The Court Case (an update from Ray)
On Friday, September 30, two deputies stopped me from preaching and handed me a court order. For the past 2-1/2 years, EZ (our manager) and I have been preaching open-air almost daily outside the local courthouse in the City of Bellflower. We have always stayed away from the entrance, and spoken before the courts opened. The officers informed us that a judge issued an order forbidding open-air preaching and handing out tracts, not only in our city but outside the more than 40 court buildings throughout Los Angeles County. This is a violation of our First Amendment rights. Lawyers from the Alliance Defense Fund are suing the judge for $25, and believe that we will be back there speaking within a month. For court case details, see www.FreeSpeechRights.com.
For the past month or so, Scotty (our sound man) has been giving out tracts outside the local DMV. When we couldn't preach at the courts, he thought that perhaps God was freeing us up to start speaking there. So, after the court order he felt compelled to preach outside the DMV for the first time. He carried a recorder in his pocket in case the authorities tried to stop him, then preached to the crowd (the recording is wonderful). He did that for four days without any complaints from the DMV.
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Scotty sharing the gospel with an individual |
Then he showed up in my office and asked if I would preach on a Wednesday. That was the busiest day, with people wrapped around the building. I told him that I felt it was his territory, and I didn't want to muscle in on him. I would simply carry on at the courts when we were allowed to go back. When I suggested that he take a team there each day, he smiled and said, "Ray, you are today's team." I couldn't get out of it. So I went and preached to 90 - 100 people who were standing in line. It seemed that everyone listened and some even thanked me. Afterward, a security guard relayed that the manager said we couldn't give out literature or preach.
So we went in and spoke to the manager. I explained that I was a pastor and that the local police had given us permission to speak. She replied that it was State property, under the jurisdiction of the California Highway Patrol, and that officers would be arriving any moment to speak to us. After waiting outside for 15 minutes, we concluded that she was bluffing. I wanted to find out what law we were supposedly violating, and the lawyers could fight that too.
When we arrived back at the ministry, there was a call from the ACLU. They said they believed that our First Amendment rights were being violated, and wanted more information about the court order. I told them that we already had representation, but if they could apply any pressure to the judge, we would be grateful.
The next day we went back to the DMV and Scotty preached. Just after he started, the CHP arrived and stopped him. On inquiry, they said that we needed a permit to give out literature, but they were okay with preaching . . . okay with the preaching?! We could hardly believe our ears. So we heartily thanked God for giving us favor.
A few days earlier, Kirk and I attended a fundraising dinner for the upcoming Way of the Master Radio program (beginning broadcasting January 1). After speaking to the crowd of 400, we left the dining room on our way to the airport. As we stepped into the lobby of the hotel, two uniformed officers approached us and one of them decisively said, "Ray Comfort? You are coming with us . . . " It turns out that the officers were just kidding. They were Christians who didn't know about the court case. It sure made my heart skip a beat, though. The response at the dinner was a great encouragement, and we are excited about what God is doing. For details on the radio program, see www.WayOfTheMasterRadio.com.
Fundraising Dinner in California
Get ready! The Way of the Master Radio is set to launch January 1, 2006. That's right, we are going to be on radio stations across the country, on the Internet and even on satellite radio. For two hours every day, we are going to focus on three things:
1. Reaching the lost
2. Equipping the saved to reach the lost
3. Discerning between true and false
The television show has provided a wonderful platform, but this radio program will allow the teaching to be heard all over the world every day. Imagine, this teaching will be available every day for the world to hear. How many Churches might be changed? How many souls might be won?
Would you be willing to help us with this exciting opportunity? We are having a banquet on Dec. 2 in Los Angeles to present all of the details, and invite you to help us share this training worldwide. Dinner is on us; the rest is up to you.
If you would like to join Ray, Kirk, and Todd Friel (who will be the daily host), then just follow this link and we will share all of the details with you on Dec. 2. We can't wait to see you there. Please let us know immediately if you are interested in attending.
Narnia Outreach Opportunity
The movie based on C. S. Lewis' The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe is coming out in December. The book is a clear and powerful allegory of the gospel message, so this huge Disney production provides a wonderful opportunity to reach out to the lost. Make sure you stock up on the C.S. Lewis Chronicles Collectible tract and that you send out our free email tract. Go to www.NarniaStory.com and listen to perhaps the clearest and most compelling gospel presentation Ray has ever given. This movie will be popular with both children and adults, so take advantage of the public's interest in it to share the gospel using any of these methods.
Saved Through a Tract
Sent in by Tony G.
The "Count the F's" IQ Test tract was given to me in early 2004 by a stranger when I was at work. I got home, went to the Way of the Master website, took the "Good Test" and got SOUNDLY SAVED! I don't remember what the guy looked like who gave me the tract and I know that I will never see him again, but I am sure about one thing -- God worked with the seed that the stranger planted. Thank you for making seeds that "dig down deep"!
November Special -- Free DVD with Enrollment
Join the more than 5,000 students worldwide in the School of Biblical Evangelism during November and get a free copy of "Open-Air Preaching 4-in-1." Watch Ray as he preaches in New York, Paris, Jerusalem, Southern California, etc.
Door Knockers Coming to Your House
It's not too late to order your tracts in time for Halloween. It's the only night of the year when the world comes knocking on your door. Handing out tracts with the candy will enable you to share the gospel with neighborhood children -- and let your light shine on this otherwise dark night.
New Canadian Million Dollar Bill
We now have an authentic-looking Canadian Million Dollar Bill tract. This has the same gospel message as the U.S. Million.
Left Behind III
The new Left Behind: World at War DVD has just been released. If you would like to know the background of how Kirk and Ray were able to influence the gospel message in Left Behind II, read Miracle in the Making. It's a fascinating story.
Ray and Kirk in Atlanta
Don't miss seeing Kirk and Ray in Georgia at the "No One Left Behind" conference on Saturday, November 12, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m., at the Monroe High School, 300 Double Springs Church Road, Monroe, GA 30656. To purchase tickets by phone or for information, call: (770) 466-6133, (770) 867-3577, or (706) 207-1025. This one-day conference will teach believers all they need to know to begin sharing their faith simply, effectively, biblically. Encourage pastors, church leaders, and others you know in the area to make it a priority to attend.
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Worldview Weekends
As you can see from the schedule below, both Ray and Kirk will be featured speakers at several Worldview Weekends coming up soon. At Worldview Weekend conferences, a variety of speakers will help you learn to think and live like a Christian in an increasingly anti-Christian culture, and to defend essential Christian beliefs. |
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Ray will be speaking at Bethany World Prayer Center on November 4, 5, and 6 in Baker, LA -- www.bethany.com |
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Ray and Kirk will be speaking at the No One Left Behind Conference on November 12 in Monroe, GA -- 770.466.6133 |
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Ray and Kirk will be speaking at the Worldview Weekend Conference on November 18 in Indianapolis, IN -- www.worldviewweekend.com |
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Ray and Kirk will be speaking at the Worldview Weekend Conference on November 19 in Rockford, IL -- www.worldviewweekend.com |
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Ray will be speaking at Grace Assembly of God on November 20 in New Whiteland, IN -- www.grace-assembly.org |
Check out our online schedule for more information.
We
would appreciate your prayers for these events.
If you know someone in these areas, please
encourage them to attend. |
