Interviews with Boston street evangelists

Thought this would be more relevant now. This is a compilation of interviews of sincere Boston Street evangelists, reduced to 9 minutes from 3 hours. Asa shown below, Boston and MA in general is one of most resistant (and antagonistic to) the gospel, being liberal and mostly institutionalized religion (except for many recent immigrants).

Note about tract evangelism and the tall man named Bob in the video, who by the grace of God has held forth the word of life (Phil. 2:16) at most every major sporting or music event for 20 years here, and who was just up the street doing so at the Marathon when the bombs went off. There is a very good chance both of the "suspects" had been offered a gospel tract and opportunity to converse (or debate) about Christ prior to their deadly deed, but as Proverbs 8:36 states, "But he that sinneth against me wrongeth his own soul: all they that hate me love death."

Open air "tract" evangelism has a rich history, being employed by great men of God such as Spurgeon, Moody, Torrey , etc., but it attacked or scorned today by many today as being ineffective, and resulting in a negative response.

However, while personal relationships are the most effective in seeing actual conversions, or a Bible study or church setting (versus the distractions and carnality of the marketplace), yet in this area the chances of a person even knowing a born again Christian is almost nill, at least among the "natives" (versus S. America), while at least one man outside a Sox game can conspicuously set eternity before multitudes of souls headed for Hell, graciously offering the word of life. And every tract received offers the potential to explain it, like as Phillip did with the man in Acts 8 who was reading a portion of Scripture. Likewise the sign in something that requires an explanation, and both have resulted in for more conversations than without them.

Morever, the apostle Paul, finding himself in an idolatrous Athens (to which Boston has been likened) "Therefore disputed he in the synagogue with the Jews, and with the devout persons, and in the market daily with them that met with him. " (Acts 17:17)

As regards rejection, it seems "Thou shalt not be rejected" is the 11th commandment for modern "evangelism," and while street evangelism also has the tendency to attract some noncomformlists who seem to have a need for rejection in order to have a good day (and work at achieving it, or otherwise have quirks which give it a bad name), yet souls intuitively know that Jesus Christ is a threat to their lifestyle. Thus our own flesh finds true and convicting gospel preaching a savour of death, as faith in the Lord Jesus implicitly requires that of the carnal man, while it is a savour of life to the soul seeking life. (2Cor. 2:16)

. I have been privileged to help Bob for many years, and before working the streets of Boston, Bob, as part of a local hard working Baptist church )pastor was a former drill sarge in the Marines), went thru the entire city of Lynn ("the city of sin; you don't come out the way you went in")of 86,000 souls literally door knocking, which took 3-1/2 years, then the neighboring town of Swampscott (mostly Jewish, and where he had to check in with the police every day).

Later he worked as assistant chaplain in Worcester Country House of Correction 8-9 hours a day. The prisoners knew he was for real (you can't con a con man they say) and almost had a riot when he was kicked out, and the head chaplain (his pastor resigned in protest. They were loosing money due to prisoners getting out of AA which they recvd subsidy for, and the Cath. chaplain resented him.

This simply confirmed what he discerned the Lord was showing him, that he could either marry and settle down into the life of a "normal minister," or work in a more conformational ministry, and which the Lord opened the door wide for him to do, yet living by faith (no salary, gov, assistance, or solicitation for funds...) And as a result, and the dedication the Lord worked in him multitudes of lost souls have been called to answer the eternal question, "What shall I do then with Jesus which is called Christ?" (Matthew 27:22) Many many more not spurn their day of grace.

Boston and MA in general is one of most resistant (and antagonistic to) the gospel,

Yet, he kept at it for 20 years and didn't have a defeatist's attitude. This Scripture appears to be in the upper most of his mind daily, as well as written on his heart. He's is living out Gal 2:19-20.

"...For through the Law I died to the Law, that I might live unto God. I have been crucified with Christ, and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and delivered Himself up for me."

.... and in the market daily with them that met with him. " (Acts 17:17)

AMEN! The Acts church is still alive today! I call it Acts 29.

then the neighboring town of Swampscott (mostly Jewish, and where he had to check in with the police every day).

Like Paul, who was thrown in jail; Bob must be considered a threat to society.

Proverbs 8:36 states, "But he that sinneth against Me wrongeth his own soul: all they that hate Me love death."

That's a good word to show where the hearts are from the terrorists to those who are pro abortion.

Thank you Daniel for this well-written piece and sharing about Bob who truly is living Scripture, in every sense! And, thus, gave me something to think about regarding myself. He, through his testimony and you recording it - touches/stirs up more lives than you both know.

Thank God for your heart for God and the lost as expressed in your affirmation. I will pass it on, which is an encouragement for him and those who likewise have eternity stamped their eyes and so see every soul that passes by as serving one of two Masters in one of two kingdoms, and headed for one of two eternal places and realizations. And who thus are burdened to give them the word of Truth.

And i do not believe we are simply there to win souls, but in preaching the gospel message, even by tracts, we are to warn the wicked of his way, lest their blood be upon our hands. (Ezek. 33:8; Acts 20:26)

Few churches see public tract outreach as viable, as their priority is how many people it will get in their church and have little tolerance for rejection (and an assistant pastor at Park st. church on the common, which does no outreach there, referred to the “seemingly demented” preachers there), but there are some who have a larger vision and faith.

One man is a pastor now, because as he testified, he was a lost soul among the multitudes of other lost souls at one of the rock concerts Bob has outreaches at by God’s grace, and came face to face with him, and the very look in his eyes convicted him and led to him turning to Christ for sin and believing and following Him.

Another notable conversion was a gentlemen (for he was) named Jason Baker, a former captain in the Marine cor during WW2. He lost 110% of his men, in action at Guadalcanal and Iwo Jima, but as his wife told, he was well respected by his men who later wrote to him.

However, after the war he went into real estate and began drinking, which led to his wife leaving him and a son being embittered. He ended up living in the Chelsea Naval home, and one day he received a gospel tract called, “All This I Did for Thee,” which has a bloodied figure on the cross.

As he described it, this was the first time in his life that he was heard a clear presentation of the gospel. He decided to believe in the Lord Jesus, and that night heard D. James Kennedy expound on Is. 53 and it made sense. He went to the Baptist church on the back and was baptized, and was dedicated and caring Christian and faithful church goer till his death.

More stories could be told like this and of God’s providence in living by faith and to His glory of God, but my fingers are tired. Praise ye the Lord.

Wanted to post this before:

State ranking according to survey response as to religion being an important part of peoples daily lives. (highest to lowest): * Mississippi: 85% * Alabama: 82% * South Carolina: 80% * Tennessee: 79% * Louisiana: 78% * Arkansas: 78% * Georgia: 76% * North Carolina: 76% * Oklahoma: 75% * Kentucky: 74% * Texas: 74% * West Virginia: 71% * Kansas: 70% * Utah: 69% * Missouri: 68% * Virginia: 68% * South Dakota: 68% * North Dakota: 68% * Indiana: 68% * Nebraska: 67% * New Mexico: 66% * Pennsylvania: 65% * Florida: 65% * Maryland: 65% * Ohio: 65% * Iowa: 64% * Minnesota: 64% * Illinois: 64% * Michigan: 64% * Delaware: 61% * Wisconsin: 61% * District of Columbia: 61% * Idaho: 61% * Arizona: 61% * New Jersey: 60% * Wyoming: 58% * Colorado: 57% * Hawaii: 57% * California: 57% * Montana: 56% * New York: 56% * Connecticut: 55% * Nevada: 54% * Rhode Island: 53% * Oregon: 53% * Washington: 52% * Alaska: 51% * Massachusetts: 48% * Maine: 48% * New Hampshire: 46% * Vermont: 42%. Overall nationwide mean of 65% http://www.gallup.com/poll/114022/State-States-Importance-Religion.aspx
Regionally, the South still qualifies as the most Bible-minded. The top ranking cities are all Southern cities. This includes the media markets for Knoxville, TN (52% of the population are Bible-minded), Shreveport, LA (52%), Chattanooga, TN (52%), Birmingham, AL (50%), and Jackson, MS (50%). Other markets in the top 10 include Springfield, MO (49%), Charlotte, NC (48%), Lynchburg, VA (48%), Huntsville-Decatur, AL (48%), and Charleston, WV (47%). http://cities.barna.org/americas-most-and-least-bible-minded-cities-2/
The least Bible-oriented markets include a mix of regions, but tend to be from the New England area. Easily the lowest Bible-minded scores came from Providence, RI (9%) and Albany, NY (10%). The most Bible-minded markets are five times more likely to have residents who qualify as Bible-minded than is true in these two Northeastern cities. ^
None of the cities in the bottom 10 break 20%, where even one in five people could be considered Bible-minded. The New England area is home to most of the markets in the bottom 10 Bible-minded cities, including Burlington, VT (16%), Portland, ME (16%), Hartford, CT (16%), Boston, MA (16%), Buffalo, NY (18%) and New York, NY (18%).
The remaining markets in the bottom 10 are primarily in the West and include San Francisco, CA (16%), Phoenix, AZ (17%), and Las Vegas, NV (18%). Cedar Rapids, IA (18%) being something of an outlier. ^
The Eastern United States is the only region of the country where Protestants account for less than half (44.1%) of the population. Catholics are the best represented religious tradition in this region; claiming 35.1% of the population. ⁵^.⁵Baylor Institute for Studies of Religion - American Piety in the 21 Century – September 2006 . Baylor Institute for Studies of Religion - American Piety in the 21 Century – September 2006 . http://www.baylor.edu/content/services/document.php/33304.pdf
The West has the highest percentages of religiously unaffiliated people (17.6%) and people in other religious traditions (10.3%) of any U.S. Region. Baylor Institute for Studies of Religion^
According to a Barna research report issued October 11, 2010, The 10 most unchurched cities – where around four out of ten adults have not been to a religious worship service in the last six months – are San Francisco (44%); Portland, Maine (43%); Portland, Ore. (42%); Albany NY (42%); Boston (40%); Sacramento (40%); and Seattle (40%); Spokane (39%);, New York (38%); Phoenix (38%); Tucson (37%). . http://www.barna.org/faith-spirituality/435-diversity-of-faith-in-various-us-cities
The cities (measured in the Barna research as media markets) with the highest proportion of residents who describe themselves as Christian are typically in the South, including: Shreveport (98%), Birmingham (96%), Charlotte (96%), Nashville (95%), Greenville, SC / Asheville, NC (94%), New Orleans (94%), Indianapolis (93%), Lexington (93%), Roanoke-Lynchburg (93%), Little Rock (92%), and Memphis (92%). ^
73% of the populations of Charlotte and Shreveport held scripture in high regard, versus only 27% of the residents of Providence, Rhode Island (the most Catholic state) and San Francisco (the most homosexual large city). ^
64% of Birmingham and 54% of Charlotte said they strongly agreed that a person has a responsibility to share their beliefs with others, versus only 14% of residents of Providence R.I. and 17% of Bostonians agreed. ^
The highest percentages of residents who describe themselves as Christian are typically in the South, including: Shreveport LA (98%), Birmingham (96%), Charlotte (96%), Nashville (95%), Greenville, SC / Asheville, NC (94%), New Orleans (94%), Indianapolis (93%), Lexington (93%), Roanoke-Lynchburg (93%), Little Rock (92%), and Memphis (92%)
73% of the populations of Charlotte and Shreveport held scripture in high regard, versus only 27% of the residents of Providence, Rhode Island [the most Catholic state] and San Francisco [the most homosexual large city]. ^
The lowest percentages of self-identified Christians inhabited the following markets: San Francisco (68%), Portland, Oregon (71%), Portland, Maine (72%), Seattle (73%), Sacramento (73%), New York (73%), San Diego (75%), Los Angeles (75%), Boston (76%), Phoenix (78%), Miami (78%), Las Vegas (78%), and Denver (78%). Even in these cities, however, roughly three out of every four residents align with Christianity. ^
The highest percentage of souls who tended toward being atheist or agnostic were in Portland, Maine (19%), Seattle (19%), Portland, Oregon (16%), Sacramento (16%), and Spokane (16%) ^
Commitment to evangelism (agree strongly that a person has a responsibility to share their beliefs with others) saw the greatest percentage of endorsement by residents of Birmingham (64%) and Charlotte (54%), in contrast to residents of Providence (14%) and Boston (17%). ^
http://peacebyjesus.witnesstoday.org/RevealingStatistics.html

Amen! I do believe the wicked know they are wicked - that's why they hide and we find them and/or are defensive and don't hide but need to drop the defense meant to hide their pain because they have no idea about “All This I Did for Thee,” and what the bloodied figure on the cross actually did for them and then IT becomes - the greatest story ever told! The gospel message comes to them as 'almost too good to be true' message! And then that is when one becomes a disciple of Christ instead of simply a lost soul who has been found.

More stories could be told like this and of God’s providence in living by faith and to His glory of God,

That is what I 'saw' in your previous post that was so well written and constructed - there are at least a thousand stories confined in that testimony.

but my fingers are tired. Praise ye the Lord.

Your fingers are that part of The Body of Christ. Praise God, indeed! And so is your and Bob's mouth and your hearts that beat solely for The Lord! Praise God - the ACTS of HIS disciples - HIS CHURCH - are alive and doing His work!

Just an unworthy and faulty servant

Yes, in the natural we are unworthy and faulty as all humans are. So God doesn't have anyone else to use but the unworthy and faulty. But the difference is JESUS and in the spiritual He sees those 'in Christ' very different than we see ourselves. So we renew our mind to what He says about us. And it's ALL about Jesus and not us. So whatever HE says, goes!

According to 1 Peter 2:9 "But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness in to His wonderful light".

"Yet to all who received Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God- children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God". John 1:12-13

"Because you are sons, God sent The Spirit of His Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, "Abba, Father." So you are no longer a slave, but a son; and since you are a son, God has made you also an heir. Galatians 4:6-7

And there are many other Scriptures where God tells us how He sees those who we are 'in Christ'. 'In Christ' meaning our spirit is as that is what lives for eternity. We shed our old man and obedient to Him in doing so and then renew our mind to agree with Him/His Word.

PLUS I have it on good Authority - He calls you friend.

"I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you." John 15:15

I remember way back many years ago - thinking that doesn't mean me. Then I learned more of HIM, they I learned more of who I am in Christ, and then I experienced Jesus being 'just a friend to me' for no other purpose but to show me HE sees/calls me a friend. They are those things/times, I smile at when I bring them to memory, as they are right now. We haven't touched on the depths of His love for us. He truly is a personal God!

It's late, so good night, heir, child, and friend of God!

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