Sold Out!

When playing places like the Pasco Farmers Market in Washington State, we have to be very careful not to “preach”. Obviously in today’s culture most public venues are very cautious about this so we need to pray and be sensitive as well, especially if we want to be welcomed back. Our goal is to share the message of Jesus by using methods that are not commonly associated with “preaching”.

After an hour or so of music, I took a break and pulled out the bag of salvation bead bracelets that Kayla made for this year’s Great Circle Tour. (Read more by following the link below to our April 3, 2010 post). Bev, our trusty area coordinator and promoter, along with Pastor Dan, a former hippie from Southern California, joined me in sitting on the curb next to Howie’s music.

Our goal was to sort through the bracelets and divide them by lengths. Little did we know that this activity would become a platform to share the Gospel message with most everyone at the market that had children.

It started as one couple walked up and asked “What are you doing?” The door opened and we shared the meaning of the beads and gave them each one. One after another came up and before we knew it, we had shared the message over 50 times.

An elderly woman, Mary, was particularly touched by the music and the beads. With a big smile she began to point children our way to get their “free” bracelet and hear the message.

My concluding thought is this: many places, like the Historic Downtown Mall of Charlottesville, VA, have an ordinance that forbids approaching a person to hand something out. But, if they come to you, that gives you freedom to share what you wish. Having supplies on hand, gathering in a public place and making the bracelets is a great way to open doors.

Debbie

PS: We were invited back!

Read “>Kayla and the Salvation Band Project:

Traveling through what seemed to be “No Man’s Land” in Northern Arizona we wondered if God would open opportunities for us to witness for Him.

The Hopi reservation was rocky and harsh. This was quite the contrast to the people that live in the land. At the cultural center we met V***** a DJ from WYI Res Radio, who shared with us that Hopi means “Peaceful People”. We also began to realize that our “Wayfarin Strangers Amped” CD would be well liked here on the Reservation.

As the Great Circle USA 2010 takes us through Navajo Country the desert sun is hot and the nights are cold. This is perfect for sleeping in the van.

The roadway was dotted with venders selling their handwork. Howie wanted a leather and turquoise decoration to hang from his guitar neck and we hoped to find it Navajo made.
The Lord lead us to J*****a who was happily equipted for the challenge of designing a piece for Howie.

As she worked Howie suggested that he serenades the vendors. His suggestion was received with many smiles. As the Navajo woman put her finishing touch on the piece by tying her work to the guitar neck, he offered her and the nearby vendors copies his CDs: The Good News of Christmas, Colonial Meditations and Thank You.

R* said liked R&B, so Howie invited him to our van to listen to some of “Wayfarin Strangers Amped”. He loved it and we promised to send him a copy as soon as it is released.
The conversation segued nicely into Jesus as Howie shared his story, then R* shared his story. God has placed us in the right place at the right time to minister to a native man who has a great need. We were able to pray with R* and leave him with a Gospel of John. Soon he will have our new CD as well as a letter from us.

Dear Partner in “Taking Jesus to the Streets”

I just got back from a meeting with a political candidate. I asked the first question of this Christian woman running for Representative, which was: “How is your prayer support?” You see, I believe our leaders need more of the Spirit of the Lord and less advice on how we think we can fix things. We, as a nation, need God’s direction because we are way off course. “If my people, which are called by my name … then I will hear from heaven and heal their land” says the Lord of Hosts.

In the early days of our founding, the fathers pledged their lives, fortunes and sacred honor for the cause of “liberty and justice for all.” Now is the time for us to do the same. However, rather than forging a new earthly nation, we must prepare folks for the Kingdom of Heaven wherein dwells righteousness instead of greed, pride and iniquity. To see this come to pass, we must ensure as many people hear the Good News as possible. That’s why we’re on the streets for Jesus!

“He that will save his life will lose it. He that will lose his life for my sake, and the Kingdom, shall gain it unto everlasting life”, says the Lord, Jesus Christ.

As Debbie and I prepare to begin this, another year of “Taking Jesus to the streets” and to the highways and byways of America, I am trusting the Lord and counting on your help. You can be a part of our ministry this year through your financial support of course, but also by:

· Bringing and inviting us into your community just like the believers did last year in Orange Mound and dozens of other locations around the USA…

• Praying with us that God will open up miraculous and sometimes spontaneous events like the Rosebud empty lot concert….

• Joining us at events in your community through prayer, evangelism, follow up, relationship building, music, promotion and special offerings….

• Volunteering to help in the mailings, contacting others about our ministry and spreading the word to local pastors and church groups, and

• Commit to “Monthly for Missions” faith partnership with our mission in 2010.

Unless Jesus comes in the clouds of glory for us this year, we will follow the Holy Spirit around the country again. May the God of all be gracious to allow us to see fruit for our labors, as someone has prayed, “Fruit to the glory of Jesus Christ”.

Love you guys,

Howie

P.S. Please send your offering for our missionary support to Howie and Debbie Campbell, PO Box 8334, Charlottesville, VA 22906. Make checks payable CIS, INC. As we prepare for the year ahead, Debbie and I are counting on your faithful support. MAY GOD BLESS YOU IN 2010 just as you are faithfully supporting Christ’s work in us.