Some may not agree with their methodology, some may not agree with their theology, and some may plain just not agree with me but one thing is for sure, Open Air Outreach is penetrating College campuses all over the United States!
You hear all kinds of things about these guys… “They are too shocking.” “Their method isn’t Biblical.” Well, last week they were hitting the campuses in Sonoma County and I was blessed to be able to meet up with them for myself.
It is one thing to rely on what others say but to actually spend some time getting to know these brothers (Yes, I said it – Brothers) all of my presuppositions were dramatically changed. We had a great time in the Lord! My only prayer is that next time it will be longer. I really think I could have made a few backslidden Arminians… In all actuality we had a wonderful (however brief) discussion about theology at my home as we were getting to know one another. They are truly men of God and are welcome in my home anytime.
If you don’t know Miles, Eli, and Evan, or you are unfamiliar with Open Air Outreach. I would encourage you to visit these few links below. Don’t worry; you’ll still be a Calvinist when you get back!
Meet Miles Lewis:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O7X9oHakvmg
Meet Evan Schaibel:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cCKCYV9WX3w
Meet Eli Brayley: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IQOOczbDuGU
On Tuesday morning I headed out to the Sonoma State campus to meet up with them at a meeting already in progress. As I approached I could see a slender young man raising his voice and proclaiming the love of God – “Christ died for sinners…!”
Evan was preaching with conviction. His method was compelling and he engaged the crowd with the skill of a seasoned preacher. “Do you sin?” One heckler asked… Evan replied, “Define sin…” Then he responded, “The answer would be, not habitually”. “I slip up, but I don’t habitually sin like someone who is outside of Christ…” “Christ’s blood has the power not only to wash away your sins but also to free you from sin!”
Someone shouted out, “are you calling me a sinner?” And another girl yelled, “I love sin, I love sex, I love taking drugs and I love my vagina!” The crowd cheered with excitement. It is amazing to see how debased someone can get when confronted with their sin. The Word of God is true: “They love the darkness and hate the light.”
Right around this time the police showed up and I still had the camera rolling. We were asked to stop the meeting and to head over to the proper offices to get a permit to be on campus. What, a permit for free speech?! The officers then proceeded to usher away the crowd and the meeting soon came to a screeching halt. After a few minutes trying to clarify we were not even allowed to remain after to just engage in one-2-one conversations without the threat of being permanently banned from the campus.
Miles graciously offered to obtain a permit for me for the following week. Then it was time to go and we made arrangements to meet at Santa Rosa Junior College the next morning
When we arrived at the JC, Eli set up and began to preach the Word of God boldly with no gimmicks – no money, no trivia questions, just the plain Gospel truth. He wrote on a dry erase board – “Who is wrong?” Atheists, Muslims, Christians, Homosexuals, Relativists, Hindus, Theives, Liars, Fornicators… This drew an instant crowd and he began to reason with them. “Is rape wrong - Why?”
Eli is mild and soft spoken but in the open air he lifts his voice with the best of them. One by one he covered many objections and showed the absurdity of moral relativism. Someone actually had the audacity to claim that rape could be ok! This person claimed that morals are culturally derived.
Eli began to appeal to the Law of God written on the hearts of men. “If you are an Atheist how can you account for your morals?Unfortunately there was construction going on in the area and it was hard to hear over the banging sound of the jackhammer. Eli stood fast and continued to proclaim the Glory of God. Eventually SRJC’s professor of Hebrew and Biblical History joined in the discourse. He professed to be a “born again” Christian at one time in his life but as he began to grow in his knowledge of the text of Scripture he saw it was not truth and made a decision to reject it.
As the crowd grew, again the police showed up. This time we found favor! The officer said, “I received a call about a loud demonstration and then I pulled up and couldn’t even hear you over the construction!” He went on to say, “this is what America is all about – Free Speech!” He even directed us to go over to the other side of the campus and use the “Hyde Park” free speech area.
The crowd began to die down and we packed up and headed for Hyde Park. We set up again in the middle of the campus and before we could get started we were met with opposition. The Director of Student Affairs headed us off and informed us that we were in the wrong location and that the “Free Speech Hour” was between 12:00 and 1:00. Again, the officer showed up but this time it wasn’t for a complaint but rather that a group was overheard in a campus bathroom plotting to do us harm. He requested that we be agreeable and get sponsorship from a campus club.
Now I have been working on getting into communication with a club for some time and have always been unsuccessful but today one of the people in the crowd knew the leader of the “Life of Campus” club and he introduced us. We were invited to join them later that evening at one of their meetings and discuss the possibility of sponsorship!
So again we packed up and headed across the street to do an interview. The OAO guys offered some great advice to any of us trying to access our local Colleges and Universities. The best advice I received that day was: Just walk on to the campus and preach. You will eventually know what the policy for free speech is. I couldn’t believe it was that simple, but it was!
Interview With Open Air Outreach - Team 2
As we filmed the interview, guess who came back for more? The Professor! This is when it happened… All Heaven Broke Loose! As he and Evan began to go back and fourth about the reliability of the Bible, the crowd began to grow and grow and grow. It wasn’t an open air but there were one-2-ones going on all over the place.
SRJC Professor Video Clip - Pt. 1
SRJC Professor Video Clip - Pt. 2
It was now time for me to shut off the camera and proclaim the Gospel. I engaged a young lady – “So what do you think about all of this?” “What do you believe happens after we die?” She replied, “well it depends on what you believe…” So you are telling me that if I believe Oprah is god and if I live and do good works for her, I’ll spend eternity in San Francisco with Arnold Schwartzenager?” “Well maybe…” she replied. “Would I be wrong?” “No, that’s what you believe. I inquired about her shoelaces… “I think they are banana peels, am I right?” She couldn’t answer… I asked her to try that at Starbucks the next time she orders that Mocha – Machadio – Frapichinno – Latte! “Tell them you believe the price is $.25 and throw a quarter on the counter.” “If it doesn’t work in the real world why do you think it works in the eternal world?”
“Do you believe in absolute truth?” Again she didn’t answer…
One-2-One with unbelieving Hebrew Student
I shared that the truth of Scripture is that Christ died for sinners, rose from the grave and is now seated at the right hand of the father! Another guy was intently listening and he asked, “Why do you keep asking her is she believes in absolute truth. I explained that it is impossible to have a rational conversation with an irrational person. It was a great opportunity to show just how foolish the Relativist actually sounds. This went on for about an hour and we concluded our conversation. I am hopeful that she and he will email and continue the discussions.
One-2-One with unbelieving Hebrew Student
I thank God for Team 2 of Open Air Outreach! Due to God using them in my area I now have the blessing of starting a regular campus outreach. We were able by God’s grace to make several contacts and I look forward to an ongoing relationship with the Life of Campus leadership.
I also thank God for introducing me to Miles Lewis. Like the Queen of Sheba when meeting Soloman - “I’ve heard the reports but the half has never been told.” Miles is a soldier for the Gospel of Jesus Christ! Miles is well versed and speeks with passion and grace when witnessing. Again, It would be an honor to have any of these men in my home.
As I ponder the last few days, the evolution of my preaching style and my approach to the Gospel. I realized something very profound: In trying not to use money, stuffed animals, trivia questions, etc. to draw a crowd but rather relying on the truth of Scripture and the Holy Spirit to draw a crowd, it has become evident that the Gospel when preached plainly will provoke men and many will be opposed to it.
Who knows maybe by the grace of God - I’m going “Shock and Awe!”
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