire to share the Gospel.

**Praise the Lord, we have about 25 volunteers (not counting TLC Staff) with many who are volunteering for multiple times\days. But as you can see below, we still need more help. It’s not too late to sign up!

We have the following slots open:

Friday, August 15:

6-8PM: FULL.

8-11:30PM: FULL.

Saturday August 16^th:

1-4PM: FULL.

4-7PM: FULL.

7-11:30PM: FULL.

Sunday, August 17^th:

1-4PM: FULL.

4-7PM: FULL.

7-10:30PM: FULL.

Monday-Thursday, August 18-21:

6-10:30: FULL.

Friday August 22

6-8PM: FULL.

8-11:30PM: FULL.

Saturday August 23:

1-4PM: FULL.

4-7PM: FULL.

7-11:30PM: FULL.

Evangelism\Discipleship Report

Texas Youth Commission:

On Monday night I joined Ernie Black at the TYC Facility in Roanoke for the Bible study. Unfortunately, TYC has shortened our study to one hour (we used to have two) due to a scheduling conflict. As a result we have to try to pack a lot in during one hour. But we had a very good night with the guys. Please pray for the entire house. Many are having disciplinary issues and even some of the students who have been faithful are showing signs of reverting. Ernie did a wonderful job bring the Scriptures to bear on their situation.

Tim Crawford will be resuming his weekly mentorship of one of the guys this week. I’ll be teaching Matthew 20:17-28 tonight, so please keep this in prayer. Pray that the Word will find good soil in their hearts.

Agape Men’s Ministry of Texas Prayer Breakfast:

On Saturday morning, TLC Staff, Jeff Pittman and Ron Martinez traveled to Bedford to participate in this ministry’s prayer breakfast. Many thanks to Jeff Wortham for arranging this speaking engagement. There were about 20 men in attendance.

I gave a message on the doctrine of false conversion, which is always a tough message to preach or to hear, but it was well received. One of the men was very convicted and appears to have begun the Biblical process of examining himself to see if he is in the faith (2 Cor. 13:5). Please pray for him, that he might come to an awareness of where he truly stands before God.

Ozfest in Frisco, TX:

On Saturday night TLC Staff, Jason Sides, Juan Santos, Jeff Pittman, Ron Martinez, and Jeff Wortham traveled out to Pizza Hut Park in Frisco to witness outside of the Ozfest, a heavy metal festival featuring Ozzy Osbourne and Metallica.

The crowd outside of the stadium was very thin because Ozzy began his concert just as we got there. However, there were people hanging around as well as some stragglers coming across the intersections. This was a good opportunity for one-to-ones, although open-air preaching was out of the question. I think everyone had at least a couple of good one-to-ones.

Tim Crawford had a good one-to-one with a mother and son who were there to “listen to the guitars.” Her son is a guitarist and she is a professing Christian, although he is not. Tim did a good job of diffusing her; she expected him to slam her for bringing her son to something so questionable. Tim kept the conversation on the Gospel and she was won over and began nodding in agreement as Tim shared with her son. They prayed together as the conversation ended. Please pray for her son’s salvation.

Jeff Wortham shared with a couple of young guys. One of them was a professing Christian and quoted many of the verses that Jeff shared with the unbeliever. After Jeff finished with the unbeliever, he turned to the “believer” and addressed his hypocrisy in coming to the concert and presented Scripture that showed it was possible that he could be deceived about his own salvation. What could this guy say? He humbly received Jeff’s message.

Jeff Pittman shared with a father and son who were sitting by the gate listening to the concert. The father was already convicted for being there. He said, “I have already told myself that this is the last concert like this I’m coming to.” Jeff was able to share the Gospel with them and give them tracts.

My best conversation was with a couple of young guys who had been at the festival all day and were leaving early. Jason Sides spoke with one of them and I focused on the other. The guy I spoke with was friendly and open. I handed them a “Can you name Ten Beers?” tract. They took them and walked away, and then came back and asked, “What is this all about?” I asked them if they could name ten beers. They easily did it. And then I asked them if they could name the Ten Commandments. They could not.

From there we talked about the fact that ALL have violated the Law of God. The guy I spoke with wanted to know why we were there and I emphasized that we WEREN’T there because we thought that the people who went there were more evil than others. We were there because we go to every big event we can find, where people congregate. When we compare ourselves against each other, we might look pretty good. But when we compare ourselves against God’s Law, we are ALL wicked. I explained the Gospel to him and what Christ has done for us on the cross. He thanked me for taking the time to share with him.

At this point, they had to leave and mentioned in passing that they were from Justin! I was shocked and told them, “That’s where I’m from! Where do you live?” “Harriet Creek.” I said, “Dude, that’s where I live!” The guy who was talking to Jason didn’t believe me at first and said, “OK, so what’s the name of the school that is across from the development?” I said, “Northwest ISD.” He said, “Man, that’s wild.” It turns out they live pretty close to me. I gave them a business card and told them to check out our website. This seemed to freak them out a little.

Folks, this is why we do what we do. Taking the Gospel out in the public leads to divine appointments. Clearly, this was a divine appointment. What are the statistical odds of one of us from Justin, the only one who lives in the same development as these guys, speaking to them? Especially considering the fact that they almost walked away? Saints, please do not make the mistake of writing off this kind of ministry because it does not fit into your box of what ministry ought to look like. If you will go out in obedience, in fear and trembling, the Lord WILL bless your efforts. You will see Him orchestrate divine appointments that you cannot imagine.

Please pray that these guys will contact me and that I can continue to share the Gospel with them right here in our own neighborhood.

Evangelism in History:

This is not going to be a regular feature on our blog, but when I find something worth repeating here on evangelism in a historical context that’s worth emulating, I’ll record it here.

“Behind Hugh Latimer (1485-1555), the ‘Preacher of the English Reformation”, was his mentor Thomas Bilney.

Bilney, a quiet scholar at Cambridge University, acquired a Greek New Testament from the famous Erasmus. As he pored over it, one verse of Scripture seemed to be written in letters of light, and it led to his conversion: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners!

Bilney wanted to share his experience with others, but this was Reformation truth, and the Reformation had not yet reached England. Teachers such as Luther were being fiercely attacked by English churchmen like Hugh Latimer.

But as Bilney listened to young Latimer rail against the Reformation, he prayed this unusual prayer: ‘O God, I am but ‘little Bilney’ and shall never do any great thing for Thee. But give me the soul of that man, Hugh Latimer, and what wonders he shall do in Thy most holy name.’

One day Bilney pulled Latimer aside. Using his own conversion verse—1 Timothy 1:15—he led the great Latimer to simple faith in Christ, and the English Reformation was born.”

–Morgan, Robert J. Nelson’s Complete Book of Stories, Illustrations, and Quotes Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers, n.d. (2000). Page 224.

Oh, that we had more “little Bilneys”, who think more of what others can do for the sake of the Gospel than what they think of themselves. How often do we look to build up self, pour into our own lives, and not seek after others with the expectation that they will do more! How many of us will seek to humble ourselves in prayer, asking GOD to save the souls of others so that THEY will do something for God. How often do we pray instead “Use me” to do thus and such.

May we all be “Little Bilneys” and have that very estimation of ourselves.

Thanks are due to Gerry Amack of Countryside Bible for drawing this to our attention.

Evangelism Resources:

1. Listen to this FREE audio clip of Carolina Hernandez witnessing to a homosexual at the Pride Festival in Atlanta, GA who claims to be a Christian. Carolina is a dear sister in the Lord who I met in Miami, FL during the Super Bowl Boot Camp we did with GNN in 2007. She does a great job starting the conversation, swinging it to the spiritual and then presenting the Gospel.

2. Here is a great FREE mp3 audio CD offer from the Monergism website. It is an exposition of the book of Hebrews from Dr. Art Azurdia. All you pay for is shipping. Art is a passionate preacher who recently filled the pulpit at Countryside. You can hear one of his sermons at Countryside here.

3. Here is a video interview of John MacArthur and John Piper on the issue of faithfulness in ministry. Sound counsel on the issue.

4. Here is a potentially very good resource, an apologetics blog from Operation 513, a Biblical evangelism ministry in Australia, led by my friend Josh Williamson. There is a very good video interview that Josh does with a couple of Mormon “elders”.

5. Here is a neat video from my friend Doug Koch of the Las Vegas Outreach Team that shows what their team is doing there. I’ve had the privilege of witnessing in Vegas; it’s not an easy place to minister and this team has been faithful. Please pray for them when you think of Las Vegas.

Evangelism Training Opportunities:

Prayer Update:

1. Pray for those who heard the Gospel at Ozfest.

2. Pray for the man who is examining his own spiritual state as a result of the men’s breakfast on Saturday.

3. Pray for the ministry at the Texas Youth Commission. Lift up those who teach and mentor: Ernie Black, Joe Todd and TLC Staff. Pray for those who are being ministered to, that they will receive the Word and repent.

4. Pray for The Five Hundred Outreach in Atlanta. We still need to organize transportation from the church in Woodstock to downtown Atlanta.

5. Pray for an increased registration for the US Holy Epidemic Conference.

Some pics from Ozfest and IHOP afterwards…

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Evangelism Update August 4, 2008

August 4th, 2008 by admin | Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »

Memory Verse:

“Wherefore, the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.” Galatians 3:24

Evangelism Quote:

“Some ministers ask for leave of absence for such trivial objects, in comparison with the salvation of the soul, that I fear that they give occasion to others to think that such ministers do not believe that the salvation of the soul is as important as they preach. It is the special province of the chaplains to look after the spiritual interests of the army, and I greatly desire to see them evincing a rational zeal proportional to the importance of their mission.” –General Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson, emphasis mine

If this was true during our nation’s Civil War, how much more zealous should we be in the day-to-day spiritual warfare that we are all engaged in? We may not be army chaplains who would witness the deaths of soldiers on battlefields, but we are ministers of reconciliation who encounter everlasting souls every single day who may pass into eternity before they know it.

Evangelism Opportunities:

1. Saturday, August 9^th, 7:00PM—11:00PM. Evangelism at the Ozzfest (Ozzy Ozbourne Concert) in Frisco, TX. We will meet at Pizza Hut Park and do evangelism outside of the event.

2. Friday, August 15—Saturday August 23^rd: North Texas State Fair (NTSF) evangelism booth! The NTSF is located in Denton, TX. Check their website for directions. This booth will be located INSIDE (in the air conditioning) the Commercial Exhibit Building in booth space #, near the west entrance of the building. This event gives us an opportunity to present the Gospel to the “cowboy culture” of North Texas. Easy-believism and false conversion seem to be prevalent amongst the attendees.

The cost for the fair is $12.00. Four day passes are available online for $40.00.

We have the following slots open:

Friday, August 15:

6-8PM: One slot open.

8-11:30PM: FULL.

Saturday August 16^th:

1-4PM: FULL.

4-7PM: Two slots open.

7-11:30PM: Three slots open.

Sunday, August 17^th:

1-4PM: FULL.

4-7PM: FULL.

7-10:30PM: FULL.

Monday-Thursday, August 18-21:

6-10:30: Tuesday and Thursday are FULL, one slot open on Monday and Wednesday.

Friday August 22

6-8PM: FULL.

8-11:30PM: FULL.

Saturday August 23:

1-4PM: One slot open.

4-7PM: FULL.

7-11:30PM: One slot open.

Evangelism Report:

Last week Tim Crawford was in New York State and my family took some vacation time in San Angelo, TX, but Ron Martinez took the team out to Greenville Avenue in Dallas. Byron Porter, Chad Welty and Jeff Pittman all joined Ron to share the Gospel. While they were there, they ran into a group of young guys from Clearwater Community Church led by a guy named Earthquake (that’s really his name). They had a good night of evangelism there and were blessed with some good (and some difficult) one-to-ones. You can read the full report on Ron’s blog.

Evangelism Resources:

1. Here is a helpful book review of a book which is currently very popular in some evangelical circles. The book is called “The Shack” and it denies the doctrine of the Trinity, is universalistic, and teaches the heresy that “all roads (religions) lead to Heaven.”

2. Check out this recent radio interview that Ray Comfort did for a Christian talk show in Toronto, Ontario. The hosts had strong objections to open-air preaching and Ray did an admirable job of answering these questions. I think it illustrates pretty well the typical modern evangelical line regarding open-air preaching. Here’s the link.

3. Here’s a great 10 minute video from Worldview Weekend by Dr. Ron Carlson on the redefinition of evolution which is taking place in the scientific community. Excellent material for apologetics.

4. Here is some great free software which will help you in Scripture memorization. I worked with this software last night to help me memorize Ephesians 6:10-13 last night word perfect. It’s free and it’s a lot of fun. Download the program called The Scripture Memory System. Use this system to memorize the memory verses that we’re listing in our new “Memory Verse” section. Download it here.

Testimony

This testimony comes from my friend, and fellow guest speaker at the upcoming Holy Epidemic Conference in Austin, TX, Jose Muniz.

It was in 1984 when I was almost delivering several pounds of marijuana minding my own business when I saw the pretty lights (lights on top of a police car) behind me! I was in big trouble; the good thing was I had almost gotten rid of all the pot, but I was on probation and I was drunk and as high as you can get on marijuana and acid. Well, to make a long story short, I got busted and went to jail. That year in the summer I got witnessed to at a city park and a seed was planted. Later that year I repented and JESUS saved my soul from hell. My court date was set for a month later. I was found guilty on all charges and I faced two to ten years in state prison. I had a court-appointed attorney that had advised me to plea not guilty; in other words, just lie! But by the time of my court date I had become a believer in CHRIST, so I had to say “GUILTY”. My attorney wasn’t too happy; as a matter of fact he was very ticked off! But in my heart I knew that I had to tell the truth. I had felt conviction before about the things I was doing, but now that the HOLY SPIRIT was living in me, I had no choice; I was feeling conviction in a hardcore way. I was ready to plead guilty and was ready to face the Judge! As I stood before the Judge he looked at me and said:

Judge: How does the defendant plead?

Me: I am guilty, Sir, of all the charges against me.

Judge: The State of Texas has found the defendant Jose Muniz guilty on all charges.

I stood there like a statue with a heart rate of about 200, like if I had just taken 10 hits of speed!

I waited for the Judge to tell me how long I was going away for. After a moment of silence, the Judge decided to take a 10 minute break. So I went back and sat down asking GOD to have mercy on me. Before I got saved I was ready for prison; that was a common thing in my family. In our family, you got kicked out of school, you get in trouble and then you go to prison. But after JESUS saved me, I actually cared about this whole mess I was in; how in the world could I get out of this mess? After the 10 minutes were up (which seemed like a whole hour), the Judge walked in and we all stood up.

I was ordered to approach the bench and stand right before the Judge.

Judge: Give me one good reason why I shouldn’t lock you up for 10 years!

Me: Well Sir, a few weeks ago JESUS saved me. Ever since that day I haven’t smoked any pot or drank any beer. I’ve been staying at home reading my Bible and if I am given one more chance, I promise you and all the people in the court that they will never see me in jail again! So for whatever that’s worth, that’s my reason.

Judge: (wrote some things down on a piece of paper and took another 5 minute break)

After 5 minutes I was asked to stand again before the Judge again.

Judge: (leaning forward and whispers to me) I’m going to stick out my neck for you!

Judge: The defendant has been found guilty on all charges. I sentence the defendant to ONE year probation!

Me: (my ears had mistaken what was said; did he say probation?! I really didn’t know if I had heard the right words)

Judge: (looking at me, the Judge orders the Deputy to take my handcuffs off) I am expecting you to follow the following orders. Failure to do so will give you an automatic sentence of 10 years!

Me: Yes! Sir!

Judge: (gives me a few minutes of council\rebuke)

After getting all my orders from the Judge, I walked away thanking GOD for having mercy on me. That was back in 1984.

Recently I was preaching in Rule, TX. I shared that story and a lady that was there knew the Judge. After 10 years of looking for him, I finally found him. I wanted to thank him face to face and GOD gave me that opportunity! A few weeks ago I had a chance to catch up with Judge McDermett. GOD is amazing in the way HE does things.

Evangelism Training Opportunities:

TLC Speaking Engagements:

1. August 9^th, 2008, 9:00AM: Jon Speed is speaking at the Agape Men’s Ministry Breakfast on the Scriptural teaching regarding false conversion. The breakfast will be held at 2509 Bedford Road in Bedford, TX. Afterwards, we will travel with the ministry to South Fort Worth to do some door-to-door there.

Prayer:

1. Tim Crawford and his family will be traveling back to TX on Wednesday. Pray for their safe travel. Pray for those Tim was able to witness to over the last few weeks; he was able to catch up with many old friends who knew him from his days before he knew the Lord. Please remember to pray for his mom, Marsha Crawford, as she makes plans to begin cancer treatment.

2. Please continue to pray for Herb. I tried making contact with him out at Lower Greenville Ave. last Saturday night. He could not get away from the DJ booth at the club be works at. Pray that the Word of God will find good soil.

3. Pray for us to be able to fill up the upcoming evangelism booth at the North TX State Fair.

4. Pray for wisdom and protection as we go to Ozzfest to witness this week.

5. Pray for me (Jon) as I speak to the men’s breakfast this Saturday.

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Evangelism Update July 26, 2008

July 26th, 2008 by admin | Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »

Evangelism Quote:

“The Master who said ‘Come’

Is the Master who says ‘Go’;

The truth He teaches us

He wants the world to know.

The gospel that saved us

Is the gospel that saves still;

And others will find joy

In the knowledge of His will.” –Unknown

Evangelism Opportunities:

1. Friday August 1^st, 9:00PM—1:00AM: Evangelism at Lower Greenville Avenue. If you are planning on coming, please notify Ron Martinez (817-822-8252). Jon and Tim are on vacation this week. Once we get there, we will pray, split up and do one-to-one and tracts throughout the area. The meeting location will be at the Whole Foods Market parking lot at 2218 Greenville Avenue in Dallas. We’ll enjoy some good pizza\wings and fellowship at the Greenville Avenue Pizza Company and then hit the streets by 10:00PM. Greenville just gets started at 10:00PM and really starts getting busy at 11:00PM.

2. Saturday, August 9^th, TBA. Evangelism at the Ozzfest (Ozzy Ozbourne Concert) in Frisco, TX. We will meet at Pizza Hut Park and do evangelism outside of the event.

3. Friday, August 15—Saturday August 23^rd: North Texas State Fair (NTSF) evangelism booth! The NTSF is located in Denton, TX. Check their website for directions. This booth will be located INSIDE (in the air conditioning) the Commercial Exhibit Building in booth space #, near the west entrance of the building. This event gives us an opportunity to present the Gospel to the “cowboy culture” of North Texas. Easy-believism and false conversion seem to be prevalent amongst the attendees.

We have the following slots open:

Friday, August 15:

6-8PM: Two slots open.

8-11:30PM: Two slots open.

Saturday August 16^th:

1-4PM: Three slots open.

4-7PM: Three slots open.

7-11:30PM: Three slots open.

Sunday, August 17^th:

1-4PM: Three slots open.

4-7PM: Two slots open.

7-10:30PM: Three slots open.

Monday-Thursday, August 18-21:

6-10:30: Two slots open each day, except Tuesday August 19^th, which is full.

Friday August 22

6-8PM: Two slots open.

8-11:30PM: Two slots open.

Saturday August 23:

1-4PM: Three slots open.

4-7PM: Three slots open.

7-11:30PM: Two slots open.

Evangelism Report:

On Friday night, believers went in several different directions throughout DFW to share the Gospel. The youth from First Baptist in Justin went to Southlake Town Square under the leadership of Chad Welty. Ron Martinez and Sunil George of Countryside Bible went to the Town Square in Flower Mound to share the Gospel. And I took a small team to the Stockyards in Fort Worth to do the same. I thank God for Ben Moore, Andy Waynick and Jeff Pittman who came out to the Stockyards. This was a blessing to have good coverage of the area with the Gospel. All told, many hundreds of tracts went out and there were many one-to-ones.

It was a little slow in the Stockyards, which surprised us for a Friday night, but we still had divine appointments. The first person I spoke to was a teenager named Moses who is a fairly new Jehovah’s Witness. We spoke for a long time. Praise the Lord, we were able to open the Bible together and examine the claims of Christ and the Gospel. Moses admitted to breaking the Ten Commandments (that seems funny to type even as I’m typing it). At first he tried to justify himself a bit by saying that back in Biblical times people weren’t as bad as people are today and they had the ability to keep the Law. I pointed out to him the scene that took place when Moses (the Biblical one) came down off of Mt. Sinai with the commandments in hand. The Israelites were worshipping a false god and were in open rebellion! No, mankind has always been desperately wicked.

Please pray for Moses. He is confused. He told me that the people at the Kingdom Hall told him that he should not take tracts or talk to people like me, that basically serious Christians who evangelize are agents of Satan, and that we’re out to stop the “truth” of Jehovah’s Witnesses. He said this without animosity; he just stated the facts as he was taught them. I told him that he shouldn’t listen to any teacher based on their credentials alone, or who they are, but based on whether or not what they say matches the Word of God taught in context. Pray that he reads the tract I left him and that the Word will take root.

It was a great blessing to serve the Lord with these committed brothers. May their tribe increase.

Evangelism Training Opportunities:

TLC Speaking Engagements:

Prayer:

1. Please remember Tim Crawford and his family in prayer. Tim is in New York now on vacation and ministering to his family. His mother, Marsha, has been diagnosed with cervical cancer. She had a hysterectomy last week, but the doctors have discovered that she still has cancer in her system. She professes faith in Christ, but it is a shaky profession. Pray that she will examine herself and if she is not saved, that she will repent and believe. Pray that the Lord will use this to bring the rest of the family to salvation. Pray for Marsha’s healing.

2. If you read our blog last week, you read about Herb, the bouncer in Lower Greenville. Herb called me this week and left a message which said that he recognizes his need for the Lord and he wants to get together and pray and talk some more! I have called him back and left a message. Please pray tha