The guys and Jim (Our contact) went into Kilkenny, Ireland to do some outreach (evangelism). We took tracks (Christian literature of the Gospel) and the sign that I boldly carry everytime we go do outreach. (The sign says, “Christ Died for Our Sins”). I started calling the sign, “The Blood Stained Banner”. We walked around the downtown area looking for people to talk to and passing out tracks. We talked to several groups of highschool aged kids.
I was holding the sign up on the sidewalk in a busy part of the city while the other guys were walking around. I had a group of kids, 7 in all, that came up and started to ask questions about what I was doing, why, and how long have I been standing there with this sign. Little did I know that all these questions were just an attempt to make fun of every single thing I said. They scoffed the Gospel and the fact that Jesus even existed. After several remarks and cruel jokes they walked off. A little while later Jim and James walked up and we began walking around the city passing out tracks and carrying the sign.
After about an hour and a half of walking around I notice the same kids that were ridiculing me down an ally behind a building. I looked at Jim and James and said, “Those are the kids that I was telling you about. I think this is a divine appointment. We need to go speak to them.” Immediately, without any hesitation, Jim starts walking towards the kids. The kids notice us coming and begin to make jokes again. They also had a very surprised look on their face. I couldn’t help but think that this thought was running through their minds: “Oh crap, he has reinforcements!”
Without hesitation Jim started sharing the Gospel with them. They continued to ask their silly questions and make cruel jokes. I could tell that they were trying to throw us off with all these wild and crazy questions, but Jim answered every one of them with Scripture and kept preaching the Good News. It was awesome seeing God move in that ally!! After several minutes of deep discussion about the Gospel, the kids started asking serious questions. They were no longer rowdy and disorderly but I began to see order taking place. They were no longer talking while we were talking, but they all listened attentively. They were no longer all scattered in an array around us, but they were lined up against the wall all facing Jim as he spoke.
We explained Heaven and Hell and why it is so important to not put off your salvation for when you are older. We told them about Jesus’ second coming, only this time He is not coming back as Savior, but as Judge. The question was asked to them, “Are you ready to stand before God and be judged?” The answer quickly came back as, “No!” We shared how they could receive salvation through Jesus Christ. I told them that Jesus died for ALL their sins. Not just one. But ALL! The ones in your past, the ones you will committ today, and the ones you haven’t even committed yet. If you believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of the Living God and that He died for your sins, you are SAVED!! There is nothing left for you to do. Jesus paid it ALL!!
I shared part of my testimony about depression, sex, and drugs, and how I felt God’s peace when there was none to be found. I told them that I know God is real and that He is alive! We handed them tracks and blessed them. They thanked us for sharing Jesus with them and we said our goodbyes. As soon as we left we started interceding for them. We lifted them up in prayer, praying that God would send angels to protect them now while they are wrestling with the message we just delivered. That He would break their hearts of stone and give me a heart of flesh. That God would be more real to them now, more than ever. God totally showed up when we needed Him the most. Thank you God for who you are!! Thank you God for your promises and for never leaving us, nor forsaking us!!! I love you Jesus!!!!!!!!
