Christian Evangelism - www.repentandturn.com

Using MySpace Primarily

2007-08-11T15:38:00.000-07:00

I have been using MySpace as my primary ministry site. www.myspace.com/repentandturn

In Christ,
Brad

SWAT TEAM Witnessing - Springfield, MO - 7/07/06

2006-07-08T09:43:00.000-07:00

Street Witnessing And Training
Taking Evangelism Across Missouri
Friday Night – 7/07/06 -- Park Central Square –
Downtown Springfield, Missouri

The gospel tracts we use can be found at Gospel Tracts: Living Waters Store.

Right away, we want to thank God for tonight. It was a very fruitful night of witnessing and getting to sow the Word of God into the lives of people.

Tonight was a very nice night. The weather was cool and a little breezy. Since it was “Art Walk” night, it was more crowded than the other Friday nights. We had a total of 17 people come out to witness with the SWAT TEAM. Here are the people that came out: GNN Seed Sowers Michael Borich, David Lohn (and his son, Nathanel) and Russ Mohrman. Also, we had Jeff Reeb, Mike Lynch, and Pastor Ron Burks from www.bethesdachristianfellowship.org along with six of his children, and two friends of his kids, myself and Richard Molina, who we met last Friday night while he was out witnessing.

We split up into smaller teams to hit the downtown area to witness for a little while before doing open-air preaching. Michael and I handed gospel tracts to Adam and Camille, who said they were Christians. Since they said they were Christians, I asked them if I could role play and show them how we witness to others. They agreed. We went through the Law (the Good Person Test) with them, then grace. They thanked us for sharing.
We always try to share with Christians the biblical way of presenting the gospel. There are a couple of reasons for this: 1) It will give them a different way to witness that is biblical and very effective that they can learn about, and 2) In case they are not Christians, it will give them a chance to hear the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Michael and I continued past the bus station, passing out tracts to folks, as well as the security guard who was there. I then handed the Million Dollar Bill – Secret Service Version to two young men named Duke and Daniel. Duke was wearing a bandana and had lots of colorful tattoos. I told them that the million dollar bill was a gospel tract, and asked them if they had a Christian background. They kind of said, yeah. I asked them if they considered themselves to be a good person. They said, “yeah, pretty good”. I asked if I could ask them if they wanted to take “the good person test” to see if they really are good people. They said yes. They agreed to lying. After they agreed to stealing, Duke said, “man, I’m a terrible person”.

You see, when you use the law of God, the 10 Commandments, as a mirror to show a person how that God sees them, it is very convicting. Paul said in Romans 7:7, “…I had not known sin, but by the law.” Romans 3:19 says, “Now we know that what things soever the law says, it says to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.”

After all was said and done, Duke and Daniel admitted to being lying, thieving, blasphemous, adulters-at-heart. They would be guilty on the Day of Judgment and on their way to hell. It did concern them. I explained grace and that Jesus died for our sins, explaining that “we broke God’s law and Jesus paid our fine”. That they need to repent (ask forgiveness and turn from sin) and believe (trust) in Jesus Christ to be forgiven. We asked them to think seriously about what we talked about. They were appreciative that we took the time to speak with them.

We ran into Morwen again tonight. Morwen is a self-proclaimed atheist that we met last Friday night, that didn’t want anything to do with talking, wouldn’t accept a gospel tract, etc. We talked to her more tonight, about general things. She ended up being on the front row of the open-air preaching presentation and she was able to hear us go through the law and grace. She spoke to me later and actually offered me some bread that they had. I am praying for Morwen.

We did get to see Josh tonight. Josh was self-proclaimed pagan who studied Wicca for years. He recently told me that he stopped studying Wicca, stopped wearing his pentagram necklace and started going to church. I gave him a bible tonight. He said he would read it. Pray for Josh. He is having a tough time right now. He is in transition between apartments, currently living in a hotel. He needs a job.

I was able to stand up on the water fountain wall with my Anchor Mini-Vox PB-25 speaker box and do open-air preaching. Michael brought some stuffed animals to give away, and I began asking trivia questions to draw people to where we were preaching. We have out 6 or 7 animals, then I asked for a volunteer…someone who could prove to me that they are a good person. Morwen, our atheist friend, almost volunteered, then decided not to. However, her friend, Shantara, volunteered.

We went through the law and grace. She was guilty and on her way to hell and said she sometimes thinks about it. Shantara didn’t prove to me to be a good person and therefore did not deserve to get the stuffed animal. However, I asked her to come up and take the animal, that she could have it. And in the same way that is what God did for us. We didn’t deserve salvation, but God is offering it to us through Jesus Christ. We have to reach out and take it. There were a couple of mini-hecklers, people who kept speaking up and asking about this or that. I would answer their questions sometimes, but others I said we would discuss that after we are finished with the good person test. About three quarters through the presentation, a music band started playing their electric guitars and started to drown out the speaker box I had. We were still able to get the message across to folks and they could hear it.

After it was over, people came up to our team and started talking and asking us questions. I spoke for a while with Antone. He is a 17 year old young man who is very intellectual and full of questions and debates. I enjoyed speaking with him. He claimed to be a “Deist”. However, his beliefs did not necessarily line up with the beliefs of a deist. He does believe in God and Jesus, but also believes in evolution. He believes in the bible somewhat, but believes it was written by men, who put their own ideas into it. We discussed and reasoned for a while, having a great discussion. I asked to think about what we talked about. One day we will all die and stand before God. God gave you a conscience, and you know it is wrong to sin.

Michael had been speaking with a man named Andy. Andy is a Christian that was possibly interested in learning more about the Way of the Master evangelism training. There is a picture of Andy below.

Later, Michael and I went to the bus station. We handed gospel tracts to four people, Carlos, Cathy, Leslie and Kay. They named about 6 of the 10 Commandments between the four of them. Michael took them through the good person test, then shared the gospel with them. They seemed receptive. We gave the “Save Yourself Some Pain” booklets to read. Carlos didn’t take one. I originally gave him one, but the look on his face was a give away. I asked him, “Carlos, are you just going to throw that away?” He said, “yes”, so I asked for it back to give to someone else.

**********************************************************

The following report is from GNN Seed Sower, Russ Mohrman, from "THE JENNER BRIGADE".

During the OPEN AIR presentation By Brad St.Clair, I, along with other witnesses from various churches, began to roam about the perimeter of the crowd challenging those listening to Brad to reiterate on what they just heard. There were many intently interested.

I also helped pass out tracts like the various sized giant bills , the DiVinci tracts and Titanic tracts. I love to use the old reliable Pink & Blues to start conversations. Like when I approached five High School Students. Three Boys and two Girls sitting as group near by the stage having listened to Brads Open Air Presentation. They were impressed with the presentation and with the pink & Blue Tract.

I felt it necessary to share my motive for being there, early in the conversation. I would tell them that I was there to fulfill Christ's command to "Love the Lord my God with all my Heart Soul, Mind and Strength and to Love my neighbor as myself" and to share this Gospel was the most important thing I could do for them. I wanted them to know that I really believed in a literal solitary Eternal Hell, and that knowing this I chose to leave family for the evening and trying to persuade them radically of the impending judgment to come. Just like a person would radically do if his neighbors house was on fire at midnight, unaware, and he would have to wake them and convince them of the danger coming even at such late hour.

Of course I used the "Good Person" test. One Girl particularly was sweating profusely after the revealing the convicting mirror of the Law and Gods justice.

One of the Boys had tried to defuse the conversation by asking various questions during my Relate, Create, Convict, Reveal (RCCR) process, and I said that I would get back to him on that, and completed my RCCR. He ended up finally listening and being convicted himself, then thanked me for 'not pushing my denomination or church on Him, and he ‘really appreciated that', and shook my hand.

I then approached four Gothic styled dropouts in Black complete with nose & chin rings. One boy was saying "My life has been so G%#m(Beep) bad that I don"t care anymore" I shared with him that God still cares but he refused to hear it. Interestingly he shook my hand too with respect for the attempt.

There was also an opportunity to witness on the streets to known Believers downtown for the evening with friends. I got to role play the RCCR Way of the Master approach before them, and telling them that they could learn too,like I have boldness, HOW to share there faith without fear. That God is seeking weak knee-ed Christians empty of self and dependent on Him. That he would fill and use them (Like Joshua & Caleb). I gave them Sample tracts along with the WOTM website. They thanked me and I finished the evening discussing privately future strategy with the GNN local leadership.

*************************************************

Richard, Andy and Michael

During my open air. Sorry so blurry.

Again, we thank God for tonight. It was a very blessed night of witnessing. I pray this motivates the Christians to go out and share their faith with others. Please contact me if you are interested in learning more about witnessing and I will be happy to assist in any way I can.

In Christ,

Brad St. Clair
www.repentandturn.com
www.gnnlocalleader.com

SWAT TEAM Witnessing - Branson, MO - 6/25/06

2006-07-08T07:27:00.000-07:00

Street Witnessing And Training
Taking Evangelism Across Missouri
Sunday Afternoon- 6/25/06
Downtown Branson, Missouri

I happened to be the only one going out to witness in Branson today. When going out alone, remember that God is with you and when you speak to someone, the Holy Spirit will convict their hearts. God’s Word will not return void, it will accomplish that which God wills it to do.

I began passing out the Giant Money $100 bill gospel tracts, with the Million Dollar Bills in my shirt pocket. As I passed out the Giant $100’s, the same people would ask me for the million dollar bills….so, they got both of them!! You can never get too much of the gospel message!! J I probably gave out over 100 tracts this afternoon.

I spoke with Edi and Geno, who is from Phoenix, Arizona. They were in Branson visiting and sightseeing. When I asked if she had a Christian background, she mentioned that she was Methodist. I asked if I could role play and show her how we go about witnessing to someone on the streets. Edi agreed. We went though the
10 Commandments, then how to be born-again. Geno said they are trying to do better. They were a very nice couple.

I handed a tract to Martin and Stan, who live in the Branson area. I gave them both the Giant Money and the Million Dollar Bill gospel tracts. They said they were Christians, so I asked them if could use them to do a role play so that they could see how they witness. They haven’t heard of Way of the Master, so I thought we’d just show them this way. Martin agreed.

Something funny happened in the middle of the witnessing: a lady walked up to Stan and asked if she could have his Giant $100 and Million Dollar Bill gospel tracts. She is from Germany and wanted to take them back with her. So Stan gave up his tracts (then of course I had to replace Stan’s). Stan was already handing out gospel tracts. J

Martin thought this was a good way to witness and said he only lives down the road. He gave me his phone number and asked me to call him. He said that he might come out witnessing with us sometime.

There was a group of teenager girls that seen me passing out the tracts. They were from St. Louis, Missouri. They each wanted both of the tracts. They let me take their picture.

Please pray for the people we spoke to on Friday night and Sunday afternoon.

In Christ,

Brad St. Clair
http://www.repentandturn.com
http://www.gnnlocalleader.com

SWAT TEAM Witnessing - Springfield, MO - 6/23/06

2006-07-08T07:03:00.000-07:00

Street Witnessing And Training
Taking Evangelism Across Missouri
Friday Night - 6/23/06 -- Park Central Square –
Downtown Springfield, Missouri

The gospel tracts we use can be found at Gospel Tracts: Living Waters Store.

Report from Brad:
As I arrived in downtown Springfield and began walking into the square, I noticed that GNN Seed Sower and SWAT TEAM member, Michael Borich, as well as Jeff Reeb, was already witnessing to someone (see below for Michael’s report). I also noticed that as soon as I entered the square, a man stood up and began walking towards me. As he got closer, I noticed that this man was Josh, a self-proclaimed pagan. He has studied Wicca for the past 10 years. He normally wears a pentagram on a necklace.

We have been talking with Josh most weeks that we are out on the square. He went from being a heckler, to not heckling us (although he does, at times, still heckle other Christian preachers out in the square). I’ve given him gospel tracts, a gospel of John, talked to him about the Law, his sin against God and his need for repentance. I’ve also been a friend to him and just talked about his life. He said, “you will be proud of me, I’ve stopped studying Wicca, I’m not wearing my pentagram and I am now going to church.” I told him that is great news. I asked if he had been reading the materials that I gave him. He said that he had. I then gave him a New Testament that I had with me, and told him I will bring an entire bible (old and new testaments) with me next time to give to him. Praise God for convicting Josh. He still has a long way to go, but he’s headed in the right direction.

Two police cars were in the square when I arrived. They have been hanging around quite often lately. A couple of weeks ago, I was told that the police caught someone with a 9mm pistol in the square, and that there had been more fights than usual. The police drove away, then the people started arguing. The police parked and walked back to the square in “stealth mode” and broke up the arguing, handcuffed a person or two and dispersed the crowd. I witnessed to these people and did an open-air preaching to them tonight – see further in the newsletter.

Michael and Jeff were still witnessing to someone, so I walked over and passed out the Giant $100 gospel tracts to three men (late 40’s or early 50’s) sitting down, Jimbo, Brad (who had attended Bible college) and Gunny (Gunnery Sergeant-he had been in the Marine Corps).

They said they had Christian backgrounds and were pretty good people. I took them through the law, then spoke about grace, and how to be born-again. They said they were all doing the best that they could. They mentioned that I should go to the “Victory Mission” that was down the street and preach to them in the evenings before dinner. He was serious and kept mentioning it. I may have to look into that.

Michael, Jeff and I walked over to the area under the pavilion where the fight(s) broke out earlier and the police showed up. There were probably 12 people hanging out. Michael and I began giving out Giant Money $100 and Million Dollar Bill gospel tracts. They loved them. Danny, one of the guys there, had quite a few tattoos on his body and was telling us the meaning of each one, said that he liked us, and that we’re not like the rest of the “Christians” that come down and yell at them. Michael and Jeff left to go witness at the bus station, but I stayed to witness to this group for longer.

I decided to a mini open-air preaching time with these folks. I had some stuffed animals that we used and I gave them away to the people that answered the trivia questions accurately. After a while, I had a larger stuffed bear to give out to a volunteer that could prove to me that they are a good person. Amanda accepted. As I was taking Amanda through the law, all the people around her admitted to being a lying, thieving, blasphemous, adulterer-at-heart.

Amanda only admitted to being a liar and a blasphemer. She wasn’t as “bad” as the rest. However, I mentioned that James 2:10 says, “For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.” So, she admitted that she will be guilty on the Day of Judgment and would be going to hell. I explained that we broke God’s Law (the 10 Commandments), but Jesus paid our fine. We must “repent” of our sins and “trust” in Christ to save us. Amanda didn’t prove to be a good person, to win the stuffed bear, but I gave it to her and explained that this is just like salvation. We didn’t deserve it, but God sent his only son to die for our sins. We must reach out and take hold of it. The names of the folks that I was speaking to were named: Danny, Amanda, Cory, Tish and Leo and their baby, Angel faith.

Michael, Jeff and I met up and met a guy named Bill. He is a veteran from the Marine Corps. He said that he has years of street witnessing experience and gave me his number. He said that he would like to come out with us sometime. Praise God.

***************************************************************
Report from Michael Borich:
When Jeff and I arrived at the square I played "Amazing Grace" on the harmonica, which usually draws people's attention. A young man on a bicycle rode over to us and asked if the song was meant to be ironic, because of the two police cars parked in the square and the rowdy group of young people the police were talking with.

His name was Richard, and he was a college student at MSU, a recent transfer from Carbondale, Illinois. He was intelligent and told us he had a church background, but had gotten turned off by the hypocrisy of "Christians" so at the moment he was down on religion. We didn't go through the good person test because he had other issues he wanted to talk about. He asked Jeff to share his testimony, which he did, very effectively. We gave Richard some tracts, spent about half an hour talking with him-- we did manage to get in the law, sin and judgment. Pray for God to soften his heart and not be distracted from the gospel truth by past actions of other Christians.

At the bus station I had an opportunity to share with Jim -- 70 years old, a former Evangel College student, a thoughtful gentleman who wanted to talk about the 7 seals of Revelation and what prophetic events were awaiting us. He seemed solid in his Christian faith and knowledgeable about scripture, but was struggling with some financial-personal problems.

I also had the opportunity to speak with Carl, an African-American with 7 felonies, and his companion, Jeremy. Carl, in particular, felt he was a child of God, but knew he was not living for the Lord. He said he had a big problem with anger and rage. Again, I gave him some material to read and just encouraged him to seek the Lord, find a good faith community, and maybe even think about going into fulltime ministry as he would have a powerful testimony and had a natural speaking ability. He had just come to Springfield from Kansas City. Jeremy mostly listened, but both were friendly and grateful that I shared God's love with them.

Jeff and I also went through the good person test with a couple young women who turned out to be Christians, but it was good practice and they didn't seem to mind being asked about how good they were. We even gave them a couple stuffed animals.

We passed out a lot of gospel material -- it great evening. All Praise to Jesus.

I will send you the book and check on Monday.

In His Service,
Michael
**************************************

In Christ,

Brad St. Clair
www.repentandturn.com
www.gnnlocalleader.com

SWAT TEAM Witness - Springfield, MO - 6/09/06

2006-07-08T06:48:00.000-07:00

Street Witnessing And Training
Taking Evangelism Across Missouri

Friday Night – 6/09/06 -- Park Central Square –
Downtown Springfield, Missouri

I went out of town this weekend, but we have reports from team members who went out.

From Michael Borich, GNN Seed Sower:
Excellent night out witnessing, warm, even though it was an off-Friday and not too busy downtown.

Eight of us met at the square at 8 p.m. -- Jeff, JJ, Danika, Mike, his fiance’, her son and daughter, and myself. Later Lee and his friend Chandler (?) -- not sure I recall, but his name did begin with a C also joined us.

Jeff and I walked around the downtown area. We first met the two Glendale girls, Melissa and Myka, who I have witnessed to a half dozen times. Jeff went through the Good Person test with Melissa (she didn't do too well), but we gave them gospel materials and shared with them.

We then passed out a lot of million dollar bills, some silver coins, some Good Person cartoon tracts.

I took a girl named Kristen through the Good Person test; she had made a profession as a middle school student, but was not living a consecrated life. But we passed out more gospel materials to she and her friends.

Then we rejoined everyone, and on our way to the bus station, heard music coming from Gary and Monica Dennington's loft, so we went up -- they were recording a song for their website. About 20 people were there -- listening, helping -- so we added five more.

Then we went to the bus station and were able to pass out another 20 or so tracts and silver coins.

Mike with his group had an excellent experience. We felt that the Lord had blessed much good seed planting, much more than we might have expected.

In His Service,
Michael

*************************************************
The following is from Mike Lynch. Mike has been out witnessing with the team a couple times now.

Traci and two of her three children, Zach and Abbi, joined the rest if the SWAT Team and I last night. The kids handed out about 50 "Million Dollar Bill" tracts while Traci and I shared our faith.

Sharing there faith is new for Traci and her family, but they were eager to serve our God in this way. Though not planned, we spent over an hour with one man. He came close to putting his faith in Christ, but when it came down to the big question, he said he was not completely ready, but sincerely wanted to think about it that night.

He said he was with the Jehova Witnesses at one time, but was now suffering from some form of paranoid schizophrenia and that "religion scared him". Strange thing, I saw him in the square while the team was praying before we went out into the streets, but I almost was not even going to approach him with the kids with me because he looked a little "scary" himself. God clearly spoke to me, turned me around as I was walking in the other direction, and told me to go to him.

When I spoke to this man, he quickly shared he had come here from New York, had been in the Navy, and was named Mike, all three things just the same as I. Go figure! Everything is part of God's great plan. I gave him some reading material and means to contact me. Pray for him as well as those who are coming to understand that the great commission applies to all of us believers.

Blessings in Christ,

Mike

*************************************************

I thank God for this group of Christians that see the importance of witnessing. Please pray for those that were witnessed to.

In Christ,

Brad St. Clair
www.repentandturn.com
www.gnnlocalleader.com

SWAT TEAM Witnessing - Springfield & Branson - 6/16/06

2006-06-19T19:09:00.000-07:00

Street Witnessing And Training
Taking Evangelism Across Missouri
Friday Night - 6/16/06 -- Park Central Square –
Downtown Springfield, Missouri

The following is from SWAT TEAM member and GNN Seed Sower, Michael Borich:

(The tracts we use can be found at Gospel Tracts: Living Waters Store.)

Always an interesting time in downtown Springfield. Three police squad cars greeted us in the square when we arrived at 8 p.m. JJ, Danika and I prayed and set off to the bus station and then through the downtown area. We passed out DaVinci Code tracts, million dollar bills, some Good Person cartoon tracts and quite a few silver 10 Commandment coins. A lot of people took tracts, but no one seemed to have the time to go through more in-depth sharing.

We did spend about 30 minutes with Ed Brooks, a security guard at a parking lot adjacent to the Woodruff Building. He remembered the "friendly guy from Branson." He told us all about his stroke, heart attacks, his faith in God, his plans to serve God by ministering to immigrants, his venue for gospel music concerts that he's working on -- an interesting guy, and we ended up spending more time listening to him than we had planned. But, Praise God! another good soul to pray for.

When we reached the bus station on our second tour the buses were just leaving but we managed to get a few tracks in through the windows to people.

Back at the square the usual suspects were hanging out. JJ and Danika decided to do one more downtown circuit, so I went the opposite direction, toward the parking lot.

A somewhat weird evening, in our opinion. Maybe the presence of so many police kept things low-key and a little quite. Most of the people were on their way to clubs and restaurants, so conversation was difficult.

But we were faithful, and the Lord will bless the gospel materials that went out -- His word never returns void.

Pray for Ed Brooks.

In His Service,
Michael
Phil. 4:4
**************************************************
Saturday Afternoon - 6/17/06
Historic Downtown Branson, Missouri

Today was overcast and raining on and off. We determined to go out and witness in Branson, rain or shine. We didn’t stay too long, but we were able to pass out the million dollar bill gospel tracts and the Giant $100 bill gospel tracts.

Since it was raining or sprinkling much of the time, folks didn’t want to stand around and have a conversation. However, we thank God for the people taking gospel tracts and they were reading them, as you can see from the pics below.

In Christ,

Brad St. Clair
www.repentandturn.com
www.gnnlocalleader.com

SWAT TEAM Springfield, MO Witnessing - 6/02/06

2006-06-19T17:55:00.000-07:00

Street Witnessing And Training
Taking Evangelism Across Missouri

Friday Night – 6/02/06 -- Park Central Square –
Downtown Springfield, Missouri

Tonight was “Art Walk” in downtown Springfield, but it was not as crowded as it used to be. I believe it may have something to do with the college crowd has left for home for the summer.

Michael Borich, GNN Seed Sower, came out tonight to witness with me. We were able to pass out gospel tracts, as well as meet other Christians in the area.

We decided to walk over to the Bus Station and pass out tracts and witness to those sitting and standing around. One of the gentlemen we met, named Harold, is a U.S. veteran. We talked for a while and he said he considered himself to be a good person. We asked him if we could ask him a few questions to see if that was true. He agreed. We took him through the Ten Commandments. He admitted to being a lying, thieving, blasphemous, adulterer-at-heart. However, he didn’t really admit that he was on his way to hell. He didn’t really know what it was to be born-again, so we went through it with him. He didn’t appear to be very interested. However, we told him we would be praying for him. God does the convicting…we just sow the gospel seeds. He shook our hand and we left.

While walking around Park Central Square, a man walked up and offered me a bottled water. We found out that this is Pastor Bill Kolb of West Division Street Baptist Church in Springfield. We have previously met up with members of his congregation out passing out water, gospel tracts and witnessing. It was nice to finally meet him. He is thinking of planning a Christian event in Springfield and asked for our opinions. He gave me his e-mail address and I will follow up with him.

There was a young man named Jeff that was with Pastor Bill. Jeff said he had only been with Pastor for less than 20 minutes. He came out on his own to witness to people and overcome fear, and just met up with Pastor. He said that God has been putting it on his heart to get out and witness. He has been watching the Way of the Master television episodes and now he needed to get some hands on experience. Well, praise God. I know this was the work of God to bring us together. Here Jeff is studying the Way of the Master evangelism training, and on his first night out he runs into us. I told him that Michael is a GNN Seed Sower and that I am the
GNN Local Leader for the Springfield area. (GNN and Way of the Master are sister ministries). We are always looking for Christians to come out to witness with us and Jeff wants someone to go out and witness with. Jeff asked if he could walk around with us…YES!

We began walking around, and this same Jeff, that said he needed to have more boldness, walked directly up to the loudest, filthiest talking man in the square and held out his hand to give him a gospel tract. Praise God for Jeff.

Jeff and myself

Jeff and Michael

At the same time, I was handing out the “Da Vinci Code” gospel tracts. A young man asked me, is that for or against the Da Vinci Code? I handed him one. His name is Bryant and the young lady with him is named Abby. I explained it was a gospel tract. He said he is a Christian. I asked Bryant if we can do a role play to show him how we witness with others. He said yes and I took him through the law and grace.

Bryant said that he and Abby are with a new ministry/church that is called Tic Toc Ministries that is located directly down from the square. He took us there and we met Gary and Monica Dennington, who leads the ministry. They have started an internet tv ministry from that location as well. They have a lot more going on in their ministry that I haven’t mentioned. They were very nice to us and it was great to meet up with other Christians. We will be keeping in contact with them.

We made one more pass around the area, passing out tracts to folks. We had a good night.

In Christ,

Brad St. Clair
http://www.repentandturn.com/
http://www.gnnlocalleader.com/

SWAT TEAM Springfield, MO Witnessing - 5/05/06

2006-06-06T17:22:00.000-07:00

Street Witnessing And Training
Taking Evangelism Across Missouri

Four of us met up tonight in downtown Springfield. Michael Borich, J.J. Lindsey, Danika and myself. Tonight was also “Pub Crawl” in downtown Springfield, there were a good number of folks out, but not as many as we thought would be.

When we arrived, we found out there was a man named Robert, who is from Florida that was down at the square. He said he would be open-air preaching in just a few minutes. I was interested in hearing him, so we hung around the square and passed out gospel tracts until he began.

Robert jumped up on the water fountain wall and began preaching about the mark of the beast, the Passover and against catholicism. Three different times throughout his open-air, he gave out a $20 bill to random people. This made the crowd stay around and listen to him. He did get to use the Law (Ten Commandments) as he was preaching. He mentioned that none of us are good enough by our works to get to heaven, and that it is only through Jesus Christ that we are made righteous. He then led some in the crowd in a “sinner’s prayer”. I do believe there was a few people there that really meant the prayer, and some just said the prayer to get the $20 that he was handing out—hoping Robert would select them.

Our style of open-air preaching is to focus primarily on taking people through God’s Law (the Ten Commandments) so that they find themselves in need of “saving”, then share the good news (the gospel) with them. We don’t believe in going off in various directions, like preaching against the catholic church, etc. in the same message as presenting the gospel.

I was able to speak with Nicole and take her through the Law and gospel. Her boyfriend, John, said that he didn’t believe in this but he didn’t mind if I talked to his girlfriend about it. John listened as well as we were talking. Nicole was convicted, as she admitted that she was a lying, thieving, blasphemous, adultery at heart. She admitted that she would be guilty on Judgment Day and is on her way to hell. I presented the gospel to her and that “we broke God’s Law and Jesus paid our fine”. I gave here a “Are you good enough to go to Heaven” tract and a giant $100 bill gospel tract. John wouldn’t take a giant $100 bill.

However, later when we ran across Nicole and John, he said he didn’t believe like I did, but he respected me for coming out and talking with people. He also asked for one of the giant $100 bill gospel tracts. He said he wasn’t going to read it, but will pin it to his wall for the looks of it. I am praying that that he will get alone and the Holy Spirit will convict his heart and he will read it.

Also, since we received a letter from the General Counsel attorney saying that we had the right to witness and pass out gospel tracts at the bus station, we did so! We walked all around on the property, passed out tracts to just about everyone, waved at the friendly security guard and didn’t have any problems. Praise God!

The following is from Michael Borich:
The young lady (and her friend who was talking on the telephone-- one of them was Monica, I think)) I shared the Good Person test with near the bus station was like so many of the young people we share with -- they are "Christianized" -- having been to church off and on from a young age, maybe even answering an altar call at some point, baptized, but living lives with little outward evidence or understanding of what it really means to be a a follower of Jesus Christ.

From my experience, witnessing to someone with no knowledge is easier than those who think they are Christians but have no interest in growing in their faith.

Especially the downtown-dwellers who are regulars around the square have been around Christians all their lives, can quote scripture, can tell why Jesus died, but here is the problem, in my opinion:

Many people want forgiveness without repentance. They want salvation without change. They want Christ's blessings without His suffering. They want to be Christians without being consecrated. The core message should always be repentance and faith alone in Jesus. But after that, how then should they live?. . .

Save Yourself Some Pain does provide answers, but as in Jesus' day, the most resistant to the good news were those who thought themselves religious.

The other two girls I got to take through the Good Person test -- Mykala and Melissa -- both Glendale students -- I have talked to several times in the past but never at length. They both failed the test, but at the point of, when will you have that serious conversation with God? -- especially after how you shared the tragic story of your cousin (who died in a tragic car accident recently) -- they began to walk away. Nevertheless, some seeds were planted and I am sure we will see them again.
______________________________

We thank God for bringing these people into our paths tonight and to continue to convict their hearts.

In Christ,

Brad St. Clair
www.repentandturn.com
www.gnnlocalleader.com

SWAT TEAM Springfield, MO Witnessing- 4/21/06

2006-04-26T05:04:00.000-07:00

Street Witnessing And Training
Taking Evangelism Across Missouri
Friday Night - 4/21/06 -- Park Central Square –
Downtown Springfield, Missouri

The following report is given by GNN Seed Sower, Michael Borich.

Danika and I met near the fountain at Park Central Square a little after 8 pm. Because of the pleasant weather, there was a lot of activity in the downtown area. After Danika led us in prayer, we took a tour of the downtown area, including the bus stop and passed out mostly million dollar bills.

We had a lengthy conversation with two teenage girls – Amber and Tatiana – who we took through the good person test. Both admitted to lying and breaking the first commandment, but didn't think they had ever stolen, blasphemed or lusted. Nevertheless, both were not sure if they would be innocent or guilty before God, or would go to heaven or hell. We explained the good news and gave them each a stuffed animal.

On our second tour, we met Kyle and Dallas, two teenage boys who admitted to lying, stealing, blaspheming and lusting; Kyle said he was baptized and repented and even quoted us John 3:16. Dallas was afraid he was headed for hell. We asked Kyle why he had not shared the good news with his friend. Kyle seem to be Christianized – at least he said the right words, but didn't seem to have much conviction. We gave both of them the detailed Are You Good Enough tract.

Then we met Chris, CJ and Sandy – three of six BBC students who were handing out tracts and bottled water from an ice cooler. Chris admitted to taking Brad's CD on a previous encounter (Hell’s Best Kept Secret), but said he hadn't time to listen to it yet. While we were talking to them and explaining the Way of the Master and showing them some of our tracts, a young woman named Maya came up for water.

We invited Maya to take the good person test for a stuffed animal, which she did. It was a perfect opportunity to show the 3 BBC students how we witness. Maya didn't do too well on the 10 Commandments, but when we got to the last couple questions, she said she had asked Jesus into her heart and was trusting him. We made her explain, for everyone's benefit, if she understood what repentance meant – she had a somewhat vague understanding so we helped her out.

*************************************************

In Christ,

Brad St. Clair
www.repentandturn.com
www.gnnlocalleader.com
Are you good enough to go to heaven? Take the test at: www.needgod.com

Good Friday SWAT TEAM Springfield, MO Witnessing- 4/14/06

2006-04-15T06:36:00.000-07:00

Street Witnessing And Training
Taking Evangelism Across Missouri

“Good Friday” Night - 4/14/06 -- Park Central Square –
Downtown Springfield, Missouri

It was a very nice night. The weather was warm and breezy, a beautiful night to be out. We had 8 of us out tonight. Luke Lohn, J.J. Lindsey, Danika, me, my wife, Leann and three our kids, Nick, Dillon and Alexis. Even though it was a nice night, there weren’t very many people downtown. I want to take time to thank God for one of my Christian brothers who purchased a rechargeable battery pack for our Minivox PB-25 pa speaker system. Thank you brother! I am blessed by having a group of Christians around me that have a compassion to seek and save the lost, as well as knowing I can rely on them if I need anything.

Since it is “Good Friday”, one of our team members, Michael Borich, created an Easter tract that we passed out tonight. On one side there is the picture (below), then there is a gospel message on the other side. I thank God for you, Michael! We had Easter chocolates that we passed out with each tract.

When we arrived, Luke and J.J. were already there. They had been hanging out at the square and had already witnessed to an intoxicated gentleman.

After arriving, J.J. and I walked up to two teenagers, Ricky and Mike, who were sitting next to the water fountain. I gave them the Easter tract and candy. I asked if they had a Christian background. Ricky had been to church in the past, and Mike said yes. I asked if they considered themselves to be a good person. Ricky said yes, Mike said no. I asked if they would like to take the “Good Person Test” to find out for sure. They said yes.

They admitted to being a lying, thieving, blasphemous, adultery-at-heart, that they would be guilty of breaking God’s Law on the Day of Judgment, and if they died right now they would go to hell. They said it did concern them. I explained that Jesus said, “except a man be born-again, he cannot see the kingdom of God”. Then we talked about what needs to be done to be born-again. Repent (not only be sorry and confess your sins to God, but turn from them) and Believe (trust) in Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior.

Luke had went over and was talking to another man in the square and began witnessing to him. Luke ended up getting his telephone number. The man said he would go to church with him on Easter Sunday.

We split up into groups. J.J., Leann, Nick and Dillon went one direction and Luke, Alexis and I walked towards the Springfield bus station. I am still waiting for an answer from the City of Springfield regarding their order to not go onto their property to pass out gospel tracts, witness to people, etc. I’ve been notified that they forwarded my e-mail to their legal department to review and respond. I will keep you informed. If this is public property, it is legal to pass out tracts, etc. on bus station property.

Anyway, we walked to the edge of the bus station property and asked a couple people if they wanted some Easter candy. A gentleman came over from the bus station and got the candy and the Easter tract for him and his wife. He said, “thank you”.

While walking around, we saw a Christian gentleman and his family (all adult) that we met last week…Mike, Connie, Kristina and Natalie, I believe their names are. They have been coming out on Friday nights to the downtown area to witness for a few years.

Leann said their group walked up to security guards and began talking to them. One of them seen the million dollar bill gospel tract and said that he doesn’t have that one, but he did get the big $100 bill tract from a guy the other night that was from a group out of Branson (our group). Leann gave them the million dollar bills this time.

Luke passed out an Easter tract to a really tall man who was intoxicated. He man looked at it, asked what church we attended, and we said we all go to different churches. He then patted Luke on the shoulder and told him, “I’ll be there tomorrow”. J Luke didn’t even tell him what church he attended. He said, “we all have to have something to believe in”, and handed the tract back to Luke. We decided not to continue the conversation.

Open-air preaching: We decided that instead of standing on the water fountain ledge to speak, we would go over to the raised platform in the square. The water fountain was going, making it kind of noisy.

One of our heckers, Josh (a self-declared pagan), was out tonight. I asked him, “Josh, are you going to be heckling me tonight?” He said, “No, you guys are okay.” He mentioned how that last week another street preacher was out and he did heckle him, however. We’ve been talking a lot with Josh. We are praying for him.

I had the Minivox PB-25 portable PA system. I turned it on and started talking. We were giving away chocolate Easter rabbits and large plastic Easter eggs filled with chocolate as the prizes to the trivia questions we were asking. We drew some people over to listen. Within earshot of the speaker, there were about 70 people total that was able to hear. There was a guy in the middle of the open-air that said, “hey, you need to turn that off, there is the police over there, and you’ll get into trouble. They told a guy earlier to turn their loudspeaker off”. First, I have been out here for about 4 weeks now using the speaker, and the police have never said anything to me about it being illegal. Second, another police car drove right by last night where we were speaking and said nothing. I believe this guy might have been trying to get me to turn off the speaker so they didn’t have to listen. I heard others back there saying something about it before he said that to me.

Here is the outline I used for the open-air, as well as the trivia questions I asked:

Origins of Easter-How it relates to Christianity

What religion is the pope? Catholic
The bunny as an Easter symbol was introduced to American folklore by which country? Germany
Origin of the Easter Rabbit/Bunny
The Easter Bunny is not a modern invention
The pagan goddess, Eastre, was worshipped by the Anglo-Saxons through her earthly symbol, the rabbit
The rabbit was the most fertile animals known, and they served as symbols of the new life during the Spring season
The bunny as an Easter symbol was introduced to American folklore by the German settlers who arrived in the Pennsylvania Dutch country during the 1700s
The first edible Easter bunnies were made in Germany during the early 1800s
The Easter bunny was not widely celebrated in America until after the Civil War

What did Western Union deliver in the old days? Telegrams
What’s another name for a football? Pigskin
Long before its association with Easter, the Easter Egg was a symbol of what? Rebirth
Orgin of the Easter Egg
Exchanging Easter eggs with one another is a custom that goes back thousands of years.
Long before its association with Easter, the egg was a symbol of rebirth.
Many ancient cultures used the egg to symbolize both rebirth and the universe. Ancient peoples such as the Persians, the Egyptians, the Chinese, and the Romans all used the egg in their springtime celebrations.

Easter falls on what day every year? Sunday
The Date of Easter
Easter Sunday falls on the first Sunday after the first full moon after March 20th
Easter Sunday in the West can fall on any date from March 23rd to April 26th

How many curves are there in the standard paper clip? 3
How Did Christianity Become Part of the Easter Celebrations?
The ancient Saxons celebrated the return of Spring by worshipping their goddess, Eastre
Second-Century Christian missionaries encountered the tribes and were able to convert them to Christianity
However, it would have been suicide for the early Christian converts to celebrate their holy days with observances that did not coincide with celebrations that already existed
So, to save lives, the missionaries decided to spread their Christian message slowly throughout the populations by allowing them to continue to celebrate pagan feasts, but to do so in a Christian manner
It so happened, that the pagan festival occurred the same time of year as the Christian observance of the Resurrection of Christ
It made sense to alter the festival itself, to make it a Christian celebration as converts were slowly won over
The early name, Eastre, was eventually changed to its modern spelling, Easter
Later, the exchanging of colored eggs became incorporated in the memorial celebration of Jesus' resurrection.
These Easter eggs were colored and given as tokens to remind Christians of the tomb and Jesus' triumphant victory over death.

What is today called in regards to Easter? Good Friday
Good Friday is a reminder of Jesus’ death on the cross
The origin of the word “good” has been lost. Some claim that it is a corruption of “God” and that the early Christians called this day “God’s Friday”.
In parts of Europe, the day is not called “Good,” but “Great” or “Holy” Friday

Have you ever heard that the gospel(the reason Jesus died and was raised again), is Good News? Have you ever wondered why it was good news? I’ll show you

To illustrate why Jesus died on the cross and was raised from the dead, I will need a volunteer. You will get $5.00 for volunteering. John volunteered. We asked him if he kept the Ten Commandments. He admitted to be a lying, thieving, blasphemous, adultery-at-heart. That he would be guilty before God and on his way to hell. It did concern him. We then went through how to be saved…born-again. Jesus dying on the cross and raising from the dead is “good news” indeed to someone that is on their way to hell. We broke God’s Law and Jesus paid our fine. We need to repent (ask for forgiveness and turn from sin) and believe (trust) in Jesus as our Lord and Savior. I gave John the $5.00 and thanked him, as well as the folks listening.

Just like John took the $5.00 I offered him, we must take hold of what Jesus did for us on the cross. We can’t just “believe” in Jesus. The Bible says that “even the demons believe, and tremble”. We must repent and believe, turn our lives over to Christ and live for Him. We must do as the Bible says, “put on the Lord Jesus Christ” and “pick up your cross daily and follow Me”. God will give you a clean heart and the power to live for Him.

Lord, thank you for bringing people into our paths tonight to speak to. Thank you for convicting their hearts and continuing to do so. We do this in Your name, Jesus. Amen.

In Christ,

Brad St. Clair
http://www.repentandturn.com
http://www.gnnlocalleader.com

SWAT TEAM Springfield, MO Witnessing- 4/07/06

2006-04-11T17:36:00.000-07:00

Street Witnessing And Training
Taking Evangelism Across Missouri

Friday Night - 4/07/06 -- Park Central Square –
Downtown Springfield, Missouri

We had a very interesting time out witnessing Friday night in downtown Springfield, Missouri. There were 31 people out with our group. We had GNN Local Leader, Teresa Stevens from Joplin come over, GNN Seed Sowers David Lohn and Michael Borich, a couple of David's teenage sons – Luke and Nathanel - and two pastors that I met with a while back, Pastor Ron Burks and Pastor Gene Baker, their families, Glen Comstock and others that I cannot remember their names. (Sorry). These two pastors brought approx. 20 people with their group alone!! Praise God. It wasn't planned, but my friend and the Youth Pastor of our church came out, Brent Robison, as well as his wife, Marla Robison and their two kids. They were able to come out and see what happens when we get together to street witness and open-air preach.

During my open air preaching, I originally chose this teenager. He is from Germany. He refused to admit he was a liar. We moved on to see if he was a thief. He said no. I pressed him in his answer. He finally just turned around and walked away. We had to get another person to go through the Good Person Test. We went through the test and finished up. (as soon as I got to the lust question and mentioned Jesus, one of the guys that was up front turned and walked away quickly). I finished taking Lindsey through the 10 Commandments and ended pretty quickly due to the girl below.

One girl was upset and wanted to argue with me. She thought I was saying that we have to repent and never sin again. She was very confused and frustrated. Her friends tried pulling her away but I said it was okay, just let her talk. I said that to be born-again we are to repent of our sins, which means to not only be sorry for them, but to turn from sin. This doesn't mean that we will be perfect for the rest of our lives, but we will live for God and possibly fall into sin at times. If we do, we need to ask forgiveness.

David, Luke, Nathanel, John and I went walking around passing out tracts. A man I began talking to started off in all kinds of directions when I asked him if he was a liar. He reminded me of the WOTM episode where Kirk was talking to that guy and they fast forwarded the time and he never stopped talking. He talked about the bible says it was okay for slavery, it didn't mention the rights of women, etc. Finally I reminded him that he said I could ask him a few questions to see if he was a good person, and he agreed. Then his bus came and he had to leave before we finished. (we were off the bus property). He shook my hand and said he just wanted to see how committed I was by saying all of that.

This was written by Teresa Stevens: I spotted 3 young girls walking away from the square. I caught up with them. I offered them a million dollar bill gospel tract and asked them if they ever thought about what happens to after you die? We had a good talk. I took them through the law and grace. I could tell these girls were distracted. Jackie's mouth was stopped and I saw on her face contrition and wet eyes. Hannah was more distracted and I don't know how much she was hearing. These two girls were not familiar with much about the Bible. Then there was Abby. Abby started to ask questions (more like objections) and told me she was raised Catholic. She laughed at my answer to believing that the stories in the Bible were literally true. Please pray for Abby. Though she was interrupted by her cell phone buzzing several times she kept her focus on our conversation and didn't answer her phone! I gave them all "Are you good enough to get to Heaven." Tracts. I used the value of your eyes analogy and encouraged/warned them to make sure about their eternal salvation and they promised they would study to see if the things I was saying was true!

Michael and I went down the block and passed out tracts. We stopped one time on the way to talk to a guy and girl. Michael probably has more to tell about that.

When we went back to the square a young man (about 17) dressed in black with buckles, chain, and an upside down cross painted or tattooed at the corner of his right eye. I gave a million to Zack. He stopped! I told him that it had the million dollar question on it. He was willing to take the test. I went through the law. Zack said he would be guilty and it concerned him that he would likely end up in hell by that standard. When I explained the price Jesus paid for us by using WoTM illustrations, Zack was very contrite. He had moist eyes and it seemed he was trying to keep his conviction under control. Zack didn’t know how to respond to the idea of someone paying a price they didn’t owe even if it was their undeserved death as Jesus did.

He said he had accepted Jesus when he was 5 years old, but that someone had hurt him really bad and that was it for him. We used illustrations about what it is like to truly know Jesus. Analogies of before/after with driving, touching something hot, and a car with and without an engine to describe what it is like to be born-again. If you are you will KNOW IT beyond a shadow of a doubt. And I shared with him that if he did understand enough at 5 to be saved, then “did it make any sense that you would turn away from the One who paid the price you couldn’t pay just because someone” who was or claimed to be a Christian hurt you? He said no, it didn’t make any sense to turn away from the one who saved you because of someone else’s harm done.

As it seemed he was ready to accept Jesus I invited him to do so by saying, “What is going to keep you from doing so now?” He didn‘t have an answer but when I pressed some (I don‘t often do this) Zack said he had to think about it. I told him that I understood, but that I wanted to warn him that there was an enemy - satan - that would try to keep him from making this most important decision of his life. I encouraged/warned him that he couldn‘t guarantee how long he would live. I asked him if it made any sense. He said it did. Michael gave him a “Save yourself some pain“ and I gave him an “Are you good enough to get to Heaven” tract. We encouraged him to make the decision using the precious eyes analogy and told him that we were praying for him.
Pray for Zack, Hannah, Jackie, and Abby

This is from Pastor Ron Burks who went out with us:
"Pray for Micah, a young girl who said she is a gnostic but was once a Christian. I was able to show her from Romans 1 how she came to a point where she "chose" to reject the knowledge of God. She at least agreed to that. I also spoke with another young man who said he was "confused" about Christianity. He said he was saved at a young age but is not sure about his salvation any longer. He seemed very sincere. He was the tall kid with long hair making a lot of noise at some times. You probably saw him."

I heard from Michael that he and Teresa went to the bus station, the one we were ran off from last week. They were not noticed. I am in the middle of "negotiations" with the City Manger as to if the bus station is public property.

Here is what Michael wrote: After your open air, we headed out into the Friday nighters to pass out a variety of gospel tracts -- Big Money, million dollar bills, 10 commandment coins and Are You Good Enough To Go To Heaven. We met two MSU students. Teresa spoke with the young woman and had about a 15 minute conversation with her -- it appeared she went through the entire good news message. I spoke with the young man, an international student from Burkina Faso (west coast of Africa). He was Assemblies of God and a devout Christian, but he seemed so busy with his studies he had no time for fellowship, so I invited him to an International banquet on campus Tuesday that my wife is hosting.

We continued around the block -- so many people took gospel tracts. When we arrived at the bus station we probably passed out another 20 tracts. Teresa went through most of the good person test with an African American man who had to leave to catch his bus.

Just as we returned to the square we met a student at Hillcrest H.S. named Zach, who at the age of 5 made a semi-commitment to Jesus, but at that age, he had limited knowledge. He seemed a little fearful of what that meant to his life because he admitted he really wasn't living for the Lord. Teresa was very effective and loving with Zach, even inviting him to pray at that moment. He had tears in his eyes and his voice was so soft that the Holy Spirit seemed to be working on his heart. He did take some gospel materials, including Save Yourself Some Pain and said that he would very seriously consider everything we had talked about.

Then we spoke with another street evangelist, Mike and his family (3 women) for about 15 minutes, and he took Teresa's card and she he would check out GNN. He said that some of the young people at the square he spoke with wanted to do outdoor church at the square Fridays at 7 p.m.

Praise God for what He did tonight, and those he led us to speak to.

If you would like to come out and witness with us, we encourage you to do so.

In Christ,

Brad St. Clair
www.repentandturn.com
www.gnnlocalleader.com

SWAT TEAM Springfield, MO Witnessing- 3/31/06

2006-04-03T16:04:00.000-07:00

Street Witnessing And Training
Taking Evangelism Across Missouri

Friday Night - March 31, 2006
Park Central Square - Springfield, Missouri

This Friday night was fruitful. The bus station security told us we couldn't pass out gospel tracts any longer on their property and we had to leave, because they had "complaints" about us last Friday night. We also spoke to Christians, a pagan, pulled April Fool's Day jokes on people, passed out an April Fool's Day trivia gospel tract, and did open-air preaching two times at Park Central Square.

We had six committed people come out tonight. My son, Dillon came with me. GNN Seed Sower David Lohn and his two sons, Luke and Nathanel, as well as GNN Seed Sower Michael Borich. It was a much warmer night than usual, and that made for more people in the downtown area.

We paired off into two teams. David, Luke and Nathanel started off one direction and Michael, Dillon and I headed for the bus station. As soon as we arrived at the bus station and started passing out the April Fool's Day trivia gospel tract, the security officer came up and told us that she was instructed by higher ups that if we arrived, that we would have to stop passing out our tracts and leave the property. She said they had complaints last Friday night. If you read last Friday night's post, that is when a bus driver was loud with me and telling us to stop handing tracts out because it was blocking people from getting of the buses. We backed up and continued.

Last Friday night we also had a young man named David who prayed and repented and trusted in Christ....right at the bus station. We have been having very fruitful conversations with folks there. Satan would like nothing better than to put a stop to us going to this place. I asked her if it was a publicly owned bus station, and if so, I believe we have the right to be there. She told us we will need to call back and talk to the people who made the decision. I will be doing that and possibly contacting an attorney to see what they say. I will let you know what happens.

Michael and I walked around, passing out the April Fool's Day trivia gospel tract. One side had trivia questions about April Fool's Day and the other had a gospel message. Most people we offered a tract to accepted it.

After getting back to the square, we ran into Chris, David and Sally from West Division Baptist Church. They come out and hand out free water and witness to people. I met Chris at the Square one time before. He said he still has the "Hell's Best Kept Secret" cd I gave him, he just hasn't listened to it yet.

David, Luke and Nathanel arrived back from passing out tracts. They did something that was funny, something that David did once before. The three of them just stopped and began looking up at the sky. Finally, a few ladies that were walking by stopped and began looking at the sky to see what they were looking at. David said, "April Fool's Day!" ha - and handed them gospel tracts and they accepted them.

We had our Minivox PB-25 portable PA system. We placed it on the fountain wall and I stepped up to open air preach. Michael buys these cute little stuffed animals and we give them away as free prizes if someone answers a trivia question correctly. This normally gathers a crowd. After a crowd is gathered, we offer someone a couple stuffed animals if they can prove to me they are a good person. We had a volunteer tonight named Brian (nickname is Scooby). We took Brian through the Good Person Test, asking if he has ever lied, stolen, blasphemed or lusted. We are all guilty of breaking these 10 Commandments. Brian knew all the right answers and said that he is a Christian. I gave him the stuffed animals. There were probably 25 people in the entire area that heard the message.

After the open-air, I spoke to Brian. He was out with some friends, Rebecca and Ashley. They go to Solid Rock International church. We passed out some Hell's Best Kept Secret cd's and other tracts to the people after the open-air.

More people were arriving at the square, so we decided to do another open-air. David used his money and went to get change ($1.00 bills) and we used those as prizes to give out if they answered the trivia questions correctly. I stood up on the fountain wall and began announcing that we were giving away free money, all you have to do is answer the trivia questions correctly. We gave the money away and I asked for a volunteer who could prove to be a good person, then they would receive two stuffed animals. There were probably 50-60 people in the square that heard the law and the gospel presented.

A few people were volunteering, but I picked Barbara. I had noticed Barbara walking around the square earlier. She was cursing quite a bit and being loud. She had a couple of her daughters out with her (teenagers). I asked her, "Have you ever told a lie?" "Yes". "What does that make you?" "A liar". I mentioned to everyone that the Bible says that "all liars will have their part in the Lake of Fire". "Have you ever stolen anything?" "Yes". "What does that make you?" "A stealer" "Only in Pittsburg" :-) "No, a thief". The Bible says that "no thief will enter into the kingdom of God".

"Have you ever used God's name in vain?" "Yes". The Bible says that that is called blasphemy, and that "the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain". What we do is take the name of the God who has given us everything we hold dear and drag His name through the mud. So, instead of using a four-letter filth word to express disgust, we use God's name. We don't even use Adolph Hitler or Saddam Hussein's name as a curse word, but we use God's name. "Have you ever looked with lust?" "Yes".

One of the 10 Commandments says, "Do not commit adultery", but Jesus went as far to say, "That whosoever looks at a woman to lust after her has committed adultery with her already in his heart." We will be judged on not only by our actions but by our thought life. During these questions, Barbara kept looking up at me, saying, "Are you going to tell me I am going to die?" I believe what she was meaning to ask me was, "Are you going to tell me that I am going to go to hell". She had a convicted and concerned look on her face. Also during this time, one of her teenage daughters kept saying to me, "have you ever told a lie, have you ever stolen anything?". It looked like she was just being protective of her mother. After it was over, I spoke with the daughter, Amber, and admitted I was guilty just like everyone else, but I have repented and asked forgiveness and am trusting Jesus as my Savior. She was no longer mad.

"So Barbara, by your own admission, you are a lying, thieving, blasphemous, adulterer-at-heart and you have to stand before God on the Day of Judgment. We will all die one day. 10 out of 10 people die. 150, 000 people die everyday. If God were to judge you by that standard on the Day of Judgment, will you be innocent or guilty of breaking God's law?" She ran around the answer for a bit, but admitted, "Guilty". "Will you go to heaven or hell?" She said, "Heaven". Although she admitted to breaking God's Law, she still didn't quite see that she was guilty enough to go to hell. I think she knew it, but didn't want to admit it.

I explained how that we broke God's law and Jesus paid our fine. We could not pay our fine (debt to sin) in court and Jesus came up and paid the fine for us. If we will repent (ask forgiveness and turn from our sin) and trust in Christ as our Lord and Savior, we will be born-again.

After the open-air, I began speaking with people that came up to talk. I met some Central Bible College students that come out every Friday night to witness. I met Tom, Erika and Susan, Cherissa and Jocob. I gave out some "Not My Job" bookmark gospel tracts and a Hell's Best Kept Secret cd to Erika. Erika said that she just might have to take the microphone sometime and jump up and preach - Praise God.

After one of the open-air's, David went to talk to one of the young men who answered one of the trivia questions correctly. This man told David that he is a pagan, that it fit him more than serving God. David talked to him for awhile, explaining how that was idolatry and his believe was offensive to God. That he needed to repent and believe in Christ. I pray that the Holy Spirit will continue to convict Josh's heart.

We went to "The Mudhouse", drank coffee, visited and discussed the evening of witnessing and what we would like to do in the future as far as witnessing and open-air preaching.

I thank God for those that came out with us tonight. Lord, we thank you for working in our lives and working in the lives of those that you brought into our paths this night.

In Christ,

Brad St. Clair

www.repent-and-turn.com

www.gnnlocalleader.com

www.needgod.com - Are you a good person...take the test!

SWAT TEAM Springfield, MO Witnessing- 3/24/06

2006-03-24T20:50:00.000-08:00

Street Witnessing And Training
Taking Evangelism Across Missouri

Friday Night - 3/24/06 -- Park Central Square - Downtown Springfield, Missouri

Even though it was a chilly night, and there were only two of us out witnessing for a less than two hours, God really moved! We both did open-air preaching (with our new portable sound system), one person prayed right out on the street and said he repented and is believing and trusting in Christ as his savior. We talked to the bus station security guard who is a LatterDay Saint LDS-Mormon), non-Christians and bible college students.

Here's a pic of Michael Borich and me

I arrived at 8:00pm and met up with GNN Seed Sower Michael Borich. A Christian brother purchased a Minivox PB-25 portable PA system for me to use in the ministry. What a blessing he is to me personally and the ministry. I thank God for you. If you are looking for amplification, this is one very loud little system. Michael and I tested using this in the square. It echoed all over the place. You could hear it 200-300 feet away, easily.

We started walking around and spoke to a man named Jim. We began taking him through the Law (10 Commandments), he knew all the right answers and knew that he had to repent and believe in Jesus Christ to get to heaven, and said that he has done this. However, he kept mentioning how "good" he was and all the good works that he has done, implying that his goodness would help him to get to heaven. We gave him a "Save Yourself Some Pain" booklet and encouraged him to read it. Pray for Jim.

We walked to the bus station and began handing out the giant $100 gospel tracts near the unloading bus. One of the bus drivers came over and told us to get away from the door and not to block the doorway. We backed up a little and kept handing them out. He griped at us and the security guard came to tell us we should back up. I mentioned that we were not blocking the door or slowing down traffic. The security guard's name is Harold. We began talking to him. He is a Morman, a Latter-Day Saint (LDS) missionary. We began taking him through the Law (10 Commandments) to show him how we witness to folks.

While we were talking, a young man named David walked up and wanted one of our giant $100 gospel tracts. I asked if he had a Christian background. He said that he did, and that his mom raised them in church. He knew the bible and began telling us how sin came into the world through Adam and Eve when Eve ate the fruit in the Garden of Eden, etc. and what Jesus did so that we didn't have to go to hell. He was even carrying a bible in his bag. I asked Harold if we can start over and begin asking David the same questions that I was asking him. He said yes.

I asked him if he thought he was a good person. Yes. Can I ask a few questions to see if that is true? Yes. We're going to use the 10 Commandments. Have you ever told a lie? Have you ever stolen anything? Have you ever used God's name in vain? Have you ever looked with lust? He was very evasive in answering the questions. He did mention that there were a few things that he never has done...and mentioned them. He did say that he was a Christian and he had repented and was baptised when he was young. Michael had walked away to talk to another person and I continued talking with David and Harold. David said that everyone backslides. At the end of our talk, he asked if he could pray right then and repent and believe in Jesus. He said a prayer to himself, then I prayed for him. I handed him a "Hell's Besk Kept Secret" and a "Save Yourself Some Pain" booklet. We shook hands and he left.

Harold is a LDS. He did like the gospel presentation using the law and some of the analogies we used. I am praying for Harold as well.

As I said earlier, Michael began talking with another girl. Here is his account of that conversation:

Keep Sara in your prayers. We went through the good person test for a stuffed animal. Sara has a church background, but admitted to being backslidden. She didn't do so hot on her answers, but I explained repent and trust in more detail, then gave her a copy of "Save Yourself Some Pain." She struggles with her life, has a troubled home situation. She's dropped out of school, can't find a job, seems to be without direction. I encouraged her to draw closer to the Lord and said that the booklet would help her if she took it seriously.

Michael and I walked around and went back to Park Central Square. I pulled out the new pa system and began to open-air preach. There was no one around...every now and then someone would walk by. Then, Michael jumped up on the water fountain wall and began to open-air preach. There were more people walking by when he began. A few stopped and listened for a couple of minutes. I thought he was going to have a heckler for a minute, because they were beginning to get disrespectful and then left before getting very loud.

We met two students from Central Bible College. Their name is Jamie and Antione. They come out with a group from CBC every Friday night from 9:00pm until midnight.

Above is a picture of Jamie, Antione and myself.

Here is Jamie, Antione and Michael

I thank God for bring people into our paths tonight. Even though we didn't stay out long, it was very fruitful. Please continue to pray for those we spoke to tonight, as well as David. He is the one that prayed and said he repented and trusted in Christ tonight. Praise God.

In Christ,

Brad St. Clair

www.repentandturn.com
www.gnnlocalleader.com

St. Patrick's Day Parade Witnessing - 3/18/06

2006-03-21T16:38:00.000-08:00

Saturday, 3/18/06

St. Patrick's Day Parade - Downtown Springfield, Missouri

It was a cold day for a parade...but at least it didn't "rain on our parade" (rain was in the forecast)! Michael Borich, myself, my wife, Leann, and three of my kids, Nick, Dillon and Alexis came out to hand out the "St. Patrick's Day quiz" to people. Michael had created this quiz. It had a very long gospel message on the back.

We passed out around 325 of these quizes (gospel tracts). I know that Michael had also passed out some silver 10 Commandment coins as well. Michael had a few one-2-one conversations with folks.

Here is Michael.

Here is my daugher, Alexis (she had a 3-leaf clover painted on her face)

After passing out tracts, I went back to where my family set up to watch the parade. Here are some fun pics of the parade.

We had a good day. We were able to plant the Word of God in people's lives as well as have fun watching the parade.

In Christ,

Brad St. Clair

www.repent-and-turn.com
www.gnnlocalleader.com

SWAT TEAM Springfield, MO Witnessing- 3/17/06

2006-03-21T15:50:00.000-08:00

Friday Night - 3/17/06

Downtown Springfield, Missouri

There wasn't many people out and about tonight. The few that were out were in a rush to get to where they were going. It was pretty cold outside.

I arrived at 8:00pm and met up with GNN Seed Sower Michael Borich. While talking, a young man named Tim walked up. He had a guitar with him and Michael had his harmonica, so they began to play music together. After a little while, Tim began talking to us. He just moved into his apartment and decided to go out and meet people in the square area of downtown.

We told Tim that we go downtown and witness to others. He thought is was a great idea and couldn't believe that we were out witnessing and didn't even belong to the same church. He mentioned a couple of books he is currently reading regarding Christianity. Tim is very intellectual. He has some very good questions. We decided to take him through the "Good Person Test" (10 Commandments) to show him how we begin witnessing with someone.

About this time, along came another young man named "Ice". He said he was a Christian, but kept cursing. We began taking them through the Ten Commandments, and Tim was very evasive and didn't want to admit to breaking many of them, and kept changing the subject. We thanked Tim for his time, gave him some gospel tracts and left. Please pray for him.

While we were talking with Tim and "Ice", GNN Seed Sower David Lohn arrived, along with his son, Nathanel. J.J. Lindsey and Danika also arrived. There were 6 of us out tonight.

We split up and began passing out tracts. We did more passing out tracts tonight than we did one-2-one conversations, due to the cold (no one wanted to stand around and talk). Michael decided to use some of the "St. Patrick's Day Quiz" tracts that he created. People were really taking them. There is questions about St. Patrick and who he was, etc. and it led right into asking someone if they were "good enough" to go to heaven.

We talked to a lady named Debra at the bus station. She has some medical issues that she is dealing with. We told her we would be praying for her and gave her a gospel tract and info that may assist her. Please pray for Debra.

We decided to leave early tonight. I went back to Michael's house and we watched ABC's "Nightline" interview of The Way of the Master. The Way of the Master is who I learned how to be an "effective" witness for Christ through. Overall, it was a good interview. It only lasts 10 minutes. To watch it, click here.

We want to thank God for those that did accept gospel tracts tonight and the few we talked to. We pray that the Holy Spirit will convict their hearts and show them their need to repent and trust in Him.

In Christ,
Brad
www.repent-and-turn.com
www.gnnlocalleader.com

SWAT TEAM Springfield, MO Witnessing- 3/10/06

2006-03-13T17:23:00.000-08:00

Street Witnessing And Training

Taking Evangelism Across Missouri

Friday Night - 3/10/06

I just want to say that I was not out with the team this Friday night. I went to Oklahoma City to visit family. However, Praise God for the faithful seed sowers that we have. I want to thank God for bringing people to us and convicting their hearts.

The faithful that came out to witness tonight were: David Lohn and his son, Nathanael. Michael Borich, J.J. Lindsay and Danika. Below are the reports I recieved from them.

Report from GNN Seed Sower David Lohn:
We (Nathanael and I) met Michael and prayed at the square around 8 PM. Nathanael and I purposed to hand out 50 of the $100 bill gospel tracks. The first group we talked to was 4 teenagers who were willing to talk and go through the good person test. Mike was the yound man's name. We sowed some good seed, and they thanked us. We then proceeded to walk and hand out tracks for the better part of the rest of the evening. We were running out of time and found a group of I would say about 20-25 kids gathered on the square. They received the tracks enthusiastically, but could not develop personal conversations with anyone. We ended the evening at the Mudhouse (coffee house).

Report from Michael Borich: (soon to be GNN Seed Sower)
Just a few brief notes about seed sowing this evening: Wow, what a beautiful, warm evening --- about 60 degrees when I got downtown at 8 pm. I talked to JJ earlier and he was going to arrive with Danika about 8:30, so I started playing my harmonica by the fountain and drew a few stray cats -- haha. Actually just some passing interest. David and his son Nathaniel arrived, we prayed, then they went off to loop around the downtown while I waited for Danika and JJ.

I watched David & son begin passing out big money to a group of teenagers -- they can probably fill you in. While I was waiting (and playing Amazing Grace), two young men stopped to listen. Then they offered me a silver 10-Commandment coin! They were two of a group of six from the AGTS seminary. Nice guys -- sorry, I have forgotten their names and didn't write them down. They said they come about once a month, usually on art walk, but they brought several other students down that evening.

While we were talking, another gentleman walked up to the three of us -- his name was Mike, 40ish. Very friendly. He asked if any of us needed prayer. He said he and his wife were downtown ministering -- almost every Friday night for six years, he said. I asked if he had met Brad St. Clair, but he had not recalled doing so. I told him we would probably be bumping into him more often if he was out every Friday. He had some interesting stories to share about witnessing to Wiccans and witches in the downtown area. We also prayed; he bound spiritual powers over the downtown area -- a real prayer warrior.

David and Nathaniel returned (about 8:45 now); JJ and Danika telephoned him, and as there seemed to be more soul winners than lost souls downtown, I decided to head out to Battlefield Mall to catch people leaving before it closed.

As I was walking to my car, I passed out a half-dozen Ten Commandment pressed pennies in front of the tatoo parlor, but then met two young men, Tim (OTC) and Denny (Central H.S.), who took a Ten Commandment silver coin each. We went through the good person test, and when we got to heaven or hell, they both said heaven, on the evidence that they were both saved, though when questioned, neither had a clear idea of how to explain what that meant to someone else, or how one got saved other than in trusting in Jesus for salvation. They said they both attended Central Assembly, but not so often, and both had Bibles but didn't really read them.

So I gave them some basic instruction, encouraged them, gave them a couple more coins and told them to go share their faith and testimony with someone tonight if they were going to hang out longer. I felt they needed to be challenged to take their faith more seriously if they felt they were truly saved. As I left I felt they both understood the consequences of breaking God's moral law and need for repentance much better.

And almost immediately two young girls I had met last week -- Melissa and Myka -- students at Glendale said to me -- "The penny man." I had given them pressed pennies last week (they were with a larger group) and had played a song for them. Tonight I gave them each a silver coin and a million dollar bill gospel tract. They were on their way to the Magic Bean and didn't have time to talk, but said they would probably see me again next week as they cruise the square and downtown most weekends. I will have something new to give them, for sure.

By the time I got to my car (after 9) I realized by the time I reached the mall it would be mostly deserted. So, I called it an early evening.

Please pray for the people that were witnessed to tonight.

In Christ,
Brad St. Clair
www.repent-and-turn.com
www.gnnlocalleader.com
www.needgod.com - Are you a good person...take the test!

SWAT TEAM Springfield, MO Witnessing- 3/03/06

2006-03-04T08:45:00.000-08:00

March 3, 2006 - Friday Night - Downtown Springfield, Missouri

Street Witnessing And Training

Taking Evangelism Across Missouri

We made a difference in lives tonight. Once you die and pass from this life into eternity, you will not have the opportunity to make a difference in someone's eternity. If you are a Christian, please do what Jesus commanded in Mark 16:15, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature". We should be so grateful to God for saving us from hell and giving us heaven that we shouldn't have to think twice about wanting to do this.

We had a total of 13 people hit the streets witnessing tonight. Here is a picture of most of them.

We had David Lohn and some of the seniors from his homeschool football team that he coaches, along with some of their friends, Michael Borich, J.J. and Danika. I thank God for them and for their faithfulness and boldness to come out and share their faith.

Tonight was the "Art Walk" in downtown Springfield. It had quite a few more people out that has been out lately. I also had an open-air preaching time tonight. More about that below along with pictures.

I arrived at 8:00pm at Park Central Square. Michael Borich was already waiting for me and had been there a little while, playing his harmonica. He said that he had already passed out the Ten Commandment pressed pennys to about 20 people. This is Michael's first time out with us. By the way, the tracts we use are from Living Waters Publications, www.livingwaters.com. We use the Way of the Master as a tool for evangelizing. www.wayofthemaster.com.

Michael and I prayed and then began walking around the area. We first came up to three teenagers named Abby, Brittany and Dean. We gave them the Giant $100 bill gospel tracts and started talking to them. Abby is a Jehovah's Witness. Brittany believed much of what Abby did, and Dean...well Dean was saying he believed in reincarnation and he was coming back as a redwood tree (although Michael talked to him alone later and he was just giving me a hard time it seems).

We went through the "Good Person Test" with them, which is taking them through the Ten Commandments, to see how they will do when compared to God's standard on Judgment Day when they stand before God and give an account of everything they have ever said, thought, or done in their lives. Many people don't think they have done so bad as long as they are comparing themselves against each other. However, we can't do that. We need to compare ourselves against God's holy standard of good and evil.

Abby and Brittany believed they would live on earth forever and never die, and that the earth would be a paradise (Jehovah Witness beliefs). We used Michael's bible and read verses to each other. Abby was very polite and friendly about it. We told her that there is a heaven and a hell. I gave them a "Save Yourself Some Pain" booklet. Abby said that she would read it. I also gave her a "Ten Commandment Coin", and the "Curved Illusion" tracts. She said she will contact me through my post office box and send me literature to read as well. Please pray for them.

During this time, J.J. and Danika arrived. J.J. said that while I was talking with the three teenagers, that a lady was pointing at me and being a heckler, saying things about God, etc. Praise God. She must have been angry, which is a sign that she is being convicted. :-)

J.J. and Micheal headed off in a direction and Danika and I took off in a different direction. We came up to Frank, who goes to a local Baptist church. We talked a bit and gave him a "Giant $100" tract, a "Not My Job" bookmark tract and a "Hell's Best Kept Secret" cd, and encouraged him to witness. He said he would listen to it and pass it around.

Danika and I went to the bus station. I handed a tract to Alex, who was a young man waiting for the bus. Danika went to another two or three people and had good conversations. One Christian lady even prayed for her. Anyway, Alex and I had a good conversation. He said he "had been" an Episcopalian for eight years, but had been treated badly by the members, and felt that church was a bunch of hypocrites. He also didn't believe in hell. I reminded him that Jesus talked more about hell and the reality of it than anything else.

I took him through the Ten Commandments to show him how he has offended God by sinning against him, and explained how to be born-again. We must repent(be sorry for our sins and offending God, as well as turning completely from sin-to stop sinning) and believe in Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, like we would trust a parachute to save us if we were jumping out of a plane. We must "put on the Lord Jesus Christ" and "pick up our cross daily and follow Him".

I told him that the "church" was not filled with "hypocrites". The "Church" is not a church building. The true "Church" is the body of Christ, true believers and followers of Jesus. A hypocrite is a "pretenter", an "actor". They are pretending to be a Christian. If they followed the Bible they would not treat others in such a way as he was treated. I asked to not become angry at God just because other so called Christians treated him badly. I gave him a "Save Yourself Some Pain" booklet. He said he would read it. He shook my hand and got on his bus.

David Lohn, a fellow "The Great News Network" seed sower (GNN), and his homeschool football team arrived. They had a football dinner party to attend, and they were faithful enough to still come out and witness. It was Chais, T.J., Ben, John, Josh, Luke and their two friends, Angela and Julia.

During the night when he was out with two or three others, they were having a difficult time getting people to take a gospel tract, or even slow down enough to grab one. It was getting kind of cold. So, what David did, was tell all the guys with him to stop and look up at the sky. Then, the group of folks that were walking fast stopped, and began looking up at the sky to see what was going on. At this time, David told the guys to go over and hand them gospel tracts while they were stopped and just staring up at the sky. It worked-they took the tracts. Excellent idea, David.

Danika and I talked to a young man named Josh, who was in the Army Reserve. After giving him a gospel tract, we asked him if he considered himself to be a good person. He said he was not a good person. When asked why he wasn't, he said that he smokes and drinks, etc. One of his friends heard him say this and said, "you are too a good person...he is even starting to go to a Tuesday night bible study". He still denied being good. She didn't want me to take Josh through the Ten Commandments, but he said it was okay and then she took off - she didn't want to hear it.

Josh admitted to being a lying, thieving, blasphemous, adulterer at heart and that he believed he would be guilty on the Day of Judgment. He believed he would go to hell and that did concern him when he thought about it. He didn't really know what it meant to be born-again. At this time, the group of friends that he came with started to leave. I asked him did he have to go, and he said no. He then told them that he would catch up with them in a little while. He was listening intently to what we had to say. We told him how to be born-again and gave him a "Save Yourself Some Pain" booklet, which he said he would read. He thanked us for talking with him and left.

At this time we decided that we would do some open-air preaching at the square. The following pictures didn't turn out to good, but here they are. We had people in and out during the entire time. Overall, there were probably 50-60 that were there.

I jumped up on the brick wall at the side of Park Central Square and started loudly telling people that in a few minutes we would be giving away money for answering trivia questions. J.J. and Danika left and went around telling people what was going on, which caused more people to show up.

I started asking various trivia questions and giving $1.00 bills to those who answered correctly. During this time, a walking band of accordian players, etc. came by and we couldn't hear very well. The crowd really yelled and cursed them for disrupting our trivia game and their chance to get free money. The band quickly kept walking by. After doing this for awhile, I stated we'd need a volunteer for the next part, but they would need to listen to the requirements first. If someone could prove to me that they are a good person, by the questions I asked them, I would give them $5.00. There were roughly six people that ran to the front and raised their hand, saying, "pick me, pick me". I selected the one that was the loudest and had the most friends there. His name is Brandon.

I asked Brandon, "Have you ever told a lie?" He said yes. "Have you ever stolen anything?" He said no. "Should I believe you, you just admitted to me that you are a liar?" :-) (always gets a good laugh to break the ice). He said he hadn't. "Have you ever used God's name in vain?" Yes. "Have you ever looked at a woman to lust after her?" Yes. "So, Brandon, by your own admission, you are a lying thief, a blasphemer and an adulter at heart. One of these days you will die. When you stand before God on the Day of Judgment, and if God judges you by that standard, will you be innocent or guilty?" Guilty. "Will you go to heaven or Hell?". Hell. "Does that concern you?" Yes. The bible says that all liars will have their part in the Lake of Fire, and that the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes his name in vain, and that no adulterer will enter into the kingdom of heaven.

Later, I was told that during this time, a lady was going up behind me and pointing, trying to get people to leave and stop listening to me. I didn't notice anyone leaving, however. There was a guy there with a camera with a zoom lense walking around taking pictures during the open-air. We are not sure who he was with.

We continued talking for a little while about heaven and hell and how to be born-again. At this time, a guy came up from behind me and stood right next to me. I asked him to get down with the rest of the people. He didn't move. I told him I am in the middle of trying to give away money. Some of the people were telling him to get down, but he didn't.

I continued and asked if Brandon proved himself to be a good person. Brandon said no. I said that I am going to give him the $5.00 anyway. That is what God's grace is. We don't deserve it, but God is offering his forgiveness and eternal life to us, if we will just reach out and take it...repent and believe. Brandon walked right up to me, took the money, left, then walked back to me and gave me a hug. Praise God.

Later, David was talking to a guy from Central Bible College, named Ryan. Ryan said that when Ray Comfort and Kirk Cameron were in Branson in May of 2005, Ray walked up to him at the mall and started witnessing to him. We were out witnessing with them as a group from "WorldView Weekend". He said, "I was at the mall wearing my "beer brand" hat and this little man came walking up to me and started asking me all these questions. He kept answering all my questions that I had." Ryan said he got saved right then and there. However, when Ray asked his name earlier so that he could sign him a book and cd's, etc., Ryan told Ray his name was "Jim". Ryan gave me his phone number. I will contact him. He has a passion to seek and save the lost, using the law to convict of sin. This is how he was brought under conviction and saved, so he believes in it. I thank God for Ryan.

We had to do the Christian thing after being out witnessing in the cold...we went to the coffee house. We discussed our night. Everyone gave stories about what happened. Luke was able to talk to an agnostic man. He took him through part of the law and gave him a gospel tract. Everyone passed out tracts. We have been primarily using the "Giant $100" tracts. We are getting known all around downtown Springfield as the "group" that gives out the Giant $100 bills. One guys said that he read it and almost started crying.

Earlier in the night, Michael Borich gave me some stuffed animals to give away instead of money for the triva questions. I will used these next time. Thanks, Michael!

On our way back to the cars, I walked up to a guy that is out in the square a lot having "sword fights" with shaped wooden sticks. A girl that was talking to him, named Kristin, asked me what the "Giant $100 bills" were. I gave here one and told her it is a gospel tract. She said she attends Central Bible Collge. She was there when I did my open-air preaching. She said she believes in more of a "Friendship Evangelism" style of witnessing. She said you have to make friends with someone before they will open up and trust you enought with spiritual things. I told her I agree that you need to make sure people know you care about them, but that can be done in just a few minutes. That we talk to many people a night who open up and tell us all about their spiritual lives and listen to us as we take them through the Ten Commandments. They are convicted. The Holy Spirit convicts their conscience, and they see their need to repent and trust in Christ. I gave here a "Not My Job" bookmark.

One of the problems with "Friendship Evangelism", is that while we are waiting to build up a relationship over time with them, so that they will "trust" me enough to tell me what they are thinking, they can die. 150,000 people die each and every day. Almost two people per second. We don't have the time.

Please pray for the many people that we witnessed to tonight. Pray that the Holy Spirit will continue to convict the hearts of those that had a seed planed in their life.

In Christ,
Brad St. Clair
www.repent-and-turn.com
www.gnnlocalleader.com

SWAT TEAM Springfield, MO Witnessing- 2/17/06

2006-02-17T20:16:00.000-08:00

Street Witnessing And Training

Taking Evangelism Across Missouri

Friday night - 2/17/06

Tonight was a really cold night...for Springfield anyway. It was approx. 25 degrees, windy, and it started to snow and sleet a little. There weren't too many people out and about, God used me anyway. Be faithful and God will show Himself to you.

I was on my own tonight. There was a couple more guys going to be out tonight, but for one reason or another it didn't work out.

I arrived at Park Central Square at 8:00pm. There were a couple of young men that I heard cursing and using God's name in vain. I said hello and gave them a giant $100 bill and told them it was a gospel tract, and asked it they went to church. Brandon said he goes to church every Sunday, and Aaron said no. I asked them if they would consider themselves to be a good person. Yes. I asked if I could ask them a few questions to see if that was true.

I took them through the Law (the Ten Commandments). They said they would be guilty on the Day of Judgment. I asked it that concerned them. Brandon said he has been forgiven and Aaron said it concerned him. During this process, Brandon kept quoting scripture. I let them know that there is two things we must do to be born-again: 1) Repent, and 2) Believe. I encouraged them to really think about what we had talked about because we will all die one day, and we don't know when it will be. I gave them a "Save Yourself Some Pain" booklet by Ray Comfort and they said they would read it.

I told Brandon (the one that kept quoting the Bible) that I didn't want to offend him, but if someone was in a plane and it was going down, and there was a parachute on the floor, would just "believing that the parachute" save him? No. It wouldn't. He would have to put on the parachute before it would save him. One day we will jump through the door of death. If we haven't "put on Christ" like we would a parachute (repenting of our sin, turning from them and living each day for Him), that we would be "jumping" without Christ into eternity.

He could even believe in how the parachute was made, the construction of it, etc. but even that wouldn't save him from the jump. Just like many people "believe" that Jesus was born of the virgin Mary, lived a sinless life, died on the cross for our sins and was raised from the dead three days later. They may know all about the "construction" of Jesus' life...but if they don't "put on the Lord Jesus Christ" like the Bible says, they will not be saved. They thanked me for talking with them. I told them I will be praying for them. Brandon told me he will be praying for me as well.

There was a man named Jody that walked up and sat down in the square. I handed him the giant $100 and told him it was a gospel tract. He tried to give it back to me and said he didn't need it, to give it to someone that it would help. He is a Christian. I asked him to keep it anyway. He has a bachlor's degree in pastoral care from Central Bible College. I told him about the Way of the Master and using the law when witnessing. We went through a role play of the good person test, gave him a "Not My Job" tract and a "Hell's Best Kept Secret" cd to listen to. He said he would listen to it. He was out there to pray. He prayed for me, that I would not be discouraged, for God to give me strength and use me in the days ahead. It was great. I thank God for you, Jody. (I might be spelling your name wrong).

Then, two other young college age guys came up named Thomas and Tyler. I gave them the giant $100 tracts. They said they were out with 16 people (I believe that is the number he told me) that were from Evangel College (Christian college). They were out witnessing. This was their first night out. They will be coming out one Friday night a month. I explained a little about the Way of the Master and using the law when witnessing. Many Christians I talk to have heard of the Way of the Master before, which makes it easier to talk about. I gave each of them a "Hell's Best Kept Secret" cd by Ray Comfort. They said they would listen to it. We shook hands and departed.

On my way out of downtown, I ran into Thomas and Tyler again (I had a very difficult time remembering their name!! Sorry. I think my brain was frozen). They asked me to pray for them, for boldness in witnessing. I pulled out some other tracts, the pink and blue curved illusion, the green intelligence test card, the survey, the ticket to heaven, ten commandment coins, Not My Job bookmarks, etc. They were laughing and we were having a fun time. They said that I was like a Christian "Carrot top" that kept pulling things out of my backpack that was funny. BUT, it was all gospel tracts. I explained how important it is to know what to say when witnessing to someone, to have boldness. It is important to use the law when witnessing to someone...to bring the knowledge of sin to them. They thanked me and they left.

I thank God for using me tonight to witness to Brandon and Aaron, then getting to speak to the Christians: Jody, Thomas and Tyler, and explaining the importance of knowing how to witness and bringing conviction using the Law.

Please pray for the folks mentioned in this post.

In Christ,
Brad St. Clair
www.repent-and-turn.com
www.gnnlocalleader.com
www.needgod.com - Are you good enough to get to heaven? Take the test.

SWAT TEAM Springfield, MO Witnessing- 2/10/06

2006-02-10T22:01:00.000-08:00

Street Witnessing And Training

Taking Evangelism Across Missouri

Friday night - 2/10/06

We had a fruitful night of witnessing. It wasn't as busy in downtown Springfield, Missouri as it was last week (Art Walk was last Friday and the first Friday of every month), but God was using us to reach both Christians and non-Christians.

Here are a couple of pics of the guys that came out tonight. There were 7 of us.

Left to right: Josh Lohn, David Lohn, Luke Lohn, Nathaniel Lohn, Brad St. Clair and Rick Manweiler.

Jeff Dixon and Rick Manweiler

When I arrived at 8:00pm, Jeff Dixon was there with Rick Manweiler. Rick has been a born-again Christian for a week now, even though he went down to "receive Christ" when he was 16 years old. He said that he has always "believed" in Jesus, but never "repented", which is not only to be sorry for your sin, but to make a 180 degree turn from your sin and live your life for Christ.

It's like believing in a parachute to save you from the jump to come. You can "believe" that the parachute will save you all you want, but unless you actually "put on the parachute", you will perish when it comes time to jump through the door of death from this life into the next. I thank God for Rick. God has totally transformed his life since he repented and trusted in Him.

Jeff, Rick and I began walking around passing out gospel tracts, primarily the million dollar bill and giant $100 bill tracts. I handed 5 teenagers: Chelsie, Brittany, Chelsie, Trevor (and two other guys that I can't remember their name) a giant $100 bill and asked them if they had a Christian background. Some did, some didn't. I asked them if they were a "good person". Answers varied on this point. I took them through the "good person test".

They all admitted that they were guilty of breaking God's law, and if they were judged, they would be found guilty on the Day of Judgment. That did concern them. I explained that Jesus said, "except a man be born-again, he cannot see the kingdom of heaven". There are two things that one must do to be born-again. 1) Repent (be sorry for committing the sins and make a u-turn, and 2) Believe (trust) in Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. Then challenged them to think seriously about what we talked about before going to sleep tonight. They were convicted. They thanked us and we left.

Jeff has a passion to seek and save the lost! He walked up to a man and woman and gave them a tract. He was an agnostic and she was a wiccan. The wiccan woman was debating everything. They spent a long time in bantering back and forth about the validity of the Bible, different things that happened in the Bible, etc. Jeff took them through the Law, then grace. They did not seem convicted. However, Jeff did plant God's Word in their hearts and the Bible says in Isaiah 55:11, "so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it."

At this time, a group of Christians from a local church came out, pulling ice chests filled with bottles of water. Roughly 10 of them come out every other Friday night and pass out water and witness to people. I walked up and introduced myself to David, Chris and Mandy, and gave them a giant $100 bill tract. They then gave me one of their gospel tracts that they were handing out. I asked if they had heard of the "Way of the Master". They did. I went through a roll play of how we start up a conversation with people and what we say, using the law to convict their conscience. I gave them a "Not My Job" bookmark gospel tract and a "Hell's Best Kept Secret" cd, and explained that I was the Local Leader for this area for The Great News Network, which is a ministry that partners with Way of the Master. I thanked them for coming out to witness, and that if they would like further information on the Way of the Master witnessing training or needed resource material to let me know.

David Lohn arrived, along with three of his sons: Luke, Josh and Nathaniel. I thank God for David. He is not only teaching evangelism training to his football seniors, he is teaching it to his teenagers! David and Nathaniel paired up and went witnessing and passing out tracts. Jeff and Rick paired off and Luke, Josh and I teamed up.

We had my video camera and had planned on doing a "survey approach", asking people to be on camera, answering questions about the afterlife, trivia questions, etc. However, no one wanted to stand around and talk very much because it was cold. We did pass out tracts to people.

Since it was pretty cold outside. We had to do the Christian thing and go get a cup of coffee at the local coffee shop. :-) Luke ran into some teenagers that he knew that attended a local church. He gave them a tract and started witnessing to them, standing right there in the middle of the coffee shop. While we were there, another one of David's football players arrived. His name is Ben.

At the coffee shop, they have an area where people place literature about what is going on, on the counter for folks to take. I placed about 40 million dollar bill gospel tracts on the counter. We do this almost every time we go in there. They are all taken I guess, because we never find them sitting on the counter later.

On the way back to Park Central Square, all the guys were passing out tracts to people. Luke gave tracts to some Bible college students that were talking with another guy. On our way out, one of their guys, Tim, came up and yelled for us to come back. He wanted to pray for us for being faithful to come out and witness for Christ. We all stood around and he prayed for us. We thanked him and I gave him a "Not My Job" tract. I didn't have any more of the "Hell's Best Kept Secret" cd's, or I would have given him one.

Like I said before, there are many Christians that go out into the downtown Springfield, Missouri area to witness. It is important that when we go out to witness, we are presenting the gospel the right way. We need to be loving, caring, and not yelling at people telling them they are going to hell. However, if we take someone through the Ten Commandments (we sometimes call it, the "good person test"), it will bring conviction to the person. It will show them that they have violated God's Law and have offended him, and they have to stand before Him on the Day of Judgment. This is a very Biblical and effective way to witness.

Please pray for the people mentioned in this post.

I thank God for everyone that came out tonight and was obedient to the Great Commission.

In Christ,

Brad St. Clair

www.repent-and-turn.com

www.gnnlocalleader.com

www.needgod.com - Are you good enough to go to heaven? Take the test.

SWAT TEAM Springfield MO Witnessing - 2/03/06

2006-02-08T07:10:00.000-08:00

Street Witnessing And Training

Taking Evangelism Across Missouri

Tonight was interesting in downtown Springfield, Missouri. The "First Friday Art Walk" was going on, which caused it to be more crowded than usual.

We talked to Christians, non-Christians, fire-breathing bible college students and ran interference on a fight ready to break out, got shoved around, and a tract ripped up and thrown on the ground. Overall, a very fruitful night of witnessing! It sure beats sitting around the house watching TV. :-) What did you do Friday night?

Our meeting place is Park Central Square, next to the fountain. I arrived a little before 8:00pm and began passing out the giant $100 bill gospel tracts to people. Many of the people didn't want to take a tract tonight at first.

A little later, GNN Seed Sower David Lohn arrived, with his sons, Luke and Nathaniel. T.J. Crain also came along. It's great that these young mean are fired up for Jesus and willing to hit the streets and be a witness. David is the coach of the homeschool football team here, and Luke and T.J. are some of the seniors on his team that are learning to use "The Way of the Master" and are out putting it into action on the streets.David and Nathaniel paired off together, so me, Luke and T.J. formed a team.

Luke passed out gospel tracts to Jason, Andy, Jason, Joel, Megan and Jen. Luke talked to them for a while and found out they went to a local Christian high school. I asked them if we could take them through how we witness to someone, they said yes. I walked them through using the law, then grace. We then found out they have other high school members that are out in that area that come out to witness. However, Jen said that they go out and witness, but they aren't really trained on how to do it. They have heard about Kirk Cameron and "The Way of the Master". I gave them a "Not My Job" bookmark and a "Hell's Best Kept Secret" cd for them to listen to and share. If they need any resources or training in how to witness, please let me know.

After finishing this conversation, we went into the art gallery behind us to look for T.J. The man behind the counter, Roderick, asked who we are looking for. We described T.J. and Roderick said, "Yeah, big buck guy. He gave me this big $100 bill and went off towards the back. He's probably wall papering the store with them," and laughed. Luke went to get him, then I pulled the pink and blue gospel tract on Roderick. Then gave him the intelligence test on him. Both Roderick and the other guy behind the counter were nice guys.

We walked over to the square where we ran into Chad and Kristine. T.J. gave them gospel tracts and began talking to Chad. Chad said that he was a good person, so T.J. took him through the law and grace. He seemed very sincere and said he didn't know what God did so that we wouldn't have to go to hell. T.J. told him what it is to be born-again.

He has to two things to be born again.
1) Repent - Not only be sorry for your sins in offending God, but hating sin and turning from them.
"God is not willing that anyone should perish, but that all should come to repentance."
2 Peter 3:9
"Jesus said, unless you repent, you will perish." Luke 13:3
"Repent then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out..." Acts 3:19
"..whoever confesses and forsakes his sin finds mercy." Proverbs 28:13

2) Believe - Believe in Jesus, which means to trust in Jesus as your Lord and Savior.
"But God demonstrated his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8
"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." John 3:16
"...the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." Romans 6:23
"For by grace are you saved through faith, and not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works lest any man should boast." Ephesians 2:8-9
"Whoever will call on the name of the Lord will be saved." Romans 10:13

I gave Chad a "Are You Good Enough To Go To Heaven" tract, which explains our sin and what Jesus did for us in detail. He thanked us, shook our hands and we left.

We ran into a young man named Jesse at the square who goes to Central Bible College in Springfield. He was out with some of his buddies that also attend CBC. He is with the fire-breathing bible college students I first mentioned in this post (more on this later). He has watched "The Way of the Master" television show and knows this "method" of witnessing. I gave him a "Not My Job" bookmark tract and a "Hell's Besk Kept Secret" cd. He thanked me. They come out to witness in downtown sometimes.

David and Nathaniel talked to a man that grew up catholic, but was saved a year ago. They also talked to a 17 year old young lady who was not a Christian. David talked to her, took her through the "Good Person Test", and explained what Jesus did for her, she was very close to making a committment. She was really convicted. There were a couple other Christian young ladies that were there and stayed and talked further with her.

While we were in the square, David noticed 10-12 big college age guys that formed a circle around another young man. They were getting ready to beat up this guy. David said, "it's time for a little intervention". He walked over, tapped one of the larger guys on the shoulder and asked him, "did you get one of these?". He was handing him a giant $100 bill. The big guy said, "I don't want it, go away" and tried to turn back to the fight ready to break out. David told him, "hey, you should take one of these".

Well, the guy turned around and told David to get away, started shoving him backwards, walking towards him, continuing to shove him backwards. At this time, he took the giant $100 gospel tract, ripped it up and threw it up in the air. The guys gathered around began looking at the big guy and David, which allowed the one guy that was going to get beat up time to get away. One of the big guy's buddies came over and took another giant $100 bill gospel tract from David. He looked like he was apologizing for his buddy. I thank God for David stepping up and assisting this young man from getting hurt, and was very bold and humble about it at the same time. Not offensive at all.

David called me the next morning and told me that I should have given the tough guy that ripped up the tract one of the "Tickets to Heaven", which cannot be ripped.hehe I wish I would have thought about that.

At this time, two of the Central Bible College students (that was with Jesse, who we talked to earlier) started to draw a crowd. They began juggling balls, juggling fire sticks and breathing fire. He would hold lighter fluid in his mouth and then spit it out onto the fire stick and make a big blow torch effect. He said that he loves people (just in case he dies while doing this). However, they didn't witness or preach afterwards.

He had many hecklers. From a group of 3 8-10 year old kids to the other people that were there. Probably 60-70 people were there altogether. The fire department showed up right after that, looking for whoever had the fire. By this time, they already packed it up and were walking around. We will try to get in some open-air preaching on one of these Friday nights when they are all gathered around.

I thought we were all leaving, so I left. On my way home, Luke called me and he was fired up! He got to talk to a man that brought up different religions and was arguing using the intellect. However, Luke was able to take him through some of the Ten Commandments and told him about grace. There was also another bible college girl that heard Luke and this guy talking and walked up and started assisting Luke in some of this guy's questions.

There are many Christians in downtown Springfield witnessing to people. Some of them are witnessing, but don't really know how (as per their own admission) and some are witnessing telling others they are going to hell, making people not want to listed to them. Part of our ministry is to teach others how to share their faith boldly.

If you haven't listed to "Hell's Best Kept Secret" yet, click on it and listen over the internet for free.

In Christ,
Brad St. Clair
www.repent-and-turn.com
www.gnnlocalleader.com

Springfield, Missouri Witnessing - 01/27/06

2006-01-27T22:12:00.000-08:00

Tonight was awesome!! We spoke to Christians, atheists and undecided.

There is another GNN Seed Sower in my area named David Lohn. He is the coach for the homeschool football team in this area. He is taking his seniors through the Way of the Master episodes and has went through the first 13 already. Here is a picture. These are the guys that went out tonight.

David (coach) is in the middle, one of his son's is to his right, named Nathanial. From top left: Eric, TJ, Ben, John, Luke, and to coach's left is Kristian.

Anyway, these guys are all excited about witnessing and sharing their faith. After watching the "Lie & Covet" episode, we went to downtown Springfield, Missouri. We broke up into groups of three. These young men have been out one time to the Springfield mall, but this is their first time out like this. It was somewhat crowded, with people out partying and going to the clubs.

Luke (one of coach's other sons) and Eric was with me. We arrived and went straight to the bus station. One young lady didn't really want the Giant $100 bill gospel tract and told me she didn't want me to try to "convert" her, either. She tried to give me the tract back, but I asked her to keep it and read it later-she did.

There was a group of guys there playing hacky-sack, probably 8-10. We gave them the $100 gospel tracts, one asked for another one. We went through the "Name 10 beers" (they named 11 easily), then asked them if they could name the Ten Commandments. Between all of them, they named 5 of them. I asked them if they considered themselves to be a "Good Person". Most of them thought they were "pretty good". We took them through the law and then grace (see the "Good Person" website above for law and grace). We challenged them to think about what we have been talking about.

We walked down to the square, Eric began talking to a man who was a new convert that used to be a drug dealer. He is currently on probation. I began talking with him and asked if he has heard about the Way of the Master, with Kirk Cameron and Ray Comfort, or watched it on TV. He has. I did a role play with him, taking him through the law and grace, to show him what we do. He was given a "Save Yourself Some Pain" booklet and a "Hell's Best Kept Secret" cd. We are going to be praying for him and his newfound faith in Christ.

We walked down the street, continuing to pass out gospel tracts to others. We came up on three guys, Jessie, Andy and Matt. Jessie believes in the Bible, Andy is an atheist and Matt is almost an atheist-undecided. Eric began speaking to them and I stepped in when Andy started saying he is an atheist.

I took them through the law, then grace. We used the Pink and Blue gospel tract, showing that we can't believe everything that we see. We talked for quite a while. I gave Andy, who is 17 years old (the atheist) a New Testament Bible, a "The Bible is Full of Mistakes" tract, a "The Atheist Test" tract, and a "Save Yourself Some Pain" tract.

While giving him all this, he said, "Wow, I have to first decide that I'm not an atheist". However, there was conviction in his heart. Andy said that I may have changed his mind. I didn't do it, though...God uses us when we are obiedient to His Word and be a witness like Jesus commanded us in the Great Commission. I told him that I care and love them and don't want to see them go to hell. Matt said that he is undecided, so I gave him some of the same tracts. I will be praying for conviction for these guys. This was probably the best talk we had all night.

After the witnessing, we went to "The Mudhouse" (a coffee house) and coach bought us coffee or another type of frozen drink. We discussed the night. On our way back to the car, we went back down to the square and passed out tracts to just about all that were there, as well as all the way back to the car.

We had an awesome, holy spirit filled night. I thank God for David (coach) and his desire to teach these young men the Word of God and how to witness.

I am planning on going back out next Friday night to the downtown Springfield area around the square. Some of the guys said they will come out with me. We'll stay out later next week, to catch the party crowd.

We need to remember that when we go out to witness, we are to go out in love, showing compassion to the unsaved person.

In Christ,

Brad St. Clair
www.repent-and-turn.com
www.gnnlocalleader.com
www.needgod.com - Are you a good person...take the ultimate test!

Branson SWAT TEAM Witnessing - 1/15/06

2006-01-15T14:13:00.000-08:00

Street Witnessing And Training

Taking Evangelism Across Missouri

After church today, my family (excluding my wife who wasn't feeling well) went to McDonald's to eat luch. There is a girl at the counter we always see and give her a gospel tract (Emily). Today, I had by backpack with all the tracts, so I gave her a bunch of them. She thanked me.

As we were leaving, my daughter and I gave the giant $100 bills to just about everyone there, as well as to the worker's behind the counter. They were all happy to get one.

My daughter and I went to old historic downtown Branson, Missouri to pass out tracts and possibly have some one-2-one conversations with folks. It was a nice day, mid 60's, but there just wasn't many people out and about. We passed out the giant $100 bill gospel tracts to just about everyone we came into contact with, but no conversations today.

Many of the shops were closed due to the season being over for Branson. We may need to find another spot in Branson until the season picks up a little more in a couple of months.

In Christ,
Brad St. Clair
www.repent-and-turn.com
www.gnnlocalleader.com
www.needgod.com - Are you good enough to go to heaven? Take the test.

Becoming a GNN Local Leader

2006-01-14T06:05:00.000-08:00

I should have already posted this because it happened in November of 2005. I became a GNN Local Leader. My web page for this is www.gnnlocalleader.com.

The primary reason I moved from Oklahoma City to the Branson, Missouri area was that I believe God is wanting to use me to witness for him and train others how to share their faith in Christ with non-believers. And it was in this area that God wanted me.

The very best way to share your faith and witness to others is by doing what the bible says. So, biblical evangelism is "law to the proud and grace to the humble". This has been compiled into an easy to learn way by Kirk Cameron and Ray Comfort, called "Way of the Master" - which is witnessing the way Jesus did.

The ministry that partners with the Ray and Kirk in the Way of the Master is called, "The Great News Network" (GNN). This ministry takes the teaching of the Way of the Master and actively uses it out in the streets witnessing to others, as well as teaching other Christians about it. Christians can become members in this ministry if they believe in this teaching and actively use it. There are GNN Seed Sowers all over the world. Read more about GNN Seed Sowers.

The Great News Network also has Local Leaders. I went to an Evangelism Bootcamp in November of 2005 with GNN in Austin, Texas. It was awesome. I have now become a GNN Local Leader. Here is what their website says about Local Leaders.

What is a GNN Local Leader? GNN Local Leaders are battle proven people who actively share the Gospel and have a great understanding of how to do it biblically, the way Jesus did. In other words they are people who are committed the Great Commission, and know it’s vitally important to actively share the Gospel with friends, family, co-workers and even strangers. They are men and woman who are dedicated to serving Christ by being a servant who humbly sows the seed of the gospel everywhere they go (see Mark 1:17). Additionally, they are committed to serving Christ by creating disciples who also humbly serve the Lord by sowing seeds.
GNN Local Leaders regularly take other Christians out with them and spend time equipping and encouraging them in an effort to help these new disciples learn how to effectively and biblically share the Gospel. The leaders and their teams regularly go to various shows, fairs, festivals, parks and many other public events to witness to anyone and everyone.

GNN Local Leaders have proven through their individual actions and demeanor that they are worthy of being appointed to the position of leadership within this “Net,” doing the “Work” of God (see Matthew 13:47-50). When accepted as a member of the network at GNN, all new members are given the title of “Seed Sower.” In order for someone to move up in their “Seed Sower” status within the network, they must first accomplish various things. This ensures that people appointed to leadership within GNN’s network are battle-proven warriors who have illustrated the ability to lead, teach, preach and train others to effectively and biblically seek and save the lost.

I have had contacts through GNN's website from my local leader webpage. It is a great ministry, and has allowed me to get into contact with others that are actively sharing their faith.

I thank God for what he is doing through Christians that are obedient to Him by "going out into all the world and preaching the gospel to every creature", like Jesus commanded Christians to do.

Brad St. Clair
www.repentandturn.com
www.gnnlocalleader.com
www.needgod.com - Are you a good person? Take the test.

Witnessing Downtown Springfield, MO - 1/09/06

2006-01-14T05:37:00.000-08:00

I haven't posted much lately, I apologize for that. I'll try to keep up with it.

I was contacted via my Local Leader page by J.J., and met with him and a his friend. Tonight I went out with their group to witness in downtown Springfield, Missouri. Overall, 14 met at a church to head out. Some go door-to-door and others hit the downtown area. They don't all use WOTM, but I think the majority do.

Shane Rumsey, a fellow GNN Seed Sower from NE Oklahoma, was in town again on business, so we were there together. The leader of their group started to pair people off into groups of two or three. Some of them began saying, "we are going to the downtown area", because they heard that Shane and I were there. One of the guys said, "I heard the regional Way of the Master guy is here, I would like to go with him". Praise God.

Since the leader didn't want so many people going with someone he didn't really know (Shane and I), he decided to go with us downtown since he said he was responsible for the group (makes a good leader). Here are a couple of pics of some of the guys that went out:

It was pretty cold and windy, so there weren't too many folks out and about. Shane had a good one-2-one with a young guy named Joe. He was a skateboarder. He was convicted and had tears in his eyes.

I had a talk with Sam, Jeremy and Robert. We went through the law, then grace. They were somewhat convicted.

We passed out tracts to everyone we came into contact with. Shane talked to a couple of people down near the bus stop. It seemed as if they were convicted.

I spoke with Shawn. He was having a tough time in life. He tried God once and was "saved", but it didn't do him any good, he said. He was nice to people and it didn't get him anywhere. We went through the law and part of grace, but then he said he needed to leave. I gave him some tracts and a "Save Yourself Some Pain" booklet. He said he would read it.

One guy that Shane talked to was a big man who said he was a preacher, but he was a bus driver. We learned from someone with us that he had been a pastor, but it all fell apart. He didn't want the gospel tract, said to give it to someone who needs it, and wouldn't even tell us how a person is to be "saved". He was saying we are not to judge, and that he knows what has to be done and he didn't need to hear it. A very self-righteous person.

We went to a coffee shop, where Shane and I talked with two brothers, J.J. and Lee, that are using the WOTM. Lee has been using it basically close to 8 years, after Ray Comfort came to his church to teach Hell's Best Kept Secret. He would like to teach it at his church if the pastor will allow him.

It was a fruitful night, even though there weren't many people to talk to. It is very exciting to find others in this area that are on fire and using the Way of the Master evangelism. We made about 5 or 6 contacts that use WOTM, and they wanted to get together and do more training and witnessing. Praise God.

Brad St. Clair
www.repentandturn.com
www.gnnlocalleader.com
www.needgod.com - Are you a good person? Take the test.

Evangelism Bootcamp Pictures

2005-11-16T15:29:00.000-08:00

I attended an evangelism bootcamp November 10th-13th, 2005. This was held in Austin, Texas. To read more about the bootcamps, click here. I am posting some of the pics that I took while there. I will post the stories and all the witnessing adventures in another post.

Here I am doing open-air preaching. This is at a crosswalk and next to the University of Texas. The casket was being used by us to draw a crowd, showing that 10 out of 10 of us will die. Do you know if you will go to heaven? Take the test.

Sometimes, we had people drive by and hear us, then they would yell obscenities out their window towards us.

Here we are in class getting ready to get started on the first night. Roughly 90 people were here.

Darrel Rundus is on the left. He is the founder of The Great News Network (GNN), who put on the bootcamp. Tim Camp is on the right - he is on staff.

Two of my brothers in Christ...Rick Barnes(left) and Tommy Bell(right)

Austin, Texas' State Capitol Building

Next to the State Capitol

Scott McHargue standing next to the Ten Commandment statue. This is located next to the State Capitol

By the State Capitol

There was a large Veteran's Day Parade in Austin. We went, passed out many gospel tracts and witnessed. Some of our group open-air preached.

Jon Speed open-air preaching at the Veteran's Day parade

Here is one of our gospel tracts after the parade. This was rare. We didn't find many of our tracts thrown on the ground or in the trash.

I just had to get my pic next to the Ten Commandments!

Riding the 'Dillo on the way to witness out by the University of Texas

Josh Maciel, GNN Staff, doing an open-air by UT college

Brad Snow, GNN Staff, open-air preaching in Austin down on 6th Street

Thomas Umstattd Jr. open-air preaching on 6th Street with a heckler (right)

An open-air preaching going on with an angry heckler (right)

Terry Sexton open-air preaching

This pic was taken using the night lense...however, this is how the city of Austin, down on 6th street felt like...hell. It is a very wicked city.

Tommy Bell (left) and me (right)

Here is Nick Astacio from the Brox in New York goofing around near the State Capitol

Shane Rumsey(left) and myself

John Legg, who is from Austraila, was open-air preaching. He had a little fun with the "we're #1 finger". He was waiving the pointed finger about and said, "we're not here to point fingers, but how will you do on the Day of Judgment", that sort of thing.

The police directing traffic leading into the University of Texas football game

This pic was taken after the pedestrian traffic slowed way down! Some of us were passing out tracts and some were open-air preaching to them as they were walking across and waiting for the light to change.

We had one person get baptized at our hotel, in the hotel swimming pool

The State Capitol at night

The odd dressed man is named "Leslie". He spends a lot of time out on 6th Street in Austin. He was one of our biggest hecklers.

Jon Speed open-air preaching on 6th Street

6th Street

Praise God, I graduated bootcamp!

Matt Dodson(left) and myself

Me and Brad Snow(right)

Kristi Rundus and myself

Rick Barnes(left) and myself

Elisabeth Dyvig and myself

This is Jose and me. Jose is a street minister in various places in Texas. He gave us his wisdom in how to witness down on 6th street.

Jon Speed, GNN Staff, as well as my fearless leader during this bootcamp

These are my two roommates. Terry Sexton on the left, and Andy Rutkowski on the right.

Like I said above, I will post more of the actual stories and witnessing encounters in the near future.

My website: www.repent-and-turn.com

Are you a good person...take the test: www.needgod.com