Delivering Thanksgiving Food Baskets and Sharing the Gospel

Thanksgiving Basket Outreach

November 18, 2017

This ministry created the Thanksgiving Food Basket outreach

I participated in a Thanksgiving Food Basket outreach today that was created by an evangelism ministry named, "Operation Save Kansas City".  There were dozens of Christians who took part in this outreach.  

Each food basket had approx. $200 worth of food that was given to families who could use it who live in the South Kansas City and Grandview, Missouri areas.  

We had 25 teams of two, an evangelist and a discipler, who went out and delivered three food baskets each (a total of 75 food baskets).  I was teamed up with Kenya.  We had a great time serving the Lord today.  

The first place we went to was to see a man named Gary.  He was a really nice guy.  He had some physical problems and had quite a few other things going on in his life that was tough.  Most of his family has already passed away and he is alone.  He had pictures of his wife and kids in his room and was telling us about them.  We really felt compassion for this man.  

We asked Gary to talk about his "God story" - his religious background.  He has had experience with Catholicism and Christian denominations, and has had friends who were Buddhist and other religions.  He said he has studied other religions as well as Christianity.  He said that his faith has been failing, but after talking with him, it didn't appear to be a Christian faith.  He said that he has prayed to God and asked for a fresh start, but he hasn't really seen any changes.    

Kenya and I shared our testimony with him.  We explained what it meant to be born again.  That we must repent (see our sin the way God sees it, regret it, and be willing to turn from our sin and turn to God and live for Him) and trust in Jesus, as well as pick up our cross daily and live for Him.  I explained that Jesus said that if we love Him, we will keep His commandments.  

I asked Gary if he was ready to surrender his life to the Lord and be saved.  He thought about it for a few seconds and said, "I don't know".  He wasn't ready.  He also kept interrupting our testimonies and when we were talking about what it meant to be born again.  He explained that he used to do many good things when he was younger, give away food, help people come out of drug houses, etc.  It was as if he was trying to show us how good he was.  I explained all that is good, but God says even our righteous acts are like filthy rags to the Lord, that's why we need Jesus to forgive us from our sins.  

He asked me, "So, are you saying that unless everyone believes like you are saying, they are wrong?"

I said, "Yes, they are wrong if they believe they will get to heaven without believing in Jesus".  I said, "The Bible says that Jesus said that I am the way, the truth, and the life.  No man comes to the father except through me.  Also, there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved.  Jesus also said that unless a man is born-again he cannot enter the Kingdom of God".  

He kind of just shook his head and thought about it for a second and then started saying how much he has studied other religions and they all have good parts to them.  

Kenya gave him a packet of information that had a list of good, local churches and other information.  He said he appreciated it, as he needs some help.  He said he currently attends a Christian church.  

I think Gary is really searching for God.  We asked him if we can pray for him.  He said yes.  We prayed for him for his physical problems and for Jesus to reveal to him that he loves him and draws him to God.  We all shook hands and we told him that we loved him and we will continue praying for him.  He told us thank you for the food basket that we delivered.


Kenya and I then went back to "base camp" to pick up our next basket of food and cold items and headed out to the second house.  


We went to deliver a food basket to a single mom named Tamika.  She had four children.  We took the food up to her apartment and she said that she is going through some tough times in her life, but that she is a believer and that her grandfather is a pastor.  She didn't really seem too open to having a conversation with us at this time.  The way she mentioned her grandfather being a preacher seemed like she was saying she is saved because she has a grandpa for a pastor.  Only God knows her heart and if she is truly born again.  We will be praying for her.  


She did allow us to pray for her and her family.  Her kids were well behaved and respectful, and a couple of them said, "Amen" when the prayer was finished.  Kenya handed her the information kit that had a list of local churches, and there was also a sheet included with information to call and enroll children to receive free Christmas gifts.  She thanked us for the food and we left. 


Kenya and I went back to our base of operations and picked up our next basket of food and cold items (both freezer and refrigerated items), and headed out to our next house.


This time we went to see Gloria. We went to her house and she had several people in the house - her husband, her grown daughter, and great-grandchildren.  Gloria said that she is a believer, and has been going to the same church since 1990.  She said she had gone through diabetes problems back then and God showed Himself alive to her.  


We spoke to her for a little while, and Kenya gave her the packet that had local churches listed and the form for free Christmas gifts for children.  She thanked us for the food and supplies.  She saw the toilet paper in the basket and said that it is a blessing because they are on their last roll of toilet paper right now.  That just goes to show that God loves them and provides in a time of need.  


We prayed for them and left.  They were very thankful for the items.  


We arrived back at base and did a little clean up and departed.  It was a wonderful time serving the Lord and being a witness for Him, as well as doing good works by delivering the needed food at the time.  


I thank God for the ministry, "Operation Save Kansas City", and for Laurie, who leads it.  This Thanksgiving Basket outreach was the idea of Angela.  She is the one that did all the work to set it up, etc.  I thank God for her.  


In Christ, 

Brad St. Clair   

Everyday Life Witnessing to a Hair Stylist

As Christians, we know we are called to share the gospel, share your faith, or be a witness to those around us - whatever you choose to call it.  However, actually putting this into practice takes more than just thinking about it.  

I am sharing my witnessing experience today to help motivate and encourage you to be a witness for Jesus in this world - and to allow you to see what the average person thinks in regards to Jesus and the gospel. 

Now, I still feel bad about not going into detail about the gospel message, but I am still growing in this.  It's much easier for me to go out on the street and talk to people than it is in my everyday life.  

Today I went to get my hair cut.  I don't recall this young lady ever cutting my hair before, but it's possible.  She was maybe mid-20's, dyed red hair, with tattoos. 

She was very friendly and talkative.  Her name was Kelsey.  She asked me what I am doing this weekend.  Well, I knew at this point that I could tell her what the plans were, but it would mean I would have to bring up God, Jesus, and everything that entails.  Have you ever had Satan throw thoughts and fears into your mind when it comes time for you to stand up and be a witness for the Lord and share the gospel or God's Word? 

Well, it definitely happens to me, and I believe it happens to every Christian.  This is the defining moment.  What will you do?  God took the time to bring a divine appointment in front of you to be a witness for Him.  Will you be ashamed of Jesus and His words?  Sadly, I have to say that I have been.  But, in Mark 8:38 Jesus says, "For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will also be ashamed of him when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels.”  

I have been praying that God will use me more in my everyday life, to talk about Him and walk through open doors to share the gospel.  Today I was given the chance to either do what I was praying about or chicken out.  

So, back to the story.  Kelsey asked me what I had planned to do this weekend.  Well, I told her that my wife and I were planning on going to watch "Justice League" on Sunday, and I explained to her what the movie was.

Now it was time to tell her the other plans I had this weekend.  Here goes...

Me:  I am also helping a ministry on Saturday to take Thanksgiving baskets to poor families.  We are going to give them a free basket of food and tell them about Jesus and tell them that Jesus loves them and ask them if we can pray for them.

Kelsey:  (With amazement and unbelief in her voice) You are actually going to tell someone, "Jesus loves you"? 

Me:  Yes, as well as other things about God.  

Kelsey:  Oh wow, I haven't heard anyone doing something like that in a really long time.  Are you a minister or something?  

Me:  Well, yes, but that's not really the reason I tell people about Jesus.  Do you have a Christian background?

Kelsey:  My mom and dad took us to church when we were little, and mom used to say grace before we ate.  Then things like sports and other things came in and it got busy and then we didn't do it anymore.  

Me:  I also do some other things, but I don't want you to think bad about me. 

Kelsey:  (Now curious) What is it?  Come on, tell me.  

Me:  I go out into public areas and pass out gospel tracts and talk to people about Jesus.  I even have a speaker with a headset microphone that I use to preach.  

Kelsey:  What is a gospel tract?

Me:  It is a piece of literature that has Bible verses and the gospel message on it.  

Kelsey:  What is the gospel?

Me:  The gospel is that Jesus died for our sins.

Kelsey:  Well, I know of people who come to God when something bad happened to them, like addiction or something like that.  

Me:  Yes, that does happen sometimes, because Jesus will be there for a relationship with them.  It isn't just a religious thing, it's having a relationship with Jesus.  Jesus loves them.  

And that was pretty much the way the witnessing conversation ended.  We kept talking about other things.  Now, when I left, I gave her one of my custom-made Million Dollar Bill gospel tracts, and told her about my name on it, my ministry name and the website address.  I also showed her the back of the gospel tract, where the gospel message is written and said that she should read it to see what I was talking about. 

I gave her a large tip and I left.  Please, never, NEVER, witness to someone that is serving you and earns tips and not leave them a generous tip.  Satan will use that "offense" to snatch the seed of the Word of God out of their heart that you spent precious time sewing.  

Please pray that the Holy Spirit will convict Kelsey's heart.  

I hope this encouraged you and motivates you to share the gospel and be a witness for Christ in your everyday life.  Don't let Satan silence you.  Don't be ashamed of God and His Word.  

In Christ, 

Brad St. Clair

  

Street Preaching with Church Outreach Team

Street Preaching & Witnessing

Church Outreach Team

Kansas City, KS

November 16, 2017

Some of the Street Witnessing Outreach Team from Praise Chapel KC

My wife and I have been attending Praise Chapel
Christian Fellowship KC recently.  They have a street
witnessing team led by Pastor Ruben Gonzalez.  I
decided to go with them tonight.  There was approx.
15 people who went out.  This was awesome.


We met at the church and prayed and headed
headed out. 

If you share the gospel at all, you will know that
there are not many churches that actually "Go into
all the world and preach the gospel to every creature",
like Jesus commanded us to do in Mark 16:15. 
This is one of them. 

We went to a busy street corner in Kansas City, KS.
Pastor Ruben began open air preaching with his bullhorn.

Pastor Ruben Gonzalez Street Preaching

Others held signs that had different messages on them so
that the people driving by in the vehicles could see them.

There were several people prayed for tonight.  Even
the Kansas City police arrived to let us know they
had a complaint about the noise level.  They said they
didn't have a problem with our message, but they had
to enforce the law.  Pastor Ruben told them we would
turn it down and then he prayed for them so that they
would be protected while out on the streets protecting
the public.  They did like that.  

I used my little Aker speaker and joined in the open
air preaching as well.  We had a great time.  

Brad St. Clair Street Preaching

Many people heard the gospel message tonight. 

There were at least four or five team members
that stepped up to the bullhorn or loudspeaker
and preached the gospel.  

Please pray for those that heard the gospel message.

Isaiah 55:11 says, "So will My word be which goes forth
from My mouth; It will not return to Me empty, Without
accomplishing what I desire, And without succeeding in the
matter for which I sent it."

I thank God for those faithful Christians who went

out to share the gospel tonight.  

Romans 10:14-15 says, 

"How then shall they call on Him in whom they have
not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of
whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear
without a preacher? And how shall they preach unless
they are sent? As it is written: 'How beautiful are the
feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, who
bring glad tidings of good things!"

In Christ, 

Brad St. Clair