Comments on: Street Preaching — Compassionate, Confrontational and Christian

By: Dave R

Dave R — Fri, 16 Mar 2012 12:32:28 +0000

Signs? What about these signs? Mark 16:17-18 “These are some of the signs that will accompany believers: They will throw out demons in my name, they will speak in new tongues, 18 they will take snakes in their hands, they will drink poison and not be hurt, they will lay hands on the sick and make them well.”
You know the full gospel? Most of Jesus’ ministry was casting out demons, healing the sick,. Jesus said greater things you will do because I go to the Father. So instead of holding signs and preaching hate.

By: Scott

Scott — Fri, 23 Sep 2011 20:59:17 +0000

Make no mistake who these people are . They are wolves in sheep clothing. And this is a cult of pride that reaches across this country.
It isn’t that they are selling hell, it is that they have no understanding of grace and they use only bits and peices of scripture to stone others with.
They attack christians the hardest wth their judgment and condemnation. In their worlds only they have the truth, and they distance themselfs from all else including family if they don’t fall in with the cult.
I know these people well as our family has been ripped apart due to them once our son feel in with them. Because we didn’t fall in with them our grandchildren were ripped out of our live’s.
The kicker is we are are christians,but with this cult you are either in or out. There is more, much more.
Scott Campbell

By: Scott

Scott — Sun, 06 Mar 2011 23:52:28 +0000

Beware of wolves in sheep clothing , these type of people have ripped our family apart , lets call them what they are , a cult

By: Tracey

Tracey — Thu, 20 May 2010 05:12:59 +0000

Hi Myisha,
I found your article intrigueing and informative. I have been a believer my whole life, but until 3 years ago I never really knew my faith or even practised it. I moved home after 10 years of being away from home and I live on an indian reservation in Canada. Through a series of life altering events and making a decision to change the way I live my life, I started attending the local Word Church at the nudging of a devout christian cousin. When I first started attending there was conflict between myself and my husband because he preferred the catholic church than the this church…but being faithful in my decision to getting to know God and attending bible studies and church…my husband eventually came full circle, and is now…how some or most christian describe it “on fire” for the Lord!! Praise God for it because it saved us as a couple and our family. Well back to my main point…the reason I found your article so intriguing is because my husband feels like he is being led to do Street ministry in the form of…prayer booth. Kind of like the first guy you talked about. I was mortified when he first told me what he wanted to do! Really and I am beleiver in Jesus. My first reaction was, Oh great now people are really gonna think we are flakey christains…It was hard for me to beleive that he would actually do it. So I prayed for God to give me discernment and revealation on the whole issue because even the members of our church body seemed stand offish…when asked to join the cause, saying things like “Oh I don’t think I’m that bold but I’ll pray for you”. So thus confirming my worst case senerio thinking. Anyway I decided that even though it seems a little crazy to me, I would support him and go out with him!
Your article helped me to see through objective eyes what “street ministry” is all about and what to expect! My husband is making his signs as I post my comment. So here in small town Saskatchewan, we will see what people responses are to “Street Ministry”. I have more I can say but right now all I have to say is thank you, for you views…it helps, it’s given me courage to stand by my man.

By: myisha cherry

myisha cherry — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 15:37:08 +0000

Hi Rich
Great Question!
I will try and respond. I think before I address the “approach” I think its important to address their “theology”. Exclusion and bigotry is not a theme in the gospels. And if thats not what Jesus preached, we should not do that neither. I think a way to respond to them is to become teachers of love ourselves. Perhaps with a combination of scripture, love, and prayer. Its their courage we need in preaching, just not their biogtry. So they are an asset, but they perhaps need to be gently taught themselves.

By: Rich

Rich — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 01:41:57 +0000

Thank you Myisha! I can see that you enountered these particular street preachers with love and understanding.
But you raised an interesting point that you didn’t follow up on–perhaps because the two folks you featured didn’t quite fit into the problem mode. But you did mention that you had “issues” with some of the more insistant preachers. I wonder what approach you would recommend to those deeply committed and faithful Christians who, as I believe, misunderstand the teaching of Christ by spreading a Gospel of exclusion and bigotry? Challenge them? Counter scripture with scripture? I don’t know. It seems fruitless. But, I would love to hear your thoughts on it!
PEACE!

By: Violeta

Violeta — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 07:42:04 +0000

I love street preachers. There’s this guy in the upper west side that is always yelling, “Jesus.” Such a sweet guy. Hey if God makes them feel like chanting, shouting, sharing, to me is all the living breadth of God. Plus, I’m up for a challenge if a discussion ensues.

By: Bobby C in DC

Bobby C in DC — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 20:53:24 +0000

Myisha, thank you for this insightful article. Very well written. I love that they are doing what God called them to do and not worry about what the audience may think. Afterall, JESUS was a street preacher!

By: Globals

Globals — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 23:45:30 +0000

all good things

By: Mike

Mike — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 18:41:42 +0000

Wow. I really like the article. I think you did a great job of showing the other side of the story. I still think “popular New York spots” was a good title. Great Article !! Keep it coming!!

By: David

David — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 20:11:08 +0000

Thank you for this. It gives us all several perspectives to consider when pondering on such a hot, debatable topic. I love following your work!

By: Brian

Brian — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 03:21:40 +0000

Excellent article! I too have seen street preachers, and even had them screaming in my ear that I was going to Hell for not stopping and listening to them. My response is always to continue walking away while telling them to have a nice day. Now I think I will stop and ask them what their testimony is, and if it is similar to Shawn’s, suggest to them that they share that instead of screaming at people.

By: SM Morris

SM Morris — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 16:49:29 +0000

Pro 9:10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.

Pro 14:27 The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death.

By: G R Feenster

G R Feenster — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 22:34:39 +0000

Well said. Of only the mainstream would recognize that you’ll gain more respect and admiration with spreading good news than fear.

I appreciate the revelation….

You go..

By: Quenesha McNair

Quenesha McNair — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 15:39:19 +0000

I love it! Great article!!!

By: chris brown

chris brown — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 13:36:11 +0000

great article! good food for thought

By: lily k

lily k — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 14:57:45 +0000

I’ve often wondered the same thing when I’m at Yonge/Dundas square in Toronto and see these ‘soap-box’ preachers yelling about fire & brimstone to the crowd walking by. Is it at all effective or does it push people further away?

I’m a YWAMer myself and remember doing street ministry in Honduras. We would perform a dramatic dance called Toymaker & Son. We would get dressed in our costumes and makeup and then walk through town to where we were performing. We didn’t have to advertise at all because by the time we had walked through town, we had a large crowd of followers who stayed to watch the performance. Afterwards, someone would share their testimony and then we would pray with anyone who wanted it. Many people committed their lives to Christ and then we connected them to a local church.

By: Shawna G

Shawna G — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 13:15:14 +0000

Thank you for your perspective on this topic, Myisha! You’re an excellant writer! I really enjoyed this! Thanks!