Battle Log
Battle Log > Redcliffe Team > Page 2
Sunday, 22 June, 2008
Alister, Tim Neale, and I met at our regular time of 2pm at Redcliffe ready to do some witnessing. Firstly we prayed together, then started walking down the jetty with our tracts.
I first had a conversation with a middle-aged couple and when asked whether they thought they will go to Heaven, The lady said, "Yes". On the other hand, the husband said he doesn't believe there is a Heaven or God. So I proved to him using the cosmological argument why God exists. But the man responded by saying, "I just don't want to believe there is a God. I believe that there is no god by blind faith." I was really surprised that an atheist actually admitted that, because most atheist's don't.
I asked the lady why she thought she was going to Heaven. The usual response came back, "Because I'm a good person." So I brought her through the law and then explained to her the good news of the gospel.
A number of the people we talked to today were postmodern. In particular a Roman Catholic family I chatted to were having a problem with God being just. They couldn't believe in a God that sends people to Hell. They said, "My God would never do that." I pointed out that they are breaking the second commandment because they are creating a god in their own image, a god to suit themselves. However it is one that doesn't exist! They said, "For me, God is like this, but it may be different for you." So I explained what God really is like, our wretched sinfulness, God's holiness and justice, and what we must do to be saved.
Twenty minutes before it was time to head home, I met a man from New Zealand named Jamie. He recently moved over here and wanted to get involved in some evangelism teams. It was really good to meet him, and so we spent the remaining minutes witnessing to some people together.
If anyone else is keen to get involved in any of our weekly Operation 513 evangelism teams, then please contact us and we would be honoured to serve the Lord with you.
A lot of seeds of the gospel were planted today, in forms of one2one conversations and the gospel tracts that went out. To God be the glory!
Sunday, 15 June, 2008
Dan and Ralph were running a bit late today, so while I was waiting for them, I partially overheard conversation that two people were having on a seat nearby. They kept mentioning the word 'spiritual'. So after Ralph arrived and we prayed together, we went over to them to offer a tract and start up a conversation. They both mentioned they were Christians. When I asked them how people get to Heaven, the lady said by living a good life, however, the guy corrected her by saying, "No, our good works cannot get us to Heaven, it is only by grace are we saved."
So I asked the gentlemen, what Church do you go to? He said he has been going to many Churches, but currently he is a Mormon elder. So I brought up some critical points of contention with the fellow, such as, "Who is Jesus?", "Do we need to be baptised to be saved?", etc. Some of his responses were in-line with the Bible, while others in-line with the Mormon Church. So on those issues, I presented a Biblical viewpoint. However, the man went very post-modern. He said, "Well that's just your interpretation. There can be many interpretations for a passage." So I said, "I interpret it that way because that is what the text says. There is only one correct interpretation to a text of scripture, but there may be many different applications." The gentleman said, "We could talk about this for hours, but I don't want to." So then we moved on.
I have found that from my experience so far at Redcliffe, the majority of the people I have spoken to are post-modern in their thinking. That said, it is not hard to show why post-modernism is false, however it just seems that this philosophy is abundant here.
Ralph and Dan also had some great conversations with people and many gospel tracts went out. To God be the glory!
Sunday, 8 June, 2008
Chris, Ralph and Dan joined me today for the outreach in Redcliffe. It was a very windy and overcast day so there was not as many people around compared to normal. However, that did not stop the gospel going out to the few that were around.
We handed out tracts to everyone we met and had some very good conversations with a number of people. One notable conversation that I had was with two young ladies who were sitting on the ground in front of a shop. I firstly went through the law (to bring about the knowledge of sin) and the whole gospel, and the girls were very responsive.
They were concerned about where they were going to go when they died if they had no Saviour, and so they said they would trust Christ as their Saviour and repent of their sins. I did not lead them in a sinners prayer, because I didn't want them to make a rash decision, but I warned them to count the cost of becoming a Christian first. I thanked them for their time and left them with a gospel tract to read. Please pray that God will convert them.
I also had a conversation with a middle-aged couple sitting on bench about whether they thought they were going to go to Heaven. They said they were Christians. So I said, "Cool! So then how does someone get to Heaven?" They said, "By good works." That clearly showed that they were not Christians. So I explained the law and the gospel to them and they said, "That way is right for you, but I have a different way which is right for me." I pointed out that Jesus said that only through him can one by saved. They then asked the question, "So what about the people in other religions, will they go to Hell?" I said, "Yes, because they, just like you and me, have sinned, but they have no Saviour." They said, "Oh! That is so intolerant! I have met so many nice Hindus and Buddhists!" I pointed out that I am not going to kill them for that belief, so I am not being intolerant. Plus, they would say the exact same things about Christians, that we are wrong. However, the couple did not want to continue the conversation and asked me to move along.
To God be the glory because many seeds of the gospel were planted today!
Sunday, 25 May, 2008
There were five of us today as we met together to evangelise at the Redcliffe Jetty. Firstly we prayed and then started our voyage down the jetty. We gave tracts to everyone we met which lead into longer one2one conversations.
There was one older couple who actually asked Ralph to come over to have a chat with them about religious topics. They were self-proclaimed 'atheists', so Ralph showed them why there must be a God from causality and design. After the conversation was over, the couple was keen to continue the conversation at a later stage, so Ralph mentioned that we have a Skypecast every Sunday evening (9pm-12am) where he can dialogue with them about this subject further.
Meanwhile, I was having a chat with a another lady with some new-age spiritual beliefs. She said that there is no Hell, only different levels of Heaven. I asked her where she was getting her information from, and she said, "her feelings". So I pointed out that feelings are just subjective experiences and someone can have the same type of feelings but result in a totally different belief. So I presented a positive case for the doctrine of Hell, however she did not like hearing that she would be going there. But instead of turning to Christ after hearing the gospel, she just said, "No, I just don't believe there is a Hell" and she didn't want to chat any further.
To God be the glory that His Word went out in the City of Redcliffe today. Please pray to the Lord of the harvest to draw the people we witnessed to today to Himself.
Sunday, 18 May, 2008
Ali, Dan, Ralph, and I (Ryan) met up at the start of the Redcliffe jetty at 2pm, ready to do some evangelising. Firstly we prayed, and then Dan informed me that there was a Kite Festival on at another part of Redcliffe. So we decided that we would first tract all the people on the jetty, and then move to that area afterwards.
So we walked down the jetty giving out big money out and Dan struck a conversation with some people sitting on a bench at the end of the jetty, Ralph had a chat with some Catholic people, and I got into a conversation with some ladies who had some very new age beliefs. They would say, "Heaven and Hell is within you" and by doing some special thing within yourself, you can have the happiness of Heaven now.
When I described that the God of the Bible has appointed a day when He will judge the world in righteousness, the ladies said, "No, my god would never judge. We are the only ones that judge." When I asked them how they came to this conclusion, they responded, "Because that's the feeling I'm getting; that's my experience." I pointed out to her that I've talked to other people who have said they too have these types of feelings, but their 'god' is totally different to their's. So then, how do we know which one is right? Well that is why we need to refer to something objective, and that is what the Bible has revealed about who God is.
After these conversations were had, we drove down to the kite festival and there were many people there. So we used this opportunity to give out tracts and chat to people about the judgment to come, leading onto the gospel.
Overall, it was a chilly, but good day where many seeds of the gospel were sown.
Sunday, 11 May, 2008
It was just Warren and I (Ryan) for the Redcliffe team today. The weather was perfect with a nice breeze blowing.
So Warren and I walked up and back on the Jetty giving tracts to everyone we met. The people loved the Big Money and Millions and often asked for more of them. After I ran out of Big Money, I started handing out the "Are you a good person?" tract. One fellow who I gave it to said, "So are you saying, I need to worship God to be a good person?" I said that I am not even good, because no one is good but God alone (Mark 10:18).
The dolphin sight-seeing boat came in at about 3:30pm and so Warren and I got into position to give tracts to them all as they walked along the jetty. Most of them took the tracts, and even the boat's tour-guide took one.
It was a good day with the message of the gospel going out to the people of Redcliffe.
Sunday, 4 May, 2008
Team Members: Warren Beetham, and Dan Kent
Young man from a Sunday School, hears the law and gospel for first time
While evolution is refuted, young man puts his head in hands and screams
Indian Muslim: "come back with real money, and I will listen to your gospel"
Roman Catholic Pommies, hear the gospel of grace
During the week, I had been asking God to give us lots of young people to witness down at Redcliffe Pier. They seem the most open, and we normally have lots of fun, sharing the gospel.
Today, God answered my prayer! Hallelujah, What a wonderful Saviour, he just keeps on being so good to his people!
Young man from a Sunday School,
hears the law and gospel for first time
The three of us had headed up the pier, handed out gospel tracts to many people, and got to see thousands of cool little fishes swimming below. Right near the middle of the pier, I met a young lad, called Andrew, who was a very quick young man in the mind, riding a bike. He was from a local Sunday School, and I must say you Sunday School teachers are too cool! Keep up the work mates! Unfortunately he did not understand the gospel and what it required of him, but we sorted that out pretty quick. He loved the gospel tract, and after a good serious chat, he took off down the pier for a ride.
While evolution is refuted,
young man puts his head in hands and screams
We then headed back down the pier for some more tracting, when I spied eight or nine young lads being silly at the start of the pier.
I grabbed a bunch of big money gospel ice-breakers (purchasable from Operation 513 web store) << [Shameless plug] and marched off to meet the lads. They were kicking around a ball and one of them had cut his foot on glass, and was hopping around like a crazy fellow, leaving drops of blood everywhere. Well, I took the opportunity to hand out big money gospel tracts, and like clockwork one asked.. whats this about?
I smiled, and told them it asked a question, "Are you a good person?" I demonstrated a scale of goodness, and they all gave different answers as to what they thought of themselves. Then I tested them.
We had a brilliant conversation witnessing, though two of the boys kept on interrupting with objects, and questions, and stupid statements that didn't make sense but made the lads laugh. This appeared to be normal interference to gospel witnessing that I had seen before, so with a quick request to God silently, I pressed on in.
Some of the boys began to get very quiet as I continued to quiz them, show them judgment, and share the cross of Jesus Christ. Then the other boys started to open up again.
One of them proffered evolution as a refutation to my presentation. As God allowed me to finish my refutation of the evolution position, and use my Open Air handbook (small version of W.O.T.M. Open Air chart, with additions), one of the lads, Josh put his head between his hands and began to scream in a really frustrated way.
I thought that was odd, but kept on answering the boys questions including:
It's impossible to have babies, without disobeying Jesus and lusting, so how?
Where did the different race colours come from?
They laughed and at me, as I answered the questions and said, what are the you the christian doctor Phil, to which I laughed and said, No. I'm just a pastor trying my best to answer your questions. I departed shortly after, and as I left some strange weird guy was talking to one of the boys about something sick I won't mention. Please pray for these boys, as I suspect we were dealing with devils today. At least all of them took a second indepth tract with my email address on it. Please pray they will communicate with me electronically!
One of the boys was from a C.O.C. and his friend decided to go with him to church that night. I hope God had a strong godly preacher on that night!
Dan and Warren headed down the pier once last time, while I took notes in my diary. While they were down the pier serving the Lord Jesus, the boys came past and had another quick chat. One of them gave me his my space address, and asked me some questions about being slain in the spirit, and how they had been involved in it. They asked me opinion, and I told them I thought it was real, but it was not of God.
I told them not to worry too much about the experiences, rather consider that the bible says the mark of a true believer is that he loves God and hates sin. They didn't bear this mark, and so I challenged them to get right with God tonight, lest they die.
They left, just as the boys arrived. Dan had to go, so Warren and I strolled down towards the water park.
Indian Muslim: "come back with real money,
and I will listen to your gospel"
Shortly we came across an Indian Muslim family. The father walked towards us, as if to pass us, so by God's graciousness I made sure he got a big money tract. He laughed and said, "Come back with some real money, and I will listen to your gospel." Sad that people have to have physical things to want to hear the gospel, but it's not exactly like we are dealing with regenerate sanctified believers or angels.. rather we are dealing with unregenerate sinners. So we expect things like this. He took a few gospel tracts for his family. PRAISE GOD! :)
Roman Catholic Pommies, hear the gospel of grace
Next we met Frank and Brendan, two British lads, who were Roman Catholic in their profession of religion. From what I could tell, Frank was concerned that he might go to hell, although he didn't believe in heaven or hell. Hmmm.. something tells me he was having himself on. Nonetheless these two were quite chatty and happy sorts, and we enjoyed witnessing to them. Thanks be to God, I got to practise some of my RCC apologetics, and eventually they had to go, but not without being drilled on what was needed to be forgiven by God.
Well Warren and I headed back for prayer, handed out some more tracts, and then seperated to go home.
My thankfulness is that God answers prayer!
May Jesus ordain the people of Redcliffe be awakened from death, and drawn by the Father to Him.
For Jesus name,
josh mitchell
Here is a good video to watch:
Sunday, 27 April, 2008
Lovely warm day with windy breeze.
At the end of the pier, was a group of young people, one of which was dropping ten feet into murky water below.
By the grace of God, a number of big money tract's were handed out, and a fantastic conversation was struct up with the young people. A young lady and a number of young lads, began to converse with me, and they took the manual good person test.
The six kids, talked about all sorts of subjects, evolution, the big bang, transitional forms, philosophy, infinite regression etc. it was an exciting conversation, and lots of people sat around with surprised faces soaking it all in.
I had to warn two of the lads, jumping in water was against the law, but they kept on doing it. I nicked name one, bright spark, coz he kept on making strange statements that didn't make sense. Reminds me of myself really! God saved me, he can save him easily!
One old guy listened in to my conversation with the kids, and later said to Dan Kent "I hate all man and mankind..?". It was a strange comment, but the reality is, that self-righteousness is a hideous manifestation of human sin nature. May God grant him forgiveness. He did take a gospel tract from Dan Kent.
The team tracted the pier, and then we headed out down to the local swimming hole, and handed out as many tracts as we could. Dan Kent and myself, cover the beach area and gave out plenty of tracts, even to the food girls.
Then we came round the other side, and I got to give an icebreaker tract to a nice aboriginal guy, and got to witness to him. But his mum or grandma, who was a Jehovah's Witness. Warren managed to take on the JW older woman, so I could finish giving the gospel to him. He admitted guilt, and I pray God grants him repentance. His partner kept interferring with the witness, so I finished quickly. They bid us goodbye, and the fellow accepted a tract.
Dan Kent wanted us to know that a guy was wearing, another guy was wearing a "Bring back the Biff". The man who normally wears that shirt on television, teaches the worst kind of immorality. And he uses humour to communicate it, past the weak moral senses of the public. Obviously he is successful. We couldn't get a tract into the hands of this cult follower. Please pray that God will wash our media, if it pleases him.
Chris Addison estimated with the team, that about 75% of the people accepted tracts and 25% rejected them.
If your out there and nervous about handing out tracts, this should encourage you :)
Here is video to exhort you:
Asleep in the light - Video Hymn
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vHamV1pfMJU
For Jesus name,
josh mitchell
Sunday, 20 April, 2008
Lord Jesus please be gracious to us, and cause us to know you,
lest we forget our Gracious maker,
who became flesh and died for the crimes of His people.
Redcliffe Pier, is a windy place, which the locals use as a place of leisurely afternoon walks, and quieting thier hearts before the working week dawns upon them.
Today we discovered a New Age teacher, had arrived at Redcliffe with a stall, and was giving away DVD's of his teachings. Apparently he has been on Briz31, and I really wanted to interview him, but unfortunately.. he was packing up when I arrived with Chris Robson.
I grabbed a DVD though (free gift from him), and Chris Robson gave his helper and the man, a gospel tract, "Are you a good person?".
On this fellow's quote, he claims, he helps people by not just talk "but a way to go inside and savor the peace that is within."
I think he never noticed, that the world is full of people who love putting thier heads in the sand, and ignoring thier own evil, and others evil, and instead, begin meditating upon self or nothing.. becoming useless in a world that God created for His own glory, under His rule and word.
Besides the bible claims, and its empirically provable, that our hearts are desperately wicked, and deceitfull above all things. We think that meditating upon the peace within, will fix the problems within and without? uh.. Do we really believe we are good people, and that it's only our behavior that let's us down? Oh God have mercy on humanities blindness.
Anyway, enough of my ranting.
Here is a few reports from the team members on Sunday:
Dan Kent reported that as handing tracts out he was told he was wasting tree's.. yet as she tried to push it back into his pocked, she dropped the tract and blew away.. oops. Dan was able to share with her breifly, tell her to repent, yet her friend said he was rude, and didn't like the gospel tract. Well.. people get offended when the law of God enters, it's remarkably truthful about our state.. and shows us how vile a creature we really are. Dan also did some Open Air training and debate training with me, and he is beginning to be able to discover holes in peoples arguments and show the fault, and then proceeding throught the Ten Commandments. Keep at it mate, I like it :)
Chris Addison, shared a gospel tract with someone who professed to be a christian.. but the christian gave the gospel tract back. Another guy took a tract and then threw it to the wind. A little later a professing Christian from New Zealand chatted with Chris, and was challenged regarding his testimony. Fortunately Chris by God's grace was able to reveal the fellow had no knowledge of any past conviction of sin, and so preached the righteous judgment of God to him. May God save his soul.
Chris Rixon, was by God's grace unable to speak much due to a damaged vocal cord, but while handing out some tracts, was able to maintain a witness by paper. Glory be to God. Chris also discovered some gospel tracts in the bins.. at least some people know how to be good citizens :) Pity though that they thought so little of God's word.. I think there is much hard ground to be broken up in Redcliffe!
Glen Dibben did some Open Air training, and debated with me in the arena of athiesm and evolution, and was able to skillfully turn the arguments on me more than once. It took a bit of work to defend the evolution position, but he wore me down eventually and turned the conversation to the law and the gospel. Great work my friend!
Chris Rixon and I, were able to sit in the chamber in the middle of the pier, and use the natural amplification to carry on a conversation regarding the law of God, the cross, and Christ's resurrection. We also debated the why religions were true or false, and more than a few people stayed to listen to our loud conversation. Please pray for creative ways of reaching this small little town!
S D G my friends, it is a pleasure serving the King Jesus,
A little servant of the most High God,
josh mitchell
Sunday, 30 March, 2008
After having the last week off, enjoying the sun and the fishing up at Noosa. It was great to get back into the swing of things and boy it was a fine day for preaching the powerful words of God. The sun was shining and the water was like glass. Got there early and was able to send some time in prayer which really helped me to focus on the job at hand.
Warren and Chris turned up and we were able to pray and get straight out on to the field, as there were lots of people out and about today enjoying the great wether. We could spread out more and move around.
Most people took tracks, with alsorts of responses even two ladies took the Carpark track and started to preach it to the 3 kids that were jumping off the pier, they didn't agree and said stuff that and jumped again.
It was about 3:30 and the Dolphin watching Boat came in, Warren and Chris were able to track all the people that came off the boat. I sat back and watched the reactions. most of them had a good laugh at the Carpark track.
Just after the Boat left we had our own excitement of dolphins without paying for it, 3 of the most gorgeous amimals that God made came and started to feed right next to the pier. Quite a big crowd formed to watch them playing so close. Just as the people were coming we started to head back to the base of the pier and as all the people started to move off we were there to get them all with tracks.
Over all the day was great and was able to have a short chat with a few people, which was good.
We are back in full swing at Redcliffe Pier every Sunday 2-4pm so come join us there. Be great to have you along.
Dan