N.C. State Fair

MINISTRY PROFESSIONS OF FAITH

OCT 17-22 N.C. STATE FAIR 440

I spent five and a half days of sharing the gospel for about eight hours each day. I brought my smoothies and water with me, so I stayed in the booth the whole time. So many people responded, with so many stories. WHAT A JOY!

Ministry friend Johan Weiss spent eight days sharing the gospel. We are so grateful that we got to share on the coattails of Christian Farmers Outreach Ministries. CFO President Lou Enoff, Joe Mish, Jack Long, Don Fischer and the Holy Spirit led the way. Favorite stories and pics follow!

MOM AND DAUGHTER

Here is Jada (daughter) and Amber (mother). Jada 'hoped' she would get into Heaven because 'she believed'. What did she believe?...'I hope He will forgive me.' Why would God forgive her? She had no idea.

This is where most people are. No one has taken the time to ask them these important questions. Even many people in the church are completely clueless.

This day, Jada heard about a Savior who would forgive her if she placed her trust in Him. Mom wanted in on the deal as well.

"HE SAVED ME."

BRING THE LITTLE CHILDREN TO ME.

Grandma already knew. Her grandson Barrett did not. Many parents are very surprised to hear what their children really believe.

Grandma was very quiet and respectful as I shared with her grandson. Sometimes as I share, the parents will get impatient with their children and begin answering for them. When this happens, the children get upset and I usually have to let them go.

Barrett, like 90% of the children out there, thought he would go to Heaven because he was 'good'. Today, Barrett heard that he was not good, but that someone had already taken the punishment for him. Little Barrett put his trust in Him.

"I TRUST IN GOD."

JOB REMOVED...MARCUS SAVED...JOB RESTORED

Marcus, like almost everyone else we talk to, hoped he would get into Heaven because he was a 'good person'. After sharing the law with him, he realized he was not good in the eyes of God.

After preaching Christ to him, Marcus understood that God had already taken his punishment on the cross. Marcus needed to trust instead in Him.

Before we prayed, Marcus began to cry. He had just lost his job. The fair had too many employees, so they released him. Thankfully, Marcus wanted to place his trust in God as his Savior.

"HE SAVED MY LIFE." (I HAVE ETERNAL LIFE) 'WHEN I TRUST IN GOD'...'RIGHT NOW!'

Before Marcus left, I told him that I believed God had removed his job so he could come to our booth and get saved. Now that Marcus was saved, I told him that I believed God would bless him with another job.

Well, Marcus came back to our booth the day that I was leaving. He wanted to tell me a few things...

1) He was reading our follow up book, praying, and growing in his new relationship with Jesus.

2) God had indeed blessed him with another job, a better one in fact, to the tune of $3 per hour better!

Here is a two minute video from Marcus...

A VERY LARGE GROUP

Sometimes at these fairs, I get to share with many large groups. Not this time. This was the largest group that I had...eight girls. They all initially were not sure of their eternal destination, but after hearing the gospel, all wanted to place their trust in Jesus!

BROTHER MAKES PROFESSION OF FAITH

Caleb was already saved. His brother Seth told me, 'I haven't made a profession of faith yet'. This response indicated that he was probably already very familiar with the gospel. I thought, 'Maybe today is his day.'

Seth gave me no push-back when I shared the law with him. He was a very humble young man. After hearing the gospel, he wanted to place his faith in Christ alone. Listen to his prayer at the end, after he prayed the salvation prayer with me...

"THANKS FOR PUTTING ETERNAL LIFE IN MY HEART AND SAVING ME FROM HELL."

His brother asked me a few theological questions before they left. They both thanked me several times and encouraged me to continue sharing the gospel, even affirming how difficult of a job it can be.

WHOLE FAMILY COMES TO CHRIST

Mom and dad sat patiently and quietly as I shared the children's presentation with their daughters. Both girls were initially unsaved, and really seemed to grasp the gospel as I shared with them. Both wanted to trust in God alone and prayed with me.

After hearing the children's presentation, mom and dad were still uncertain of their own salvation. So, I shared part of our standard adult presentation, and both finally understood the work of Christ alone and wanted to place all of their trust in Him.

It was a joy to lead the Grimes family to Jesus!

THE LIGHT CAME ON

This is C.J. and Abil. At the end, when they put their trust in Jesus, the change in their countenance was pretty remarkable. Abil lit up light a Christmas tree!

MOM WATCHES 3 KIDS COME TO CHRIST

Mom was surprised at the outset that her children really did not understand the gospel. I encouraged her that it is a common experience for me.

By the grace of God, mom sat quietly as I helped Gavin, Kylie, and Skylar really understand the gospel. Children understand the concept of punishment. When they see that God has already taken their punishment, it is easy for them to place their trust in Him.

Most children, like these three, are trusting the wrong things. All it takes is for someone to methodically explain the truth to them.

ANOTHER WHOLE FAMILY COMES TO CHRIST

This one was a lot like the Grimes family. Again, mom and dad sat quietly as I led their three children to Christ: Precious, Jordan, and Kayla.

After hearing the children's presentation, mom and dad were still unsure. So, I shared the dessert illustration with them and that solidified their faith in the work of Christ alone. Both prayed with me, placing their trust in Him.

DIG DEEPER

Albert said he was 100% sure of going to Heaven because he 'believed in Jesus'. So, I asked him, "What do you believe about Jesus that makes you 100% sure that you would go to Heaven?"

'I believe that He is always with me.'

Well, we know this to be true, but our salvation has to do with the atonement. So, I shared the children's presentation with Albert. We talked about sin and the punishment for our sin, hell. So, I asked him...

"Did you know that somebody took your punishment?"...'No'.

"Did you know that God took your punishment on the cross?"...'Wow!'

"Really, you didn't know that God took your punishment?"...'No'.

Here was a young man who really didn't understand, even though he told me that he 'believed in Jesus'. I am glad that I pressed the issue. Albert was very eager at the end to now place all of his trust in the one who died for him.

PASTOR'S SON TRUSTS IN CHRIST

Tiera (wife) was already saved. Husband Adam told me, 'I try'.

Salvation is a free gift. If we are trying to earn it, we disqualify ourselves. We must stop trying, and start trusting.

"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast." (Eph. 2:8,9)

Thankfully, Adam decided to stop trying and start trusting. After praying with me, listen to what he told the Lord...

"GOD, I LOVE YOU AND I FULLY TRUST YOU."

REPENTANCE (NEW THINKING) BROUGHT SALVATION

Tiffany, Nikki, and Brandon were 99% sure they would go to Heaven because, 'I believe He is with me.' This was their initial concept of what it meant to 'believe'.

After preaching sin and Christ's atonement, they understood that 'believing' meant they were going to trust in the finished work of Christ on their behalf.

After trusting in Christ and praying, they said their hearts felt...warm and fuzzy. Listen to what they told me...

"WE NEVER HEARD IT THAT WAY! THANK YOU!"

"I THOUGHT I HAD TO PAY AND HE WOULD JUDGE ME."

STOP ASKING...START BELIEVING

Multitudes are 'praying and asking forgiveness.', but are not truly believing. Keegan and Ashlie were 50% sure because 'they asked forgiveness.' They were only 50% sure because they were not really believing.

The word believe is used over a hundred times in the gospel of John. God's call to us is to believe the gospel, not to simply ask forgiveness. Once we believe, then we know we have been forgiven, on the merits of Christ alone.

"HE CLEANSED MY SOUL." "THANK YOU...THANK YOU SO MUCH!"

WHICH ONE?

Betsy was initially 100% sure she would go to Heaven because...

1) I try to live right
2) I am baptized
3) I am saved

So, I asked her, "Which one is it, or, is it all three?"

Betsy said, "Number 1, because I live right." This is where many people are in the church. They are confused. So, I shared the law with her and I asked her, "Have you lived right?"...'No'.

Then, I shared Christ with her and invited her to transfer her trust to Christ alone. She did, and prayed with me.

Betsy sat there for a while, and was pretty blown away by the whole experience. She said that her heart really felt...RELIEVED. Then, she prayed to the Lord and said...

"THANKS FOR TAKING MY SINS AWAY."WHICH ONE?

Betsy was initially 100% sure she would go to Heaven because...

1) I try to live right
2) I am baptized
3) I am saved

So, I asked her, "Which one is it, or, is it all three?"

Betsy said, "Number 1, because I live right." This is where many people are in the church. They are confused. So, I shared the law with her and I asked her, "Have you lived right?"...'No'.

Then, I shared Christ with her and invited her to transfer her trust to Christ alone. She did, and prayed with me.

Betsy sat there for a while, and was pretty blown away by the whole experience. She said that her heart really felt...RELIEVED. Then, she prayed to the Lord and said...

"THANKS FOR TAKING MY SINS AWAY."

NOT I, BUT CHRIST

Katherine was 98% sure of going to Heaven. Antonio was 100%, because he 'tried to live right'.

During our gospel presentation, he thought he could avoid God's judgment by 'starting to live right'. Our salvation is not what we do. Our salvation is what God has already done for us in Christ.

Both wanted to trust in Christ alone and prayed with me. Listen to Antonio's response...

"HE JUST TOOK OVER." (Now, God will be living right, in and through Antonio)

AGAIN, REPENTANCE (NEW THINKING) BROUGHT SALVATION

Jason and Jennifer sat down with their daughter Massie. Jason said that he was 90% sure of Heaven because, "I don't know how He will judge me?"

Even during the presentation, he went back and forth between innocent and guilty because he was confused. He and Jennifer said they 'prayed and asked forgiveness' every Sunday.

God was already judged guilty for Jason and Jennifer 2000 years ago. Their judgment took place at the cross. Would they believe that? Would they put their trust in that alone?

Thankfully, they both did, and became 100% sure that they both had eternal life...

"TODAY!...BECAUSE OF YOU!"

ONE OF MY FAVORITES

Clarenda initially came into the booth, then got up to leave. She said, "My group is leaving and I can't lose them!"

Two minutes later she returned and said they would wait for her. She really wanted to hear the message.

Clarenda said that she was 50% sure of going to Heaven..."Well, I have already accepted the Lord." Clarenda really did not understand the gospel. She just needed someone to explain it to her.

I did, really focusing on our dessert illustration. She about jumped out of the chair when the light came on for her. Listen to what she said...

"IT ALL MAKES SENSE NOW! I NEVER HEARD IT EXPLAINED THAT WAY! YOU EXPLAINED IT BETTER THAN ANY PASTOR OR THEOLOGIAN EVER HAS! WOW! MY HEART FEELS LIGHTER!"

IN HIS FACE

This gentleman kept talking about his goodness. It did not matter what sin I brought up, nothing was sinking in. His wife was already saved.

At some point I felt the Spirit well up inside of me. I raised my voice, pointed in his face, and exclaimed...

"YOU NEED TO REPENT! YOU'RE NOT GOOD! NO ONE IS! TRUST IN GOD INSTEAD!"

This word of God penetrated his heart, and he humbled himself and prayed with me...

"HE CHANGED MY LIFE."

WHEELCHAIR BOUND ELDERLY LADY TRUSTS IN CHRIST

This was another one of my favorites. Daughter, son-in-law, and friend were already 100% sure because of Christ.

Marilyn told me that she 'hoped so', because she was 'good'. She even mentioned having been baptized in the river Jordan.

It is not easy to confront a little old lady with her sin, especially in a wheel chair. By the grace of God, I did. Family members and friends were very helpful as they listened. They were vocally agreeing with everything that I said. No one got upset with me.

When the invitation was given, Marilyn began to cry. After we prayed, she said she felt goose bumps all over her body. Everyone was very thankful and grateful.

I asked if I could give her a kiss. I kissed her on the forehead. Because I was really feeling it, I asked if I could give her another kiss. Marilyn puckered up...

Nope. I guess she had more faith than I did. I just stuck with the forehead. lol Afterwards, I raised both hands heavenward and said...

"I FINALLY GOT TO KISS A WOMAN!"

WHY DOES GOD FORGIVE?

Christina was hoping she would get to Heaven because 'He forgives?' So, I asked her, "Why would God forgive you?" She replied, "Because I do right."

You would be shocked how many professing believers think this. Until you ask these questions, you would never know.

God doesn 't forgive us because we 'do right'. God forgives us because the blood paid for our sins, and we decide to place our trust in Him.

When Christina understood the gospel, her reaction and expression testified of her new found trust in Christ's atonement.

"HE SAVED ME!"

ONCE AGAIN, REPENTANCE (NEW THINKING) BROUGHT SALVATION

Stephanie translated the gospel to Jorge in Spanish. Both were hoping they would get to Heaven because they were 'good persons'.

"No one is good, except God alone." When this truth dawned on them, they both wanted to trust in God instead of their goodness.

"WE CHANGED OUR MINDS!" (THIS IS REPENTANCE!)

A GREAT DELIVERANCE

Leslie kept talking about herself as the reason she would make it to Heaven...'I am very honest, I help people, I do good things...'

When we got to the point about hatred being murder in the heart, she opened up to me. Many years ago, two family members had been killed by a drunk driver and she had struggled with hatred for years.

Interesting. If I struggle with hatred for years through no fault of my own, then I compensate for this sin by 'making sure I am extra good'. These are all 'dead works'. (Heb 9:14)

I am so glad that Leslie humbled herself and understood that she was trying to save herself by all these things she was doing. Thankfully, she repented and trusted in Christ instead.

"HE TOOK IT ALL AWAY!"

HUGE SPANISH FAMILY RECEIVES CHRIST

This was the last encounter I had before heading home. What a great one to end on!

I got to share with five of the children: Maria, Marcos, Pedro, Gabriel and David. They all understood English. I used the children's presentation and each one ended up 'trusting in God'. They really seemed to understand.

Donnie (worker from Ohio on right in picture) shared with Claudia and Balay (mom and dad), and three other of their children: Bertolidta, Junior, and Elena. He also got to share with Bertolidta's boyfriend Wilson.

I believe Bertolidta translated for Donnie, and all of these folks wanted to place their faith in Jesus.

GLORY HALLELUJAH FOR AN AMAZING TRIP TO THE STATE FAIR!