Summer Newsletter – August 2011

Dear Friends in Christ

Hope your summer has gone well. As most of you know I left on the road last June. I spent a week in the Bay Area before going to Seattle and New York. It has been a great adventure and the Gospel is going forth not only by me, but by many evangelists across the country. Thank you for your continuing support and prayers.

I went through a health trial recently. It was after having a tooth pulled I developed what they call, “dry socket”, which is a very painful condition. I was extremely depressed for several days and not quite myself. Thank God that is over. He delivered me from a terrible situation.

I was on the radio twice since being here in Seattle. The program is “There is Hope Radio”, a talk show on addiction broadcasted on KGNW a local Christian station. We discussed many aspects to addiction and recovery. Well you know me, my only advice is Christ. If you want to listen to the podcasts here is the link: There is Hope Radio Podcasts

NURSING HOME MINISTRY
Amongst my busy schedule while in the Seattle area, I was wondering how I would get to visit some friends of mine who just recently moved into a retirement home. As it turned out another friend of mine Larry Stevens was in town. Larry Stevens travels around the United States singing songs and sharing the Gospel in nursing homes. He does this full time and has been doing so for seven years. Like me, Larry Stevens lives by faith. We both went up to visit Bev and Jerry Ross at their new place. Larry asked to be able to play some Gospels songs and the staff was thrilled. He played for the first half hour in the Alzheimer’s section while I visited with Bev and Jerry. Shortly Larry came upstairs and they gathered a group for another session. Bev and Jerry, like the others, really enjoyed this special impromptu treat. Larry shared a brief Gospel message at the end before shaking hands with each individual who attended. We stayed a couple more hours and had lunch with the Ross’. Although hearing Larry play before, this was the first time I witness him in minister to the senior folks. He really has a gift as God has equipped him for this forgotten group of people. Here is the link if you would like to learn more about Larry Stevens Nursing Home Ministry

COMPEL THEM TO COME IN
The Parable of the Great Supper – Luke 14:16-24

In this parable Jesus mentions three groups and three different phases of ministry. The first group is “those who were invited”. This is no doubt the Jews, however; it could also mean those who are suppose to be closest to the Lord Jesus – the Church. This would not be the true Church but those who are in “Christendom”.

Those who were invited were too busy so the master tells His servants to go and invite the poor and afflicted. This ministry of Jesus was prevalent as He spent time with the poor, the tax collectors, sinful women, the demon possessed, the blind, the lame, and so forth. We are carrying this on today. The Christians build the hospitals, have the missions, feed the hungry, and provide counseling to the poor, the pregnant, and the uneducated. And yes we still help the widows and have orphanages.

There is still room so the third command is to go into the highways and hedges and compel them to come in so His house would be full. Because this is a parable, I think the house being filled is the kingdom, not the physical building of the Church. We are to invite people to Christ first and foremost. This phase seems to indicate it is a last ditch effort to bring them in. This could be because of the second coming or the urgency since death is imminent for all. This command describes the work that the Lord has me to do. On any given day downtown are people from all walks of life; from the very poor, to the rich. It includes all cultures and races. By preaching the Gospel we are compelling them to come in.

FRUIT OF THE MONTH
Even though a lot has been happening over the last several months, I want to share just one detailed story. It was in Seattle that I was preaching one day on the corner of sixth & Pine. This was my first time on this particular corner. Before going out preaching I always ask in my prayers for discernment and wisdom on who to talk to and who to ignore when people come right up real close to me. A man, who was clearly homosexual, approached me from my left. He asked me if I thought God would want me to preach on the corner of a street. My experience told me that he has an objection and an agenda, therefore not really interested in an answer. I repeated his question over the mic and then answered with a long discourse on why I preach the Gospel in public. My objective was to answer his question fairly and avoid any rabbit trails off of the Gospel. He waited and listened patiently as I went on. I paused at one point and he said that I answered him satisfactory as to “the why” and that I answered some other questions he had too. He thanked me and I said God bless you as he left. I felt I made a friend. Perhaps he will come to Christ. At the very least he left not angry or agitated, but I believe touched by the Lord. To be loving and kind to a sinner without compromising the truth is something only the Holy Spirit can pull off. I had no idea what I said to answer his other questions, but God does. I didn’t get his name but would you pray for him. I cannot do justice to this story but just to say, “man it’s exciting out there!”

Larry DuBois
Fellow Slave of Jesus Christ

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