Reflections On Preaching The Gospel Of The Grace Of God As We Start Our 7th Season Of Ministry On The Streets Of Saint Augustine Florida

At its height, on a typical Saturday afternoon, we would have between 15-23 people with us handing out tracts, witnessing to the lost, and a handful of dedicated men to preach the gospel of the grace of God.

Everything has a prime, a ‘heyday’ if you will, where times and events of a thing seem to reach an intense crezendo, hold that position for awhile, and then either level off or cease to exist altogether. The NTEB Street Preaching Team had an awesome heyday from 2012 to about 2015, it was amazing. So for just a few minutes today, I would like to share some reflections on ministry in general, and on my calling from the Lord in particular. I hope this will help you in your calling as well.

“But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.” Acts 20:24 (KJV)

The Lord dealt with me about street preaching for the better part of a year before I finally stepped out in faith on March 24th, 2012, on the southwest corner of the intersection of Saint George and Hypolita streets in downtown Saint Augustine, Florida. That first time was amazing, and the Lord graciously used events that happened that day to confirm my calling. When I shared the story of that first time, to my surprise, people started asking me if they could do it with me, and the NTEB Street Preaching team was born.

At its height, on a typical Saturday afternoon, we would have between 15-23 people with us handing out tracts, witnessing to the lost, and a handful of dedicated men to preach the gospel of the grace of God. On a good day we would hand out a minimum of 1,200 tracts, many times twice that amount, and we would get to preach in the hearing of literally thousands of people. Those of you who have walked down Saint George street on a summer day know exactly what I’m talking about.

Over the years, 20 people that we know of bowed their heads and prayed to receive God’s free gift of salvation in Jesus Christ. That’s 3.33 people every year who prayed to be saved, I think that’s pretty good. As we start year 7 of this ministry, I again asked myself why I keep doing it. This is what I came up with.

• BECAUSE HELL IS REAL: Every day, roughly 151,600 people will die for whatever reason and leave this life for the next one. Sadly, the majority of those people will launch out into eternity with no Saviour to pay for their sins. That means they must pay for their own sins themselves. “And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.” Luke 16:23 (KJV). Street preaching is the biblical means by which the gospel of the grace of God is delivered to the average person out in the world. “And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled.” Luke 14:23 (KJV). All the apostles including Paul were street preachers, as also was Jesus.

Now maybe you were expecting a lot more bullet points, and honestly, I was as well. But when I thought about it, that one point I listed is really the only reason you need to have in order to do street ministry. All believers are called of God to go out and share the gospel with the lost and dying they come into contact with.

This Is What Street Preaching Looks Like

This video was made around 2016, and gives you a real good idea what old-fashioned street preaching is all about. 

I remember a conversation I had with one of my street preachers, Bro. Stephen, about 5 years on a Saturday afternoon. We have a huge crowd of people working with us that day, lost people were getting saved, and thousands of tracts were being handed out while men preached. It was a great day. Bro. Stephen looked around at all the happy commotion, and asked me a question that remains with me to this day. He said “look at all these people that are with us, it’s great, isn’t it? But let me ask you this. If tomorrow it was just you, would you still do it?”

Like a bomb those words hit my brain. What a great question. Bro. Stephen is like that, he has a way with words that get right to the point. So I took a moment before answering, and then I said “yes, I absolutely would still do it if it was just me”. Today out on the street, the first day of Season 7 of the NTEB Street Team, and guess what? It was just me. And I loved it.

Now I fully expect to soon be joined by others this season, I have never had a season completely alone. But the point is that my ministry does not exist in the abundance of the people who do it with me. It’s great when God puts on the hearts of others to come join me, but guess what? God called me to do it, with or without a big group to help me. So let me ask you this.

What has God called you to do? If you are alive, breathing and born again, you qualify. The bible already shows you God’s call on the life of all saved believers, and in case you’ve forgotten it, here it is again for you to consider:

“I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.” 2 Timothy 4:1,2 (KJV)

When Saul was knocked off his high horse by Jesus Christ, the very first words out of his mouth were “Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?”

“And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.” Acts 9:6 (KJV)

Pray for me and this ministry, that it would not just simply exist but that we would still see souls saved and the gospel preached in truth and in power. And when you have done that, go before the Lord and ask Him what He would have you to do to reach the lost. You can start by clicking on the links below to order your box of our street preacher tested gospel tracts.

Time is short, people, and the Enemy is advancing rapidly. Don’t spend these last days on the sidelines. Get in the game.

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