Journal Entries / Italy 2011- July 30-31
Last night surpassed the others. We performed at Piazza Vitorio Immanuele and the crowd was huge. There were between 150-200 people watching. At this time, however, we proposed the idea that at the altar call none of us should raise our hands when people are asked to accept Christ. The previous nights this happened and I feel it may have led to false conversion. So we implemented that last night and saw a dramatic difference with how many people raised their hands and even came forward. As a matter of fact, no one came forward. However, after the prayer we split up and went into the crowd and salvation begun. Our translator Alma is a salvation machine! As a whole our ministry group operated as a well oiled machine. Equipped with designated prayer warriors, encouragers, a spiritual leader, and spearheaded by Alma, our translator. We led about twelve souls to Christ in a bout an hour. It was amazing considering no one responded to the invitation.
I received insight and direction by the Holy Spirit on who to speak with and I steered my MIG through heards of people to minister to the lost. Most of our salvations happened to be children between 6-7 years old. We also led four adult women to Christ, and two teenagers. All together we led about twelve in a sinners prayer to where they accepted Christ's free gift of salvation.
I'm not one to encourage easy believism and judging the authenticity of one's salvation is not my territory. I am merely entrusted with the gospel and last night we proclaimed the glorious gospel of Christ. I cannot wait to see the Lord move tonight!
-Ryan Jackson
Oh yeah Happy Birthday Mom!
(Afterthoughts)
This night was absolutely wonderful. It would yield the greatest audience, and the greatest number of salvations for my MIG. Although inititally discouraging, because no one responded to the altar call, we were able to see exactly how raising our hands influenced the crowds decision to come forward. However, this did not mean that people were not hungry for the gospel. As stated previously, we saw more salvations on this night then any other. Children not only responded, but the parents who came to take their children away from us American strangers stayed and accepted Christ with tears in their eyes. It was a beautiful sight to see. Friends of those being touched by the gospel were being touched and there were many who were won to the Lord by the other ministry groups surrounding us.
After this evening, I personally, overcame the doubt that lingered about whether or not people were making heartfelt decisions for Christ. I already presumed that the mentality was implemented by Satan, but it was this evening that I received clarity. I was overjoyed.
Oddly enough, we never encountered resistance from the catholics. Despite a large cathedral looming over us, people were open. It seemed to be that the catholic church has kept it's members so misinformed of the gospel, that this was the first time people were hearing it. We witnessed the joy appear in the eyes of those who attended the church, but weren't assured any hope. It was beautiful, but it made a reality out of the presence of the church. I cannot say catholicism is an apostate faith. They are just somehow too preoccupied in maintaining tradition, that the message never seems to get out. Assuming that most all of Italy is domineered by catholicism, it makes for an important mission field. Although they know about the rise and fall of Christ, they seem to miss the redemptive proponent of Christ. The simplicity of the gospel seems to get lost in all of the glory and splendor of the church... Truly Italy was, and is, post Christian... As a result, God has called me to Italy.
I received insight and direction by the Holy Spirit on who to speak with and I steered my MIG through heards of people to minister to the lost. Most of our salvations happened to be children between 6-7 years old. We also led four adult women to Christ, and two teenagers. All together we led about twelve in a sinners prayer to where they accepted Christ's free gift of salvation.
I'm not one to encourage easy believism and judging the authenticity of one's salvation is not my territory. I am merely entrusted with the gospel and last night we proclaimed the glorious gospel of Christ. I cannot wait to see the Lord move tonight!
-Ryan Jackson
Oh yeah Happy Birthday Mom!
 |
| Vitorio Immanuele |
(Afterthoughts)
This night was absolutely wonderful. It would yield the greatest audience, and the greatest number of salvations for my MIG. Although inititally discouraging, because no one responded to the altar call, we were able to see exactly how raising our hands influenced the crowds decision to come forward. However, this did not mean that people were not hungry for the gospel. As stated previously, we saw more salvations on this night then any other. Children not only responded, but the parents who came to take their children away from us American strangers stayed and accepted Christ with tears in their eyes. It was a beautiful sight to see. Friends of those being touched by the gospel were being touched and there were many who were won to the Lord by the other ministry groups surrounding us.
After this evening, I personally, overcame the doubt that lingered about whether or not people were making heartfelt decisions for Christ. I already presumed that the mentality was implemented by Satan, but it was this evening that I received clarity. I was overjoyed.
Oddly enough, we never encountered resistance from the catholics. Despite a large cathedral looming over us, people were open. It seemed to be that the catholic church has kept it's members so misinformed of the gospel, that this was the first time people were hearing it. We witnessed the joy appear in the eyes of those who attended the church, but weren't assured any hope. It was beautiful, but it made a reality out of the presence of the church. I cannot say catholicism is an apostate faith. They are just somehow too preoccupied in maintaining tradition, that the message never seems to get out. Assuming that most all of Italy is domineered by catholicism, it makes for an important mission field. Although they know about the rise and fall of Christ, they seem to miss the redemptive proponent of Christ. The simplicity of the gospel seems to get lost in all of the glory and splendor of the church... Truly Italy was, and is, post Christian... As a result, God has called me to Italy.
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