OPEN AIR MINISTRIES-----Philadelphia
January 2012
“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.” Romans 1:16
Dear Friends,
I am continually amazed at the grace and mercy that God extends to me and to this nation. Is it not incredible that God would use an NFL quarterback named Tim Tebow to teach American Christians two lessons? The first lesson is to not be ashamed to publicly proclaim Jesus Christ. The second is to remember to give God the praise and glory for all that He does in and through our lives. A few weeks back, the number one searched item online was 3 16 and the next week it was John 3:16. It was not long ago that John 3:16 was the most well known verse in the Bible. Do you know what the most popular verse is now? Matthew 7:1. “Do not judge….”
How far we have fallen in this nation? We used to understand our need for a savior, but now we want to be left alone in our sin and on our way to being doomed by God. John 3:16 is a good reminder that God does not forgive sin, but forgives the sinner if he repents and believes. This was the message that we preached in the concourse in Philly on a cold Wednesday. It was a good reminder to people who believe in a god who overlooks their sin, instead of believing in the true God who poured out his wrath on His Son for the sins of the world. One police officer got it, as he told me the next week, “That was a good message on John 3:16. It made sense. Good job.” We praise God that many are hearing the gospel and that the police have decided not to oppose us this year in this location.
Even though it has been a warm winter, on those cold days, we find ourselves in the subways, sharing the gospel with those waiting for their train. The subway is a great place to pass out tracts and we are blessed to see many people reading them on the train as it pulls away to the next stop. It is a difficult place to share one on one as a person will rarely miss his train to continue a conversation. It is a good reminder that Jesus is the Lord of the harvest.
It is rare for us to be preaching out on the streets with our paint board in January, but the warm weather has allowed us to continue to preach at the Gallery Mall. By the K-Mart on Market St, we have been able to become friends with a number of folks struggling with their heroin addiction. Many of them look for us each week as they consider Dave Braun and me to be their pastors. We have seen real growth in a young man named Jules, who is faithfully reading his Bible and attending church. Yet, there are others who are blinded by their pride and bound in their sin. One man rejected everything that I said. He stated; “There is no heaven or hell.” I responded by asking, “Am I to believe what you say over and above the authority of Jesus who spoke of both places as being real?” This man’s attitude and countenance changed as the Lord humbled him and he began to receive the gospel with more openness. Only Jesus, can transform these lives which are bound in sin.
In a little more than week, I will be traveling to Indianapolis to witness at the Super Bowl. Lord willing, there should be 8 of us working the crowds as people travel to Indiana to root on their team to victory. Keep us in your prayers, as we work the streets from February 3-5. We are trusting that many will find true victory in Jesus Christ. Sometimes, the crowds are hard to the gospel, because this is a big money event. Usually, the rich are blinded to the gospel, because of their love of money, but salvation is always possible with God.
Our annual trip to Mardi Gras in New Orleans will be from February 14-22. This event is usually the most stressful time of witnessing that we are involved in each year. There will be thousands of people descending on New Orleans with one thing on their mind, which is: how much sin can I indulge in? The people who attend these events come with the attitude of what happens in New Orleans stays in New Orleans. They must be warned that the God is not ignorant of their sins and His wrath is sure. Usually, we have a team of around 40 men who work the streets at all hours of the day. Pray for us to speak the truth, but to do it in love. I would ask that many of you would commit to praying for us each day.
As this letter comes to an end, I want to thank all of you for your prayers and support of our ministry in 2011. We are blessed to have you as a part of our team. This should be an exciting year as the Lord directs us to the harvest fields. God Bless You!
Joe Toy, Jr.
January 2012
“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.” Romans 1:16
Dear Friends,
I am continually amazed at the grace and mercy that God extends to me and to this nation. Is it not incredible that God would use an NFL quarterback named Tim Tebow to teach American Christians two lessons? The first lesson is to not be ashamed to publicly proclaim Jesus Christ. The second is to remember to give God the praise and glory for all that He does in and through our lives. A few weeks back, the number one searched item online was 3 16 and the next week it was John 3:16. It was not long ago that John 3:16 was the most well known verse in the Bible. Do you know what the most popular verse is now? Matthew 7:1. “Do not judge….”
How far we have fallen in this nation? We used to understand our need for a savior, but now we want to be left alone in our sin and on our way to being doomed by God. John 3:16 is a good reminder that God does not forgive sin, but forgives the sinner if he repents and believes. This was the message that we preached in the concourse in Philly on a cold Wednesday. It was a good reminder to people who believe in a god who overlooks their sin, instead of believing in the true God who poured out his wrath on His Son for the sins of the world. One police officer got it, as he told me the next week, “That was a good message on John 3:16. It made sense. Good job.” We praise God that many are hearing the gospel and that the police have decided not to oppose us this year in this location.
Even though it has been a warm winter, on those cold days, we find ourselves in the subways, sharing the gospel with those waiting for their train. The subway is a great place to pass out tracts and we are blessed to see many people reading them on the train as it pulls away to the next stop. It is a difficult place to share one on one as a person will rarely miss his train to continue a conversation. It is a good reminder that Jesus is the Lord of the harvest.
It is rare for us to be preaching out on the streets with our paint board in January, but the warm weather has allowed us to continue to preach at the Gallery Mall. By the K-Mart on Market St, we have been able to become friends with a number of folks struggling with their heroin addiction. Many of them look for us each week as they consider Dave Braun and me to be their pastors. We have seen real growth in a young man named Jules, who is faithfully reading his Bible and attending church. Yet, there are others who are blinded by their pride and bound in their sin. One man rejected everything that I said. He stated; “There is no heaven or hell.” I responded by asking, “Am I to believe what you say over and above the authority of Jesus who spoke of both places as being real?” This man’s attitude and countenance changed as the Lord humbled him and he began to receive the gospel with more openness. Only Jesus, can transform these lives which are bound in sin.
In a little more than week, I will be traveling to Indianapolis to witness at the Super Bowl. Lord willing, there should be 8 of us working the crowds as people travel to Indiana to root on their team to victory. Keep us in your prayers, as we work the streets from February 3-5. We are trusting that many will find true victory in Jesus Christ. Sometimes, the crowds are hard to the gospel, because this is a big money event. Usually, the rich are blinded to the gospel, because of their love of money, but salvation is always possible with God.
Our annual trip to Mardi Gras in New Orleans will be from February 14-22. This event is usually the most stressful time of witnessing that we are involved in each year. There will be thousands of people descending on New Orleans with one thing on their mind, which is: how much sin can I indulge in? The people who attend these events come with the attitude of what happens in New Orleans stays in New Orleans. They must be warned that the God is not ignorant of their sins and His wrath is sure. Usually, we have a team of around 40 men who work the streets at all hours of the day. Pray for us to speak the truth, but to do it in love. I would ask that many of you would commit to praying for us each day.
As this letter comes to an end, I want to thank all of you for your prayers and support of our ministry in 2011. We are blessed to have you as a part of our team. This should be an exciting year as the Lord directs us to the harvest fields. God Bless You!
Joe Toy, Jr.
