Gospel Activity

This declaration of the gospel took place at the Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. This was the location of the Luis Palau Festival. Approximately 40,000 people attended this event according to the newspaper account. This report covers the first day of the Festival.

PHASE 1

Despite the cold and drizzly weather, the people kept coming and coming. I was on a sidewalk at the southeast corner of Tampa Bay Blvd. and Himes Avenue. It was the busiest sidewalk there since people were parking at the Old Tampa Bay Center Lot and walking South on this sidewalk. Others were also passing at the corner across from where I was standing. I would say that maybe 25,000 passed by me during the time from 11:30am to about 3pm, all having an opportunity to clearly see the big gospel sign and receive bible tracts if desired. About 60 tracts were accepted when offered.

PHASE 2

As the foot traffic declined, I started walking north going toward the middle of the stadium where people were taking a shortcut through the stadium. There were huge crowds of people along the sidewalk with more approaching constantly. At this point, I pulled out the bullhorn declaring the gospel to those who would listen. I focused on verses such as Revelation 18:2, 4, and Isaiah 42:25 along with Matthew 26:31, Proverbs 22:13, and some passages in Amos concerning the Day of the Lord. This declaration of the gospel lasted about 10 minutes without interruption or hindrance. Conversations occurred with two small groups of people. Sadly, these discussions were quite negative.

God allowed me to declare the gospel this way again about 3:30pm when I went back to take a break. At that time a number of people and cars were leaving, probably discouraged by the inclement weather. However, this was another opportunity to declare a gospel message via bullhorn to many in cars and buses as they left the parking area. Some people even rolled down their windows to talk and even pull aside.

PHASE 3

Later in the day I went inside the event with gospel tracts and an umbrella wearing my shirt and hat with gospel messages printed on them concerning God's judgment on the Corporate Church. Many people looked at the printed messages. Four conversations took place in this area with individuals and small groups.

Overall Comments

Throughout the entire time at this event, 9 conversations took place concerning the gospel being declared, 3 of the conversations being positive.

For the first time, I put a large gospel sign on the tailgate of my truck with a holder full of gospel tracts anyone could take if desired while I was away. One lady did not even wait until I had left, but took a tract immediately. How about that!

Well, I do thank God for again allowing His gospel to be declared openly. May His perfect will be done.