Do You Ever Think About Death?
Ministry Update March2, 2026
Doug and I witnessed in downtown Springfield, MO on Friday night. We were handing out tracts at the corner of South and Walnut when Doug handed a tract to a guy. As the guy walked away, he yelled back that he’s a believer. So Doug recommended that he read the tract and hand it to someone else. After a little bit, we started walking down Walnut Street and the same guy that took the tract was walking back toward us. He asked if he could pray for us. We said sure and David then said the most Spirit-filled prayer that we’ve ever received witnessing downtown. David prayed for us to be filled with the Spirit, reach lost souls and that God would protect us. We thanked him, shook hands and then he went on his way.
Right after that, Doug started witnessing to a young man named Garrett. He handed him a Gospel tract and then asked him, “Do you ever think about death?” Garrett replied, “More often than I probably should.” It was a great opening and Doug clearly shared the Gospel with him. He told us that he has a Bible and we encouraged him to read it every day.
On The Fence
Then we ran into three young men that looked to be college aged. We handed tracts to all three of them and I asked them if they were followers of Christ. Gabriel enthusiastically said that he’s a believer and Ethan (I think that’s his name) said he was, but Colton who was standing in the middle was a little more subdued. So I questioned him again and then he admitted that he’s “on the fence.” So I shared the Gospel with him and explained how being on the fence isn’t a good place to be. We also encouraged them to read their Bibles too.
We visited with three young guys who were taking pictures in front of Great Southern Bank’s chain fence across their drive thru. I asked them why they were taking pictures there and they just thought the fence looked cool. All three of them took tracts and said they are believers.
After that Doug and I walked back around a square 2 block area downtown and ended up back at the square. It was a little before 8 pm and we were debating on whether to walk back down to South and Walnut or to call it a night. I told Doug that I was tired and was ready to call it a night. We handed out some more tracts on the way to our vehicles. I texted my wife right at 8 pm. Sadly, back at South and Walnut in between Great Southern Bank and The Mudhouse Café, a man was shot multiple times and he later died at the hospital. Life is short and none of us know when we will breathe our last breath. That’s why it’s so important to share the glorious Gospel of Jesus Christ with others while we can.
Milk and Cookies
Allen, Mike and I witnessed at Missouri State University on Wednesday. There were two fire trucks, a couple of other fire vehicles as well as several police cars in front of the Blair Shannon residence hall right next to where we witness at the Bear Paw. I brought the first message and as I started to open-air preach, a “snowflake” student interrupted me, requesting that I hold off since the students around there were traumatized and were a captive audience. I told him that we had a permit to be there and that I was going to preach. We could tell right away that there wasn’t a serious fire, but obviously the students didn’t know that when they were rushed out of the building.
I explained to the students that the one student asked me not to share the Gospel at that time. I said you all ran out of Blair Shannon because you thought there was real danger – a fire. At the same time you were running out, the firemen and policemen were running into the building to make sure everyone was safe and to assess the situation. Asking me not to share the Gospel would be like a fireman running into the building and offering you milk and cookies instead of sensing smoke, fire and real danger and grabbing you by your coat and dragging you out of the building. Another student could tell the first guy was traumatized (by our witnessing), so she came over and gave him a hug.
The Eternal Flames Of Hell
We reminded the students that there’s nothing more important than your eternal soul and Jesus Christ is the only Savior. We are warning you about the eternal flames of Hell. Allen brought a message after me and he also used the fire as an illustration in his message and also warned students about the fires of Hell. We handed out several tracts and Allen and Mike handed out booklets that contain the words of Jesus. Lastly, I need to admit that my tone wasn’t the best when the snowflake student tried to get me to stop sharing the Gospel. I shared the truth with him, but I could have said it in a much nicer tone. May the Lord forgive me for that.
(These updates are provided to encourage fellow believers to share the Gospel with others. Yes, many times we think of things we should have said and didn’t. Other times we may get in the flesh – like I did being condescending to the student, but it’s so important to be in the fight. God can forgive us when we mess up, but He calls us to share the Gospel with this lost and dying world. Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God – Romans 10:17.)