This started because I called my friend Tim Schuman, Director for Campus Crusade for Christ at the University of New Hampshire. Tim was on staff with Crusade in 1993 when God saved me. He discipled me as a new Christian, and we’ve stayed in touch ever since. He’s also been VERY ENCOURAGING to me about joining OAC staff. 🙂
I called Tim because I wanted an opportunity to preach Christ in the open air at UNH, but I suspected that by November in NH, there aren’t a lot of students hanging outside because of the cold. Tim confirmed my suspicion. But then he made a suggestion I didn’t expect!
He said, “How about you come to a Campus Crusade meeting and preach?”
I was flattered and honored by the invitation, but he thanked me. He said there are a number of unsaved students who attend every week and a number of saved on-fire Christians who would benefit from seeing how God uses creativity with the paintboard to reach people. I was soooo excited!
So how did it go? God exceeded my expectations (as usual).
I preached a messaged called “Lost or Saved?” based on the tragedy of the Titanic. The students were very receptive. One student enthusiastically hugged me and asked if he could keep the painting!
But it gets better! The power of preaching in the open air is that you never know who is listening! After the message, me and a handful of guys were breaking down and cleaning up. All the students went back inside to the Campus Crusade meeting. A 20-something young lady came up to me because she was outside waiting for a bus, but could hear everything I was saying. She said she was very interested in my message and wanted my email so she could ask me questions!!! How great is that!?!?!? So I gave her a trillion dollar tract with my email stamped on it. She thanked me. Her name is Charlotte. Please keep her in prayer.
After finishing cleaning up, I met up with Tim, the Campus Crusade Director and he told me that while I was outside breaking things down and carrying things to my car, a number of students were sharing testimonies of what God was doing in their life, and he said he had never seen such openness before. God was at work that night! In fact, after the meeting ended, nearly all the students stayed and kept singing praise songs. I made it to about quarter to 11, but since I was 45 minutes form home, I headed out at 10:45PM.
Before I left Tim thanked me again and told me he’ll definitely have me back in the Spring. I’d love it.
There is nothing better than being used by Jesus Christ!
Please keep Charlotte, and the many others who heard God’s Word, in your prayers.
The message I gave was videotaped, and you can watch it below:
“The Titanic” Message – Part 1 of 2:
This is the first 15 minutes. The final 10 minutes is available in “part 2”
“The Titanic” Message – Part 2 of 2:
This is the final 10 minutes of a gospel presentation based on the tragedy of the Titanic.
Preparing “The Titanic” Message in 2 and a Half Minutes:
Do you believe me that I prepared the Titanic message in 2 and a half minutes? You’ll have to see! 😉
with love in Christ,
Mark
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