Evangelism at the United vs Polokwane Match, 2016/17

6  Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. ~ John 14:6

This praise report is solely for GOD’s glory alone and that no attention be directed our-way! “He must increase, but I must decrease” (John 3:30). On Tuesday 27th September 2016, Jono and Gary attended at the PSL football match between Maritzburg United and Polokwane City that took place at the Harry Gwala Stadium. We arrived just on 17H30.

This match did not attract such a large crowd as last week’s match. We prayed, waited and had discussions in the parked vehicle until just after 18H00 before setting up. When we did set up we had some discussions with a Christian Maritzburg United Supervisor who mentioned that he had seen us here before from last season.

What appeared to be a slow start, really warmed up when our Lord had a young man named Mlamuli draw up next to Gary who started a conversation with him. Mlamuli in response said that he is “born-again”, but one must never always take it that this is the case when a person says so! Upon closer investigation, Mlamuli then became unsure. After being asked the question whether he  was “Good enough to go to heaven” and Mlamuli had answered in the affirmative saying “Yes”, Gary examined Mlamuli by taking him through some of the Ten Commandments which revealed that he missed the mark considerably. It was established that Mlamuli was attending the Anglican Cathedral in the Pietermaritzburg CBD. Gary told him that the Anglican “church” is very similar to the Roman Catholic “church” which makes her the harlot’s daughter! Mlamuli was very open to GOD’s Law and the Gospel of Grace as he asked many interesting questions about him selling cigarettes to spectators, drinking alcohol and especially wine, and ancestral worship to mention a few! It was again the usual situation with African traditions and culture that Mlamuli, an Anglican, was also involved in the ancestral abominations before GOD. In this regard, Gary opened the Scriptures showing that GOD forbids necromancy – the consulting with the dead and familiar spirits (see Deuteronomy 18:11). For Scripture also says that there is only one mediator Jesus Christ and none else – and certainly not the ancestors – as we read,

5  For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; ~ 1 Timothy 2:5

Mlamuli was challenged to repent and believe upon the Lord Jesus Christ alone and to be truly born-again. Please pray for Mlamuli!

At 19H40 when this photo to the <<< left was taken, the match had already kicked off when the crowds were really starting to make their way into the stadium. Upon arriving at the stadium, Gary had mistakenly seen someone that resembled our dear brother in Christ Shadrack Bhengu. Well, it could only be by  GOD’s providential leading that whilst Gary was atop the box preaching, Shadrack Bhengu drew near and started asking questions as to how he could be sure what Gary was saying was true. He was playing the part of an “unsaved person” and it was a truly blessed time of dialoguing for the late arrivals making their way to the stadium, even though the match was well underway. Once Gary and Shadrack had completed the question session of preaching in English, Gary asked Shadrack to  get up and preach  Christ in isiZulu. All glory to GOD, with his trumpeting voice he preached to the stragglers in mostly their mother tongue.

Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ is glorified by GOD’s leading us, and we have found no two evangelism sessions at the stadium are the same, for which we rejoice in Christ. We pray that the many souls that have received Gospel literature and the preached Word of GOD would bow their knees to worship YEHOVAH this side of eternity before it is too late, for it is written,

9  Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: 
10  That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; 
11  And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. ~ Philippians 2:9-11

  

We finished up at 20H00 whilst a light rain fell . . .

Kindly keep us in prayer for our next PSL football outreach, Lord willing, at the Harry Gwala Stadium’s South Gate, being in four weeks time on Friday evening 28th October, 2016 from 17:30 – 20:00

                                                                    

Maritzburg United vs. Lamontville Golden Arrows

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Footnotes:

* For the record Maritzburg United lost 0-1 to Polokwane City. United’s record to date reads: W(a) D(h) L(a) L(h) L(h).

> Maritzburg United 2016/17 Home Fixtures @ Harry Gwala – posted August 24, 2016

> My friends are dying . . . – posted September 16, 2016

Evangelism at the United vs SuperSport Match, 2016/17

3  I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. ~ Luke 13:3

This praise report is solely for GOD’s glory alone and that no attention be directed our-way! “He must increase, but I must decrease” (John 3:30). On Wednesday 21st September 2016, Jono and Gary attended at the PSL football match between Maritzburg United and SuperSport United that took place at the Harry Gwala Stadium. We arrived just about 17H30.

Whilst we set up for the evening’s evangelism outreach, we were approached by the ground’s director who was in-charge of the security personnel at the entrance gates. He greeted and addressed writer as “Reverent” to which Gary responded that he is not a “Reverent”. Too many men take on titles as “Reverent”, “Right-Reverent”, Chief-Reverent”, “Holy-Reverent”, etc., etc. Whilst scripture does say that “reverence” as in respect can be shown, Gary takes no pleasure in being seen that he should be given a title or reverenced drawing attention to himself, when clearly “[Jesus] must increase, but I must decrease” (John 3:30). Jono went about the business of handing out Gospel literature from the outset. We also spoke to a male security guard that asked whether we have an isiZulu Bible. Gary had a King James Bible which he showed the guard who said he would rather opt for a Zulu Bible. We will be obtaining some in order to hand him one when he next sees us at the stadium.

Whilst Jono handed out tracts Gary approached a gentleman named Tei (rhyming with day) and his young son who were waiting to enter the stadium. We got into a discussion about life and death and the meaning of life. Tei professed to be a ‘born-again Christian’ who attends at the St John’s United Church in Loop Street (Jabu  Ndlovu). Gary referred to the Gospel Tract ‘Your Life: God’s Solution To Your Religion’ and stated that men have a lot of religion in their life, but have no relationship with Jesus Christ. This is what they need: relationship.  Mention was made by Tei to “evolution” that appears on the cover, where Gary opened up the Scriptures and showed Tei the following,

18  For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;
19  Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. 
20  For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:
21  Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.
22  Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,
23  And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.
24  Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves:
25  Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen. ~ Romans 1:19-25

This was made in reference to what is being taught in the government schools and university institutions. It was then that Tei revealed that he is a grade 12 (std 10) Biology teacher. He related that he has to teach evolution to the pupils. Gary challenged Tei and said that there are some schools that still teach a Christian-ethos, but Tei was adamant that the educators had to teach the evolution theory as the pupils could hold the teachers responsible if they weren’t taught evolution and they failed their course. Gary asked Tei then how can he be professing to be a ‘born-again Christian’ and reconcile teaching millions and billions of years with the Biblical account of six-literal days? The two cannot be reconciled. One (Creation) is Truth, the other (evolution) is a lie! Gary’s challenge was that he had to be obedient to GOD and he could not compromise. In fact, even if Tei had to lose his teaching job, he had to be faithful in preaching Biblical Truth. GOD would honour his obedience! It appeared that Tei was becoming decidedly uncomfortable as he excused himself to enter the stadium well in advance of the crowds arriving.

Whilst the conversation with Tei was ongoing, Gary had also overheard Jono speaking to the ground’s director from earlier as he was addressing the man’s false belief in the Shembe cult. Jono had referred the director to Jesus saying “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me” (John 14:6) in response to the director’s Shembe’s motto of: Shembe is the way. Who is telling the truth? The Son of GOD is Truth, He said so! Case dismissed, but Gary would agree that Shembe is the broad way to destruction (Hell)!

Surprisingly, Siphiwe Dlamini who heard the preaching last week in the rain came to the stadium’s South Gate to tell Gary, who was atop the box at the time, that he was travelling to Johannesburg by train that evening and he would see him next week. Gary had encouraged Siphiwe to read his Bible. This meeting was so unexpected and out of the ordinary, but encouraging. We hope to see how GOD orchestrates this meeting.

When the open-air preaching commenced it was fire ‘n brimstone preaching! The masses were confronted with the reality that unless they repent they all will perish in hell. Many were confronted with their idolatry, with their ancestral worship and some responded mockingly, but none who heard the preaching went away into the stadium not knowing that GOD hates their abominations and salvation can only be obtained through “repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ” (Acts 20:21). The Name of our Lord Jesus Christ reverberated around the precinct of the South Gate and the crowds were up close and personal. There was no chance they could not go away with out knowing their need of repentance and faith in uJesu Kristus!

 

Whilst, what appeared to be, some Maritzburg United supporters filed in through the turnstiles they asked for us to pray for a victory in their favour*. Gary advised them that they want prayers that are amiss, for on judgment day this match’s result will be insignificant as the result will not help them get into the Kingdom of GOD! Consider this – when spectators covet a victory when GOD forbids covetousness (see Mar 7:22; Luk 12:15; Rom 1:29; 2 Cor 9:5; Eph 5:3; Col 3:5; 1 Thess 2:5; Heb 13:5; 2 Pet 2:3 to mention a few) which covetous person should GOD listen to? remembering that many of the covetous prayers are made to the false gods of Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, Shembe, Roman Catholicism, and even consulting with the witchdoctors and ancestral spirits, to mention only a few abominations! We might not know why GOD allows some teams to win and others to lose, but HE is in control of all events for HIS own sovereign will and purpose! For we also read,

36  For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?
37  Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?
38  Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels. ~ Mark 8:36-38

 

The majority attending the football matches are sadly “. . . lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;” (2 Timothy 3:4).

Kindly keep us in prayer for our next PSL football outreach, Lord willing, at the Harry Gwala Stadium’s South Gate, being this coming Tuesday evening 27th September, 2016 from 17:30 – 19:30

                              

Maritzburg United vs. Polokwane City

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Footnotes:

* For the record Maritzburg United lost 0-1 to SuperSport United.

> Maritzburg United 2016/17 Home Fixtures @ Harry Gwala – posted August 24, 2016

> My friends are dying . . . – posted September 16, 2016

Evangelism at the United vs Sundowns Match, 2016/17

16  For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. ~ Romans 1:16 

This praise report is solely for GOD’s glory alone and that no attention be directed our-way! “He must increase, but I must decrease” (John 3:30). On Wednesday 14th September 2016, Jono and Gary attended at the PSL football match between Maritzburg United and Mamelodi Sundowns that took place at the Harry Gwala Stadium. We arrived just after 17H30.

We started our evangelism outreach by speaking to the two stadium security members (<— at left) and shared with them the reason for our attendance outside the South Gate, as we did during the last football season. Whilst informing them that we were there to preach the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ calling all to “repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ” (Acts 20:21), we opened the Scriptures and related to an incident that took place at the corresponding fixture between the same two teams during season 2015/16, when racist comments were directed our way by a Sundowns supporter.[*] Clarity was given from Acts 17 where the apostle Paul stood in the midst of Mars’ hill and preached to the men of Athens concerning the UNKNOWN GOD. We made it known to them that we would be standing likewise to declare the Gospel of GOD by GOD’s decree. The Scripture specifically referred to, was,

26  And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation; ~ Acts 17:26

We made reference to the accusation we were accused of for stealing the Africans’ land by the ‘Downs supporter and used the following analogy, that just as you have ‘whites’ in Europe, in Asia, in North and South America, in Australasia and here in Africa, so you also have ‘blacks’ in Europe, in Asia, in North and South America, in Australasia and here in Africa, because GOD “hath made of one blood all nations of men to dwell on all the face of the earth.” Certain races cannot lay claim to being the sole custodians of certain land on earth to the exclusion of other races as GOD “hath determined the times before appointed” in which time era we find ourselves living where HE has appointed us to live, “and the bounds of their habitation” which is where GOD has decreed the inhabitants to live. GOD determines all and therefore we are proud to be Africans for our roots are in Africa, We were not born in Europe so we are therefore not European. Our forefathers might have been European, but by default it does not make us automatically European according to our place of birth.

However, we take comfort that we are “strangers and pilgrims on the earth” and “desire a better country, that is, an heavenly:” as we are reminded in Scripture concerning our heroes of the faith,

13  These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.
14  For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country.
15  And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned.
16  But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city. ~ Hebrews 11:13-16

The security were truly blessed and we learned as our conversation proceeded that they do profess the Lord Jesus Christ.

Praise YEHOVAH for opportunities to engage the youth with the Truth. As the early evening darkened and a light drizzle fell, Gary started to preach ‘atop-the-box’ and was approached by a youth who said he is ‘Jesus’! This blasphemy can only stem from false teachings where the youth think they can become ‘gods’, received from the false charismatic teachings that have come to our shores from wolf heretics like Creflo Dollar, and Kenneth and Gloria Copeland! By taking this young man through some of the Ten Commandments, he soon realised he is not the sinless Son of GOD, the Lord Jesus Christ. He was soon joined by his friend that wanted to argue for his ancestral spirits – those would be devils by the way! References were made to the Bible, but since he wanted to stay with his traditions and culture, Gary mentioned that if you are at school or university and you have to take a test, you cannot just write down whatever you feel like as an answer because you feel or think it is the right answer. If you don’t give the correct answer as per your text book you will be marked wrong and fail. Well, GOD has given us HIS perfect text book the Holy Bible and if you do not adhere to it you are going to fail irrespective of your belief in your traditions and culture! So they need to repent of their wicked ways and trust in the Lord Jesus Christ alone. They too, went away thanking us for sharing with them.

While preaching the holiness of GOD and man’s predicament of his sin come Judgment Day, various men stopped and listened intently to the Gospel of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Whilst the rain fell sporadically, there was one particular man who remained the entire time and did not budge, whilst others came, listened and moved on . . .

The man in particular can be seen in the centre of the picture frame below with the beige jacket, beanie and black trousers.

After preaching the Law and the Gospel of grace for over an hour, Gary approached this one particular man and these were his first words when greeted: “How does a man get salvation?” Our Father had given us a divine opportunity to share from the Scriptures, to give writer’s testimony of the grace of GOD and challenge Siphiwe Dlamini to cry out to GOD for salvation and that he must seek GOD with all his heart and he will find HIM. Whilst fielding some questions from Siphiwe the heavens opened and we stood in a torrential downpour speaking about spiritual matters whilst ‘the world’, so it seemed, was trying to get into the stadium for the 19:30 kick-off. We spoke for about 20-minutes in the rain and Gary prayed with Siphiwe for GOD to open his understanding and draw him to HIMSELF. Siphiwe was given a Gospel Tract and he said he has an isiZulu Bible at home and wanted to know where to start reading from. Gary suggested the Gospel of John (Johan in isiZulu) and 1 John. He was truly thankful. Please keep Siphiwe Dlamini in prayer for his salvation and for all others who heard the Word and received Gospel literature. We rejoice in Christ that GOD allowed so many to hear about salvation through HIS Son, our Lord Jesus Christ!

Kindly keep us in prayer for our next PSL football outreach, Lord willing, at the Harry Gwala Stadium’s South Gate, being next Wednesday evening 21st September, 2016 from 17:30 – 19:30

                                 

Maritzburg United   vs.   SuperSport United

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Footnote:

* The Gospel . . . Racism and South African History – posted March 8, 2016

> Maritzburg United 2016/17 Home Fixtures @ Harry Gwala – posted August 24, 2016

Maritzburg United 2016/17 Home Fixtures @ Harry Gwala

The 2016/17 Premier Soccer League in South Africa kicked off on the evening of Tuesday August 23, 2016 and Lord willing the Repent and Believe South Africa Christian ministry will this season again be evangelising the football fans attending the Maritzburg United home matches at the Harry Gwala Stadium in Pietermaritzburg KZN. The home league fixtures are listed hereunder where by YEHOVAH’s mercy and grace the Gospel of GOD will be proclaimed by us preaching Jesus Christ and Him crucified,

28  Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus: ~ Colossians 1:28

Should you be a local who prayerfully wants to join the Repent and Believe South Africa outreach ministry reaching lost souls, we insist upon being in unity of faith and belief, as we read,

9  God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord.
10  Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. ~ 1 Corinthians 1:9,10

In short, but not limited to, we preach the love of GOD through the doctrines of law and grace, heaven and hell, and “repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ” (Acts 20:21); as we also read,

34  Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. ~ Acts 2:34

If you agree, kindly send us a short testimony of your rebirth to Gary Crous via email or by placing a comment hereunder. Brethren, we also kindly request that you keep these outreaches saturated in prayer for our Father to be merciful toward sinners and give His grace as a gift to lost souls. Amen.

SEPTEMBER 2016

WED. 14 @ 19:30 vs. MAMELODI SUNDOWNS

>>> Meet @ 17:30 outside the South Gate

WED. 21 @ 19:30 vs. SUPERSPORT UNITED

>>> Meet @ 17:30 outside the South Gate

TUE. 27 @ 19:30 vs. POLOKWANE CITY

>>> Meet @ 17:30 outside the South Gate

OCTOBER 2016

FRI. 28 @ 20:00 vs. LAMONTVILLE GOLDEN ARROWS

>>> Meet @ 17:30 outside the South Gate

NOVEMBER 2016

WED. 02 @ 19:30 vs. HIGHLANDS PARK

>>> Meet @ 17:30 outside the South Gate

TUE. 29 @ 19:30 vs. CHIPPA UNITED

>>> Meet @ 17:30 outside the South Gate

DECEMBER 2016

TUE. 13 @ 19:30 vs. ORLANDO PIRATES

>>> Meet @ 16:30 outside the South Gate

TUE. 20 @ 19:30 vs. BIDVEST WITS

>>> TBC

FEBRUARY 2017

SAT. 11 @ 20:15 vs. KAIZER CHIEFS

>>> Meet @ 17:00 outside the South Gate

SUN. 26 @ 15:30 vs. FREE STATE STARS

>>> Meet @ 13:30 outside the South Gate

APRIL 2017

SAT. 01 @ 20:15 vs. AJAX CAPE TOWN

>>> Meet @ 17:30 outside the South Gate

FRI. 14 @ 20:00 vs. BAROKA FC

>>> Meet @ 18:00 outside the South Gate

FRI. 28 @ 20:00 vs. CAPE TOWN CITY

>>> Meet @ 17:30 outside the South Gate

MAY 2017

WED. 10 @ 19:30 vs. PLATINUM STARS

>>> Meet @ 17:30 outside the South Gate

SAT. 27 @ 15:00 vs. BLOEMFONTEIN CELTIC

>>> Meet @ 13:00 outside the South Gate