Saints, It’s amazing what God can do with less than a dozen Christians when they’re willing to be used to reach the world for Christ! Last night I lead a trip of a handful of Christians to Hampton Beach, in New Hampshire, to share the gospel with the people there. There is typically a big crowd because when it gets dark, the town of Hampton lights off fireworks. Because God cares for people, we went out to reach out to them for Christ. As you can see in the photo to the left, the fireworks are stunning, but the fireworks in Heaven are infinitely grander when someone turns from their sins and trusts in Jesus. (Please see Luke, chapter 15, where that message is given three times in one chapter.)

 

I painted up my messages using fluorescent paint and used a battery-powered black light bar that illuminated the paintings. We are so visual! God uses that to draw a crowd, and there were hundreds of people who stopped to either listen to the messages being preached, or to ask questions, or have one-on-one conversations, or take gospel tracts. It was an amazing night!

God also helped us with a problem with the authorities. I’ll mention that a bit more below.

Here are some photos from last night. Please click to enlarge and read about each one.

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Here are some people who stood out and that I’d like to ask you to pray for:

• Evette: Evette is a born-again follower of Jesus Christ and has stage 3 cancer. She said she was so encouraged to find us out there. We prayed for her cancer and she was very thankful. Not only do we get to lead unbelievers to Christ, but God uses us to encourage Christians!

  You can see Evette in the photos above. It was amazing to huddle around her and pray for her.

• Josh and Justin: Josh and Justin are two young men, I’d say maybe 20 years old. They listened to one of the messages and asked a few questions. Justin boldly told me he was an atheist. I never believe people when they claim to be an atheist because the Scriptures say that everyone, “by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived” (Romans 1:18-20, emphasis mine).

  So I said to Justin, “Please don’t take this as snarky, but you’re a smart guy, and though you say you’re an atheist, you don’t live like one. Your actions betray your claim to be an atheist. Do you mind if I demonstrate this?” He said sure. I asked him if he believed in the “Uniformity of Nature” which means that properties of nature act consistently. Without this, Science would be impossible. He said he did hold to the “Uniformity of Nature.” (It would be irrational not to!) So I explained to him that atheism presupposes a universe where only material things exist, and they change constantly and randomly. Since that is the foundation of atheism, how can we justify uniformity, which teaches that immaterial properties do not change? Justin thought about this and said, “Well, maybe I’m not an atheist.” He agreed he was now an agnostic. I applauded him for taking a step in the right direction!

  We need to be very careful when we use Biblical principals to show the folly of the unbeliever’s thinking, because it is powerful, and we must never do it like a jerk. As the Scriptures say, we “must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will” (2 Timothy 2:24-26).

  Josh and Justin left with a handshake, some gospel tracts, and a lot to think about. Please pray that they will come to the Savior!

• Jane: After I preached my first message, Jane, a park official, came over to me with a serious face and told me I had to take down my paint board and leave. I asked her if there was a problem, and she said it is illegal for me to do what I was doing. I asked her why? She said “No solicitizing.” (I think she meant “soliciting.”) I explained that we are not soliciting because we are not asking for money or selling anything. We’re just expressing free speech in a controlled and friendly manner. She was adamant that we couldn’t do what we’re doing. I explained that we come here all the time and asked her to ask a manager and she’ll find out. She said she was the manager. I asked her to call a different manager. Jane stepped away and I could see her on the cell phone. I gathered with my team and we prayed. I noticed Jane was on her cell phone for about 20 minutes. But then at one point I looked up and she was gone. She didn’t come back again all night and we had another two hours of effective beach ministry! Praise God!!!

• Nancy: I like to save the “Solve This Riddle” message for last because, once I’m done preaching it, I can leave it up and people will come to the paint board to try to figure out the riddles. I tell them ahead of time it has a Christian message at the end, but most people will go through it anyway.

  Nancy was one smart cookie! She came right up, figured out the first riddle in a snap. The second one too. And the third. I have never seen anyone solve them so quickly. She asked if the last one was about God. I said yes, and she ran off with a “no thank you!” It was very odd. But I pray for her and I would like you to as well please.

• A Spanish-Speaking Couple: At one point I turned around and noticed that one of my teammates, Kattia, who speaks Spanish as her first language, was witnessing to a couple in Spanish! How cool!!! Had Kattie not been there, I would not have been able to talk with them. It’s amazing how God puts the right people exactly where He wants them!!! 🙂

I’m planning on going to Hampton Beach again, Wednesday, August 22. If anyone is nearby and wants to come, please contact me and we’ll make arrangements!!! I’d love to have you there!!! 🙂

I thank God for you. Without the prayers, encouragement, and financial support of those who believe in what my family and I are doing, we would not be able to be used of God to reach people for Christ.

All for Jesus,
Mark (and family)