First Outreach

Tonight was our first official "Project Outreach" time.  I am one of four staff that provide leadership to the student team that puts together our project outreach.  What we mean by the term "outreach" is, in a nutshell, bringing the whole gospel message to the people of Santa Cruz.  

We wanted to start simple, so tonight we split into small groups of 2-3 and went out downtown or to the wharf area simply to start spiritual conversations and listen to where people are coming from, looking for an opportunity to also share what we believed.  

I went with 2 of the students in my Action Group, and we had several conversatons:

Ben and Michael:  both were taking a break from the restaurant they worked at.  Michael was definitely a little crazy and out there, but Ben had some religious background.  He still thought that living a good life was what being a Christian was all about, so I tried to explain as best I could that it was only faith and trust in Christ and living for him that gives us real life, but with Michael providing some crazy interruptions I'm not sure how effective it was.  Gave them both a gospel booklet and left it in God's hands.

Jeremiah:  Worked at another restaurant on the wharf.  Was taking a break.  Raised orthodox Catholic, but currently attends Twin Lakes baptist from time to time.  Said he believed the Bible was mainly about faith and love and a friendship with God, but didn't have much to say when I asked how one started that friendship.  Pretty quickly hurried off back to work.

We talked with another group of people about our age on the way back.  After asking what they thought about God, they each gave me a small opinion except for one guy.  Then they walked off, but the one guy hung back and began questioning where I was coming from.  He was certainly an atheist, and an intellectual.  He began asking me why I believed what I believed, and questioned the authority of the Bible over life and asked a few difficult questions about abortion, fundamentalism, etc....ultimately he gave up on the conversation pretty quickly.

Afterwards I heard many other stories, and it was encouraging to see so many stepping out for the first time from their comfort zone to share the message of Christ with people who might otherwise never hear about Him or may have an incorrect understanding of Him.  I encouraged them with the truth that each one of them had a successful evening simply because they acted in faith to take the initiative.  The results and effects of that are up to God.

Thanks to all of you who are praying for our project and the people of Santa Cruz!