Holidays Fast Approaching 11/23/2013

With Thanksgiving arriving Thursday, Hanukah on Wednesday, and Christmas not far off, the Mall area was busier than usual. Our faithful team of evangelists was kept very busy with tracts, prayer requests, preaching, picture-taking (a new witnessing method!),and even guitar-playing. Tonight's crew included: Mark, Sharon, Jack, Barbara, Steve M., Dan, Jeremy, Dean C., Richard, and Steven V.

Dr. Jack and his wife Barbara, greeted Pastor Tim, and his wife Tina, who stopped by to encourage the team.

Several Firsts

Take Your Picture?

Ever the evangelist, Sharon came up with a smart way to open doors to the Gospel. By offering to take pictures for couples and groups with their camera, she was able to have a golden opportunity to share the Truth, and grateful listeners to hear it.

Kingston Trio, Minus Two

Our CBC brother Dan brought his guitar and sang one or two gospel songs between the proclamations of the preachers. It was an interesting idea, and Dan has a great folk music style. The jury is still out as far as the response of the crowd. Between the Christmas tree, the other performers and the general seasonal hustle and bustle, the mall area is getting a bit chaotic. Although the music itself was good, the circus-like atmosphere was not conducive to people stopping and listening. Yet numerous Bibles were requested, so we will "play it by ear" next week.

Wednesday A.M. Shift (11/27/13)

Dean C. joined us on the morning shift at NoHo Metro Station. He did a great job, and it is always a good opportunity to reach lots of people, and to build our skills on the box. We keep a low profile, equipment-wise, for quick setup and teardown. Many people listened and some responded as they rushed to work. As always, the Holy Spirit seemed to use our presence to clear the area of cultists (i.e. Jehovah's Witnesses) who were out in force when we arrived.

PLEASE JOIN US! Saturday, Nov. 30, 6:00pm, at Burbank Police Department parking lot, entrance on Palm at Glenoaks.

NoHo A.M. Shift 11/20/2013

Pastor Alvin joined us for this week's A.M. shift at NoHo Station. Again, just like last week, by the time we had finished praying, the Jehovah's Witnesses were gone from sight. Pastor Alvin was excited at the prospect of witnessing to the cult members, and after tracking them down, had several friendly conversations with the "Witnesses."

JOIN US! Wednesday mornings, 6:00 - 8:00 A.M. at North Hollywood Metro Station, Lankershim Blvd. at Chandler. Parking is available across the street in front of the Golf shop. Please RSVP to Steve if you plan to be there.

Also, JOIN US at our usual Burbank outreach on Saturday night, at 6:00 pm, at the Burbank Police Department parking lot, on Palm, near Glenoaks.

Faithful Service 11/16/2013

Serve the Lord with gladness; come before His presence with singing. Know that the Lord, He is God; it is He who has made us, not we ourselves; we are His people and the sheep of His pasture. (Psalm 100:2-3)

"Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his master made ruler over his household, to give them food in due season? Blessed is that servant whom his master, when he comes, will find so doing." (Matthew 24:45-46)

Debbie is one of our most faithful team members. She was joined by Sharon, Mark, Jeremy, Dr. Jack, Forest, Dean, and Steven.

Paul Washer: Reality

NoHo Outreach

Following in the footsteps of our brother Tony Miano, and of course our recently departed (to Colorado) leader Dave, the CBC Evangelism team is adding a Wednesday morning outreach, at North Hollywood Metro station, to it's weekly schedule.

Our first time out Paul and Steve were blessed to take turns preaching from 6 a.m. to about 8 o'clock. We were met by a small team of Jehovah's Witnesses who were already in place at the station. By the time we had finished praying, they were gone, having retreated to the relative safety of the opposite side of the domed entrance. It was sobering to consider all the times that they have been out there trolling unanswered. Why are so many willing to invest so much of their lives for a lie? May the Lord deliver them from blindness.

If you look closely at the photo above you will see the woman in the picture here. She was waiting in line for a bus and suddenly started waving and telling us "No pictures, no pictures!"

Then, just as quickly, she retreated, perhaps realizing that there is no law against standing in a public place taking a picture. Indeed, sometimes we wonder about the many facebook pages, websites and publications where our pictures have appeared unbeknownst to us. This is another reason for us to be sure that we are sharing the Gospel message frequently from the box. One never knows who will see, and hear, some isolated portion of our testimony.

The NoHo Metro Station outreach is scheduled for Wednesday mornings from 6:00 a.m. to 8:00. We meet at the usual place, on Lankershim Blvd., by the newspaper boxes, near the crosswalk. Street parking is available across the street in front of the golf shop. Steve sends out a text the night before to confirm. Please RSVP to Steve if you DO plan to JOIN US.

Also, JOIN US at our usual Burbank outreach on Saturday night, at 6:00 pm, at the Burbank Police Department parking lot, on Palm, near Glenoaks.

Bringing Light 11/9/2013

All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness and the darkness did not comprehend it. (John 1:3-5)

In His continual faithfulness to answer prayers for laborers, the Holy Spirit provided a strong group of brothers and sisters:  Mark, Dean S., Dean C., Paul, Sharon, Jeremy, Dr. Jack, Barbara, and Steven V.

Elder Bob joined us later and he also took a turn on the corner box with the satellite group.

Blessed with Hecklers (Sort of)

Dr. Jack was blessed with an inquisitive and very polite heckler, named Miguel, who explained that he wants to write a screenplay about the second coming, set in modern times, but showing Christ "not as a white man, but rather as a black woman."

Jack asked Miguel why he would want to change the character of Jesus. Miguel replied that he wanted to show that the "message is universal, and it is beyond the messenger." Jack replied: "The messenger is everything. If you take Jesus out of the message, you don't have a message. Because the Bible says that Jesus is the Word. And the Word became flesh. So Jesus and His words are one. You cannot separate Jesus from His words."

Jack followed up by giving Miguel the gospel.

Steve's heckler approached the mic with what seemed to be a chip on his shoulder. Identifying himself as "Joseph" he expressed a concern that there are many terms that Christians use, the meaning of which most non-Christians don't understand. A small crowd gathered as Joseph, with a tone of incredulity, asked many lengthy questions which zeroed in on the meaning and importance of Jesus' substitutionary death on the cross. It was a perfect opportunity to share the Gospel in a clear and thorough way. Several times, Joseph looked around to see if anyone in the crowd wanted to ask some questions, but only one woman spoke up and said, "Keep going! You're asking some great questions!"

In fact, it began to seem as if Joseph was better acquainted with the Gospel than he initially appeared to be. Afterwards, Joseph came forward to shake Steve's hand and he admitted that he attends Grace Community Church, and we all had a good chuckle over his well-intended role playing. Although we don't use this technique, due to it's inherent deception, we've often kidded about doing that. Joseph was quite convincing, Steve was grateful for the "perfect" heckling, and it undoubtedly served a good purpose. Since none of our team was in on the ruse, Steve claimed to have a clear conscience about it. (Although he could be heard repenting later in the parking lot, just in case.)

Gospel Proclaimed

Brother Paul has been faithfully growing in depth and stirring content.

"Our sin has brought about a chasm between us and God, and we can't get to Him. God wants us and He has made a way. He has leveled it with the Cross. You may cross (that chasm) through the Lord Jesus Christ. That's why Jesus says, 'I am the Way, the Truth and the Life, no one comes to the Father but through Me.' There is no other way. There is no other system. He saved us not on the basis of deeds we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy. It doesn't matter how many good deeds you have done, you cannot make up for your sins. Somebody has got to take the punishment for those sins, and God says, 'I am going to send my Son into the world and He is willing to receive your punishment.' But you've got to turn from your sins, you've got to repent, you've got to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved. 

For with the heart a person believes and, guess what, it results in a visible change of lifestyle. If you believe in Jesus, get ready, get your seat belt on, because you're going to be going for a ride, and it's not going to be an easy ride, because the Bible says that all those who desire to live godly in Jesus Christ will be persecuted. And this world has no tolerance for the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. That's why people cringe when they hear the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. That's why people use the name of Jesus Christ as a swear word when they hit their finger with a hammer. It is because they do not believe in the God who made this world, and they do not want Him in authority over them. That's what the Bible says of those who reject the authority of Jesus Christ. Yet the scriptures say every knee will bow, every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father. It's gonna happen friends. What will it be? Do you want to bow the knee under His judgment? Or do you want to bow the knee in submission to a glad and wonderful God, who has given His Son for you? That's the choice tonight! Choose life that you may live! And Life is in Jesus Christ. For God so loved the world. . ."

Do Tracts Work? 

Here is some encouragement:

The Ultimate Proof of Creation

Here is a fascinating video from AIG:

PLEASE JOIN US: NEXT SATURDAY, 6:00pm, BPD PARKING LOT AT PALM & GLENOAKS IN BURBANK.

Soundtrack by Cello Man 11/2/2013

Praise Him with stringed instruments . . (Psalm 150:4)

Once again we were blessed to have the roving cello player, accompanied by a digitally recorded orchestra, to provide background music for the preaching of the Gospel. Of all the entertainers we co-exist with on the mall the Cello Man is by far the most civilized.

In fulfillment of the "Great Commission," the Gospel was preached, tracts and Bibles were distributed,  and one-to-one witnessing took place. Dean C., Mark, Jeremy, Dr. Jack, Forest and Steven V. were the team members this evening.

One of our most loyal co-laborers is Jeremy. He has stepped forward to help with many aspects of the ministry including the setting up and breaking down of the P.A. equipment.

Forest has been a part of the team for years and we have missed him during his long recuperation from a knee injury. Now that he is back he has taken up the role of video cameraman. Thanks to Forest's efforts we hope to start obtaining some footage to use for presentations to encourage others to join us.

Sometimes we have no hecklers, but instead rather fierce competition. Besides the Cello Man, there was a nearby puppet show, and a street theater show that drew a large crowd.

Mark was blessed to have our youngest heckler ever.

This youngster quickly listened to reason (unlike the older ones) and received a Bible to take home.

My son, do not forget my law, but let your heart keep my commands; for length of days and long life and peace they will add to you. Let not mercy and truth forsake you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart, and so find favor and high esteem in the sight of God and man.  (Proverbs 3:1-4)

British Couple Humbly Defend Their Faith

Hollywood Halloween

Many thanks to Dean and Sai for graciously hosting a Halloween Evangelism get-together at Dean's Store. Although still in a state of shock and grief over the passing of a dear friend of hers the day before, Sai cooked and served a delicious Thai dinner that was enjoyed and appreciated by all.  Many of our friends from the NoHo outreach were in attendance. Juan, his wife and kids, Mark, Bruce, Joe, Sharon, Anne, Mike S. and family, and many others.

Then a hardy team of about 13 evangelists carpooled to Hollywood. Jeremy, Steve M., Bruce, Joe, Richard, Edgar, Sharon, Debbie, Dean, Sai, and several others.

All the team members were busy from the start handing out the giant $100 bills which flew out of our hands. A handful of preachers took long turns on the box. Praise the Lord! It was a complete blessing. We couldn't stop! We were poised inches from the edge of the curb in front of Mann's theater. A constant jammed river of humanity moving in both directions paraded slowly before us. Gospel, Gospel, and more Gospel went out. People looked and listened and took pictures and had faces of shamed conviction. As if they were caught in the act of sinning by the glaring searchlight of the Gospel! The silence was amazing! Only the Holy Spirit could have done it!

All the big questions were written on their faces. "What am I doing here? Why do I look like this? Where am I going? Who am I? How can it be that a man is telling me about God at such a time and place as this? Am I actually walking to hell???

Praise the Lord! Can't wait till next year! We'll post a brief video as soon as it's ready.

Join us! Saturday, November 9, 6:00 pm, at Burbank Police Dept. parking lot. (Entrance on Palm Ave. just south of Glenoaks.)

911 PRAYER FOR PASTOR SAEED!!

ACLJ has just said that Pastor Saeed was just transferred to a prison that is WORSE than what he was in. It's a prison where criminals basically go to "disappear". His life is in danger. Please pray for him and his wife and children.