I used to speak face-to-face to the prostitutes that hung out at the entrance of the nightclubs on Jax. Beach, FL in the 70s. On one occasion, God put it in my heart to proclaim in a kind of end-of-time tone, "Repent of your whorish sins, for the kingdom of heaven is near, and if you repent, God will forgive you and give you a new life."
When in a group, like these women were, it is tough to get one to respond because of peer pressure, but I could tell what I went on to say in a lower tone, began to get to the heart of a couple of them. They were kind to me and remarked that they thought I had a good heart and cared about others, but were afraid their lives were destined for what it was they did for money.
I used to take a flashlight with me into rock concerts and stroll among those standing at the front, or near the front, of the stage. I'd open my Bible to a verse, shine the flashlight on the verse, and ask them to read it. I'd choose verses that were fitting, something that spoke of singing unto the Lord a new song or Psalms 1 that speaks to those who walk in the counsel of the ungodly and stand in the way of sinners, and explained to them what it would be like when they turned to Christ with a sincere heart, that they would become like that tree planted by the rivers of water that brought forth fruit unto righteousness. And I would explain to them what righteousness and right-standing meant. Lots of young people heard the gospel and respected me for reaching out to them, but few actually made that decision, which had to be done away from the noise of the music. I'd have to ask them to please come with me to the outside circle where it was quieter.
I preached on the sidewalk of Jax. Beach after gaining a permit from the city. One of the pastors gave me a police PA system that I set up on the top of my VW car. After adding a long extension to the mike, I'd walk back and forth on the sidewalk proclaiming the good news of Jesus Christ. After a while, some folks went to that part of the beach just to hear that fellow who preached on Saturdays.
I admit that evangelism has always been my favorite work as a believer, and, in fact, something I felt very called to do. Now that I am older, 62, and have spent over 27 years working for the fed. govt. which has led me to the place where I can retire in another three months (if I want), I think about what I would do with my time off.
God knows, I love reading -- just about anything, since I majored in Literature in 1980 and gained a deep love for the classics, although my library is huge and full of all genres -- and writing, continuing attendance to a book club once a month, and playing music professionally at local restaurants, but there seems to be something more I should be doing once I'm no longer working.
Getting back on the streets might be the right choice, although the Florida summers are so blasted hot anymore, so it isn't something I'd relish as much as when I was in my 20s. Please pray that God will show me, give me direction. I'm no longer a joiner of a church, since I am far more attached to home groups than I am the one man show. Anyway, maybe the Lord will find something more for me, even if it means I play Christian music for the church groups that meet in restaurants after services.
David
. When I got up to go back to working he shook my hand and I prayed for him and his wife the rest of my shift. I have no idea what happened to them but it still makes me cry thinking about it.
