If you carry an “Are You Ready?”-type cross, and would like to share the story of how and why you got started, please email me your testimony. And please include a picture of either your cross, or you carrying your cross.
My name is Mike Peek I live in a small town next to Tyler, TX.
Sometime this past year I read a blog post by you titled, “Why I carry a Cross.” The Lord used that article to move me. I have progressed in evangelism through one-on-one witnessing, using the WOTM, and handing out of gospel tracts; but the Spirit was stirring within me, for me to do more in spreading His gospel. So I went out and bought the materials, made a cross, stained it; then I made a mistake, I told my friends and family what I planned to do with the cross.
After much discouragement, the cross sat in my garage unused. The morning of 1/29/2012, I saw a facebook post by Shawn Hole and how he and his brothers had been attacked while open air preaching in Nepal; and here I am in church singing “I surrender all to You.” I knew I wasn’t surrendering all, and I could stand it no longer.
I told my church through a blog that I was going to do just that and my pastor, to my surprise, was supportive. After much prayer, I set out. I would continue with one-on-one witnessing and passing out of tracts everywhere I go. But, in addition to that, I would do something purposeful at least once a week to evangelize our community for Christ.
There sat that cross in my garage unused. So, I set out that week with the cross and stood at the corner of Rice and Broadway, in Tyler, Texas, for one hour. I knew it was the right thing to do.
I have now been out a minimum of once a week since that day. I did not put ‘Are You Ready’ on the cross because I figured “that’s Tony’s.” I need to come up with my own. So, on my cross I have “Jesus” on the left of the main beam and “Christ” on the Right. Down the main beam, “Mercy Seat.” This is in direct reference to Romans 3:24-25, which I think is the most important passage in all of Scripture.
Yesterday, while out with the cross, I was talking with God and thinking about how I could talk with more people. It occurred to me that the question “Are You Ready?” is a great conversation starter.
I plan on doing something I have never done before. I plan, God willing to go down to the Smith County court house in Tyler, Texas, on the sidewalk, on the morning of good Friday, as people are coming to court. I am going to read John 19 (the trial and crucifixion our Lord Jesus Christ), and then preach the law and the gospel. It will be my first open-air.
jason says
Hello,my name is jason I live between Tyler and Athens..I do give out Gospel tracts and leave them in places for people to find..I love Gospel tracts,I get free Gospel tracts from 6 or 7 different websites.i also get free Gospels of John and give those out also..I would love to partner up with someone and go out with them to give out Gospel tracts.
Tony Miano says
Hi, Jason. Where is Tyler and Athens?