State Fair Of Texas Gospel Outreach - Oct. 19, 2013

We had a great time of evangelism at the Texas State fair this past Saturday. The Texas State Fair ran from September 27 to October 20.  This is the largest state fair in the country, attracting 3.5 million people annually. The Full Gospel Businessmen's Fellowship In America sponsors the State Fair Of Texas Gospel Outreach booth. It is manned every day that the fair is open, with witnessing going on 12 hours a day. Rex Whitton is the manager of this outreach. He trains those who are not familiar with the Gospel presentation portion of the booth. Carl Kalbfleisch of Bezeugen Ministries (the As You Go Blog and the Bezeugen Tract Club) invited me to join him for this day several months ago. He was the day leader. Rosie, Craig, and Arnold were there witnessing and giving out tracts. We also had about 30 students from the Gospel Of Asia School of Discipleship take turns in two hour intervals. It was great meeting all of these who were at the booth. We gave out the "Name 10 Things Fried At The Fair" and "The Ten Commandment" tracts from Bezeugen. We also had the million, the trillion, and the Ten Commandments coin from Living Waters that were supplied at the booth. 

Pictured: Rex Whitton, Carl Kalbfleisch, and Scott Thompson 

The Million Dollar Eye Test

We would invite people to come and take "The Million Dollar Eye Test". Here is an example (taken from the Bezeugen blog) of what would take place once someone would want to take the test: 

"Would you like to take the million dollar eye test?"

them: "Sure, what do I do"

We would keep the conversation really light hearted by saying things like "the use of your eyes is not required" or "it's fun, it's easy, no coupons required!" This was funny because at the fair you trade in your hard earned cash for coupons and then use the coupons to buy food from the vendors, ride rides, etc.

me: "For one million dollars would you give us your right eye? Before you answer let me explain that in this hypothetical example we have a surgical center right behind the booth. We can painlessly remove your eye and replace it with a glass eye. You'll look the same in all your family photo's. You just won't look the same."

them: "No way!"

me: "Oh, ok. Well, let's sweeten the pot just a bit. You see, actually we are looking for a matched pair of eyeballs. And therefore we are able to offer you one trillion dollars for both of your eyes. You could travel the world!"

them: "Yeah, but I'd be blind. so no."

At this point we could quote Jesus' words to them "what does it profit a man to gain the whole world (or a trillion dollars) yet loose his very own soul?" We have established that their eyes are valuable and that their soul is worth even more.

Then, we would ask "If God would require your soul tonight, where would you go? We would proceed to take them through the Ten Commandments to get them to think about their soul. Then, we would tell them what Jesus did so that we wouldn't have to go to hell. We had so many different responses. My highlights were talking with a young man named Richard and another named Arturo. A young woman named Blair said that she had a Jewish heritage. One of the Gospel For Asia students had a man leave when they got to the part about the soul. He said that the soul didn't exist. Jason, who had worked at the booth one year, gave me a test by seeing how knowledgeable I was. Then, he told me who he was. Some said that they were saved.  

It was estimated that about 200,000 people came through the fair that day. We probably gave out about 7,500 tracts. 

This was about 11:00 AM.

This was around 1:00 PM. It was like this most of the day! At one point when we were handing out the tracts, we were pinned against the front of the booth! 

It was a great day! I was glad to be part of what took place on Saturday! I am so thankful to Carl and Rex for letting me be a part of this outreach. Only eternity will tell what was accomplished throughout the State Fair Of Texas Gospel Outreach! 

Soul-Winners' Devotion - Spurgeon's Morning And Evening

I opened up this classic devotion this morning to find today's entry fitting for the Christian who has a desire to win souls. 

"Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught." --Luke 5:4 

We learn from this narrative, the necessity of human agency. The draught of fishes was miraculous, yet neither the fisherman nor his boat, nor his fishing tackle were ignored; but all were used to take the fishes. So in the saving of souls, God worketh by means; and while the present economy of grace shall stand, God will be pleased by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. When God worketh without instruments, doubtless He is glorified; but He hath Himself selected the plan of instrumentality as being that by which He is most magnified in the earth.Means of themselves are utterly unavailing."Master, we have toiled all the night and have taken nothing." What was the reason of this? Were they not fishermen plying their special calling? Verily, they were no raw hands; they understood the work. Had they gone about the toil unskillfully? No. Had they lacked industry? No, they had toiled. Had they lacked perseverance? No, they had toiled all the night. Was there a deficiency of fish in the sea? Certainly not, for as soon as the Master came, they swam to the net in shoals. What, then, is the reason? Is it because there is no power in the means of themselves apart from the presence of Jesus? "Without Him we can do nothing." But with Christ we can do all things. Christ's presence confers success.Jesus sat in Peter's boat, and His will, by a mysterious influence, drew the fish to the net. When Jesus is lifted up in His Church, His presence is the Church's power--the shout of a king is in the midst of her. "I, if I be lifted up, will draw all men unto me." Let us go out this morning on our work of soul fishing, looking up in faith, and around us in solemn anxiety. Let us toil till night comes, and we shall not labour in vain, for He who bids us let down the net, will fill it with fish.

Soul-Winners' Devotion - Praying For Labourers

Therefore said he unto them , The harvest truly is great , but the labourers are few : pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest , that he would send forth labourers into his harvest . -, Luke 10:2 

Wherever there is a labour shortage, work can get backed up. It seems Walmart is short of help late at night. When the lines get backed up, people get irritated because of the waiting time. When we were at Burger King last week, our cashier was doing the job of two people. The  work gets backed up when there are fewer employees. God is wanting more labourers for His kingdom. There is so much work to be done in soul-winning. The harvest field is everywhere you go. 

When I first started passing out tracts at bars with a friend, sometimes we thought that we were the only ones doing it. Every once-in-a-while, we would see a stray tract that would encourage us. About two years ago, Bro. J.J. and I prayed that The Lord would send men to us to help in our street ministry. He answered our prayers by sending workers who were already seasoned in soul-winning! Another brother has just joined us for our last two events. We have about 4 - 9 people with is when we street preach or give out tracts at events like the Mardi Gras parade  and the fair. 

Let's pray that our burden for the lost to be contagious. Read about David in the Old Testament to see how his courage was contagious. Pray that The Lord will send forth labourers into His harvest! 

Texas State Fair Outreach 2013

I will be at the Texas State Fair with Carl Kalbfleisch from Bezeugen Ministries in two weeks to help with an evangelism booth on Oct. 19. This is the largest state fair in the country, attracting 3.5 million people! I am excited about going because of the witnessing opportunities that will be there. At the booth, there will be "the million dollar eye test". Please read about last year's booth here:

http://www.bezeugen.org/blog/?p=1143

This will be my first time going there.Please pray for seeds to take root in the hearts of people as we witness of salvation through Jesus Christ! 

He that winneth souls is wise. Proverbs 11:30

Thursday Witnessing

I started the day off before work by stopping at the Greyhound bus station, which is joined with a convenience store in Monroe. There were several people outside who we're waiting on buses. When I walked up to them, one man asked about the tracts that I had in my hand. I asked "You know I got tracts?" He took one from me. He was going to Shreveport. A woman name Cassandra asked me to pray for her brother, who was there also. I actually prayed for three people. Val and Jimmy were going to New Orleans. Val was from Mexico. I gave him 1 English and 1 Spanish tract. Cassandra asked me ton pray for Val, but I had to leave to get to work on time. Altogether, I gave tracts to 6 who were there. 

At lunch time, I went to McDonald's. I gave 4 men the Mancard tracts. They looked like they were together, waiting for their food. One was reading the tract as I was leaving. I had to stop at the Monroe laundry mat on the way home. After I finished my task, I gave out 2 of a new Halloween Bezeugen tracts to women that were waiting on their clothes. As I gave the first one a tract, she gave me a business card. It looked like mine because she used the same design from Vista Print. I asked her where she had got the card. Then, I realized it was hers. They were dancers. I talked to them about three of the Ten Commandments, but 1 said that they were Christians. The other was reading the tract as we talked. I pray that God will open their hearts to a true Christian experience through repentance and faith in Jesus. On the way out, I gave 2 more tracts to a mother and daughter. My last stop before home was Taco Bell. I went inside since the drive-thru line was long. I got to talk with an ULM soccer coach and a ULM  basketball coach. I gave them the Mancard tract, also. I talked to another man named Antron while I was waiting for the order. He took a Mancard, too.

My goal is to hand out 10 tracts a day. It's not that hard when there are people everywhere that aren't saved. They are not thinking about spiritual things. We have to bring if to the forefront of their minds. Gospel tracts are one of the best ways to do this. I am so thankful for the opportunities that I have had to witness. There are many more to come!