An Open Letter to LivingWaters.com
–As I watched “The Way of the Master, Season 4: Mission Europe, London” episode you recently finished, I couldn’t help but tear up several times, but I wasn’t crying from Joy.
Watching Stuart Scott, Kirk Cameron and Emeal Zwayne tell the story of how they had found “Alvie” in his right mind holding a Bible and testifying of God’s goodness 5 years after Kirk was confronted by him on the Santa Monica pier (a place I didn’t live very far from in my youth), I couldn’t help but think of the prodigal son. I was very glad to see he had come to his senses. WELL DONE KIRK!
That story was also encouraging because it reminds me that when I preach to a crowd, I don’t really know who is listening – who will actually hear – who the Spirit will touch. But as I watched the video I got more and more upset.
I was glad to see Todd Friel had joined the team, the host of http://WretchedRadio.com, a Radio Television Christian ministry that my wife and I at http://OnlyJesusSaves.com Ministries support as we can. Todd is a tireless worker and an effective minister of the Gospel.
As Kirk introduced the London episode, even though I was very encouraged seeing what he has been doing with the financial blessings God has given him, I still couldn’t help feeling deep dismay and such intense remorse(?), anger (?), that I cried.
“Wow, why that reaction?”, you might ask. I can bet you didn’t anticipate that kind of response to your DVD, designed to encourage and motive Christians to share their faith, from a Christian Ministry! Actually, I know Ray Comfort understands what I am saying VERY well. But I can bet the rest of you think I am angry at you? Right?
Well, no. NO WAY. Just the opposite is true.
Do you think I’m going to tell you to stop?
No, I’m not. I am normally SO grateful for what you do. I would that there were hundreds like you, but there isn’t is there?
Do you think I’m going to say what you’re doing is harsh and judgmental?
No! Jesus commanded us to judge with righteous, non-condemning judgment. And the way you preach the Gospel is just the way Jesus did. You are gentle yet firm, and just because you’re being loud doesn’t mean you’re being mean; Without preaching loudly a crowd cannot hear you. I preach that way and I learned it watching Ray Comfort.
So why would I say I am dismayed?
I didn’t. I said I have “deep dismay and intense remorse”.
I will explain with a question:
How encouraged SHOULD I be seeing preaching on the street with such a crowd of dedicated Believers when I can’t seem to find ONE? I’ve been preaching alone for years.
Aren’t there millions of people who enter Hell not hearing the Gospel, all for a lack of preachers?
I have seen people come and go in the ministry, but no one has stayed. It seems the people that show any interest have agendas that conflict with seeing souls saved and just wander off -or they go to preaching error, pride and arrogance. The most common failing of the preachers I have seen is spending themselves on healing the symptoms of sin all while neglecting even the sharing the CURE.
By their works they demonstrate who they really are.
The lack of desire to see souls saved in the USA is so dismaying, so painful to observe that many times I have considered leaving this blasphemous GODLESS nation to it’s apostate church. But then I remember the words of Jesus, “Father forgive them, they know not what they do.”
No, no, I’m not going to be twisting Scripture here. But the sentiment is clear: The compassion of Jesus compels one to preach on.
Thousands of Professing American Christians seem to not care as millions walk out of this life and straight into Hell.
The Bible says, “My people perish for their lack of knowledge.” And that is what seems to be happening here in the U.S.A. Millions are perishing not hearing the Gospel while the professed millions of Christians waste themselves on trying to cure people of the symptoms of sin.
Administer the Cure and every symptom is healed.
So many men and women have come and gone, seemingly ready to preach the Gospel to the Lost, but the cares of this world draw them away. “I have bills to pay”, or “I have my family to take care of”, or “I’m not called to that ministry” seem to be the most common of the excuses I hear from these men and women. But these, who seem so earnest in sharing their Christian faith, are not wise. Their lack of desire to win souls becomes clear as they fall silent.
Then there are the weird ones. There are a handful of men that I was so sure would be great men of the Gospel. But over time they gradually wandered off into error and pride. I am so frustrated.
How effective can one man be with so few resources, so few helpers, so uncaring a group of people, against so large, so daunting a task?
I have been reduced to one to one, here a little, there a little preaching. I don’t have rich supporters, I don’t have the public attention to draw workers; and those working with me have quickly lost interest.
Maybe these that have left think preaching should be glamorous? Maybe these who have left wanted to be noticed? I don’t know. But one thing I am sure of: The laborers are few.
So, as I watch the video, yet again, and weep over the lack of love in the professing Church, I once again feel like the prophet who thought he alone was left, that he was the last one.
And yet, even in my anger and despair, I know God is good. I know Jesus has His workers out there. And they probably feel like me.
He will yet lift up these drooping arms and bring encouragement to His weary laborers.
So, for those of you reading this, http://WayoftheMaster.com is the resource to get started being a lonely preacher like me. But keep preaching anyway… There are so, so many perishing,
Patrick J. Burwell, Founder, President, OnlyJesusSaves.com Ministries
