Hello Friends!
Thanks for following our ministry! I hope you’ll take a few minutes to read what’s going on. You can also get more recent updates at our social media pages, which are linked below.
My Big Dilemma
I truly love my job. There is nothing that I’d rather do than get out onto the streets and share the love of Christ. I also love working with kid’s Bible clubs, attending special events with local churches, and teaching and mentoring other believers in evangelism. There is only part of this ministry that I really struggle with is raising support.
Because of this I’ve got as much ministry as I can handle, but I’m very low on monthly giving. I simply haven’t wanted to take the time to talk to people about standing with us financially. And when I do, I tend to be very awkward. However, some good brothers in Christ have reminded me how important raising support is, since it will help meet my financial obligations, and will mean more ministry time in the long run. So I’m biting the bullet and spending more time at it. I’d love to talk to any of you who are interested about how you can be part of this ministry. We can chat in person (my preference) or by phone. But in summary, the message is this:
- There is a huge need for evangelism. Those who are not saved need to hear the Gospel, and believers need to be encouraged and equipped to share it.
- Open Air Campaigners exists to fill that need. From it’s start in the 1890, it has been focused on public ministry and equipping believers.
- God has equipped me and called me to this ministry. This has been confirmed by OAC and by my pastors and elders. And I love it!
- I’m at about 35% support (full support is based on average median income), and by God’s grace I would like to be at 100% or close by the end of the year. Please pray that God provides for this, and please consider standing with us.
I have many details and many stories I could share, but there isn’t the room here. For those of you who I haven’t been able to share with personally, I pray I will be able to do so soon. Give me a call and let’s talk.
Interesting Encounters
The Hare Krishnas – We have a Hare Krishna temple in our area, and we have had some very interesting encounters with their followers. Once a month they have an outreach event in downtown Palo Alto, and we’ve often found ourselves sharing space with them. And they don’t hold anything back! They have literature tables, free food, chanting and dancing (complete with amplified music and disco lights), and even a meditation tent. This often brings more conversations for us as people’s interest is stirred up by the spectacle. This should remind us of two things. First, the cults and false faiths are out there, and they are actively recruiting. We need to be doing the same! Second, we need to be prepared and willing to engage them. We must never hate those who have been deceived, but we must hate the lies that are dragging them from God and into an eternity of fire and darkness. We must stand against the enemy, my friends! And I would love to help equip you to do so.
Set up for ministry in Palo Alto 
The perfect night for a new message! 
Sharing Christ with those passing by. 
Hare Krishnas chanting their mantra 
The Hare Krishna meditation tent 
Krishnas giving out free food & literature
Delayed for a purpose – A few weeks ago we headed out to share the Gospel on a rainy Wednesday (yes, it actually rains here in California). We spent over an hour looking for parking in downtown Oakland, and when we finally found a spot I got out of the van very frustrated at the lost time. I suggested to Tim, a regular volunteer and good friend, that we head to the BART station to save time rather than dragging out the Preach-O-Matic. I figured tracts and my hand-held sketch board would work. Then, as we headed down to the BART entrance tunnel, it started to rain. By the time we had gotten set up in the station, it was pouring! If we had found parking right away, we would have ended up in the open, and my board and literature table would have been drenched. We ended up having a pretty good day of outreach underground, and had a particularly good talk with a group of Jehovah’s Witnesses. It was a great reminder that even if we don’t know why things happen, God does, and nothing happens by accident. So, trust in Him, and time will make His purposes clear.
TIm sharing the Gospel with a foreign traveler 
Underground at the BART station 
Something to catch people’s attention
Sharing the Gospel in Chinese – I had the privilege last month of preaching in a Chinese Baptist church on the subject of evangelism. I went in expecting to only be speaking to the English service, but ended up addressing the whole congregation. What a gift that was! It was my first time preaching with an interpreter, and though there was certainly a learning curve, it went quite well. The pastors were happy, we had a very good question and answer time, and many people came up to talk afterwards. I thank God that He keeps stretching me, and pushing me out of my comfort zone. I would encourage you to look for ways He might be trying to stretch. Believe me, stepping out in faith will be a blessing.
My first time preaching with a translator.
What Abouts Updates
Since I am convalescing a bit now with a bad shoulder, I want to get some web site updates in. In particular, there are a number of questions on the faith I need to add to my What Abouts section. For those who haven’t seen it, my What Abouts section is a collection of answers to commonly asked questions that I’ve collected from other solid Christian ministries. It includes articles, lectures and sermons, and videos. So if there are any questions you’ve had or heard that you don’t see there, please let me know. I’ll see what I can dig up. If you have a question, it’s likely someone else does too.
Schedule and Closing Notes
I just finished my monthly schedule for March. You can check it out here: https://dan.livethegospel.net/outreach-schedule/. If you have not participated in public Gospel outreach, I encourage you to do so. It will help you develop the skills needed to share Christ in your daily life.
Also, please keep our family in prayer. It’s been a tough month, with tight finances, several in injuries (Becky, Naomi and me), and a home burglary. Not fun, but God is faithful, and He is providing as we get our feet back under us. God bless you all, and if there is any way I can encourage or pray for you, please let me know.
All for His glory,
Dan B.
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