Battle Log


Special Outreaches

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.


Wednesday 15 January 2020

Posted by Posted 15 January 2020, 6:33 PM by Glen Richards. Permalink

Day three of the NZ Summer Mission is complete. Today we focused on outreach at the beaches in Christchurch. In the morning we were at New Brighton, and in the afternoon we were in Sumner.

We were slightly late getting over to New Brighton, but it was providential that we were. When we arrived, the location was dead. We peered over a low wall to take a look at the beach, and the only person I could see was someone surfing! But then I turned around and noticed a young lady walking past, I mentioned to her that there weren’t many people around, and from there I ended up having the best gospel conversation of the day (for me)! If we had arrived earlier, I may have missed her. It felt like one of those divine appointments, and I knew I needed to focus on the conversation rather than getting the team organised. At one point, Andy tried to call me, but I ignored it. Eventually the lady said, “I think your phone is ringing”. I just responded with, “I know, but this conversation with you is more important right now”.

After that conversation, the team (of seven) gathered (in the meantime, some had distributed tracts to the people fishing off the pier, and others had gospel conversations with those they could find), and we prayed together before pairing up as usual. And by now, there were more people appearing - not too many, but enough to keep the team busy sharing the good news of Jesus for the morning!

And this just caused us to be brave and bold, and approach everyone we came across. This led to many surprisingly good gospel interactions.

At lunch time, we bought cans of soft drink and some ice to fill a chilly bin with before moving over to Sumner. The team enjoyed lunch together before we headed onto the beach for round two of the day armed with the chilly bin as a means of blessing people with a free cold drink and starting gospel conversations (that is, if they wanted to talk - some took a drink but didn't want to talk, which was fine, but most would at least take a tract).

A highlight conversation for me was with a family of four from the Philippines. They were very grateful for the drink, and were keen to chat about what happens after life. This was a great opportunity for Julia to try using the mini flip chart for the first time. She did a fantastic job! Well done Julia! She got stuck a few times, which was fine as I was there to help her through. It turns out that this young family had a Catholic background, and so the conversation focused on salvation by faith alone (not works) - and what the right motivation for good works should be (not trying to earn salvation). I gently challenged them to trust in Christ alone for their salvation, and to come away from the Catholic church. Their young son, engaged in the conversation very well. I was surprised that when the conversation ended, he gave me a hug! How precious was that!

But the afternoon had it’s trials as well. One lady was so offended at us giving away free drinks to “dupe” people into a conversation that she made a bit of a scene about it. This was out of the blue and I wasn’t prepared to deal with it. I could have handled the situation better, and it was a good learning opportunity for me. Unfortunately it spoiled the conversation that had started but, praise God, another team member was able to share the gospel with one of them later in the day. And it certainly didn’t stop our efforts to continue the mission! It was a reminder of the battle we are in, and the desperate need to have our armour on and to be in prayer. We need your daily prayers also - thank you!


Tuesday 14 January 2020

Posted by Posted 14 January 2020, 4:39 PM by Glen Richards. Permalink

The NZ Summer Mission has started! We have now finished the first two days of outreach, and they have been better than I could have imagined. We had a total of nine people involved on Monday and eleven on Tuesday. That’s a lot more people than the regular outreaches - so very encouraging. Not only that, but it’s been wonderful seeing all those people having many opportunities to share the gospel with people. Those with more experience have been encouraging those with less - everyone is growing. And most importantly, God is being glorified in his people obey the command to go!

Monday started with a morning and afternoon outreach within the central city - and Andy open air preached during lunch time too (pictured).

After prayer, we split into pairs and made our way around Cashel Mall, Cathedral Square, and everywhere in between sharing the gospel with anyone willing to listen.

 I was initially paired up with my wife, Ruth, and one of the first people we had a good chat with (pictured) worked with her step brother! It is a small world. :) He stayed to talk for as long as his break allowed. We didn’t get to fully unpack the gospel with him, but he did take two types of gospel tract.

By about 10:30 am, lots of construction workers were also taking their breaks providing some great opportunities for gospel witness with them. Ruth and I had three conversations and many of them received tracts.

The second conversation was with two of them sitting down by the Avon river. As I was approaching them, I looked at them and the thought went through my mind that they wouldn’t be interested. Thankfully I didn’t let that stop me, because they were very interested in the conversation and were very engaged! They heard the law and the gospel.

The third conversation was with three more construction workers - and it was one of those conversations where it just clicked. They seemed deeply impacted as they heard the gospel and my impassioned pleas to respond to it!

In the afternoon, we continued our gospel work. The conversation that stands out to me is one my daughter and I had with a lady (pictured). Firstly, as a Dad, it was wonderful watching my daughter taking this lady through the law and the gospel with the mini flip chart - she did a wonderful job.

But this lady, kept getting stuck on the checking questions. She kept defaulting back to saying that her good deeds would get her to heaven! Eventually she started giving the right answer (it’s faith alone not works), but I suspect that she was just saying it rote. I don’t think she was understanding. She left with two kinds of gospel tract, and I hope she was challenged enough to start thinking about this more deeply - she is in God’s hands. But I was afresh challenged in realising that a) without the illumination of the Holy Spirit, we will be blind to the truth, and b) my responsibility as a Christian to labour with people in getting them to clearly understand the important concepts of the gospel.

Tuesday saw us at the Eastgate bus stops in the morning, and in Riccarton in the afternoon.

Initially there were way more evangelists than people to share with, but us the day grew hotter, buses brought more and more people to talk to.

The highlight conversation from this outreach was with a man who was going to prison, so the courtroom analogies had high impact. He was very engaged, and seemed to really appreciate the conversation. He wanted to be able to get in touch and so we connected on Facebook. He left with gospel tracts.

In the afternoon in Riccarton we set up four flip charts in various spots, and had people also doing “walk up” at the nearby bus stops. And everyone was really busy sharing the gospel.

Near the start, one of my daughters noticed a girl and asked if she should offer her a tract (did she really need to ask?! 🤣 ). But I told her to try taking her through the mini flip chart, she looked really nervous, so I said a tract would be fine. I was busy getting flip charts set up, but a few minutes later, I glanced over and noticed that my daughters were taking the girl through the mini flip chart together! (pictured) Go girls! I was so pleased to see them getting over their fears, giving it a go, and seeing the fruit of it. Praise God. What about you?

Personally I had a number of wonderful gospel opportunities through the outreach, but I’m out of time to write about them. And I know all the other team members had wonderful gospel opportunities as well. Many are hearing the gospel, because a group of feeble Christian are stepping past their fears and giving it a go. It’s wonderful seeing God show His strength through us! All glory to him.

And thank you for all your prayers and support! Please keep praying for us! We need His power. God bess.

 


Tuesday 31 December 2019

Posted by Posted 1 January 2020, 1:32 PM by Matthew Andersen. Permalink

In normal fashion, the Operation 513 team, consisting this year of sixteen members, ended out the year and entered the new year in a mixture of evangelistic conversations and handing out tracts. Over the course of the evening over 10,000 tracts were handed out and many conversations were had.

The evening was filled with a range of responses both to the tracts and to the conversations. Many people were asked, "What do you think would happen to you if you didn't make it through 2020?" others were asked, "What would happen if you didn't make it to 2020?" and many responses sadly were, "I don't care" or "I don't want to talk about it". A range of conversations were even cut short by people saying, "I just want to keep doing my own thing (and play on my phone until midnight)". But amongst the apathy and rejection God in His providence had some people who were open, willing to engage and listen.

The first conversation was with a young couple, Tyler and Kyla. Tyler declared that he didn't think there was a God but didn't have any defense or reason for his position and Kyla said she thought she would be going to Heaven because she was good. They were shown how we know God exists, they were taken through the law and the gospel and Kyla came to understand it quite quickly. Tyler on the other hand, even after being able to answer the questions previously when asked at the end, what would he say to God, said, "I think I have lived a good enough life". He was once again shown that this would not be enough, rather would be the confirmation of his eternity in Hell. He was given the correct answer and was encouraged to ponder it in his own time.

There was also a converastion with Laud a Spanish speaking, French, Catholic who came to grasp the good news. She had struggled with understanding it for much of her life and she said she was sure this was a God send, that He had sent us to talk with her because she had really been struggling with it all over the past few days. She seemed to grasp the gospel but it is hard to know for certain because even throughout the conversation she had moments of clarity then went back to saying her old answers.

Overall it was an incredible night, the final gospel conversations of 2019 and the first conversations of 2020 were a priviledge and a great way to bring in the New Year. Why not find a time to join the team this year. Find an outreach that you can attend and come along. You will be glad you did!

 


Saturday 23 November 2019

Posted by Posted 26 November 2019, 3:46 PM by Glen Richards. Permalink

Schoolies 2019 Week 1

My last log entry covered the last two days of the Canterbury A&P Show, in Christchurch, NZ.  I then had the privilege of flying to the Gold Coast to be involved with the first week of the Schoolies outreach.  This log entry will detail my experience of the week.

The first thing I want to talk about is the slogan for Schoolies: Best Week of Your Life.  That is wrong on so many levels.  When I would ask some of these kids three things Schoolies was known for, I would get pretty much the same answer: drink, drugs, and sex.  We know that those three things do not equate to the best week of your life.  In fact, it’s leading to devastated lives.  And if that was the best week of your life, what does that say about the rest of life?  How depressing!  Oh, how desperately is the hope of the gospel needed in this environment.  And so, our team, ranging from about 8 to 12 Christians (depending on the day) would head out for two outreaches: afternoon and evening to share just that.

Oh, and these kids want to talk.  It’s pretty much a constant stream of conversations for the whole team.  Some are open, some resistant, some mock, some seem deeply impacted by the gospel.  Ultimately the results are in God’s hands.  But God is glorified in our obedience to bring the gospel to hundreds of these kids.  It is the power of God to salvation for all who believe.

And because we were out there in the afternoon and evening for the whole week, there were many opportunities to have follow up conversations.

I remember talking to one young man in the evening, and then seeing him again during the next afternoon’s outreach.  He remembered me, but not much of the content of the conversation we had.  So he was given the opportunity of hearing the gospel a second time.  I’m confident he understood the gospel - checking questions confirming - but, for now, he is resistant, with “meditation” being his excuse.

Another long follow up conversation with a young man revealed how he was struggling with suicide.  Through a clear explanation of the gospel, and testimony of how God saw me through my own struggle with the black dog - I could see genuine hope sparking in his eyes.  This young man actually hugged me.  I hope he counts the cost and accepts the gift of eternal life through faith in Jesus’ payment for sin.

Something that really encouraged me was the openness to logic and reason.  I would often start conversations with the building / builder, universe / universe maker analogy and get responses like: “you’ve blown my mind - that makes so much sense”.  This would set up a conversation so I could explain how we know right from wrong, the problem of sin, the good news of the gospel, and the cost of accepting the gift.  And that cost was often too great: some would suggest that that would accept the gift after schoolies - which just shows that their heart hasn’t been regenerated.  But from time to time, people would understand and even say that they would have to leave Schoolies as a result of accepting the gift of Jesus.

The week of outreach was tiring - but oh so worth it.  So grieving to see these kids in such a state, night after night.  But such an open harvest field!  Oh to see some come to know saving faith in Christ to the glory of God alone.

I’m now back in NZ, but the team are still on the Gold Coast for Schoolies week two.  Please keep them in prayer!


 


Friday 22 November 2019

Posted by Posted 26 November 2019, 10:26 AM by Matthew Andersen. Permalink

Schoolies Outreach Week 1

Hundreds of young people have been personally witnessed to this last week at Schoolies Outreach at the Gold Coast.

Be encouraged with these videos from each of the days:


Thursday 25 April 2019

Posted by Posted 27 April 2019, 9:29 AM by Matthew Andersen. Permalink

On Thursday, as it was Anzac Day and a public holiday, instead of heading into Sunnybank during the afternoon, the team attended Brisbane City to speak to people at the march. Over the course of the morning almost five thousands tracts were handed out and many conversations were had!

As people flowed out of the train station and into the square, they each were offered a tract. As people walked along the sidewalks, people were offered a tract. It is wonderful that here in Australia, due to the great sacrifice of men and women we can be free to live in a democracy. This day of celebration and the sacrifice offered, though exceedingly costly and loving, doesn't compare to the work of God, not to save His friends but those who had declared themselves to be His enemies!

Whilst celebrating the great sacrifice of our soldiers, the team were able to declare the immeasurable sacrifice of our God and invite others to be beneficiaries of Christ's sacrifice, through faith!

An early conversation took place with a man who wanted to believe that God saves people, because of their good works. He professed to be a Christian but had a very muddled idea of salvation, declaring that good people in countries who had never heard of Christ will be accepted by God into Heaven. He was shown why that cannot work and was pointed to the gospel but he said he still disagreed. He was encouraged to read Romans to see what Paul has to say about salvation.

This was followed by a short conversation with Marilyn, who declared that we should all believe what we want to believe. She was warned that this was very unwise considering we all want to believe that which is easiest for us, or what we perceive to be most enjoyable, not that which is true. It was pointed out that this could leave her in a lot of trouble, in fact it would. She was briefly shown God's law and left with the guilt of her actions as her husband came back and they left.

Lastly was an exciting conversation with John, a Portuguese speaker who came to comprehend the gospel and said that this very day he would consider what Christ has done and start reading his Bible. He was also encouraged to head along to a local Church so that he may grow in understanding.

Please be praying for the many who received tracts and for those who heard the message of salvation, that God would use this simple message to bring them into His Kingdom!

And maybe even start planning to join the team next public holiday, that you may use the time God has given you to declare His glory among the nations!


Monday 22 April 2019

Posted by Posted 26 April 2019, 3:37 PM by Matthew Andersen. Permalink

On Easter Monday a team of 32 people took their God given "day-off" to declare who God is and what He has done to the people gathered at the Redlands Easter Family Festival!

Some we spoke with professed a desire to trust in Christ, and so it was a day where our hearts were filled with rejoicing! If you're excited by this video, come along to an outreach this week: https://www.operation513.com/street-evangelism-teams/


Monday 31 December 2018

Posted by Posted 1 January 2019, 12:35 PM by Matthew Andersen. Permalink

To bring in the New Year the team did back to back evangelism. First in the afternoon starting in Capalaba and later in the evening in Brisbane City. The afternoon was filled with conversations, some very encouraging! And the evening resulted in 12,500 tracts being handed out and a range of other conversations! And as the clock struck twelve the team were celebrating God's gracious gift of another year in the midst of telling others about Him.

The stand out conversation from Capalaba was with five people at first, Joel and Johnny, were engaging but being quite silly. These young men were trying to avoid the seriousness of the uncomfortable topic of God's judgement against our sin by being silly. Thankfully after a few minutes they left, leaving Connor, Presley and Ivy. The conversation with these three then took the next hour as they listened intently and happily engaged. Following as the Gospel was explained and then asking question after question about Christianity, God and the implications the Gospel has on our lives.

It was a rare conversation but one that was an immense privilege to be there for. Connor at first was against the idea of God. Ivy was as well but Presley wanted to simply believe in a higher power (distant enough to not care how we live). The conversation went on to reveal the reasons they desired God to be like this and the answer was shown clearly, they love living how they want and they don't want there to be any eternal consequences.

Each in their own way was challenged seriously about the choice they would make, to reject Christ or surrender to Him. Please be praying that as the team runs into these guys in the future that God will be working in their hearts, bringing them to a saving knowledge of the truth!

Later in the evening in Brisbane City, there were a number of conversations. One guy, Jarier who had listened in to a conversation on Saturday night dropped past. Sadly he was playing a very silly game, know as, "that's your truth, I have mine". To avoid any sense of accountability or judgement he would just pretend that it wasn't true because he didn't believe it.

Jarier was left with a very strong warning, that pretending someone doesn't exist, doesn't actually get you out of trouble. The only solution to sin and guilt is to find the one who can deal with it, rather than pretending it doesn't exist.

Around 11pm, some of the team had a quick food break at McDonalds. Due to the immense crowds, the waiting time was long and this allowed for a number of conversations to be had.

First was with Harry. He heard of God and how we know He exists, then he was lead through God's law, revealing sin. It was at this stage Harry got squirmish. He saw that he was guilty and if he was to die tonight, would end up in Hell. But when he was asked what the solution was he didn't want to think about it any longer.

During this conversation, a young couple standing in front were awkwardly trying not to listen, to the point that they walked away to avoid having to hear the conversation.

Next was Diaz, who likewise thought he was a good person and would be fine on judgement day. His wife, didn't want to listen but he happily stayed and talked until his food was ready. Diaz heard the Bad News but he had to go and collect his food before the Good News could be fully explained. He did take a tract though.

Lastly in McDonalds was a couple, Izzy and Alistair. Alistair said he hadn't thought about it much but Izzy had lots of questions. It was a good conversation and the pair left with a tract and the challenge to open up a Bible and read the Gospel of John this year.

Please be praying for those who heard the Gospel in the queue for food, that each of them would seriously think about their own eternity this coming year and heed the advice, to read the Word.

As you finish reading this encouragement from the final day of 2018, consider how you can seek to engage the people around you, with the time God has given you with the Gospel, in 2019.


Thursday 22 November 2018

Posted by Posted 23 November 2018, 6:27 PM by Matthew Andersen. Permalink

Tonight, without giving away too much information before the other videos are released, this video is the beginning of a lot of GREAT news! Tonight over the course of two hours, eleven people professed a desire to trust in Jesus alone for their salvation! The team was jumping with joy, weeping in happiness and praising God for using unworthy vessels such as us to be the means of some coming to salvation.

You can hear Elaura share about three conversations back to back with people who said they wanted to trust in Christ. You can hear he excited, after a tough start to the evening declaring praise to God for who He is and what He did in the hearts of these schoolies.

You can hear Giulliano declaring praise to God for enabling him to share the Gospel with a young man who subsequently professed a desire to know Christ as his Lord and Saviour!

Please be praying for these four, that they would be serious about what they said with their mouth, that the Spirit would be changing their hearts and that they would be relying on Christ alone and forever be changed!

Please also pray for the team as due to the continual conversations, many members didn't get to sleep until the early daylight hours of Friday. Please pray for rest, stamina and the ability to honour God despite tiredness for the final day of the outreach!


Thursday 22 November 2018

Posted by Posted 23 November 2018, 6:28 PM by Matthew Andersen. Permalink

This week has been an exciting and encouraging week and it still isn't finished!

Throughout the evening different team members would come up jumping with joy, often with tears in their eyes celebrating. It was a night filled with God at work through His Spirit and bringing many soft hearts to hear the Gospel.

Many of the conversations were free from lengthy arguments or discussions. These people heard the Gospel, understood it and almost instantly declared a desire to trust in Christ.

In this video you can hear Harry share about the conversation he started with Emily, who subsequently professed a desire to trust in Christ.

Then you can hear Matt, talk about the conversation he had with Curtis, who also shared his desire to trust in Christ.

Please be praying for these two that God would be working in their hearts and even now leading them to a greater understanding of Himself!


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