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)