The Eleventh Year
As many of you know, we have now completed ten years of preaching the Gospel on the streets, and we are beginning our eleventh year.
Ten years of standing and proclaiming the name of Jesus.
⁃ Sharing the Good News with people from every background.
⁃ Praying, speaking, listening, encouraging, and trusting God to touch lives.
We thank God for His faithfulness throughout those years.
The 11th Hour
But as we begin our eleventh year, the number eleven can also remind us of something Jesus spoke about: the eleventh hour.
In Matthew 20,
Jesus tells the parable of the workers in the vineyard. Some were called early in the day, while others were called at the eleventh hour.
The message reminds us that, as long as there is still time, there is still an opportunity for people to come into the Kingdom of God.
We are living in a world where many people are searching, hurting, confused, and without hope. That is why we cannot stop sharing the Gospel.
There are still people who need to hear. There are still people who need hope.
There are still people who need to know that Jesus Christ loves them and gave Himself for them.
The Everlasting Gospel
And even at the end, the Book of Revelation reminds us of the importance of the everlasting Gospel:
“Then I saw another angel flying in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach to those who dwell on the earth, to every nation, tribe, tongue, and people, saying with a loud voice, ‘Fear God and give glory to Him, for the hour of His judgment has come; and worship Him who made heaven and earth, the sea and springs of water.’” Rev 14:6–7 ]
The Gospel never changes. It is still the power of God unto salvation. It still changes lives. It still brings hope. It still brings people from darkness into light.
So, as we enter our eleventh year on the streets, let us not grow weary.
1. Let us continue to pray.
2. Let us continue to stand together.
3. Let us continue to proclaim Jesus.
Please Pray
And please, before each outreach, if you are able, spend some time praying in your own words for the work on the streets and for everyone who attends.
Pray that God will keep us and protect us.
Pray that He will give us strength, wisdom, boldness, and endurance to continue.
We may not know every life that has been touched over these ten years. We may not always see the fruit immediately.
There is still work to do.
There are still people to reach.
There is still Good News to proclaim.
And as long as God gives us breath, let us continue to have mercy for others as we share the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.”
— 2 Peter 3:9
Bless the Lord, and let us all go out in the power and the love of the Holy Spirit, who makes all these things possible.
See you there, outside St. Mary’s, from 12–3 p.m., for a new season of hope.
Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” Acts 2:38 ]