Battle Log
Friday 21 March 2008
Posted 29 March 2008, 12:13 AM by Josh Williamson. PermalinkTOOWOOMBA EASTERFEST - Friday, 21 March, 2008
The
troops gathered at my place at 8am for our trip up the great dividing
range to Toowoomba for our Good Friday outreach. This has become a bit
of a tradition for us, since for the past three years we have made the
journey to witness at one of Australia’s largest ‘Christian’ festivals.
This year the Australian Gospel Music Festival had changed it name to
remove reference to the gospel, now it is simply called ‘Easterfest’.
While the name had changed the false teaching remained.
We
arrived in Toowoomba at just after 10am, after making sure we were
well stocked with tracts, we made our way to the main tent of the
festival. As we walked into the tent, I could not help but think about
how Jesus over turned the tables of those who were selling in the
temple. This tent was set aside to the god of mammon, many of the goods
for sale were religious at best. As we walked through the tent we saw
advertising for the upcoming visit of the antichrist. So we stopped at
the Roman Catholic youth stand, and asked those who were manning it
when the Pope was going to arrive, and also where he was going to be.
They gave us some details which was handy since it makes it easier for
us to plan our outreach for his visit in July.
After an early
lunch we began to hand out tracts and witness to people. One of the
first people Ralph got to witness to was a young lady who was attending
the festival who claimed to be a Christian that was going to hell, and
that she also believed in the Flying Spaghetti Monster. Ralph did a
fine job explaining the gospel to her, and also explaining how the FSM
is not actually a possibility based on scientific laws.
We spent
some time handing out tracts, then we decided to get out our recording
equipment and begin to conduct some interviews to send to Way of the
Master radio. The first couple we stopped were more mature, and it was
good to hear that they actually understood the gospel, and they were
even able to explain the plan of salvation to me. It is always
refreshing to hear a Christian explain the beauty of the Gospel of
Jesus Christ!
The rest of the afternoon was spent doing
interviews, and we had some good witnessing encounters. During one of
the interviews the young man I was witnessing to turned and began to
witness to me using the methods laid down by Way of the Master. This
was really encouraging.
One interview that really stood out to
me was with two young ladies, they both claimed to be Christians, yet
they were not sure if they were saved. So I began to explain the gospel
to them. One of the young ladies soon came under conviction, however,
the other lady walked away in disgust. It is always amazing how people
react when confronted by the enormity of sin, so many people will come
under conviction and look to the Saviour, but others will harden their
hearts and rebel against God. I continued the discussion and explained
the amazing grace of God. Please pray that these two young ladies come
to repentance.
Since it was a hot day we moved under the shade
of a tree to continue witnessing, again we had an opportunity to speak
to two young ladies. Both of them claimed to be Christian, but again
weren’t sure if they were saved. So I began to explain the gospel,
instantly both of them came under conviction, and one of them was
holding back tears as I explained how God showed love towards us. They both took in-depth tracts, and thanked us for being out there witnessing.
The rest of the day was spent handing out tracts, and doing one to one
witnessing. Thousands of tracts went out, and many people got to hear
the gospel. After 18 hours in the field we finally made it home at just
after 2am. Overall the day had been great!
Praise God for His Faithfulness!
View previous Special Outreaches report (10 February 2008)
Special Outreaches (QLD, Australia)
Australia Day (26 January)
Easter Monday
ANZAC Day (25 April)
Labour Day
Riverfire Outreach
Queen's Birthday
Halloween
Schoolies
Christmas Outreaches (December)
New Years Eve (31 December)
Contact Ryan Hemelaar for more information.