Good Messengers Ministries of Northwest Indiana participated in two Fests back-to-back…Dyer, IN Freedom Fest ( June 25-28 ) & Cedar Lake, IN Fest (July 2-5). Both Fests ran 4 days and ran 10-12hrs per day. We bought and gave away New Testament Bibles, "One Heart Beat Away" books by Mark Cahill, many booklets from Answers in Genesis and RBC ministries, as well as some pretty cool tracts. There were many people who were hungry and eager for this stuff. Also, the Children’s Hunger Fund donated over 1,000 bottles of Gatorade to hand out and it helped us to compel people to participate.
Most importantly we took hundreds through the "Good Person Test":
http://goodmessengers.org/handouts/evangelismsurveyinside2.doc At each event we have done we learn what does and doesn’t work.Pictures from both of these events can be viewed at:
http://www.goodmessengers.org/prayerstationpics.htm
DYER FREEDOM FEST:
We had many good conversations about the Gospel at the Dyer Fest ( June 25-28 ) . Often individuals would come to the tent just to get a FREE Gatorade® but after taking the "Good Person Test" they were so convicted that and appreciated what we had to tell them that they often forgot about the FREE cold drink (and it was HOT outside). One person in particular was a young teen who had just lost his mother from cancer. Tracts and Gatorade were even given to the carnival workers. Many, many, many conversations like this took place at this event. We saw a large amount of people had a Catholic background that based their salvation on the fact that they would go to purgatory and work things out then. Most people were gracious and thankful for what we had presented to them.
There were many "seekers" that were on the pursuit of "the truth" and to these we gave Mark Cahill books to. One such person was a Muslim whom we witnessed to and was interested in learning more. He said that God gives light and that it was his responsibility to meditate on the light that he was given. He was very thankful for the book. We also gave him a booklet from RBC ministries that explained how he could be sure he was "Accepted by God". He knew that God was merciful AND just and was interested in learning how He could be both of these while at the same time forgiving him of his sins.
At about 3pm on Sunday, a woman came by with her little girl (probably about 6 years old). The woman was drunk and could hardly talk without slurring her words. She came to our booth and we ministered to her. The person sharing with her was a drunkard when God got a hold of them and was able to testify how God can save her not only from the penalty of her sins but from the bondage of her sins. She was moved to tears and wanted just that. She was eager to take booklets about "Addiction" as well as tracts and a NT. Due to the ever-present celebrity deaths (Michael Jackson, Farrah Fawcett, Ed McMahon, and Billy Mays) we were able to use these as springboards to talk about life and death. We also had a couple that drove over to Michael Jackson's birth home in Gary, IN. and started handing out O'bama bills (wish we had the new Michael Bills...they weren't out yet... (Purchase them at: http://www.livingwaters.com/index.php?page=shop.product_details&category_id=8&flypage=flypage.tpl&product_id=389&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=199 )After reviewing the event we noticed that some people would skirt our booth because of the "Prayer Station" banner…so we changed things up at the next event (the following weekend)….
CEDAR LAKE FEST:
When it came to the next weekend, which was the Cedar Lake Fest (July 2-5), we changed the Booth to a "Good Person Test Booth" with HUGE results. We had a little over 500 surveys printed and only 117 were left which means in this 4 day event we went through 383 "Good Person Tests" (gospel messages), and often we shared the gospel with multiples of people. Everyone and anyone was taken through the gospel…local police and even the Cedar Lake Fest mascot "Boomer" (a firework) was given the Good Person Test (http://goodmessengers.org/prayerstation/cedarlake/cedarlakefest38.JPG). Again, carnival workers were given Gatorade® and tracts. A couple from our group also put "Parking Ticket" tracts (http://www.customtractsource.com/Parking-Ticket_p_68.html) on cars but were told by local law enforcement not to do that anymore. We had to remove around 50 tracts but several hundred were already placed on cars. (Tract Tip: When using this tract make sure to place it on the passenger's side of the windshield. Many local laws restrict you from placing this tract (flyer) on the drivers side of the windshield. If you have any questions make sure to check your local city and state laws before using this tract.) There were many serious conversations and reports of people broken before the Lord. There were also many Atheists and Agnostics who struggled with what we were presenting. We had two gentlemen (at different times) that had just been released from the Lake County Jail (both still had their wrist bands on). One of the unique things is we had three groups of people who had never been told what Jesus was all about…they had heard of the name Jesus (and were familiar with His relationship to church), but were unfamiliar with what and who He is! It is AMAZING that there are people in American that don’t even know who Christ is? We often think of those who haven’t heard about Jesus to be in other countries…but NOT in American. We also offered a FREE Gatorade® (donated by Children’s Hunger Fund) to anyone who completed the Good Person Test. We had 36 cases for the Cedar Lake Fest and 8 cases were left. We gave away FREE Bibles, Cahill Books, RBC & Answers in Genesis booklets, literature and fun gospel tracts. We also gave away FREE stuffed animals to children. Often Christians are portrayed as wanting something, or pushing their church and we had the desire share Christ and to give back. In no way did we push any particular church or even our organization. Often at these events we just told people how we are a bunch of Christians from different churches who get together to share the gospel message of Jesus Christ. Most people were impressed and respected our honesty and they opened up their hearts even more.
Please Pray For:
The list of those to pray for is too HUGE to even display, but God knows who these people are. Please pray that the ground that was plowed and the seed that was planted would be watered by our Lord, and that these people would see their need for a Savior. Please pray for the following people listed above and the small amount of people listed below (please note we could not post everyone)...
Cody- Dad is in jail (became saved in jail). Dad is also working on son.
Debra- claimed to be Christian but just confesses sin, believes in purgatory.
Mark/Cathy- really thinking about life & death and Christ.
Heather- STRONG atheist w/ three daughters. Believes Bible is bunch of bunk, and that Christianity is a hoax.
Ashley/Shawn- Disabled teens. Shawns mom told him he is going to heaven because he is disabled.
Amilio- Talked to his sister (Spanish) at Uncle Johns Flea Market. This is an answered prayer Amilio became saved! We have been praying for him. He is very sick on dialisis.
Mike & Sarah- Agnostic/Atheist believes Bible is NOT true, written by man, and that Heaven and Hell are NOT real.
Jerod, Josh and Mike- never went to church. Heard of 10 Commandments couldn't name one of them. Heard of Jesus but didn't know who HE is?
Amanda- VERY broken by the law and you could see the Holy Spirit working within her. She was brought to tears.
Terry / Vicki - sick of catholic church, always looking for money. Very interested in what we were presenting.
TJ- young boy who never heard of Jesus or 10 Commandments
Randy/Lesslie- Believes in God but not ready to give life over to Jesus, and also not sure that God would send anyone to Hell.
Savanah- VERY convicted. Could tell her heart was broken and she is ready for the Lord.
These are just a sample of the conversations we had in two weekends. Who knows how much seed was planted for our Lord? Please pray for the unknowns not listed as well.
Those who participated in these two events include:
Rolando & Annette Patino (Sofia), Brett & Jen Burbage, Sheryl & Gary Sprague, Pastor Mike Matiscik, Pastor Tim & Patty Rezak, Doug & Jennifer Van Der Weide (Zack, Sarah, Allison), Mel Huitsing, Carol O’Leary, Sue Raven, Mary & Jon Dykstra, Sarah Masters, Rose Topp, Jessica Gorecki, Hugh Harper, Courtney Synder, Karen Tiemens, Jason & Jessica Peak, Lynn & Katlyen Beilfuss, Mark & Rachel Gaertner, Carol Webb, Carl & Jean Rinkovsky, Christi Cadence (and grandaughter), Dave & Teresa Hasty, and Pam Robertson.
Until the Nets are Full,
Doug Van Der Weide
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