Hello all! I’m glad I’m able to get another update out after a very busy couple of months. I couldn’t possibly cover everything, but I’ll try to give a few high points. I’ve also shared a number of pictures that I hope will be encouraging. You can also check out a recent update video HERE.
On a side note, My boss, Eric Briscoe, will be visiting in a couple weeks, and we need someone to host him while he is here. Unfortunately, we don’t have space. If any of you would be willing to help, please let me know. Also, while he is out here we will be having an informational meeting on Open Air Campaigners on Sunday, December 2nd. It will be a great opportunity to find out more about the ministry, and to meet Eric, who has been sharing the Gospel on the street for over 30 years. Come and join us if you can!
OAC Staff Conference
At the beginning of last month I spent a week in Western Pennsylvania at our Open Air Campaigners Staff Conference. What a blessing that time was! I’ve been to a couple director’s conferences, but this was the first all-staff conference I could attend since joining the ministry. It was a great time of encouragement, and I was able to meet several members of the ministry who I only knew by name, or from social media. I also got to meet representatives from several of our international branches. Our international president, Rob George from Australia, was there, and I had the opportunity to talk to him. I also get to spend a little time with the Phillips, our missionary couple from Jamaica. We also had representatives from Paraguay and Ecuador. For those of you who don’t know, OAC has official branches in 31 countries, and has trained believers in many more. Some countries have just a few people, but it is still a blessing to be part of such an international group.
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- Our OAC team outside the church that hosted us.
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- Spending some relaxation time with the team at a local art and craft fair. That’s our international president in the foreground.
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- What happens when you bring a bunch of evangelists to a street fair? Yep. Ministry time!
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- I got a chance ot preach at the festival too. It’s always a privilege!
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- Erin sharing the Gospel with a couple yound ladies.
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- Keith Phillip (Uncle Keith) from Jamaica sharing a song Sunday morning.
Kids Clubs – Finally, Some Progress!
As most of you know by now, I’ve been praying for a long time for more kids ministry opportunities. Well, God has provided! I filled in for a good friend in teaching Bible lessons at some kids clubs in a nearby city while she was out of town, and now I have been asked to be the permanent Bible teacher for one of them. What a blessing! I was also able to join them for an outreach to their community at their town’s safe trick-or-treat event, which went very well, and gave me the chance to meet more folks from their church. Finally, I have a meeting tomorrow with staff and pastors at our church to prepare for our own kids club at a local school. We’ve already been talking with a ministry that specializes in getting Bible clubs into public schools, and it looks like we just need to work out the details. Please pray the meeting goes well, and that the other club, and the relationship with that church, continue to grow.
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- Sharing a Bible story at a Morgan Hill kids club.
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- Me with a completed kids club message.
Training and Mentoring
I had the special privilege over the last month of working with a gentleman named John. John came out from South Carolina to the Bay Area specifically for the purpose of training in street ministry. He stayed in Oakland with SOS Ministries, a group I partner with regularly, and they asked me to work with him a couple days a week, since they go out mostly on weekends. It was great working with him, and I think the time was encouraging to him. It certainly was to me. I think he is well suited to the work, and he is considering taking OAC’s SET training next summer. Please pray that God continues to guide him.
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- John reading scripture aloud in downtown Oakland.
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- John sharing with a family in Morgan Hill
CHRISTMAS IN THE PARK IS COMING!
We’re coming close to the busiest season of the year. I’ll spend a good amount of time each week out at Christmas in the Park, a huge local Christmas festival that runs from from Black Friday through Christmas Day. It’s my favorite time of outreach, and I’m looking forward to it. It’s also a great time to come out a try public ministry for the first time, or to get started up again. There will be plenty of opportunity, so if you, your Bible study group, or your church are looking for a holiday opportunity to share Christ, please let me know.
I love Christmas, and having the privilege of sharing the Gospel on the streets makes it particularly special. But December and January are also often the leanest times of the year too, since most people are spending their money elsewhere. Please consider supporting us during this very important time, and prayerfully consider making OAC Bay Area part of your charitable giving for the New Year. You can make a tax-deductible donation HERE. Also, if your church, or neighborhood, has any holiday festivals that would provide opportunities to share the Gospel, let me know. I would love to give you ideas on what you could do, or even come and participate myself.
God bless, and hope to hear from you soon!
For His glory,
Dan B.
www.yoursoulmatters.org
www.oacusa.org
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