New York City Trip
The Gospel proclaimed in New York City
Jeremy Dillard
Issue date: 4/5/04 Section: Missions Update
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From that very first morning the Lord evidenced His presence with the group. Through His grace the entire group survived the tight security of Tampa International Airport and safely arrived in New York City. All of the luggage also arrived safely with the exception of one missing wallet! Never to fear! Mr. Trainer is here! And, he's loaded!
From the moment the luxurious Song airplane touched down at LaGuardia, the group began to take in the many sights of New York City. On the first day alone the group viewed Grand Central Station, The Plaza hotel, Central Park, Belvedere Castle, the Statue of Liberty, and the awesome Manhattan skyline. Also on that day the group made its first of many visits to brilliantly lit Times Square.
The sightseeing continued throughout the week but, sightseeing was not the group's main objective for the week. They had come to New York to spread the gospel of Christ and spread it they did. The group passed out between 18 and 19 thousand tracts over the course of the week. And, when the opportunity arose, members of the goup engaged the people of New York City in conversation, seeking to lead them to a saving knowledge of Christ. Many in the group shared the gospel with others for their very first time. Johnathan Norris says, "It was awesome to be able to share the gospel with people who had never heard it before, whether they accepted it or not."
The group emplyed different methods to engage people in conversations at many different locations throughout the city. The normal procedure consisted of a singing group performance followed by a Dr. Bill Jones sermon, all made possible by Dr. Jones' portable PA system. (Dr. Jones is a minister seeking to plant a church in the East Village of Manhattan.) A few members of the group waited for people to stop and listen to the singing and preaching. The others dispersed throughout the surrounding streets and parks seeking for opportunities to speak with people.
Some of the group used a survey concerning Mel Gibson's "The Passion of the Christ" to begin conversations. Others began by simply being friendly. Chris Staton gives his strategy. "I usually used a one-liner to start conversations with people. I simply asked them, 'Do you live in New York?', or 'Are you from around here?' in order to get them to talk."
The responses of the people varied. Many rejected the gospel, but others received it with tender hearts. In some situations, the people simply took tracts. Nine people prayed to receive Christ that week, but only eternity will tell the group's total impact for Christ in the city.
The New York Trip not only had an impact on the people of New York, but also on the members of the group. Before the week began, each day had been planned out so that a maximum amount of time could be spent sharing the gospel while still allowing for time to see some of the sights. What the group did not plan for was snow! Snow fell fiercely for three days out of the week. Yet, despite the bad weather, the group continued on in its task. For some of the native Floridians on the trip, the storm afforded the special blessing of seeing snow for the first time!
Rachel Brownlee, one of those native Floridians, exclaims, "The first thing I did was call my best friend and yell into the phone, 'GUESS WHAT IT'S SNOWING!'"
The group also enjoyed the unique experience of sitting under the tutelage of four different New York City ministers: Dr. Bill Jones, , Matt Rekker, and Craig Hartman. Every morning one of the ministers spoke to the group before they began the work of the day. Pete St. John expresses his thoughts about the speakers. "The speakers we had in New York City were excellent. They gave us several strategies and principles to think about as we approached people. I felt that what we learned alot in those teaching sessions and they helped me as I talked to people. The speakers gave us many common responses from people and then would tell us how to counter them, which I was able to do several times! It was extremely profitable to listen to what they had for us." Each minister presented to the group different unique techniques for reaching the lost people of New York City and the world.
At the end of the week, the tired weary group bid goodbye to the steel structures and bright lights of New York City. All felt relief and joy over leaving behind air mattresses and 3-minute showers to return to the comforts of the dorm.
The group will not soon forget the New York City experience, not because of the amazing architecture or massive man-made structures and scintillating sights, but because of the realization that the people of the world, including those in New York City, are lost, and that they are in desperate need of someone to come and share with them the gospel of Christ.