Gillioz Theatre

Whatever Happens, Happens

Leave a Comment

Photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash

Whatever Happens, Happens

Ministry Update April 13, 2024

Conner, Doug and I witnessed downtown on March 29th. Doug got into a couple of conversations, but I couldn’t hear what they said. Conner talked to a guy who says that he grew up in a home where one parent was a Christian and the other one was a Muslim. He basically believes in Chrislam, that all roads lead to the same God. Conner tried to speak truth to the man, but he wouldn’t listen. Sadly, he only wanted to spout off his twisted beliefs. I only had one real conversation that night and it was with three skaters. The one that did the most talking said the he believes “Whatever happens, happens.”

All three of them were standing next to each other. I could tell the guy in the middle was around 6’3 or 6’4. So I asked him how tall he is and he said 6’4. The young man to his right was 6’2” and the guy to his right was much taller. So I looked up at the tall one asked how tall he is and stated that he’s 7’1” tall. I knew he was tall, but didn’t realize that he was that tall. After that, I asked them if they grew up in religious homes. The kid in the middle said that he grew up in a Christian home, but that he didn’t really believe anything. When I asked him what he thinks happens after we die, he replied, “Whatever happens, happens.”

I gently told him that Jesus says in Revelation 21:8 that all liars will have their part in the lake of fire and brimstone. That waiting until we die is too late. I kind of went through the good person test and they all admitted they had lied, etc. I could tell that they wouldn’t stick around long, so I shared the Gospel with them. Then I asked them if they would read a Bible if I gave them one. Sadly, they all admitted that they wouldn’t read it. But then Doug handed them all Million Dollar tracts and told them it had a summary on the back of what I had just shared with them. They politely thanked us and skated off.

Different Christian Reactions

The following Friday, April 5th, the three of us witnessed downtown during Art Walk. Conner talked to someone trying to get people to sign petitions. But other than that, it was really hard to get anyone to stop and talk to us. The woman that Conner talked to was out seeking people to sign a petition to ban the current Missouri Abortion Ban. She claimed to be a Christian, but believes in a woman’s right to choose. Conner talked with her for quite a while, but she didn’t budge. I didn’t get into any conversations. But Doug had some interesting interactions while he handed out tracts, especially with professing Christians.

Two ladies that go to the largest church in the area, both refused tracts. So while they waited for the light to change at the cross walk, Doug suggested that they take the tracts, read them and pass them on to someone who needs them. The both refused. One woman said that her hands were too full. She was holding a cup of coffee along with an Art Walk flyer in one hand and the other one was empty. The other woman also refused to take a tract. It’s always sad when professing Christian can’t think of one person to hand a tract to. We all have unsaved family, friends, co-workers, etc.

But then Doug had a couple of different reactions. A young couple also said no to the tracts and told us they go to Hill City Church. So I said, “Oh, the one that used to meet here at the Gillioz Theatre (right down the street from where we were).” They both smiled and said yes. But then Doug suggested that they take the tracts, read them and hand them to someone else and they both gladly accepted his offer. (This reactions seems more normal for a true believer). Then we walked around later on and a lady refused the tract because she didn’t need it. She said something to the effect that Jesus is already her Lord and Savior. When Doug stated that she should take it and read it and then before he could finish she interjected, “And then hand it to someone else.” Yes! This is a Christian who gets it. Handing out tracts isn’t the only to share your faith in Jesus, but it sure is an easy way to do so.

(These updates are provided to encourage Christians to share the glorious Gospel with others)

She Saw God

Leave a Comment

She Saw God

Ministry Update February 19, 2023

My Christian friends are going to see this headline and think this is a good thing. But unfortunately, it isn’t. I was open-air preaching at Missouri State University on Wednesday when two students stopped to listen. The guy and the girl both recorded a little bit, but then the woman handed her phone to her friend so he could record what she was about to say and it was offensive. She yelled, “I f____d a girl so hard last night that she saw God.”

As the young woman walked off, I told her that she isn’t mocking me. No, she’s mocking God and God will not be mocked. She is sowing the wind and she will reap the whirlwind (Hosea 8:7). I pleaded with her to repent and surrender her life to Jesus. I also told her that if she dies in her sins, she will face Jesus on Judgment Day and after she bows her knee and confesses that Jesus is Lord, He will have His servants cast her into the lake of fire and brimstone (Matthew 13:41-42). I pleaded with her to turn from her sins and turn to Christ. After the message, I handed out tracts before I had to go back to work.

A Student Listened To Part Of The Message

 

Lydia And Joshua Handing Out Tracts

Exile At The Gillioz Theatre

Friday night Joshua, Lydia and I got downtown before Michael joined us, so I brought a short message and Lydia and Joshua handed out tracts. There were people walking past us who were going to see Exile at the Gillioz Theatre. The band had the hit Kiss You All Over back in the 70s. I only had one mocker while open-air preaching. Michael joined us about the time I finished the message and the concert must have been starting because suddenly there weren’t any people going into the show. So we walked around downtown. It was really cold and there weren’t many people out and about. We handed out a few tracts and Joshua tried to get into a conversation, but the person wouldn’t stick around and talk. Even though it was a slow night, we had a great time of fellowship. I truly enjoy the fellowship with the saints as much as I enjoy witnessing to lost souls.

(These updates are provided to encourage Christians to share the Gospel with others)

Does It Show You Where The Naked Men Are At?

2 Comments

Man Asked If The Tract Shows Where The Naked Men Are At

Does It Show You Where The Naked Men Are At?

Ministry Update January 29, 2023

Friday night was one of those nights with some strange encounters. Before my friends joined me, people were lined up about a half a block outside of the Gillioz Theatre at 7 pm. They were there to see Frank Foster in concert. The show started at 8 pm, but people were lining up early to get in. Evidently, he’s a country singer. They were a tough crowd. Most refused tracts and some of them appeared to be drunk already. But after Joshua, Michael and his friend Anand joined me is when things got interesting, including a guy asking about a tract “Does it show you where the naked men are at?”

Dancing Guy After He Quit Dancing Around

Mocker Dancing Around Sexually Suggestively

After my friends arrived, Joshua prayed for us and I went across the street and brought a message from Genesis 1. Fairly quickly, a guy walked up behind me and to my left (where I couldn’t’ see him) and he started dancing around sexually suggestively while holding a flashlight. I appreciated Joshua coming over and standing near me while this was going on. The open-air preaching brought a few people to all of us to talk to. While Joshua was talking to a man, I was handing out tracts and a teenager took one, but what looked like his parents refused and the man said, “I’m trying to give it up.” Obviously, he didn’t even know what I was handing out, but he was just trying to be a smart aleck. I replied to him that Jesus doesn’t give up on us, but you have to come to the Lord His way, through repentance and faith.

Guy Wearing The Cap Says He’s Trying To Give It Up

Guy Asked The Question About Naked Men

Then toward the end of the evening, a couple of guys walked toward me and they both refused tracts. One guy didn’t say anything, but his buddy refused it but wanted to know, “Does it show you where the naked men are at?” They kept walking, so by that time they were past me and near Joshua who asked the man if he knows Jesus. The guy replied, “I know Him and I’m going to know my buddy tonight.” Folks, it doesn’t work this way. You can’t hold onto Jesus with one hand and hold on to the sins that you love so much with the other hand. Jesus will meet you in the sin gutter of your life, but the Lord loves us too much to leave us there.

Joshua Talking to Chance

We also had an encourager. He took a tract and thanked us for being out there sharing the Gospel. After I brought the message, a guy walked by and thanked me too. He started talking to Joshua while I was standing nearby. I typically end the message inviting people to come over and talk to us if they have questions and to also let us know if they want a Bible. Another gentleman walked up about that time and said he wanted a Bible. As I gave him one, the guy named Chance that Joshua was talking to also asked for one. Now Chance said things that made it sound like he’s a believer. But Joshua asked him good questions and the more they talked, the more it sounded like Chance really isn’t a true follower of Jesus. We prayed for Chance before he walked away. Michael and Anand also got into some conversations across the street from us. It was a cold night, but we had a good time witnessing, even with some of the strange encounters.

(These updates are provided to encourage Christians to share the Gospel with others)

Michael and Anand Handing Out Tracts

Joshua Handing Out Tracts

I Don’t Want To Hear This!

Leave a Comment

I Don’t Want To Hear This!

Ministry Update February 2, 2020

Kelly and I witnessed downtown Friday night and there was a good crowd, mainly due to the Aaron Watson concert at the Gillioz Theatre. We handed out Gospel tracts and both did open-air preaching. It was mainly quiet and I only remember one mocker. I was bringing a message when a guy and two girls walked up from behind us. One of the girls yelled real loudly, “I DON’T WANT TO HEAR THIS!” I just ignored her and kept open-air preaching. They crossed the street in front of us going West and then immediately crossed the next street going North. While they were crossing the second street, the girl that yelled, dropped what she was carrying and had to bend down to pick it up. This whole time she was still hearing the message. As I recently mentioned, people can’t unhear what they hear, even if they don’t want to hear it.  [Read more…]

Kenny G Still Packs Them In

Leave a Comment

Kenny G Still Packs Them In

Ministry Update December 22, 2019

Kenny G has been performing for over 45 years. He was at the Gillioz Theatre on Friday night and Kenny G still packs them in. There was a good flow of people walking by Friday night and they ended up forming a line for about a half a block outside the theater. That made it a great night for open-air preaching in downtown Springfield, Missouri. There were the typical mockers. A few people slowed down and yelled from their cars. But there were also several encouragers. One man gave a thumbs up from across the street. A woman smiled approvingly to the Gospel as she walked by. Then a woman ran to the corner, made sure I saw her, then she gave a hearty wave and ran back to the Kenny G line. [Read more…]

I Was A Christian For Thirteen Years

Leave a Comment

i Was A Christian For Thirteen Years

I Was A Christian For Thirteen Years
Ministry Update December 15, 2019

I’m not superstitious. Last Friday was Friday the thirteenth and there was a full moon and the mockers were out in full force. I don’t blame it on superstition, it’s just sinful men and women acting like sinful human beings in a fallen world. Besides one guy saying, “I was a Christian for thirteen years” the other mockers that stood out while I was open-air preaching was a pickup with a couple of guys in it. They both started mocking from the moment they pulled up to the corner. As the driver pulled away, the passenger stuck his head through the sliding glass opening in the rear window and mocked all the way down the street. [Read more…]

How Much?

Leave a Comment

How Much?
Ministry Update November 10, 2019

I had several mockers when I witnessed downtown Friday night. It’s been several years since this has happened, but one woman (apparently very drunk), propositioned me from the backseat of a car. I was turned slightly away from her at first, so I turned her direction and she yelled, “How much?” and then she laughed as the car drove away. Sometimes I reply “No thank you, I’m happily married”, but this time I didn’t say anything. [Read more…]

Usual Mockers And Wicked Mockers

Leave a Comment

Usual Mockers and Wicked Mockers

Ministry Update November 3, 2019

There were a lot of people downtown Friday night. The country singer Frank Foster had a concert at the Gillioz Theatre and it was also Art Walk. I handed out New Testaments and brought a message. Lifting up Jesus in the open-air typically draws mockers. In fact, you just pretty well expect to have some mockers. But this Friday night, there were the usual mockers and wicked mockers.

Thumbs Down Woman

Thumbs Down Man

Couple Flipping Me Off

Several mockers were just the usual type of mockers. In fact, I can’t really recall anything significant that any of them said. They just yelled or made noises as they passed by. The wicked mockers started off just giving a thumbs-down. The woman did so first, then the man that was with her followed suit. Next, they flipped me off. Then they moved on to making sexually suggestive gestures. I just kept pleading with people to repent and trust Jesus and this couple just kept ramping it up until they reached their car and drove off.

Highlight Of The Night

But the highlight of the night was Nicholas. He walked up to me when I was first handing out New Testaments and asked if I was part of the “Go Team?” I told him no and that I didn’t know what the Go Team was. He then told me that they are part of Calvary Chapel. Then I told him, “Yes, I now know who you are talking about. They hand out water downtown and get into Gospel conversations with people”.

I hadn’t seen them this Friday night, so I suggested that he walk to the square and see if his friends are there. I told him that they typically pass by me when they come out and they usually walk toward the square. Later on while I was open-air preaching, Nicholas came back by and asked if he could witness with me. I told him sure thing.

Nicholas Boldly Sharing The Gospel

So this bold brother started asking people as they walked by if they had a Bible. Many said, yes, so then he asked them if they read the Bible. Not only that, he asked them if they listen to the Bible. More than once, he gave the good person test. About the time I was finishing up my message, his friends showed up, so he joined them, heading off toward the square. But it was quite encouraging to meet such a bold brother in Christ who was out sharing the Gospel.

Student Says, “I Call God The Universe”

I Call God The Universe

It really wasn’t raining on Wednesday at MSU, but it was misting and the wind was cold. It was 38 degrees and felt colder. Because of the cold weather, I didn’t expect much interaction and didn’t get much. One student walked by and said, “I call God the Universe”. It’s unfortunate the young man missed the first part of the message because I addressed how some people worship the created rather than the Creator. I just shared with him that his opinion isn’t important.

What’s important is what the Bible says and the Bible tells us that God made us to glorify Him, not the created, not the universe. Psalm 19:1 says: The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork. It’s young people like the young man that worships the universe that compels me to share the Gospel at MSU and other places. God call all people everywhere to repent (Acts 17:30-31). We are to repent and trust the one true Savior – Jesus Christ the Lord.

Polite Mocker “Are You Going To Answer My Question?”

Are You Going To Answer My Question?

Then the polite mocker walked by and asked, “Did you ever answer my question?” “Are you going to answer my question?” Then he ended with “I guess you aren’t going to answer my question.” He had one thing correct, I wasn’t going to answer him and I didn’t. The polite mocker didn’t ask his question this week, but I assume he was referring to the question he asked last week which was, “You never learn do you?” Maybe I do learn after all. I have learned that it is futile to argue with this guy whose heart is so hardened. I pray that God will save him, but I see no reason to continue casting pearls before swine (Mathew 7:6) when it comes to this particular mocker.

(These updates are given to encourage Christians to share the Gospel with others)

 

Not A Sheep Of Society

2 Comments

 

Not A Sheep Of Society

Ministry Update October 13, 2019

“Are you a follower of Jesus? Do you hear His voice? Jesus said My Sheep hear My voice? Are you one of His sheep?” I asked these questions at Missouri State University on Wednesday. A young lady answered, “Yes, I’m not a sheep of society.” I said Amen to her being a follower of Jesus, but told her that I didn’t want her to be a sheep of society. I’m pleading for students to be sheep of Jesus. Again, Jesus said that His sheep hear His voice. I thought the student’s response was kind of strange, but that’s what she said. [Read more…]

Sweet Christian Fellowship

2 Comments

Sweet Christian Fellowship

Ministry Update August 18, 2019

Friday night the Springfield Opera celebrated their 40-year gala at the Gillioz Theatre. I’m sure they had a sweet time at the gala. Ben and I had sweet Christian fellowship outside. While I was bringing a message, Ben rode up on his bicycle. He’s the same guy that recently prayed for me when I had a rough day and couldn’t even open-air preach that night. But this time I was talking about God being angry with the wicked forever and after the message, Ben and I had a great brotherly discussion. It was a sweet time of fellowship. [Read more…]