Battle Log

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It has been a couple of months since I have taken time to write what has been happening in Scotland. The reason for this is that four months ago my daughter was born, but we have discovered she has a rare bowel disease. Numerous trips back and forth the hospital has taken up much of my time which would have otherwise been devoted to evangelism.

However, in the midst of all that the Gospel has been still advancing. I've had opportunities to spread the Gospel in the hospitals, via tracts and personal witness. While I would have loved to get out on the streets more often, I have found that God has given me more than enough to do in day to day life.

On Saturday, 24 May, I was finally able to get back out on the streets of Scotland to proclaim the Gospel. I was invited to Stirling by the Reformed Presbyterian church plant there to assist them on an outreach.

We arrived in the historic city at 2pm, and immediately I noticed that the High Street was full of people. I found a good location to preach, and from there the outreach began. The first preacher for the day was Craig Scott. The plan was that he would preach first, and then I would follow, but God in His providence had other plans.

As Craig preached a few people sat down to listen. While he preached and people listened, I handed out tracts to those who were walking past. As I did this I noticed that a young man who was well dressed and sat down next to a lady who was listening. He had a coat zipped up high, but I could see that he was smartly attired. At first, I didn't think much about this, but then I noticed he began to engage this lady in conversation, before too long he had produced a booklet and handed it to her. This booklet was a Mormon pamphlet that spreads their message. It turns out that two Mormon missionaries had snuck in to try and spread error as people listened to truth.

After a few moments I was able to engage this LDS missionary in a conversation. It turns out that he travels between Ireland and Scotland, but is originally from Utah. He was very polite as we began to discuss different issues. At one point he asked me, "What do you like about our church?" My reply seemed to shock him, I said, "To be honest, I like nothing about your church, as according to Galatians 1 it preaches a false gospel."

Elder J— was surprised at my bluntness, but we were able to have a great conversation. I asked him to explain how someone was saved, and he replied by saying we need to repent, have faith, be baptised, and keep the commandments. He went on to say that salvation is much like a person trying to cross a big canyon. We do as much as we can to bridge the gap, and then finally God's grace takes us across the final bit.

I pointed out that while the Book of Mormon may teach such doctrine, it is actually foreign to the Bible. At this point I quoted from 2 Nephi 25:23 (Book of Mormon), which states, "...for we know that it is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do." Then, I compared it to Ephesians 2:8-9, "For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast."

Elder J— didn't have an answer for this verse, except to point to James 2, which I was able to answer by showing that James 2 talks about works after salvation, not works for salvation. From there I was able to show numerous other verses that explain that salvation is not based on what we do, but rather it is based upon what Christ has done. As I explained the Gospel to him, a man interrupted and politely asked if he could listen into the conversation. We both agreed that he could, and I continued to present the Gospel.

Elder J— was quickly trying to get onto a different topic, so I asked him about the Book of Mormon, and if it was God's Word. He said that it was, and that it confirmed perfectly with the Bible. He also, went on to say that there were no contradictions between the Bible, and the Book of Mormon. I replied by saying I had already showed him one in relation to salvation, and that I could show him another if he wished. Elder J— asked me to show him another contradiction, so I asked him, "Where was Jesus born?" Elder J— quickly replied, "Bethlehem." At this point I had him open his book of Mormon to Alma 7:10 which states that Jesus was born in Jerusalem. Elder J— just looked at his book, and then said, "The Bible says that also, as it is cross referenced to Luke 2:4." So we turned to Luke 2:4 and discovered that the Bible says Jesus was born in Bethlehem.

At this point Elder J— called over Elder G— and asked him for help. Elder G— got to hear the Gospel also, and then made this admission. He said that the Book of Mormon had made a mistake, and got this doctrine wrong. This then opened up a whole discussion on how we can know the truth by comparing Scripture to Scripture. After talking about this for awhile the LDS missionaries had to leave, but both of them willingly took tracts.

The man who has asked to listen in was still standing with us at this stage, and he turned to me and said, "I will never become a Mormon now." I asked if he was a Christian, and he admitted that he was an atheist. For about the next thirty minutes we had an excellent conversation on apologetics and the Gospel. This young man was very open to learning more, so he took a tract, and said he'd do some research. It is always nice to have conversations with atheists who are friendly and open.

But, the next atheist I was about to encounter was not friendly, nor open. He had begun heckling Craig so I went along to see what I could do to assist. It turns out that this atheist was the son of a missionary. He was an apostate, who had turned his back on Christianity, and had embraced the life of sin. No matter what you said this atheist would just rant saying that he has heard it all before. Yet, when you questioned him he admitted to never hearing it before. This man was just angry at God, and was not prepared to talk. He just wanted to rant and rave. We were able to present the Gospel to him but he just scoffed.

By this stage the day was getting late, so we decided to pack up and head home. As we were packing up three older women walked past and yelled abuse. We were able to engage them in discussion, and it turns out that they just hated Christianity and wanted to banned in public. One of the ladies said to me, "I will never go to church as that is only for sinners." I answered her by saying, "Well, I guess I'll see you in church tomorrow then?" This stopped her for a moment, and we were able to talk of Christ again.

Overall today was an excellent day. The Gospel was proclaimed; people heard of Jesus, and many people wanted to learn more. May Christ be honoured!

Soli Deo Gloria! 

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This evening in Brisbane city we encountered a lot of Muslims and tried to persuade them to find forgiveness in Christ. Watch the following video from the night:

To God be the glory!

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I decided to head to the Gold Coast early afternoon, well before our weekly evening outreach would begin. As I was driving there, I prayed to God asking that He would send along someone else who could evangelise with me there, for otherwise it would just be me there for several hours.

Once I got to Surfers Paradise, I began handing out gospel tracts and having a few conversations with people. It was not long before I was talking to John, a forty year old man who grew up Greek Orthodox and was on holidays from Sydney.

When I asked him if he was going to Heaven, he replied, “I hope so.” So I asked him what he’s relying on to get him there. His goodness, he said. So I wanted to see how good he really was. “Have you ever lied?” I asked. “All the time.” “Stolen something?” “Yep” “Looked at someone with lust?” “Constantly. In fact I picked up someone just the other day.”

He began to see that compared to God’s standard, he was not good enough and that he was on his way to Hell. I then explained that the only way of entrance into Heaven was by having a substitute – somebody who could take the punishment for his sins on his behalf. That was Jesus, dying on the cross 2000 years ago, rising three days later.

I told him that he needed to trust not in his goodness or Church going or any good action for his forgiveness, but simply in Jesus’ finished work on the cross.

But when I asked him a checking question to see if he understood what could get him to Heaven, he reverted to works again. So I explained the gospel again and then again and finally he got it.

He said, “Ah it makes sense! I have shivers going down my spine.” I then was urging him to count the cost - he cannot have Christ and still love his sin. He understood that, and said he wanted to trust in Christ and repent. He then was asking lots of questions on how he can fight sin.

After talking for almost an hour, and then I asked him if he wanted to help me hand out gospel tracts. He said, “Ok sure, let’s do it.” Then for the next few hours he was helping me hand out gospel tracts. What a way God answers prayer! Way beyond anything I expected. Saving a person and then straight away making him a co-labourer in the Great Commission.

He said he had listened to 200 hours of Creflo Dollar, after finding him on early morning television. I warned him about prosperity preachers like Creflo who do not faithfully proclaim God’s word. I then recommended he listened to better Bible teachers – giving him names of John MacArthur, John Piper, R.C. Sproul, and James MacDonald.

When 7:30pm rolled around, a couple of regular team members couldn’t make it - the ones who bring out the amplifier. So the outreach was spent in one2ones and handing out gospel tracts, as well as discipling John. Very much a worthwhile outreach. Lots of gospel tracts went out and some good conversations were had by the whole team.

To God be the glory!

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Easter Monday Outreach

There were 8 of us who hit the streets on the Easter Monday public holiday to get the message of Jesus' death and resurrection out to the thousands of people who were at the Gold Coast that day.

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A good night where the gospel went out. Tonight a very common objection was raised by a heckler that since he had no evidence of God therefore that is evidence that God does not exist. Listen to how the preacher responds.

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It was a very intense night on the streets of Brisbane, take a look at the following video from the night:

To God alone be the glory!

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South-East England (UK) Team

As we approach Easter and celebrate the death and resurrection of Christ, I thought it appropriate to read the story of the Crucifixion to the public.  So Chuck, Mario and I began this Saturday with prayer and found a new spot to preach away from the many buskers on Romford High St.  I read through the crucifixion narrative in Matthew's Gospel and transitioned into why it was necessary for Christ to die for salvation followed by talking about sin, death and repentance.  The pedestrians were fairly indifferent and easily distracted by the buskers who were much louder and excellent at "tickling the ears".  I finished and Chuck began to preach.  

While I handed out tracts I got into a conversation with a young man who eventually attempted to absolve his conscience from Gods Law by stating that "you don't know that the Bible is true".  At this point the Christian apologist may be tempted to give "evidence" in a neutral fashion and take for granted the unbelievers autonomy in "knowing" things.  That unbiblical apologetic puts God "in the dock" and clandestinely makes the unbeliever the judge of what is true.   Rather than this, I gently exposed to the man that if the Biblical Worldview was not true, he could not "know" anything at all.  And because he does know things, he is exposing the knowledge of God that he already possesses and is guilty of suppressing the truth - Romans 1.  At that point he was very eager to exit the conversation and promptly left.

Chuck preaching...

After Chuck, Mario also preached.  I also preached a second time but there were no good hecklers by which a crowd may be formed.  However we so very blessed and thankful that no police stopped us or hassled us and that we can still preach freely!!  Glory to God!

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Ever wanted to know what it would be like to be on an Operation 513 outreach in Brisbane. Watch this short clip to find out.

For times and locations of when the Brisbane team meets, see our Outreaches page.

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South-East England (UK) Team

Today the Essex OP513 Team was blessed with sunshine after weeks of cold and rain.  Seizing this opportunity we ventured to Romford High St to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  The team consisted of Rob, Chuck, Mario, Jacob and myself.  Jacob also invited his pastor and a number of men from his church to join us as well.  Our favorite preaching spot was already taken by Peruvian street buskers so we found a spot away from the noise and set up.  After prayer I began to preach from Romans 1 while other guys handed out tracts.  My message was simply this, since God has revealed Himself to all men, all are guilty of suppressing this truth in unrighteousness.  Therefore, flee to the only Savior - Jesus Christ!!

Rob got into a conversation with a young man, but found the guy to be easily distracted from the discussion.  Even so Rob was able to explain the Gospel to him.

Chuck preached after me followed by Rob and Mario.  Whilst we are preaching, many tracts were distributed and a number of conversations had with pedestrians.  

A number of local Christians were encouraged by our presence but most importantly the Gospel was proclaimed to all men!  SDG.  

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Glasgow – Saturday, 8 March 2014

Where does one even begin to tell of the great things the Lord has done? Today, God showed His kindness towards us, and also to the people of Glasgow. Even though, as a people we all deserve God's judgement for our sin, in mercy He allowed the Gospel to go forth once again.

For me the day began with doubt. As I looked out of my window I could see typical Scottish weather. It was dark and rainy. My thoughts were that the outreach that had been planned for that afternoon would end up being a washout, but we prayed and asked the Lord to give us an opportunity to preach the Gospel.

I arrived in Buchanan Street, Glasgow at around 1pm, and I was quickly joined by Brothers from numerous churches. Today saw a good mix of churches and theological positions. We had Reformed Presbyterians, Free Presbyterians, Baptists, Reformed Baptists, Pentecostals, and general Evangelicals all come together for the purpose of declaring the good news of Jesus.

The outreach began with Craig Scott preaching the Gospel. His text was John 3:16 - "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."

For about twenty minutes he proclaimed the Gospel, and as he did this, the other members of the outreach engaged people in one to one conversations and handed out tracts. As I was giving away literature a Christian man from a local church came up all excited, and thanked us for taking the time to proclaim the Gospel. It is always good to be able to serve as a ministry of encouragement to other Believers. Throughout the day we would find time and time again that many from churches would feel motivated and encouraged to be bold witnesses for Christ.

At around 2pm, it came time for me to preach. My text for the day was Matthew 5:8 - "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God."

My basic outline was to focus on how many people think they are going to heaven, but Jesus says we need a pure heart. I also focused on how our heart is sinful, and that it is only by Christ's death, burial and resurrection that we can get a pure heart.

A few people gathered to listen as I preach, and then the questions began to flow. One young man asked a few questions from a skeptics position. He wanted to know about how we got the Bible, and is it reliable.

One of the best things that can happen in any open-air meeting is crowd interaction. The crowds will literally double or triple when this happens. God was kind to us on this day, as the crowds began to grow and they stayed around to listen to the interaction and the Gospel.

I tried my best to answer the objections from this young man, but at the same time I wanted to keep bring it back to the message of Jesus Christ. Eventually, other hecklers began to chime in, and for the most part they were polite. However, a homosexual heckler was the most vile and intolerant person we encountered all day.

The issue of homosexuality also seemed to keep coming up during the open-air. Even though I didn't mention it, the crowds wanted answers on the topic. When I answered their questions about this sin, I would take them to the Bible and read them what God's Word said. I would also stress that God is against all sin, not just homosexuality. From there I would explain that Christ can forgive all sinners.

Throughout my open-air we kept fielding questions on the issue of the reliability of the Bible; the problem of evil and homosexuality. These seemed to be the big questions of the day.

I preached for over an hour, and then was able to engage a person from the crowd in a conversation.

Many tracts went out today, and many conversations had. Also, good size crowds gathered for the preaching. Praise God for His goodness in allowing Glasgow to hear the Gospel yet again.

Soli Deo Gloria!

Below is an audio of my open-air (WARNING: This is raw audio from the street, so it may contain bad language)

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