Evangelism Explosion in 2021? (December 1, 2020)
2020 has been a difficult year for many and for us it has stifled up many opportunities for evangelism. Like nearly all other ministries I know, we haven’t been able to travel around the world this year for evangelistic outreaches. Typically, we see thousands come to Jesus as a result of those.
Fortunately, our Street Chaplains initiative has proven to be very resilient. While some of our usual locations for ministering have closed due to Covid restrictions, we have been able to continue outreach in other locations. So far we have seen about 40 people make decisions to follow Jesus! One of those includes a friend of mine.
It happened a month ago when Shavonne and I were doing some yard work in our front yard. My friend stopped by and I immediately knew something was wrong. He explained that he was having a rough day and was feeling really down. He was an Iraqi War vet who was apart of the liberating force in 2003. He was caught in a roadside explosion that led to many surgeries and had severe PTSD.
With our masks on we sat down on my front bench and we talked. I told him Psalm 34:18, “‘The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.’ Perhaps right now you’re feeling broken and crushed. I want you to know that God is near, He loves you and He is here to help.”
He opened up about everything. He had lost some friends and family to Covid-19, had nightmares due to PTSD from the war, wanted to be a better husband and father, and had to make some really tough choices in the war and saw some horrible things happen at the hands of terrorists. He didn’t think God could ever love or forgive him.
I shared with him the how much Jesus loves you no matter what and stories of some veterans who went through similar challenges and found forgiveness in Christ. When I asked him if he would like to be forgiven and be right with God he said yes. There on that bench he poured out everything in his life, crying and repenting of everything wrong that he had done in his life. It was one of the most beautiful yet heart-wrenching prayers I had ever heard.
Today, he is forgiven and it has been amazing to hear how is growing and doing better health-wise. Later today I will be handing him the NLT New Believer’s Bible to help him in his spiritual growth!
I know today you’re probably being bombarded with Giving Tuesday campaigns, but I trust God will direct you where to give today. My hope is that with your support we will be able to see more and more people experience God’s transforming love like my friend.
Could we see an explosion of evangelism in 2021? I think so! With vaccine distribution rolling out next year we should be able to travel once again for international outreaches and have increased opportunities to minister here in the Chicagoland. I can’t wait to see that happen.
Currently our monthly giving has been around $3,000 per month, but in order to better accomplish ministry here in Illinois we need $6,000 per month. Would you consider partnering with us in prayer and monthly financial giving? Even one time gifts of any size truly can make a difference too! Let’s team up and see God transform lives and communities together.
On mission for Jesus with you,
Matt & Shavonne Kearney