September 11th 2010

On the anniversary of 9/11, we were not protesting Islam or burning Korans, we were lifting up the name of Jesus. At 11:00, Logan, Ben and myself headed to Del Playa. This time we brought “John the Baptist”, and a camera (videos and pictures will be posted on Facebook and our website). We decided that instead of worshipping we wanted to step up the intensity and open air preach while holding up a wooden cross. Three people would have been a small group. One would have had to hold the cross, another would have had to hold up the speaker, while a third preached. We would’ve had few to witness to those reeled in by the audible word and the cross, and if people tried to persecute the preacher we would have had no one to help the preacher out. On the walk to AGO (the Christian frat that allows us to bring their wooden cross to the Del Playa), we were talking about how the Lord will meet our every need. As we approached AGO , we looked down the street and noticed a big wooden cross moving in the direction of Del Playa. It was the AGO cross! We followed it and realized that three guys were carrying it to Del Playa. Instantly our numbers doubled and their numbers doubled. Groups of three became a group of six. God provides every need doesn’t He? Philip, Paul, and Daniel were the names of the three men (good names). As we talked to the three, we found out that they weren’t part of AGO as I expected, they were simply a couple of local Christians who want to reach out. I eventually found out that the reason Daniel brings the cross to Del Playa is because last year Jose invited him out one night while I was gone and Daniel caught the vision. Jose’s obedience to hit the streets alone has raised up another who is willing to lead others to the harvest field. That’s fruit. When he reached Del Playa we turned on “John the Baptist” and the Word collided with Del Playa. Some people cried, some got angry, some shook our hands, some pushed us, the reactions were all over the board, but the time has come for Isla Vista to encounter the Gospel and take it or leave it. Many were witnessed to and prayed for. Lift up Paul, Daniel, and Philip in prayer, their obedience pays off, they were a HUGE encouragement to Logan, Ben and myself. We have videos of Logan preaching and some pictures of the scene. A few people want to stay in contact, said they’d be looking for us on the street in following weekends because they want to hear more. The night didn’t end until after 4:00 AM, too many people were hungry for the Word. I was told by one individual, that last weekend they noticed Daniel and his crew on Del Playa for four hours on a Friday night holding up a cross. He didn’t even talk to them but he realized there must to something real to what they are preaching because of how bold, zealous, and dedicated they are. Jesus told us to GO, obedience pays off!!! We never know the impact we are making! Join us on Fridays and Saturdays. We need preachers, teachers, worshippers, people who can witness, people who can pray, people to video and take pictures, people to hold up the cross, there’s a place for everyone, the body is hurting because so many of its parts are sitting inside and not following the head (Christ).