What Christians should do about Halloween

Last night, I had a thought to go jogging which normally doesn't happen. I jogged around the neighbourhood and noticed a lot of kids walking around, some with their parents. Then I remembered that it was Halloween. I went into the usual Christian lament about the trick or treat tradition that glorifies the dark side but then I had one thought come to mind. Maybe I should go back home to get some tracts and go for another lap. If God were to bring me to some kids trick or treating on the second lap, then I would give it to them.

After some time more of jogging I decided I would go home and get the tracts. As I started to jog, I prayed for more courage. This prayer was repeated when I noticed a group of three kids walking around. I had five tracts so I started heading in their direction. They were about to walk into the driveway of a house, when I appeared. "I've got something for you guys" and started handing them a tract each. I noticed the mother was with them and she said "what do you say?" prompting the kids to say thank you. I was quite pleasantly surprised by her support and before I left, I said "hope it scares the hell out of you". One of the kids said "its a comic book!" and I found myself leaping for joy in my heart as I ran off from there! More ideas for next year's Halloween counter-attack sprung to mind as I headed home with my fear turning to adrenaline as I ran.

Last tract today

Thank God, today I was able to give out my last tract. I have been giving out tracts and walking away for all the other tracts so I thought I better talk to the person who receives my last tract. I tried to give out a tract to two people but got rejected twice. After walking around a bit more, I approached a guy around the same age as me. “Hi, can I give you one of these? It’s a Gospel tract.” He looked confused and said “What is this?” “Have you heard about Jesus Christ? This booklet is about that. I don’t want to offend you but can I ask one question? If you were to die tonight, are you sure you are going to heaven?” He said “No, are you sure?”  so we had a short conversation before his bus came, and I said “Anyway, have a read”. He assured me that he would read it on the bus and I found out his name is Francisco. Thank God that I was finally able to open my mouth for the Gospel after 30 days!

Youth 180 Friday Night City Tracting

Last Friday night, Youth 180 went out to hand out tracts and share the Gospel with those in the city.

After singspiration and prayer at Church, 9 of us travelled into the city, focusing on the two main malls (hay and murray st).

Many of us had very interesting and amazing encounters. A few of my own and other's experiences: 

- I gave the TWYL tract to these two hardcore looking swedish guys who turned out to be really friendly and nice. The amazing thing was, that one of them had received the  tract before in GERMAN while in SWITZERLAND!!

- Ran into Christians in the city who were giving out the same tracts as us. They go every single friday night. They were REALLY encouraged by us and vice versa!! 

- A guy who received a TWYL tract called the number on the back of the tract. He started arguing on the phone, very angry, saying he can enjoy his sin if he wants to. As the saying goes "those who are closest to the edge fight the hardest" - his conscience was convicted and he was doing his best to fight it as much as possible. Pray for this man!

- A brother talked to a man for almost the whole night and even though there was a slight language barrier, this man said the sinner's prayer. Praise God! The Gospel transcends all boundaries =)

Praise God for a amazing night of tracting. For myself, I was actually having a tough time giving out tracts. This month fear of man paralysed me, I've always thought of myself as a person who generally does not have that fear. God really humbled me this month and through a increasing reliance on Him, this year's 30in30 is one of the most enjoyable I've had, not because it has been easy, but because of lessons I have learnt along the way.

Keep shining for Christ!!

"But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.

And of some have compassion, making a difference:

And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.

Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,

To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen."

Jude 1:20-25

Will I also be tracted one day?

While passing a shop today, I was given a catalogue which reminded me of something I needed to get. After my doing my errands, I went back to the shop. After I paid, I gave a tract to the lady at the counter. She took a look and saw that it's a This Was Your Life Tract. Without opening it, she recognised the gospel tract and smilingly said, "I'm already a Christian. Good girl." This was the first time I tracted a Christian who recognised the tract. Thank God for this encounter. This made me think...will I also be tracted one day? May  Christians who have been tracted be encouraged and reminded that we have been called to share the gospel.

A game of badminton turns into evangelism

Before I went to play badminton with some friends tonight, I prayed on the way there that I would have the opportunity to tract some people.

All through the game I looked around and saw that tonight there were so many people - lots of basketballers, badminton players and people doing Kendo. 

There had to be some way that these people could be tracted! 

Whilst it was my turn to rotate and sit out of the badminton game I prayed hard over and over again that God would give opportunities to tract.

And did God answer!

Another sister decided to sit out and I was able to pass her 30in30 tract pack. She had not been able to receive it before and was technically behind. Both of us then thought it would be a great idea to tract the basketball players sitting on the benches and also people around. So we took a few of my own tracts and about 8 or more of her tracts. 

I had seen a girl also sitting on the sidelines and knew that I wanted to tract her. So we both decided to go over and have a chat with this girl (Trina).

Turns out Trina was an atheist but said she was open to things as well. We briefly were able to talk to her and tract her but weren't able to have an in depth discussion. 

As we made our way around the Recreation Centre and decided to first pray for God's leading and that we would not fear man! 

I had to admit I was quite intimidated by all the basketball players in their groups! But praise God we spotted to ladies sitting at a table both reading. The sister and I decided to take one lady each! Praise God for the opportunity to witness and share the gospel with these two ladies and to tract them. Also it was no coincidence that both these ladies on the same table had empty chairs next to them (perfect for me and the sister to sit down on).

After this we had to pack up all the badminton nets etc. and went over to help the others.

It turns out that a group of basketball players wanted our court. 

The sister and I, having still many tracts left in our hands decided this would be our opportunity to tract them. 

Most of the basketballers were receptive and took the tracts praise God! We had handed out all our tracts except two!

So as we were heading to go home, I saw a basketballer sitting on the bench. I quickly turned and decided to give it to him. Turns out that Thomas goes to a church (PCCC) and is a Christian but didn't know what a gospel tract was. I was only able to briefly talk to him but encouraged him to give the tract to one of his friends. 

The other sister also had one tract left and just as we were leaving we saw another guy sit on the bench as well. She quickly also went to give him the tract.

Praise God, that one badminton game turned out into a fantastic amazing tracting and evangelism experience.

It is only truly by God's grace, His ability and His Spirit! There truly is joy found in sharing the gospel with others :) It also goes to show that prayer works, God answers and He will do work. All glory to God!!!

For 30in30 in the previous years, I had always chosen the "tract and run" approach. For this year, I have been praying that I can give out the tracts to people I know (eg. colleagues) or those who I often meet or see (eg. on the bus or train) so that I will have the opportunity to follow-up on them. I thank God that for the first three days I had been able to tract the people I often meet.

 

By Monday, I was 2 tracts behind, but I knew that I would be meeting a few people at the bus-stop. I prayed while walking to the bus-stop and saw one of the ladies who I usually sat next to on the bus to the train station. From previous conversations, I know that she goes to a Catholic church every Sunday. I gave her the tract and told her about 30in30.

 

After my train stop, I got on the Red Cat and saw one of my colleagues, whom I know is also a Roman Catholic who goes to church every Sunday with his family. When we were walking to the office, I gave him the tract and also told him about 30in30.  

 

I still had Tract #6 to give out and prayed that God will "bring the right person to me". Before I left work, I went to the kitchen to wash my cup. One of my colleagues came in to fill his water bottle and asked how was my weekend. I told him that Sat was a relaxing day and Sunday was church, ie worship, old folks home and sister's fellowship. He then asked me about church as he used to go to a Roman Catholic school and so, knows a bit about the religion. He said that his parents are not religious and he was never baptised. I told him that I have something for him to read and gave him Tract #6. We talked a bit more about Christianity and he told me that he'll read the tract. I'm really thankful that God opened up the opportunity to talk to him. I pray that God will give me courage and opportunities to follow-up with those who have received the tracts.

Providence

8.30pm

2/09

Dunsbrough

Golden Bay chinese restaurant

On this night, something strange happened, we rang up many places to book for dinner, but everyone was finished so fast around 7pm all shops and restaurant all closed, so we finally got a place called golden bay chinese restaurant, just not far away from our place.

We went into the restaurant but there are no one there, only one girl serving, but she told us usually people finish dinner very early and they close at 8pm, as when we got there its already 7:45 pm, but they were quite nice to have us there.

The family are from china, nanjing. they are very friendly and polite, they starting to talk to us and asking where we from and so on. so after the meal when we were about to pay, i gave her a tract, she took it and say i have many friends who are Christians too, and many clients from Perth come here to eat. She even know that there will be a sermon held at the burswood coming up and she say she have a bible and likes to read them, but i know she is a buddhist becuase even her restaurant has many false gods. we talked so much almost forgot the time, she was quite receptive. i told her why she need Jesus, and the original sin was from adam and eve, quote her bible verses from romans 6:23 and john 3:16. she was really happy to listen, hopefully she will be a Christian too. i told her its not by chance that we looked for so many restaurant, but God sent us here to eat at her restaurant. she agreed with me and smiled.

God uses Gospel Tract in War against Terror

If you ever wanted proof of God's ability to work through just a gospel tract given out to a stranger, this article showed how the son of a terrorist organisation's leader was converted by a London taxi driver who gave out a tract during a vacation in Jerusalem. As you muse the power behind the Gospel, remember that God has promised that 

The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.- 2 Peter 3:9 

So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it. - Isaiah 55:11  

Read more here and from The Daily Telegraph here. More about the book here.

Tracting turns to fellowship in South Perth

I was behind with my tracting so I decided to start my morning with God in South Perth and do some tracting.  As usual I was seeking for the quick shoot and run opportunities.  When I arrived at the shore, I noticed the bench I wanted to sit at was taken by an old-ish couple.  Something said to me that I should tract them, but I chose not to because it would mean I would have to talk to them – I was looking for someone “on the move”.  After a stroll to the jetty and back, the couple were still there, so I said a little prayer and held the courage to approach them.

As I handed the tract and about to speak, I realised in front of the couple were Bibles, journals and Christian books!  They were a couple doing devotions together! It was so sweet!  After sharing a bit, I told them we were doing 30in30.  The wife asked me if I would like to hear a story, so I thought sure.  Not long into the sharing, I realised she was talking about the man on George Street in Sydney!  In my excitement, I told her “I know that story!” But I think she was having so much joy in sharing, she continued to tell me the story anyway.  Her husband tried hinting her that she didn’t have to continue, but she did.  It was such a blessing to hear her heart rejoice in sharing. :)

The husband asked me which church I attend, I told him Bible-Presbyterian church, his response was “BIBLE-Presbyterian?  Your church must really believe in the Bible.”  So I shared with him that is true, and I thank God for that, because I used to go to a charismatic church.  He then asked me why I changed from a charismatic church to a Presbyterian?  I paused for a moment because only a couple of days ago, I was asked this very same question.  He noticed my pause and explained to me that he used to go to a Baptist church then to a charismatic and now moved back to a Baptist.  I shared with him how God lead me, shared about differences in teaching – that the charismatic were wrong in many aspects of their teaching, and I finished up by talking about worship.  The conversation later lead to various things like creation etc, but before I left I had this strange urge to ask him if he was a pastor.  Not that he was quoting a lot of verses to me or anything, it was more of his gentle conduct and the impressive hand written journal in front of him.  He replied and said that he used to pastor a church up north but recently moved to Perth and now worship in a Baptist church (he’s on a “break”).

I didn’t know this at the time, but later I realised he was pastoring a charismatic church and moved back to Baptist – that’s why he had asked me why I changed.  Thank God for the order of things that had just happened.  I think if I knew he used to pastor a charismatic church, I would had been reserved in my sharing and not so bold as I was.  I guess God knew.  I feel quite heavy burden for this couple as I feel there may be some unanswered questions weighing on their hearts, guess this is where I can pray.

Eternity - Smoking or Non-Smoking?

Today I put up my hand to do the banking for work so I can go for a walk to give out a tract. Just as I walked out of the bank, I saw 2 high school boys smoking at the corner. I walked straight past them but suddenly remembered a sister's testimony of giving her tract to a young smoking kid. This prompted me to turn back and give my tract to the kids standing in the corner. I walked toward them but the two boys started to hide from me. I realised that one of the words on my jacket says "police" which was probably why :)


From talking to them I found out that one of them belongs to a brethren church which he hates going because the church 'restricts him from doing things'. The other one said he used to go for (Sunday School) which he enjoyed but wasn't serious about God. I asked if they knew Who Jesus was and why Jesus had to die for sinners. This led to a short sharing of the Gospel. We further talked about the concept of 'eternity', 'value' of a person's soul, the the reality of Hell, and that church attendance does not 'save' a person.


Half way through the conversation, one boy put out his cigarette. He said he knows that smoking is not right, he got into it because of peer pressure. I shared with him that my dad has been a smoker all his life and now he really regrets his decision in taking up smoking all those years ago. My dad wished that he never tried to look 'cool'. The reality is that smoking leads to all sorts of health issues... Plus both of them are underage, they should not be smoking in the first place! I told them that I'm not here to get them into trouble, I only want to tell them about the God Who created them and gave them life. 'You are the bigger person by saying no to peer pressure than someone that just gives in'. They already agreed that their souls are pricesless, so how about the body that they are hurting by smoking if they wouldn't sell their eyes for $50m? I questioned. Did they realise that they are giving away the health which they perceive as precious for free to nobody's benefit?!


Thank God that both boys were very responsive, receptive and courteous. At first, I was afraid that they might joke about me but that never happened. I feared in vain. The boys said that they'll definitely have a read of the 'booklet'. I said our church's address is at the back of the 'booklet' so if they'd like to come for youth group, they know where to find us. Lastly, I shared with them that being a Christian is not about more or less restrictions you adhere to. It is about having a personal relationship with God. If you love God, you will not do the things that grieve God's heart. Do they have a relationship with God? Do they care? I said I'll pray for them and again gently encouraged them that smoking isn't 'cool' but it is quite the opposite.

Prayer Works in Evangelism

Last night I did not sleep well at all and felt really tired and not in the mood for giving any tracts. I quickly prayed in the morning asking God to give me opportunities and to give me strength as well and put 2 tracts in my bag.
When I went to work I automatically felt that I should give it to someone there. Because there weren't many kids that day I was given the opportunity to co-work with this student Suzanne.

I felt the prompting that she would be the one I would give the tract to and this Sept30in30 I really wanted to go beyond just giving a tract and share the gospel verbally with someone. Even though I had talked to Suzanne before I didn't really know her well.

While talking to her I found out that she was an international student from Malaysia. I mentioned to her that I went to church and that there were many international students there. While we were talking I prayed that God would give me an opportunity to be able to give her a tract.
Finally when work finished I knew I wanted to go straight to Koorong rather than going home. However, I decided that I would just see where she lived and ask if she needed a lift home (since I always drop off another student, Adelle [also a Christian] at Curtin Uni) and I knew that Suzanne took the bus home.

Really praise and thank God that I did this. After dropping off Adelle, I was praying that I could speak to Suzanne. As soon as I finished praying Suzanne said "You said you went to church, which one do you go to?" It turns out she knows about BPCWA because she lives near Canning Hwy and sometimes goes to a Catholic church near there. We talked about how Catholicism and Christianity differed and it turned out she didn't believe a lot of what the Catholic church was preaching.

After asking more questions I realised that she wasn't very sure about what Christianity was all about and then proceeded to share the gospel and how one is saved. During that time a window washer guy at the traffic lights on Canning Hwy started washing my car window and thank God I got to tract him.

But even more amazing is that I was able to share the gospel and give a tract to Suzanne and invite her to church. I had no idea how God was going to work and looking back today I can see how amazing He is. Even though I spoke very ineloquently, fumbling with my words, I know that He is able to use anything I said to prick Suzannes heart and also the tract. I know that it is not by my own efforts, or ability but to know that He is the one who gives such opportunities and us the strength to do His will.

Please pray for her that she may come and join us and find true salvation. I started the day with only two tracts not even knowing if I could hand out one, but God had a purpose for exactly those two tracts. Praise God!

September 30in30 has begun..

Its now, the second day of September. This year, participants are submitting their testimonies online, so for the first time we can get updates as they happen from mobile phones, at work or at home. The statistics page is also working now. Here are a few testimonies from Day 1 to show you a day in the life of a Church at work for God.  

#6301 @ 7:51 - First tract

I was praying for someone whom i can give the tract to when i was walking to the bus stop this morning. After being alone in the cold wind for about 3 minutes, there came a high school boy! I was still contemplating when i started walking up and introduce myself and handed him the tract! Thank God for the unspeakable courage! I gave him the tract and went back to my position not too sure how it might go. I saw him reading the tract from behind and i prayed for him and i felt immersed joy that i haven enjoyed for a long time! It was great God is willing to use me as a vessel to Bordon today! 


#4803 @ 12:15 - Friends that care
Gave a tract to Mark, my uni friend.


#7002 @ 15:30 - Looking for a Church

Given to a relatively young believer who was looking for a church named Jo. 

#8001 @ 16:00 - Making conversations

After finishing shopping at Bullcreek, there was a man walking infront of me with his shopping trolley. I walked beside him and we started talking about the cost of living and other topics. As we reached his car I asked if he would like to read this gospel tract. He took it and read aloud "Are you a good person?" He responded with "Of course I am a good person". So then I told him in that case this is for you. He went into the car with the tract and said he would read it. 

#3101 @ 16:34 - Encouraging Christians in Evangelism
Lee Elliott, didn't have any opportunity to give out tracts the whole morning so I emailed my group to ask if they can pray for me. In the afternoon I had an appointment to see the branch manager of CBA. At the end of the appointment, I gave her a tract to which she appeared to be puzzled. I really just felt like walking away but thank God for courage and said to her: "This is a gospel tract. Our church is doing a project where we give out a tract a day in the month of September. You just got the first tract!" She told me that she is actively involved in her church (Maida Vale Baptist Church?) and she is actually the pastor's wife! Her husband and her recently came back from a mission trip and she is greatly encouraged that there are people in Perth evangelizing. We talked a bit more about Evangelism, Chick tracts, and God's glory before she had to go for prayer meeting.

#6201 @ 17:00 - Opportunities we would otherwise miss

Ryan M, he studies where I study. I noted that he came to some christian event at one of the University's christian societies, so I thought I would give this to him in the event that he was looking more into Christianity. I shall wait on his response after he reads it.


#0101 @ 17:15 - Praying and Tracting
After withdrawing money from atm gave tract to the next girl in line. Also prayed for everyone who are thinking of giving out the tract right now.

September 30in30 for 2010 is starting soon

September 30in30 is coming soon!! Registration is now open. September 30in30 is an outreach event which goes for the month of September and each participant gives out 30 Gospel booklets to people that they meet each day of September.. to share with them about God's way to forgiveness and eternal life. Whatever church you are from, you can sign up at www.bpcwa.com/signup
Come back to this page for updates throughout 30in30.