Night Full of Encouragement
Ministry Update July 25, 2021
Friday night witnessing downtown was a very encouraging night. Pastor Mike came out with us for the first time, so he was nervous. Keven and I hadn’t been out for about six months. We didn’t have God’s favor or unction during that time, so we didn’t go witnessing. (Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labor in vain Psalm 127:1). So even though it was Pastor Mike’s first time street witnessing and Keven and I hadn’t been out for a really long time, it turned out to be a night full of encouragement.
Pastor Mike, Keven and I were standing around talking and handing out tracts as people walked by. A man named Eric walked up to us and said something about prayer. We all thought he meant he needed prayer and we were ready to pray with him. Before Pastor Mike could started his prayer, Eric started praying and prayed a wonderful prayer, asking God to bless our efforts. Then he said Amen, patted us on the shoulder and off he went. We were all stunned. Again, we thought he was asking for prayer and instead, he prayed for us! He called himself “Generic Eric.” He says that to help people remember his name.
May I Share Jesus With You?
Then we handed out tracts and most people were very polite, even the ones who rejected them. I loved Pastor Mike’s approach. He would walk up to people and say, “May I share Jesus with you?” and many people replied yes or sure. This too was very encouraging. Several people told us that they are believers. I brought a message about Dying Well. One couple walked by, smiled and took a tract from Pastor Mike. Only had one mocker during the open-air preaching. Afterwards, the couple walked back by and the man said his name is Ely and his wife’s name is Andrea. Ely shook our hands and said that was very encouraging. He called a friend and told them that a guy was open-air preaching and that we were out there handing out tracts. The friend asked if he had read the tract yet and Ely told him he didn’t need to; the message was biblical, so he was sure the tract was too.
A guy that had listened to part of the message as he drove by swung back around and talked to us. Pastor Mike handed him a tract as he was stopped at the corner. Turns out his name is Craig and he’s friends with Keven. He came back by to encourage us and we had a great conversation and a time of fellowship with him. Craig has a ministry downtown trying to help homeless people out. Keven talked to a homeless lady for about 30 to 45 minutes. Overall, it was a great experience for Pastor Mike and we all enjoyed the night full of encouragement. It was really great to share the glorious Gospel of Jesus Christ out on the streets. May God be glorified.