|
YWAMSF: "Engaging the City with a Loving God."
|
 |
I Had No Hope. Bringing Hope to the Streets of the Tenderloin Story by Janet Long As I was walking the streets of the Tenderloin talking about Jesus and praying with people the Thursday before Easter, I was asked by a man sitting on the side walk with his hand out if I had any money to spare. I shook my head and passed by. As I walked by the Lord reminded me of the passage in the Bible about Peter and John going to the temple at the beautiful gate when a lame beggar asked them for money. This was the Bible passage that I had read only that morning in my quiet time before going to work. It is found in Acts three. Peter and John went to the beggar and said, "We have not got any money but what we have, we give to you in the name of Jesus," they then healed the man. The man gets up healed and goes into the temple jumping and praising God. I felt the Lord tell me to go back to the man on the sidewalk. As I approached him I told him, "I have no money, but would you mind if I sit down on the sidewalk and talk to you?" He smiled and said, "Yes." I sat down and introduced myself, asking his name. He told me his name was Will and soon began to tell me his story. He was filled with sadness and my heart went out to him. I gave him The Father's Love letter, a letter with scriptures that tell just how much God loves us. I noticed that when I gave him the letter that he put it into his pocket and very quietly I heard him mutter, "I’ll get someone to read that to me later." Realizing that he couldn't read, I asked, "Can I read it to you?" After I had read the letter To him, I asked him, "What line spoke to you the most?" He replied the line that said "Loved with a ever lasting love." As I was telling him about Jesus & how much He loved him the Holy Spirit prompted me to tell him about Easter. I continued to tell Will, "Tomorrow is Good Friday, that is a special day when Christians all around the world remember that Jesus died on the cross in our place, so that when God looked at Jesus, He accepted His life in exchange for ours."
We talked about Easter for a while and both enjoyed the conversation. I said to him, "Will, you may not be able to read, but you now know what it says and every time you look at it, you will remember just how much Jesus loves you." He told me that he would keep it and never let it go. As I got up, Will said to me, “You are an angel." I smiled and said, "No, I am not." "Yes you are; before you sat down and talked with me, I had no hope, but today you have given me hope."
*names have been changed for the sake of privacy
|
 |
|
Hello friends of YWAM San Francisco,
Earlier this month, we were glad to host the graduation of one of our friends from our 360 program. For more info on 360, go here. The night was full of black and white themed decorations and delicious food prepared by skilled staff and friends, but more importantly, this was the celebration of the first graduate from 360, Ali. Ali's story is an amazing one, but more strikingly, his salvation process has taken place over 15 years. This really got us thinking.
What are your long term missional influences?
One of the aspects of missions in our city is forming relationships. People come through our doors day after day, but it may take a while until they're truly opened up to us. For many people, a realization of Christ takes long term missional influence; influence that isn't required to be a 'missionary' to impart. In all of our lives, we have the opportunity to be a voice for Christ.
It takes time and effort to see people come to a salvation knowledge of Christ. We take great care to invest in our long-term missional influence. It may be the same man recieving a cup of hot chocolate every Friday night who finally takes the Gospel message to heart. It may be the Ali's who come in and out of your life, sometimes seeming hopeless, while other times so close. But the importance in both our lives and the lives of Christ followers everywhere is that we continue, no matter the odds, in being a constant influence in the lives of those around us.
So we ask you today: who have you been a long term missional influence to? Think about it. It may not take long to realize people who have always been on your heart. And we implore you, don't give up. The seeds you plant bear good fruit, whether you see it or not. And continue to seek being a long term influence for Christ in the lives of those around you.
May your many days travel onward,
YWAMSF
|
|
The Nations in the City
Berkeley Berkeley: Reach the people who will make a difference in the world. In its history and notoriety as an influential college town, Berkeley has always been an epicenter for movement and change that spreads out, influencing San Francisco, and eventually the world.
UC Berkeley, in its inception a strongly missional university, once had as a main goal to be an influence for God into what was seen as 'sinful' San Francisco. Throughout the ages, the college as well as the city has been accredited as the birthplace of American liberalism, as well as the modern idea of the coffee shop as a social gathering point.
With a high South East and Middle Asian population demographics, as well as a large black community, mixed with the world changing collegiate crowd and post-hippie demographic, Berkeley is a meeting point for cultural diversity and progressive thought. Where better a place to see Jesus influence the thoughts and structures of our world, and see it spread throughout the nations, through the cities.
If you're interested in Berkeley, or are curious about this whole idea of reaching the nations through the cities inside our own borders, find out more about how you can get involved here.
Fall Cities DTS 2011 Arrives!
This Fall's Cities DTS is just underway. All the staff have been busy in preparation for all the wonderful people we've welcomed into our doors. We're all very excited to see these students dig deep into God, and seek to make Him known.
Curious about DTS?
Prayer Requests:•Pray for our DTS arriving this month. Pray that this new wave of students can dig deep into God and reach the nations
•Pray for our Fall Season, as teams will be coming through for outreach
|
|
YWAM San Francisco September 2011 Update!
