We continue going to the mall just about every week,  just haven't been reporting. Here are some prayer requests.

Last week 10/07/09:
Carol, Mary, and Annette met @ the mall in Merrillville. Had a blessed time sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Please pray for:
 
Nicki, Tara, and Katie
Ryan, Steve, and Amanda
Eunice, Jackie, and Sarah
AJ and Tony
Jurelle and Kristina
Jordan and Mark
 
This afternoon 10/14/09 was another beautiful day! Just amazing how God leads us to the ones who need to hear His good news.
Mary, Melissa, and Annette met @ the mall in Merrillville.
Please pray for:
 
Chuck, Aaron, and Joe - College students who were eager to participate in our survey. They knew 9 of the 10 commandments. When asked if they were "good people", Chuck right away said "NO" and the other 2 said "yes". Chuck said that he was a real bad person and because of that he was going to go to hell. He was not concerned since that is where he wants to go. He shared with us that he loved his grandfather SO much and is sure that he is now in hell because he was a really bad person. He died a few years ago and wants to be with him again. He said that if he was to go to heaven it would be hell for him not to have his grandfather there and being in hell with him would be heaven.(WOW) God gave us the verses and words to say to this man. The thing that opened his eyes a bit was when we told him that people still have a chance of getting saved even in their last minutes of life. Aaron said that he was once in a baptist church getting ready to become a deacon and something went bad and he didn't get the position, since then he doesn't want much to do with church. We pleaded with him not to be discouraged and asked him to read his bible again, he said he would. Joe said that he owns a bible but that he is not christian. We talked about repentance and faith in Christ for salvation. They accepted our tracts and we prayed for them.
 
Krissy, Chey, and Nicki - 3 high school girls dressed in their catholic school uniforms knew all of the 10 commandments. They knew of Jesus and of His death on the cross for sinners, they said they have faith and that they have applied the blood of Christ to them. They agreed with everything we were saying. Finally, we used an analogy with them. (Coming out of catholicism and growing up in catholic schools I had to make sure they understood.)  We asked them that if they were to go to the White House and at the gate ask to visit with the President because they knew him would they be let in? The whole world knows our President. What would the guards say?? What would the President say? Does he know them?? We shared with them Matthew 7:22 So many know of Jesus. When you are at His gate, will He know you? Will you be let in? They became so convicted and realized that they probably wouldn't be let in. They are trusting in other things to get them in. We shared the true gospel of Jesus Christ. They said that they would read their bibles that the school gave them. We told them to start with the book of John. They accepted our tracts and we prayed together.
 
Chris and Mike - Brothers who were celebrating the release (of Mike) from jail. He had been released last night and was happy to be out. He had been in prison on drug charges. Chris was soon to be in front of a judge to be charged of his crimes. They understood the court scene and said that God would be much more fair and just. They admitted that they were headed for hell. They were convicted of their crimes against God and were concerned. We shared 2Cor5:17 along with the Gospel. They accepted our books of John and our tracts.
 
Roger - He called us over to him! A crack addict who ???? I can't even explain how lost he was. His eyes were so sad. He knew of the bible (but twisted)  and once watched Mel Gibson's movie about Jesus. He kept saying that Jesus was a lord. He kept on rambling on about things. We spent quite some time with him. Finally, we just read to him starting with John 1:1. We shared the gospel and spent some time in prayer with him. We prayed for his freedom from addiction and that God may reveal Himself to him. We gave him a bible that he was very thankful for and on our way out of the mall we saw him reading it.
 
Please be in prayer for all of these people.
God Bless you

Annette Patino

(Here is the VHS tape and the man who started it all back in 1998! Or should I say it was all started for the love of the Lord, but this man Ray Comfort is what sparked a fire in me to reach the lost.)

Several of us from Good Messengers Ministries of Northwest Indiana went to our sister ministries Evangelism Conference on July 24-26, 2009.  Those who attended were, Sue Raven, Carol O'leary, Brett Burbage, Hugh Harper, Jen Van Der Weide and Doug Van Der Weide. The conference took place at Bethesda Baptist Church in Brownsburg, In. ( http://www.ebethesda.org/ ). Over 100 churches, and ministry organizations were represented at this conference.  The guest speakers for this conference were Ray Comfort and Mark Spence from Living Waters Publications / Way of the Master.  Ray spoke 4 times at the conference on..."How to get on Fire for God, How to Overcome Fear, The Atheist's Six Sense, and the Battle for the Lost. " Mark Spence spoke twice on..."The Lost Moral Dilemma, and 5 Effective Ways to Reach the Lost." I can not expound on all that we learned during the speeches but I will tell you that a lot of this information will flow into upcoming Way of the Master Evangelism courses being taught by us.

There were many, many testimonies on how this teaching has impacted people and how they use the law in witnessing. I was fortunate enough to be able to share a short 10 min testimony of how I was  introduced to "Hell's Best Kept Secret," and how for the past 11 yrs God has been building Good Messengers Ministries in Northwest Indiana. I was also able to share how God put this ministry together and what God has done through this ministry over the past year.

There were many display tables present such as "Living Waters Publications (www.livingwaters.com) , The Board the Movie, One Million Tracts (www.onemilliontracts.com)  and Good Messengers of Indy. Many books, tracts, literature and DVD's were available. I will say that A LOT of people were talking about a small booklet written by Jon Speed called, "Evangelism in the New Testament." The booklet is Very inexpensive... around $3.50 http://shop.onemilliontracts.com/product.sc?categoryId=16&productId=105 and is a short read...around 41pgs but it is PACKED with information and is a VERY encouraging book. I would recommend that anyone who has a passion for the lost must read this short booklet!!!

During one of several of the breaks they showed "The Board Movie" which is a wonderful Gospel Presentation. This movie is now going to be picked up by TBN Network and put on public television for national broadcast! Please be in prayer because they are also working on the sequel. Jen was very excited to be able to talk to all of the cast members in person. http://www.boardmovie.com/ I was also encouraged to talk to one of the directors during lunch, and to voice my opion about the "decisional prayer" that is presented at the end of the film. Only to find out that in the newer releases this "decisional prayer" will be removed. That was the only thing holding me back from ordering copies of this movie to hand out to non-believers.

During lunch we were able to get to know Wayne Davies who is about to start Good Messengers Ministries of Fort Wayne Indiana (www.good-messengers.com). Please be in prayer for him and this New Ministry. We were able to share "war stories" with him and hopefully able to get him started in the right direction! We are very encouraged at how God is opening so many doors.

After the conference on Sat. there were several who went out witnessing at Allstate 40 race and in downtown Indy, and also again early Sunday morning.

Mark Spence preached Sunday morning at Bethesda Baptist Church (where the conference was held), and Ray Comfort preached at E. 91st Christian Church (http://www.east91st.org/). Jen and I met some old friends (Paul & Darleen Theaker & family) at the East 91st street church to hear Ray preach. I thought my church was big (we attend Bethel Church www.bethelweb.org), but found out there are some VERY LARGE churches in the country. Ray did a wonderful job of presenting the gospel and also encouraging Christians to step out of their comfort zone to witness. They had three service (we went to the second) and they sold out of his material in the first service!

One thing that was the most encouraging was to be in a room filled with people who have the same passion for the Lost and also for the preservation of the Biblical Gospel message. We met people from Indiana, Illinois, Ohio, Kentucky, Atlanta, Michigan, and Florida. I even remember one older lady (in her late 60s) found out about the conference, and signed up. She went out at purchased a GPS and drove by herself to attend. Nothing was going to stop her from attending that conference. She has such a passion, and AGE means NOTHING when it comes to sharing Christ!!! It was also encouraging to know that most of us have the same struggles such as we come from non-evangelising churches. Sadly , very few churches are evangelisic in the biblical sense, or in any sense at all. I believe this is why there are so many parachurch ministries such as us, and we really shouldn't exist. But God is sovereignly raised up parachurch ministries  to meet the needs of equipping Christians to share Christ Biblically. God has also kept a remnant of believers all around the country who have a passion for "contact evangelism," and who are not only teaching it but putting it into practice! 

All I can say about this weekend is that, "Iron-Sharpens-Iron" and you better look out because my blade is SHARP!!!

Until the Nets are Full,

Doug Van Der Weide

http://goodmessengers.org/handouts/evangelismsurveyinside2.doc At each event we have done we learn what does and doesn’t work.

http://www.goodmessengers.org/prayerstationpics.htm

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)….

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.

CROWN POINT "CORN ROAST"

Carol O'Leary & Dianne Morrison went to the Crown Point, Indiana "Corn Roast" to witness. Here is there report...

"We were only at the Corn Roast from 4:30 to 6pm.  There were not a lot of people at that time.  We tried to concentrate on putting tracts into as many hands as we could, since we knew we would have to cut it short and leave earlier than planned, because bad weather was moving in.  Walked around the court house twice and went through the corn roast area numerous times.  Would have loved to stay longer to pass out more tracts and have more time for the opportunity to actually talk to people.  I handed out the "Freedom Cash" million dollar, and Dianne passed out "Star Wars" million dollar to teens/preteens, and she asked them if they would "like to check out their 'dark side'".  They were great tracts that caught peoples attention, and every person we handed a tract to gladly took one except for one person.  We told people to be sure to read the back, and that they were a "gospel tract".  It was interesting to watch some of the people stop and take time to read the back after we walked away!  Pray that those who received tracts will read them, and their hearts and minds would be opened to God's saving grace.  It was a good first event for us "newbies" to street witnessing to pass out tracts at, after having recently completed your 9 week spring "Way Of The Master" course! "

Good Messengers Ministries went to Uncle Johns Flea Market on 5/30 and 5/31 from 5am-4pm

Those who attended were:  Zack Van Der Weide, Doug Van Der Weide, Mel Huitsing, John Dykstra, Mary Dykstra, Rose Topp, Lynn Beilfuss, Carol O'leary, Sue Raven, Carol Webb, Shelly Crannor, Lindsey Cranor, Mary, Dawn Czuba, Bill Harper, Annette Patino, Rolando Patino, Brigette Deel, Jessica Gorecki and Maxine Evans.

Pictures from this event can be found at: http://www.goodmessengers.org/prayerstation.htm

We were in a VERY dark place and I believe we let our light shine. 1st day started off very hard as Zack and I began to set up you could feel the tension around us from the other vendors. They also began to talk about us behind our backs. I guess no mater where we go we are not always going to be welcomed with open arms.  Many coversations took place on the first day and I believe just about everyone at Uncle Johns was at least offered a gospel tract...even the displaying vendors. The above staff in attendance did a fantastic job. Day 2 (Sunday 5/31) by far was the best day. All the spots in the flea market was sold out in fact they had to send vendors away. The projected attendance was around 1,500 people and they stated that they received around 2,500-2,700 people on Sunday. We were able to go through many, many, many gospel presentations using "The Good Person Test."  We also ran completely out of Mark Cahill books, and went through thousands of tracts plus a good amount of english and spanish tracts and bibles. The list of people to pray for would be too large topost all of them but some of the stories are listed below. I am very proud of the group and for their courage in witnessing at this event. This has been by far our most productive event where the gospel was presented, tracts were handed out and many, many people were being prayed for.

Please take a moment and pray for the following people... Tracy (16yrs old) possibly going to jail because she ran thru a stop light and killed someone without insurance, Jim Thornberry strugglin with Christianity and God (received a Cahill book). Rose Topp talked to an unknown man for a LONG time who is stuggling with God and that the Bible is true, Pat who is a believer but is worried about her grandkids, Amilo who lives in Mexico and is sick on dialisis (sister didn't speak english...used translator), Ken who took Good person test was very convicted (has Cahill book and Bible), Dale confused about Jesus Christ and was convicted of the Law on his heart, Jim also convicted of the law when he took Good Person test.Carol O'Leary and Sue Raven had a conversation with a vendor named Louie who does not have a personal relationship with Jesus (they gave him Cahill's book), Carol and Sue also had a long conversation with Manu who is a muslim...Manu believes we are trusting in a false book and gospel and that we are bound for hell, Jessica Gorecki had a very interesting conversation with a young man named Jesse who was abused at home...he was convicted by the law and later brought his brother back and Zack VanDer Weide shared the gospel with him as well.  Mike & Linda..mike has catholic background and doesn't believe God will send anyone to hell and that this is hell...linda (his wife) who has a baptist background wants Mike to know the Lord...mike was very hard-hearted, Bob who is struggling with addiction, Harold Web who is a retired (40yrs) evanglist pastor who has health issues, Myda & family (Catholic) believes they can earn their way to heaven, James & Richard these two men had me take them through the Good Person test come to find out they are Christians (confirmed through repentance and faith) who were playing with me...I convicted them to go out and share their faith with others, Felix young man whom the law broke and I believe may have went home to get right with the Lord...you could see the holy spirit convict him of his sins and I believe he realized that he needs Jesus for salvation, Awman & Arwa (children: Raed, Reema, Husam) who spoke Arabic and are Christians...they have a goal to reach Muslims for Christ and may be working with us to translate www.GotOurTract.com site into the Arabic language. Please also pray for Jose & Maria, Arturo, Andres, Maya, Liz, Donny & Jeremiah, Donna, Betty and LeRoy, Hazel, Larry, Jean, Calvin and Wanda, Lucy and Andrea. 

This is just a short list of all the wonderful conversations we had with people over the weekend.

Until the Nets are Full,

Doug Van Der Weide

Start thinking of creative ways to share the gospel message. One way is to put our Gospel website www.GotOurTract.com on your vehicle. You can have these decals printed out at the mall, or often can find companies that print these out inexpensively at fairs & fests. Look at it as a mobile tract. Placing these decals on the windows of your car will allow them to be removed easily without damage to your vehicle. You can also have the website address printed on a magnet that can be placed anywhere without damaging your vehicle. Again think of creative ways to get the gospel message out to the lost.

We have lots to pray about! So many needs... so many requests!
We had the opportunity to pray, share the gospel, hand out tracts, give away about 40 bibles and other books.
We also got the chance to see familiar faces and hear about how God has answered our prayers!!
 
Please pray for:
 
Glenda
Sandy & Gracie
Ted
Royce
Dwayne
Tracy
Michael
Sue
Jo
Linda
Katrina
Maria
Lucille & Andy
Michael
Marie & Michaelina
Lucy & Andrew
Shelly
Reed
Laila & Alex
 
These are just some of the names...
Thank You.
 
--Annette