I have been a born again christian for the past 21 years. I have always felt a need to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ to the community I live in. I am a deacon, a sunday school teacher and lead the outreach effort at a small baptist church. At 73 I am happily married to my first wife.
I was called by Jesus to be saved at 52 years old. A Pastor came by our door and dropped of a tract and an invitation to the Easter service. I decided to go. My wife and I went not knowing what to expect. However, in my mind I knew whatever it was, it had to be better than the life I was leading. Pastor Jones came by on Wednesday and explained the Gospel to us. We prayed, and our lives began to change.
I attended a small fundamental independent church in town. It was like a greenhouse. They nurtured me through all of my doctrinal mistakes and allowed me to grow. I then attended Evangelism Explosion in a near by town to learn how to evangelize. And, furthered that training by going to EE clinic to become a teacher of EE.
EE developed me more that any other program I have been affiliated with. It became easy to train others and to evangelize myself. But, like all programs I soon ran out of people and the enthusiasm needed to muster teams of 3. So, I looked around for ways I could street evangelize.
Seven years ago I started attending this small baptist church in town. The first church closed it's doors and was sold. Again EE took off. And about 3 years later I couldn't interest any new people or any of the ones that were trained to hit the streets.
So, I like to say I had a dream. Dream, vision, idea whatever it was I felt God was naming and leading me to still spread the gospel. He named it Tail Gate Ministries. And why not I have a pick up. I bought a banner (nice $20.00) some PVC pipe and made a frame. I put the frame in my pick up attached the banner and away I went. Also, got a lot of bibles and tracts and hit the street.
To me it was a dream come true. I am mobile, easy to set up and go when I want. I usually only stay for an hour And I can do it myself (And God). Total material costs $45.00. This was about a month ago. I have not had anyone pray yet. But, I have answered a lot of questions and many have heard the Gospel. I will keep you posted on this new adventure.
I also would be willing to buy a banner and some pipe for anyone who is willing to do street evangelism. I can not only set up in the street , but on shopping center parking lots, public events, etc. We all had to be told the gospel story - so lets get going and tell others.
Larry
