Jesus Wants You To Wear A Mask
Ministry Update August 23, 2020
It was great being back on campus at Missouri State University to witness on Wednesday during the lunch hour. I was admonished by two people because I wasn’t wearing a mask while open-air preaching. Guess what? Both of them, the student and the older man purposefully walked in front of me to admonish me for not wearing a mask. The student walked in front of me to whine “Can you put a mask on?” Then a few minutes later the older man walked close by and said, “Jesus wants you to wear a mask?” Well I’m sorry, but I don’t find that in the Bible. I quote the precious Bible while I’m open-air preaching, but Jesus wants you to wear a mask is not in there.
Student Whines Can You Put On A Mask?
The ironic part is that both the student and the older gentlemen were walking diagonally across Trottier Plaza and they both intentionally walked in front of me just so they could scold me. (In other words, they both easily could have kept themselves “safe” from me by walking behind me). I told both of them that it’s pretty easy to maintain a distance of six feet out in the open. I’m standing still while preaching so the only way we have a problem with social distancing is if you come within six feet of me (which the man did). I told the older man that I don’t care whether people wear masks or not out in the open. No, I’m more concerned over eternal souls. Then I pointed out to the students that their eternal souls would spend eternity in Heaven or Hell. Which is it going to be?
Not Anti-Mask
Folks, whether you see me on campus or witnessing downtown, I will not be wearing a mask while open-air preaching. I’m not anti-mask. I wear one at work when I’m around customers because it is my work’s policy to do so. But my teammates and I have enough sense to stay six feet away from each other and still do our jobs so we don’t wear our masks when there are no customers around. How much easier is it to stay six feet apart when outside in open spaces? Again, the only way we are going to have a problem while I’m open-air preaching is if you come to close to me. If you feel unsafe around me, don’t walk near me. It’s wide open; walk around me and stay safe.
Student To The Right Said Encouraging Words As She Passed.
Student Second To The Right Says God Bless You.
No amount of badgering is going to cause me to muffle the glorious Gospel of Jesus Christ my Lord. In addition to lifting up the precious name of Jesus in the open-air, I also love the beginning of the school year. Most students are in a good mood and glad to be on campus. There are also many more students that take tracts than reject them. May students took tracts before and after the message. I was also blessed to have several encourages. The first one called me by name before I started and several others waved or said encouraging words. It was a great way to begin witnessing at the start of the new school year.
D___ You Ugly
I was sick Friday night and couldn’t witness downtown, so I went out Saturday night. When I first got to the spot, a young man was turning the corner and he yelled, “D___ you ugly.” I really think he was just trying to start a fight, but I just ignored him. Handed out tracts before and after the message. One guy said “I don’t know” when I asked if he’d gotten one of these (a tract). I was glad that he took it. Other people took them too. A young man recorded while I was open-air preaching. “Can I ask you a question?” “Sure.” “What the f___ are you doing?” I just ignored him and kept preaching. “Can I ask you another question?” “You aren’t serious so I’m ignoring you.” Then he stopped recording and walked away. That’s when I pleaded with him to repent and trust Jesus, if he had any conscience left at all.
Guy Recording That Said What The F Are You Doing?
Three Guys Ended Up Listening To The Rest Of The Message
Thomas’ Brother Damon
One young man gave a thumbs up as he walked by when I was open-air preaching. A car load of people yelled “Preach” but I really couldn’t tell if they were sincere or mocking. Three young guys walked by me and seemed disinterested in the message. But I noticed they sat down on the grass in the park like area behind me, so they definitely heard the rest of the message. The highlight of the night was Thomas’ brother Damon came up while I was preaching. He told me who he is and asked if I had tracts. I gave him a stack of probably 25 to 30 tracts. He called me later and said that he had handed them all out. Hopefully I can catch him downtown next Friday night and give him some more Gospel tracts.
(These updates are given to encourage Christians to share the Gospel with others.)