Keni

Ole was in the park panhandling. I paid him to pose for me. He told a sad story. I told a good one… about Jesus.

Manchester Blvd. & Vermont Ave. in Southcentral Los Angeles

When you seek the lost on street corners near bus stops, never interfere with people waiting for the bus, or getting off the bus. They are often in a hurry, and your attempts to share Christ with them may do more harm than good.

If, however, you are involved in an activity that draws them to you, then feel free to talk to them or hand them a tract. I have found that standing aside while quietly painting the scene across from the bus stop will bring plenty of visitors.

A caution: don’t do something wacky to get people’s attention; like holding a sign telling them that they are bound for hell. The scriptures state that the goodness of God leads to repentance. Give them something positive to take with them on their bus ride.

When I was surfing the net yesterday, I googled something like ’street preachers’. There are some Christ-like people taking the gospel to the streets. Then there are the others; such as the man who hollers at people at college campuses, reminding them of their sin more than encouraging them to look toward a forgiving Savior. I saw one group carrying signs that read, ‘God Hates You, Sodomites, Abortionists and Drunkards.’ Is that so? I thought God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son. Certainly God hates those acts, yet loves the actors. Continue Reading →

I had to share this with you (used by permission). It is by Digitracts. I could’t find their web site, but if you do, tell ‘em ‘Thanks’.

Note: This ‘flash’ content is not viewable on iPhones.

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The method you use to reach out to others for Christ is not nearly as important as the mission. The streets are not scripted, so when you sense the need to pull away from the thing you are doing that has drawn people to you (to Jesus), do it. Drop the paint brush, sewing needle, golf clubs, etc., and focus on the ones nearest you. Don’t let them walk away without knowing that they have had an encounter with the living God.

Complete the method on another day, but finish the mission today.

If you were traveling through skid row and had some coupons for free pizza, would you be ashamed to leave some where homeless people might find them?

Planet earth in its present condition is skid row compared to heaven and everyone without Jesus is homeless.

Well then, don’t be ashamed to leave some gospel tracts where people can find free life.

Have you ever tried to talk to someone about Jesus and it seemed that the more you talked, the more the person you’re talking to got you off topic?

I was on Central Ave. in South Central Los Angeles when a man approached me from the little shop I was painting. I’ve had curious shop owners come check me out, so I was not surprised. But this was a big, muscular, stern-looking man coming my way. Continue Reading →

When you’re out on the streets seeking the lost, be prepared to meet some unusual characters. Now that I think of it, those characters might think the same thing of you if you’re standing behind an easel talking to curious onlookers about Jesus. Continue Reading →

All sAints in Pasaden.

If you want better results when telling people about Jesus, try using current events, popular regional locations, and other examples that the person your are talking to can relate to. When Jesus spoke to people during the time He ministered here on earth, He often used examples of farming or fishing or the temple; things people were familiar with.

When I was painting this scene, a man who seemed to be in a big hurry asked me where a certain address was. I wasn’t exactly sure, but I told him that I thought it was one direction. He decided to go the other direction. However, before he jetted away, I handed him a ‘Talent Search‘. I watched as he scurried down the street flipping through the TS.

A few minutes after he diapered around the corner, he came rushing back toward the direction I had suggested. As he passed me, he waved the TS in the air. Smiling, he said, “Thanks, I’m an actor!”

Why was that meaningful? First, here in Southern California is Tinseltown… Hollywood. Secondly, the theme of Talent Search is all about Hollywood, but told from the perspective of the scriptures.

So if you live in Detroit, talk about the Bible from the vantage point of automobiles; in Seattle, coffee; in Florida, gators   Whatever your environment, God can use it to reach people around you.

For purchase info. of artwork, use the ‘Contact’ link.

“What is your talent? Do you believe it came from God? What is your purpose in life?”

Those are some of the questions I asked onlookers who stopped to watch me paint here at California African American Museum.

No, I wasn’t there to interrogate people.  First we chat, usually about my art, but I quickly turn the focus to their passion or hobby. Continue Reading →