BEWARE OF THE DARK-SIDE!!

I know this picture probably made you laugh, but there is something I've battled ever since I started evangelism that I wanted to warn everyone about...  THE DARK-SIDE OF EVANGELISM. There is such a temptation to go out and evangelize with the wrong motives and to do it in the flesh. Out of love for everyone who has the desire to evangelize, please pray that the Lord works on your heart to seek the lost for His glory, genuine love for the lost and by the power of His Spirit.

The Lord has been exposing so much pride in me lately. It makes me understand that He doesn't need me and in many cases uses me in-spite of me! I encourage everyone to stay in your bibles and prayer before you go out on the street. I often read the scriptures and a Spurgeon sermon before I go out and it helps me to have more compassion for the lost, to remember what I was saved from and not see them as "numbers" but a people with a soul who, by His grace, He rescues with the gospel!

Another temptation to THE DARK-SIDE is to "pat yourself on the back" because you are obeying the great commission and others may not be. Just remember who is doing the work in you and come along side your church body and encourage them to seek the lost. Not everyone is called to open air preach or go out on the street but we are all called to share the gospel, keep encouraging others to reach out to those in their life.

Now you may ask, "Why is Pastor Tim in this picture?" Well I can't encourage you all enough to get some "Obi-Wans" in your life to hold you accountable and help train you to share the gospel. Also I think one of the remedies for pride is to fellowship with someone humble. Our Pastors and Elders at CBC love us and want the best for us. There have been times when I go out evangelizing and meet lots of opposition, I go right to church and its like a hospital. They have made time to pray for me and encourage me. 

Continue to pray to the Lord of the harvest and keep working!!

Aren't you glad that I managed to get through that whole thing without using the "force" as an analogy.

Burbank Media Center... wait... HOLLYWOOD? 3/28/09 FOLLOW UP

Calvary Bible was out in force in Burbank on Saturday represented by Forest, Jorge, Clint, Sharon, Jeremiah, Faith, Steve and myself. The Lord is truly raising up laborers at CBC to work the harvest. We all showed up as well as several other evangelists from other churches. There were over 20 people out to share the gospel that night in Burbank, we figured we would "spread the salt around." So 5 of us went into Hollywood on a whim. Its ALWAYS amazing evangelism down there and we are able to direct people to the Hollywood Church when given the opportunity. 

God in His sovereignty allowed us to hand out about 500+ tracts, open air a few times and have lots of 1-on-1 gospel opportunities. After witnessing we went to In & Out to fellowship, nothing is sweeter. Praise the Lord!

Burbank Media Center - 3/28/09

Sorry All, I spaced... YES we will be up at the usual spot near the AMC 16 TONIGHT!! 5:00-8:00 p.m.

Hope to see you there. I will have a small stock of tracts courtesy of our brother Mike and his generosity. Mike and his family are going out of town this weekend to an area that has casinos, armed with 1000 tracts and plan to "carpet bomb" he whole town! Please pray for them.

Northridge College-3/24/09.

Today Tony, his daughter and myself were at CSUN. For the first time we open aired in the Free Speech Zone of the campus... within moments of me preaching rode up "The Bike Heckler." This guy was... well see the video. Imagine that for almost the entire time you preach. I tried to engage him but he only wanted to heckle. I'll admit I had a hard time focusing and trying to decide whether to keep preaching or engage him more. I probably could have done better. Tony got up after me, he got heckled for a while and GRACIOUSLY a student came up and heckled the heckler! Basically telling him to beat it! 

I have to admit it was a little discouraging to me. But you want to know the amazing thing? There was ONE GIRL who stayed and watched and listened and after I preached a second time and asked if anyone wanted a Gospel of John... she raised her hand. I introduced myself, her name was Amy. She said "I'm an Atheist but I know I'm lost." Within moments she opened up about her life breaking totally down in tears. I was so blessed to minister to her and read John 4 to her. She asked about our church services and I was able to give her some contact info.

She also said to Tony and I that there was another preacher there 2 weeks ago that only said hateful things to the students. That they were fools, sons of the devil and going to hell... thats all. Tony asked "We talked about hell also, did she hear a difference?" She said yes, we were like a "mom" warning her children and that we spoke of God's love, forgiveness and kindness. 

What an encouragement to our souls! PLEASE PRAY for this broken girl that the Lord of Glory will save her... and the Bike Heckler!

San Fernando Court House-3/24/09

Today was a very busy day at the Courthouse. The line went to the end of the block. We only had one heckler. A gentleman (who claimed to be a Christian) tried to say Tony was violating Matthew 6? I think thats talking about praying in public for everyone to see. That is the second time recently I've heard that one. I'm not sure they realize that John the Baptist, Paul, Peter and JESUS were all open air preachers. One of the employees there came to encourage us and let us know that we are having an impact. He even said he would like to open air preach one day. Praise the Lord!!

PRAY FOR ALFRED!!

Just a quick update, remember Alfred the 3 time felon? (see San Fernando Court House-3/3/09)

He just called me and was thankful that he just got a job and then asked me questions about the bible! He was reading straight out of his bible on the bus and was very open to talking about it!! PRAISE THE LORD, please keep praying for his salvation!

Burbank Media Center - FOLLOW UP - 3/21/09

It was a good night out. Its always an adventure. There were several people from other churches that joined us. CBC was represented by Sharon, Mike, Joanne, Scott & myself. Scott was learning to conquer his fear by offering 5 police officers tracts. Tony and myself each preached twice along with Greg and Tim.

You learn so much about how to share the gospel and depending on the Lord for opportunity and ability to do it. I was totally sick last night and at one pointed a lady heckled me while I handed out tracts... my response was to answer her back totally in the flesh! Had to repent and ask God to give me the grace to answer softly. Immediately after that a guy was mad at me for what was on the tract saying "you can't make people feel guilty" as he threw the tract back to me... by God's grace I was able to return with a blessing! 

I've learned you learn by going out and trying, over and over and over and over...

"Fly By" - Hollywood - 3/20/09

Faith, Sharon & myself decided to go to Hollywood for a "fly by" outing last night. It was a last minute thing and was such a blessing. We handed out about 200 tracts and to say the least it was a night of 1-on-1 witnessing! A lot of interesting people to talk with and share the good news. PRAISE THE LORD! 

I really encourage everyone to find places they can frequent and when you get the "itch" to evangelize... GO! Even if its just handing out tracts for an hour you would be surprised how the Lord presents opportunities.

I'll admit the following witness encounter last night was not a very good gospel presentation. I was kind of all over the place. This is a reminder that the more you witness the more you learn and by God's grace you grow. Also why tracts are so great they are usually clearly presented and when you forget something they can read it later!

Burbank Media Center-3/21/09

OH YES!! This Saturday, Burbank Media Center 5:00-8:00 p.m. at the usual place! I missed you guys last weekend and look forward to fellowship and evangelism.

"Fly By" - Hollywood - 3/18/09

Myself, Derick (a fellow evangelist who goes to Grace) and his friend Diana who is visiting from Texas went out to Hollywood today. Diana comes from a small town in the "sticks" and we thought it would be a good idea for her to get a taste of LA evangelism! We had a great time. All of us had several 1-on-1 witnessing encounters, handed out about 400 tracts and both Derick and myself both open air preached. Praise the Lord!

Drop the Bomb Episode 11

Something I've recently learned from Pastor Jack to clarify with people is to understand that Jesus took our JUDGMENT on the cross. We all get justice from God. The question is who gets the judgment? Either the sinner in hell or Christ on the cross.

Burbank Media Center - FOLLOW UP - 3/14/09

Since I wasn't there, if anyone would like to write a follow up in the comments I would be happy to post it. I heard good things about last night at church today! Praise the Lord! Also please let us know who you spoke with to add to the prayer list.

Burbank Media Center - 3/14/09

Hey Family,

There will be evangelism at the regular spot this weekend, 5:00-8:00 p.m. near the AMC 16! I will probably not be there because ITS MY BIRTHDAY!! Dru will be there for sure. Please come out and show your support for CBC Evangelism.

Have a blessed time!

Ambassadors in Glendale!-3/13/09

The Ambassadors Academy is this weekend. Tony and the students will be in Glendale near the Americana this Friday!  They will be there at about 7:00 p.m. If anyone wants to go, there will be plenty of action!

This was a little video put together from Glendale at the "Ol' Fishing Spot" before we moved to Burbank Media Center... sweet memories.

San Fernando Court House-3/10/09

This morning was great. Tony, Jimmy and I got to preach to a line which at first was short but then tripled in size in a matter of moments. THREE people wanted a Gospel of John!! Glory to God what a privilege.

HOLLYWOOD ADVENTURE-3/7/09-Follow Up

Praise the Lord! What an amazing evening at Hollywood! There were 12 of us that went. Lots of witnessing, about 1200-1400 tracts were handed out! Kareem and I even did some open air. Funny thing that happened; a fight was about to break out between some teenagers and the rememdy to break it up... preaching the gospel. The moment I started they ran away! Its such an odd atmosphere; tourists, drug addicts, people dressed in costume, but such an exciting place to share the gospel.

I wanted to thank everyone who went, I was so blessed and encouraged by what the Lord is doing in all your hearts and at CBC!!