Mallory Square Ministry

As we walked down to Mallory Square to take part in the Sunset Festival ministry, we noticed hurricane shutters being put up and businesses closing. The streets were fairly unpopulated- a strange occurrence here in Key West. The weather was beautiful with no signs of a hurricane or tropical storm, even though the weather channel shows Ernesto steadily approaching. We walked out on to the pier wondering if Pastor Bill would even be there because the hurricane had influenced tourists to leave and the locals to stay inside. Sure enough, we easily spotted the faithful pastor and his crew for the night. They were seated on his platform reading scripture together in preparation for whatever God planned to do! We joined their circle and finished 2nd and 3rd John with the group. The Pastor shared with us that he had not ever seen the pier so empty- in twenty years! (There were probably 30 people, including vendors, when there are usually hundreds.) However, this would not stop him from sharing his presentation, for their were still eyes to see and ears to hear what he had to share. We helped him set up his easel and prayed together, then he began to preach. By the time he started there were already 5 other people (besides Kyle, Debbie and I) listening intently to his presentation. He has a very clever way of drawing attention to his easel- filling in boxes to reveal key words in his presentation. He compared “two ships” and how the charts for direction in our lives can be equated with the Bible, taking us safely and assuredly to the harbor: Heaven. One of my favorite part of his presentation included the discussion and explanation of Jesus. Before he filled in the boxes to reveal the word, he said to the crowd, “I am about to write a word up here that is probably one of the most controversial words you have ever heard.” He writes. “Jesus- how do I know that this is so controversial? Well, try this out. Go and ask 20 people on the streets who the Lord Jesus Christ is and see what happens, then you come back and tell me how controversial that name is!” He went on the describe how many of us probably didn’t have a right perception of who Jesus really was. He described the difference between Jesus and Mohammed, Buddha and others. The Pastor continued, “None of these people lived a perfect life. Jesus did. None of the others predicted who would kill him, how and when he would die. Jesus did. And not only that, he claimed that he would rise from the dead in three days- and guess what folks, He did! The Bible, a reliable historical document, reports that Jesus appeared on at least ten different occasions to groups of people- at one time over 500 people! If you have two people testifying to someone’s appearance or existence in court today you have a pretty good case. With 500 witnesses, who can deny His resurrection!” He went on the describe how you can ensure eternal life by trusting in our Savior and repenting for your sins. At the end of his presentation he invited people to come up and take a tract explaining the message again and in full. Three different people came up and took the gift. We know that lives were touched and the message fell upon ears that were listening intently! Praise the Lord! Please pray for the five or six people that were listening to the presentation last night, that they would in full, come to know that Lord and the words that they heard last night would resonate in their minds and hearts.

We again were so blessed with this presentation and the clear, creative way that Pastor Bill communicates. It is obvious that he is there not to condemn, not to scream, yell at or push anything on anyone. He is simply there to lovingly share with those willing to listen. Lets keep him in our prayers- knowing that Keys Evangelistic Ministry is out at Mallory Square every Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday nights at sunset (7pm). Let this encourage us to boldly share and reach out to our community! We have a simple message and simple directions: to share. In Pastor Bill’s newsletter he discusses the mission of the Mallory Square Ministry: “To ensure that everyone- visitors, frequent vacationers, and local Key’s residents have all has the opportunity to hear and receive the message of Jesus Christ.” What sticks out to me is “to ensure!!!!” What are we doing to ensure that those around us have had the opportunity to hear the message? We should be sharing at every opportunity! How incredible would it be to have the same goal for Winston-Salem, North Carolina. “To ensure that everyone- visitors, vacationers, and local Winston-Salem residents have ALL has the opportunity to hear and receive the message of Jesus Christ.” We would truly feel like we were doing all that we could do if we were sharing with every opportunity, on street corners, in Hanes Mall, out in open places. How comforting would it be to give a presentation downtown Winston-Salem and be sure that each one of the listeners had heard the uncomplicated message of Jesus Christ? What if this happened four nights a week! I can’t even imagine.

I believe that God had a purpose for us encountering Pastor Bill and his ministry- not only so that we could be encouraged, but so that we could maybe post this entry to encourage you back home!

We have a simple direction...are you challenged?... let’s do something about it!!!

Keep us in your prayers we are minutes away from going through the tropical storm Ernesto, and Captain David is with the boat.