Ocean City Maryland

Communities 4 Christ traveled to Ocean City, Maryland for 12 days of ministry on the boardwalk from June 1st - June 12th. We partnered with many other evangelists from varying locales who descended on the same beach house where we enjoyed sweet fellowship together. Edified and encouraged, we went forth to do the works of the ministry.

THE MINISTRY TEAM

Here is a pic of our team...

Let me go from left to right...

Bill (blue shirt) from Baltimore is a big teddy bear with a heart of love the size of Texas. He engages people one on one on the boardwalk and shares the Gospel with them. At night, as I shared on the boardwalk, people were having trouble reading my scriptures so Bill let me borrow his special led flashlight. During the day, he brought a bunch of popcorn for people to enjoy who were sitting down listening to me share the Gospel.

Paul (plaid shirt) is originally from New Jersey who recently moved to Mt. Jackson, Va just 30 minutes from where I live. If you read the previous newsletter, Paul has been helping me share full time in my hometown. Paul helped me share several days in Ocean City, and then shared several days on his own. (Stories below) He told me that many prayed with him to receive Christ after hearing the Gospel.

Next of course is yours truly. I will give more details of my particular encounters below.

To the right of me is Ed. Ed is from Pittsburgh where he pastors a church. Ed works with Open Air Campaigners and uses an easel board with paint to share the Gospel. Here is Ed sharing with a group on the boardwalk...

Next in the pic are Pam and Alan Foster who serve on the board of our ministry. Two precious souls who are dear friends who love our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. They made a lasagna dinner one night. Hip-Hip-Hooray! Here is their report of sharing the Gospel...

"We had two days we went out and were able to share with 24 folks. Sixteen of those prayed to receive Jesus as their Savior. A few of the highlights...two ladies who work at a hotel on the boardwalk were on their lunch break and happened to walk by. They were excited to hear the Gospel and enthusiastically received Jesus as Savior. Another couple told us they were walking and trying to tune people out, but the bracelets caught their eye and drew them over to hear. The bracelets are great bait. They received Christ with great joy and were so very appreciative and kept thanking us for sharing with them and saying they were so glad they stopped. Finally, a teenage pair came over to listen as well. They were on vacation with family. The young man had a skateboard in his hand and a house arrest bracelet on his ankle. He didn't share the trouble he had been in but it didn't take much for him to humble himself and accept that he was a sinner in need of a Savior. He and the young lady he was with both prayed to receive Christ."

Eric is next with the blue shirt. He would be the 'house leader'. Eric led us in devotions and prayer every day. Eric has a very humble heart and is able to keep many different people unified with a singular purpose of sharing the Gospel.
Eric does open air preaching with a microphone and amplifier and shares one on one with people. He also passes out a bracelet with a link for people to hear the Gospel (fallingplates.com) 10,000 bracelets were given out!

Here is a pic with Juan, Gio, Landon and Eric. Eric met Landon on the boardwalk and then led him to Christ. Landon sent him this text message...'Thank you for the talk we had and I really appreciate the gift you passed on to me (Gospel of John) and the gift that God has given to me!' Landon was so moved that he brought his friend Gio to hear the Gospel the next day! (Juan is on our team all the way from Colombia, South America!)

Juan (left in pic) from Colombia, South America joined us for a few days. He played worship music on the boardwalk and preached the Gospel to people. Paul helped him on the drums. Alex from the First Russian Baptist church near my house is standing with them.

Lastly in the pic is big Sam (red shirt). Sam is from Charlotte, NC. Sam walked up and down the 2.5 mile boardwalk several times a day with a Jesus Saves vest proclaiming over and over...

'JESUS SAVES! (he loves you maam...sir.)'
'JESUS SAVES! (he loves you guys)'

My back was hurting quite a bit during this trip and Sam was always eagerly asking how he could help me by moving and carrying something for me. Here is Sam passing out 'mini-scripture bibles'...

LARGE GROUPS

Here is my report. I shared seven days on the boardwalk (3 days off for rest and 2 travel days) and saw 253 people profess saving faith in Christ alone. Many of these were large groups. In some of these groups everyone would respond in prayer to receive Christ. Other groups had certain ones who responded. God knows all the particulars.

The first two nights I had two large groups of ten each. I believe that most of the people in these groups were sincerely religious (good, trying hard, Catholic) but just didn't understand the finished work of Jesus Christ. When the true Gospel light came, I think most everyone here responded eagerly to trust in Christ alone. Thank you to Paul Collins for assisting me here with both groups.

When people really begin to understand the Gospel and are really drawn in by the power of the Holy Spirit, there are no words to express the joy that you feel!

This next group below was from the next night, Saturday. I believe that Erik (house leader) took this picture from the hotel behind where we were sharing. Paul is sitting next to me assisting (red sweat shirt). Thank you Paul.

The initial group sat down in chairs with a few behind them (7-10). Then, as I began to share, more gathered around behind those curious to hear what was going on. I was focused on the front group, who ended up staying for over 30 minutes listening to the Gospel presentation. I believe most in the front group responded to the Gospel invitation to trust in Christ alone.

Below is a group of nine from Sunday. By the grace of God, I was able to remember all of their names as I shared with them. As you share the Gospel and periodically call them out each by name (Delonte, Amerian, Arianna, Trista, Alexis, Leah, Donovan, Zachary, Ezekiel) they really light up and are drawn in by the Spirit.

You have to move slowly at first (doing word associations with each name) and repeating each name as you add another name on to the list. Only by the grace and power of the Holy Spirit could I do all of this. This makes taking a few days of rest essential.

Everyone in the group responded and wanted to trust in Christ alone. They stayed for almost 40 minutes, a miracle in itself. Four of these girls returned five days later asking for 4 more bracelets. They had lost them in the ocean. I reviewed the Gospel with each of them and they were very solid in their understanding of the Gospel!

Below are 7 from Tuesday...(Mike, Devaughn, Nasir, Jaden, Jake, Randy, Tevaughn). Mike and Randy already knew Christ. They all stayed for over 30 minutes and prayed to trust Christ alone...

Devaughn...'He made clear my sins are gone.'
Nasir...'He made me trust and believe.'
Jaden...'He put trust in my heart...not judging anymore.'
Jake...'He made me believe more.'
Tevaughn...'He put trust in my heart.'

Two hours later, while I was sharing with this new group of nine below (Ronald, Drew, Hayden, Spencer, Sarah, Jordan, Vargas, Ron and Chris) one of the guys from the previous group (I think it was Nasir) walked past us and shouted...

'YOU NEED TO LISTEN TO THIS GUY. I'M GOING HOME TO TELL MY MOM THAT NOW I BELIEVE IN GOD AGAIN!'

This was really cool, because when he had initially responded, I was really wondering whether he was sincere or not. God knows! Only God needs to know!

Here is the pic of the nine who all responded. Many thanks to Sam Hammaker (He was on our team but wasn't in the initial picture) who sat with me and helped share the Gospel. Sam did a great job of sharing the Gospel and was instrumental in the passing out of the 10,000 fallingplates.com wristbands. Thank you Sam!

POWERFUL STORM

If it is an obvious move of the Holy Spirit when large groups of people sit down for over 30 minutes to hear the Gospel...

How about when people listen in the middle of a torrential downpour?

Paul Collins was ministering with me on Wednesday afternoon when it first started to rain around 4 p.m. After studying the radar on his cellphone, he suggested that we go back to the beach house since it appeared that the storm would last until around 7 p.m.

I suggested that we wait on the Lord and pray for a little before we made any moves...

The Lord sent Isaiah, Ryan, Heidi and Dillon. They listened for 20 minutes under the umbrellas and wanted to trust in Christ alone...

About this time 'the windows from on high' really opened up, so Paul and myself sought cover in a parking deck area underneath the hotel right behind us. The high winds were blowing the umbrellas all over the place.

After taking cover for about 30 minutes, the rain abated enough for us to go back up on the boardwalk and begin fishing again.

Immediate fruit...

Here is Sarah, Katelyn, Denny and Nick. Each heard the Gospel and wanted to trust in Christ alone. Paul is the in back with his thumb up.

Up until around 7:30 p.m. when we could finally put our umbrellas away, the Lord ended up sending 21 people who heard the Gospel and wanted to trust in Christ alone. Thanks to Paul for riding the storm out with me and also for bringing me 2 chicken sandwiches for dinner!

UNIQUE STORIES

The Lord moved in large groups and in the midst of a powerful storm. He also moved in some very unique ways...

Pam Foster, one of our team members from above, was praying before our first day of outreach. The Lord impressed upon her heart that there would be people walking by us that have family members praying for them and their salvation. Little did she know that the Lord would fulfill that impression before the day was over.

The grandmother's name was Brenda. She walked by Paul and myself on the boardwalk at 7:30 that evening. With her was her granddaughter and her two friends...Lylah, Ryleigh, and Justina.

None understood the Gospel. All listened for 40 minutes and wanted to trust in Christ alone. All confessed...'He saved and accepted me because I put my trust in Him.'

Two hours later Brenda returned...

This time with her other grand daughter Natalie. Natalie was with Jarrett and had just found out that she was pregnant with his child.

Both did not initially understand the Gospel. Both listened for almost an hour. Because Brenda had brought them over, I knew that I had a captive audience and was thus extremely thorough with them. I really wanted them to understand.

Natalie and Jarrett wanted to trust in Christ alone. Natalie really broke down weeping. The rest of us were moved to tears as well. Brenda was 'beyond thankful'. She actually attempted to bring her grandson to us the next day but that never materialized.

Tuesday evening, June 8th, around 7 p.m. I was approached by a grandmother, daughter, grand daughter, and friend...(Mimi, Shannon, Kyla, Michaela)

They were staying in the hotel right behind where we had been sharing for many days. Mimi (grandmother) said they were Christians and were coming down to encourage us to keep up the good work.

I was very blessed by their encouragement and really thanked them. Having done this thousands of times I had a notion that at the very least the grand daughter and friend did not really understand the Gospel, and quite possibly both mom and grandma as well.

I asked Mimi and Shannon if I could share with Kyla and Michaela (grand daughter and friend). They gave me permission and off I went.

Right off the bat, Kyla said she was 98% sure of going to Heaven and then immediately was moved to tears. She said she had been thinking about this a whole lot recently. Her friend also was not sure.

Kyla was very eager to hear how she could be 100% sure of going to Heaven. I focused primarily upon her and Michaela, but eventually Shannon and Mimi were drawn into the conversation. It then became apparent that none of them really understood the Gospel.

At the end, when I gave the invitation, Kyla broke down in tears. Everyone began to pray with me. Kyla was having trouble repeating the words because of her tears.

At the very end, when we prayed again she also could not hold back the tears. Here is what she told me (paraphrased)...

'I HAD HEARD THIS MOST OF MY LIFE IN CHURCH BUT IT NEVER REALLY MADE SENSE. TODAY IT DOES. THANK YOU SO MUCH. HE SAVED ME BECAUSE I AM TRUSTING IN HIM. MY HEART IS FULL OF LOVE AND HAPPINESS.'

(SHANNON, MIMI, KYLA, MICHAELA)

Sometimes when you share the Gospel you must deal with 'annoying distractions'. One of these on this trip were the seagulls. Many times they would swoop down and loudly squawk at inopportune times during the presentation. A few times they actually pooped on the people with whom we were sharing.

Another distraction can be screaming kids. Paul Collins to the rescue. We were sharing with a mother (Florence) and her two daughters (Lexi & Brianna). All was moving along quite nicely as the three ladies were being drawn in by the Spirit.

Then the little boy began to squawk. At first it wasn't too bad but then it got to the point where I thought they were going to get up and leave. Paul jumped in and started playing with the little boy. It wasn't 'goo-goo' - 'gah-gah'. It was an anointed move of the Holy Spirit! The love that began to flow out of Paul to this little boy actually got on me and helped me to finish sharing the Gospel!

The three ladies wanted to trust in Christ alone and prayed with me...

FLORENCE...'HE CHANGED MY LIFE.'
LEXI...'I LOVE YOU GOD.'
BRIANNA...'GOD I TRUST YOU.'

Before she left the mother said something like this about her little boy (autistic)...

'HE'S BEEN AROUND QUITE A FEW STRANGERS. I'VE NEVER SEEN HIM WARM UP TO SOMEONE LIKE THAT.'

I believe it, because Paul was having the same impact on me! Thanks Paul!

Another distraction can be individuals coming over trying to pull away people who have already sat down to listen to the Gospel. This happens quite a bit and can be disheartening.

Nate and Nate sat down to hear the Gospel. To differentiate the two I used the logos on their t-shirts...'Nate-LA' and 'Nate-PENN STATE'. The more fun you have as you share the Gospel the better it goes.

These two were definitely being drawn in by the Spirit. I remember a young lady coming over and saying something to one of the Nate's. I remember him saying something back and her leaving. Because I was so focused on the presentation I missed the details.

Paul Collins to the rescue again. Paul told me that he was blown away by what he heard and saw...

The girl came over to hit on one of the Nate's. She tried to get his number and he said something like this...

'NOT NOW...LEAVE ME ALONE...THIS IS TOO IMPORTANT!' (HE BLEW HER OFF!)

Paul said that he could hear the irritation in Nate's voice as he said this! What a miracle in itself!

Both Nate's wanted to trust in Christ alone and prayed accordingly...

NATE...'HE SACRIFICED HIMSELF FOR ME AND I PUT MY TRUST IN HIM. MY HEART IS REALLY HAPPY.'

NATE...'HE CAME INTO MY LIFE.'

TERRIFIC TESTIMONIALS

On the very first day, Croc was the third person with whom I spoke. After understanding the Gospel and praying with me, he told me...

'HE JUST CHANGED MY ENTIRE LIFE.'

This little girl (Piper), after understanding the Gospel, prayed and told the Lord...

'I TRUST YOU.'

I am amazed at the understanding the Lord bestows upon the little children. It's easier for them!

Later on that night, one girl (Cassie) out of a group of three told me...

'HE SAVED ME AND GAVE ME A LITTLE PIECE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT THAT I HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR A LONG TIME.'

Tony and David both responded to trust in Christ alone. (Big Smiles) Charles (Caucasian in the middle) was not ready, but he told me...

'HE OPENED MY EYES TO THE GREATNESS OF WHAT HE HAS DONE.'

Chloe was in a group of three on Tuesday. She, Mara, and Lane all responded to the invitation. I remember thinking, 'Did they really understand?"

Was I really surprised as she spoke up immediately after the prayer and said...

'I FEEL LIKE A NEW PERSON.'

Right after Chloe, was Luke. After hearing the Gospel and praying, he told me...

'HE CLEANED ME. I BROUGHT HIM IN AND I FEEL A LOT BETTER, MORE LOVE DEFINITELY. LORD, THANKS FOR CLEANING MY SLATE.'

Here is Joe, also from Tuesday. After understanding and praying with me, He said...

'HE SAVED ME AND I AM FORGIVEN. I DON'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT MY SINS ANYMORE. I FEEL LOVE FROM HIM.'

On Wednesday after the rainstorm, Connor and James both responded to the invitation. Connor told me that his heart felt...

'OVERWHELMED WITH HAPPINESS.'

How did Katie's, Abby's, and Maddie's heart feel immediately after trusting Christ?

Katie...'THANKFUL AND FULL OF LOVE...THANKS FOR FORGIVING ME...I PUT MY TRUST IN HIM.'

Abby...'FULL OF LOVE AND HOPE...I'M SORRY FOR NOT TRUSTING YOU...I'VE LEARNED HOW TO TRUST YOU.'

Maddie...'VERY HAPPY AND FULL OF THANKFULNESS...HE REPLACED MY COAT WITH HIS COAT (2 COR. 5:21)...THANKS FOR TAKING MY COAT.'

Brandon, Brady, Lucas, and Luke. How did their hearts feel?

Brandon...'LOVED AND CARED FOR. HE FORGAVE ME FOR MY SINS BECAUSE I BELIEVED IN HIM.'

Brady...'ACTUALLY...LOVE. HE ACCEPTED ME AND HELPED ME BECAUSE I TRUSTED HIM. THANKS FOR PUTTING TOGETHER THE BROKEN PIECES. I TRUST YOU.'

Lucas...'LOVE...I LOVE YOU. THANKS FOR TAKING MY SINS AWAY.'

Luke...'NEW...HAPPY...HE OPENED MY EYES TO THE WHOLE THING. I PUT MY TRUST IN GOD...I LOVE YOU.'

SOLI DEO GLORIA!

THANKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT!

THANKS FOR YOUR CONTINUED PRAYERS!