December 30, 2019
“Oh that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!”
Psalm 107:8
“Oh that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!”
Psalm 107:8
Dear Friends,
For those interested, here is a somewhat overdue summary of our public ministry work. In the past, I have included the work of Mark and Janet, whom we sometimes called our PCC “Omaha Connection.” In mid-August, Mark, Janet, and their two small children moved to Monroe. So our Omaha Connection is no more. But Omaha’s loss is the gain of Pilgrims Covenant Church and, by the faithful gospel labors of Mark and Janet, also to the gain of this area of the country.
We do appreciate all who are praying for the work, and those who have helped us with the expenses of it. I hope all will be encouraged by this report and rejoice to know that this year, counting just our open-air gospel work and not the tracts given out by some of our members in other ways when they are out and about, we have handed out 42,943 gospel tracts and gospel booklets as well as 188 Gospels of John and 2 Bibles. That is 43,133 men, women, and young people who were given, one by one, those tracts, booklets, Gospels of John and Bibles by members of our little church, even though this was not a Cheese Days year. Were all of those individuals who received our gospel tracts, booklets, and the Gospels of John lined up in single file with just 2-1/2 feet of space allowed for each, the line would stretch for 20.4 miles! Of course, an uncounted multitude also read our gospel signs and gospel billboards. For our part, we have no doubt that some of that gospel seed was sown on good ground and will reap a harvest of souls.
For those interested, here is a somewhat overdue summary of our public ministry work. In the past, I have included the work of Mark and Janet, whom we sometimes called our PCC “Omaha Connection.” In mid-August, Mark, Janet, and their two small children moved to Monroe. So our Omaha Connection is no more. But Omaha’s loss is the gain of Pilgrims Covenant Church and, by the faithful gospel labors of Mark and Janet, also to the gain of this area of the country.
We do appreciate all who are praying for the work, and those who have helped us with the expenses of it. I hope all will be encouraged by this report and rejoice to know that this year, counting just our open-air gospel work and not the tracts given out by some of our members in other ways when they are out and about, we have handed out 42,943 gospel tracts and gospel booklets as well as 188 Gospels of John and 2 Bibles. That is 43,133 men, women, and young people who were given, one by one, those tracts, booklets, Gospels of John and Bibles by members of our little church, even though this was not a Cheese Days year. Were all of those individuals who received our gospel tracts, booklets, and the Gospels of John lined up in single file with just 2-1/2 feet of space allowed for each, the line would stretch for 20.4 miles! Of course, an uncounted multitude also read our gospel signs and gospel billboards. For our part, we have no doubt that some of that gospel seed was sown on good ground and will reap a harvest of souls.
Janesville Corn Roast
Saturday, August 17 found seven of us sharing the gospel to those who had come to this event to feast on sweet corn. The cost they paid to get into the fenced-off park was just one dollar, and it entitled them to all of the sweet corn they could eat. As you can imagine, this drew a good sized crowd, although the fenced-off area was packed even before we arrived to witness.
Two of our number held large gospel signs, one at each of the two entrances to the event, while the rest of us handed out gospel tracts, in fact 1,152 of our Christ Jesus Came into the Word to Save Sinners tracts. The event organizers complained about us, coming to me with a police officer in tow. I asked the officer, a very professional nice officer, if we could speak in private, to which he readily agreed. The end result of it all was that the organizers had to put up with the terrible presence of sincere Christians sharing the gospel with perishing sinners, and this in a way which we believe honored the Lord.
Two of our number held large gospel signs, one at each of the two entrances to the event, while the rest of us handed out gospel tracts, in fact 1,152 of our Christ Jesus Came into the Word to Save Sinners tracts. The event organizers complained about us, coming to me with a police officer in tow. I asked the officer, a very professional nice officer, if we could speak in private, to which he readily agreed. The end result of it all was that the organizers had to put up with the terrible presence of sincere Christians sharing the gospel with perishing sinners, and this in a way which we believe honored the Lord.
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Cars – and Christians – on the Square – August 23, 2019
Three members of Pilgrims Covenant Church spent time sharing the way of salvation with individuals who came to this event on the square in Monroe. One gospel sign was used and gospel tracts were handed out, namely 200 of our Heaven or Hell tracts and also 9 of our From Death unto Life gospel booklets.
Gospel Labors on Labor Day
When Labor Day rolled around this year, we chose Rockford, Illinois to share the gospel. Six of us walked the parade route, three on each side, handing out our gospel tracts. Two more of us stood at the end of the parade route with two gospel signs. By the grace and help of the Lord, we handed out a total of 3,346 gospel tracts.
Gospel Husbandmen at a Farmers Market
Late September is not the optimum time to share the gospel at a farmers market as we did on September 28 in Beloit. Nevertheless, it turned out to be a very fruitful time of ministry. Four of us concentrated on handing out the tracts while two of our number held gospel signs. Mark ended up spending a good deal of his time witnessing to a humble young Roman Catholic man who seemed to be sincerely seeking to know the gospel truth. Mark grew up Roman Catholic, and so no marvel that the Lord directed this young man to Mark. They had a very long conversation in which Mark shared much needed truth and the only way of salvation. The young man gladly took a gospel tract and a gospel booklet. Considering the time of year and how long Mark spent with the young man, leaving just three of us to concentrate on handing out tracts to a smaller crowd, what was it but the grace and mercy of God to perishing sinners that we were yet able to give tracts to 870 people?
Gospel Lit Drop in Orangeville, Illinois
On October 19, several PCC members went south of the border, so to speak, to the small town of Orangeville in order to go door to door leaving gospel tracts, in total 189 of our gospel tracts and 2 of our gospel booklets.
October 26, 2019 Brodhead Fall Festival
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This event was also shamefully promoted as “Day of the Dead,” which is a yearly event in Mexico. During Day of the Dead, families visit the graves of their deceased loved ones and perform such rituals as lighting candles, leaving notes and also the favorite food of the individual buried in the grave. Sometimes the food is left on altars built at or on the graves. The spirits of the dead are believed to visit the living on this day as well. Various celebrations of the Day of the Dead feature all manner of devilish costumes and masks celebrating death. In Mexico, Roman Catholic priests play a big part in the Day of the Dead rituals. This festival is beginning to also become common in the American southwest and, apparently, is now spreading into the Midwest as part of the Roman Catholic Hispanic culture.
Four of us from PCC were on hand in Brodhead for this year’s Fall Festival which, considering the Day of the Dead connection, was quite small, and it must be said the Day of the Dead trappings were few. One of our number held a gospel sign that those arriving for the event read, as did the individuals in passing cars on Highway 11 which runs through the Brodhead downtown. By the grace of God, we were able to give out 225 gospel tracts. |
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Two Days of WIAA High School Football Championships
For the nineteenth consecutive year, a team of us from Pilgrims Covenant Church was on hand to witness to fans, a great many of them young people, arriving at the University of Wisconsin football stadium in Madison, site of the state football championship games. On Thursday, November 21, four of us were there, and all four of us gave out tracts the whole time. We also made use of one gospel sign. While these were the smaller schools, we still handed out 738 gospel tracts.
During the course of the ministry, Mark had a good conversation with a boy who had come back to him after first taking a tract and walking away. We had some good encouragement from Christian brethren at this event. In one case, a girl who I would guess to be about eleven years old accepted a gospel tract and walked away reading it; suddenly she turned around and with a sweet, very big smile loudly said, “Amen,” as she held up the tract. She certainly was not ashamed of gospel!
As might be expected, there were also fans who did not appreciate our presence. Nevertheless, it was encouraging to know that while they did not take gospel tracts many did read a gospel message on our sign. It ought to always be remembered that it is not so unusual that a lost sinner under condemnation might express anger or contempt when confronted with the gospel, but the Spirit then works repentance and justifying faith with that gospel witness.
On Thursday, the police on site made an attempt to forbid us from handing out tracts on the public sidewalk by the stadium. By the grace of God, they soon abandoned that approach, and the gospel had free course.
During the course of the ministry, Mark had a good conversation with a boy who had come back to him after first taking a tract and walking away. We had some good encouragement from Christian brethren at this event. In one case, a girl who I would guess to be about eleven years old accepted a gospel tract and walked away reading it; suddenly she turned around and with a sweet, very big smile loudly said, “Amen,” as she held up the tract. She certainly was not ashamed of gospel!
As might be expected, there were also fans who did not appreciate our presence. Nevertheless, it was encouraging to know that while they did not take gospel tracts many did read a gospel message on our sign. It ought to always be remembered that it is not so unusual that a lost sinner under condemnation might express anger or contempt when confronted with the gospel, but the Spirit then works repentance and justifying faith with that gospel witness.
On Thursday, the police on site made an attempt to forbid us from handing out tracts on the public sidewalk by the stadium. By the grace of God, they soon abandoned that approach, and the gospel had free course.
The next day, Friday, November 22, there were eight of us who traveled back to Madison for a second round of witness at the football championships. One of us held a gospel sign while the rest of us concentrated on handing out gospel tracts. Once again, a number of Christians gratefully thanked us for our gospel labors. Up until recent years, we rarely received encouragement from fellow believers when we shared the gospel at such events and, in fact, often received criticism. I believe there is a growing awareness among evangelicals that it is only the gospel that can stem our nation’s slide into depravity, lawlessness, and violence – only the gospel, and it must be taken out to the perishing. Hopefully, seeing us witnessing will motivate other brethren to pray for a true spiritual awakening and also to enter into sound, faithful gospel labors themselves.
As usual, not all response to our witness was positive. For instance, one foul-mouthed middle-aged man briefly spoke in a threatening manner to me. But overall, it must be noted that we had no real problems with anyone. When sidewalks were finally all but empty of people, we had passed out 1,846 Christ Jesus Came into the World to Save Sinners for a two-day grand total of 2,584 gospel tracts.
As usual, not all response to our witness was positive. For instance, one foul-mouthed middle-aged man briefly spoke in a threatening manner to me. But overall, it must be noted that we had no real problems with anyone. When sidewalks were finally all but empty of people, we had passed out 1,846 Christ Jesus Came into the World to Save Sinners for a two-day grand total of 2,584 gospel tracts.
Monroe Holiday Parade. Freeport and Monroe Gospel Sign Witness.
December 5, two of us stood with a large gospel sign each on one corner of an intersection which many hundreds of students in cars and buses pass through when the Freeport (Illinois) High, Alternative, and Middle Schools let out at the end of the day. In fact, we were located across from the street which comes directly out of the school grounds. The street into which that street empties, and along which we were standing is Business Highway 20. So all in all, thousands read our gospel signs.
At one point, eight big buses full of students were lined up in a row at a red light, so I walked slowly along the buses, holding up the gospel sign reading “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved.” I was greatly encouraged to see students crowded up to the windows reading those words of life. One of the bus drivers gave me a big thumbs up accompanied by a huge smile as I moved past his bus.
We also had many buses line up at the stop light on the street on the other side of us as well, and were able to show both our gospel signs to them, the second sign reading “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.” In fact, we had buses coming at us from three different directions, perhaps as many as thirty busloads of students in all, and also floods of cars. Several men in construction trucks were obviously happy to see our gospel witness, with one of them so happy he stopped his truck in the middle of the busy intersection, leaned out of his window and shouted, “Thank you!” We had other encouragements as well, including an enthusiastic wave from a passing police officer.
On the flip side of the coin, there were some negative responses. But we would be surprised if that were not the case and always expect it. For instance, one man who went by in a car shouted a vile vulgarity at us. There were also two school bus drivers who took great pains to display their mocking contempt for us and the gospel.
We had very little opportunity to hand out gospel tracts, but a handful of kids did come by, and 15 of them accepted gospel tracts.
The next day, the evening of December 6, three of our PCC members handed out gospel tracts to a crowd assembled on the Monroe courthouse square to watch the yearly holiday parade. The crowd was made up predominantly of parents with their children. This is not an especially large event, but the threesome was enabled by the Lord to hand out well over 452 gospel tracts.
Then on December 24, three PCC members set up a gospel sign display at the very busy intersection of Highway 69 and 8th Street. There were many good responses from individuals in passing cars, though no doubt there were those who felt quite different about seeing the word of God displayed to the world. But what matters is that a great many perishing souls read the Scripture signs, and we can be sure that the Lord will, in His own time, bless the sowing of the gospel seed.
At one point, eight big buses full of students were lined up in a row at a red light, so I walked slowly along the buses, holding up the gospel sign reading “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved.” I was greatly encouraged to see students crowded up to the windows reading those words of life. One of the bus drivers gave me a big thumbs up accompanied by a huge smile as I moved past his bus.
We also had many buses line up at the stop light on the street on the other side of us as well, and were able to show both our gospel signs to them, the second sign reading “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.” In fact, we had buses coming at us from three different directions, perhaps as many as thirty busloads of students in all, and also floods of cars. Several men in construction trucks were obviously happy to see our gospel witness, with one of them so happy he stopped his truck in the middle of the busy intersection, leaned out of his window and shouted, “Thank you!” We had other encouragements as well, including an enthusiastic wave from a passing police officer.
On the flip side of the coin, there were some negative responses. But we would be surprised if that were not the case and always expect it. For instance, one man who went by in a car shouted a vile vulgarity at us. There were also two school bus drivers who took great pains to display their mocking contempt for us and the gospel.
We had very little opportunity to hand out gospel tracts, but a handful of kids did come by, and 15 of them accepted gospel tracts.
The next day, the evening of December 6, three of our PCC members handed out gospel tracts to a crowd assembled on the Monroe courthouse square to watch the yearly holiday parade. The crowd was made up predominantly of parents with their children. This is not an especially large event, but the threesome was enabled by the Lord to hand out well over 452 gospel tracts.
Then on December 24, three PCC members set up a gospel sign display at the very busy intersection of Highway 69 and 8th Street. There were many good responses from individuals in passing cars, though no doubt there were those who felt quite different about seeing the word of God displayed to the world. But what matters is that a great many perishing souls read the Scripture signs, and we can be sure that the Lord will, in His own time, bless the sowing of the gospel seed.
Gospel Billboard Campaign Update
Thus far, we have six more billboards rented on which our gospel message will be displayed in the coming year. Those billboards are located in Sauk City, Brodhead, Monroe (two for Cheese Days), Prairie du Chien, and Stockton (Illinois). This brings our total gospel billboard count to 44. This year, our gospel message stayed up on a number of billboards for some time – in some cases, a long time – after the time period for which we paid rent. The record was eight months extra in Omaha, Nebraska!
We continue to look for billboards which are very visible, in well traveled locations, and with rare exceptions, in reduced speed limit zones. We certainly welcome any suggestions, though it must be a Lamar Advertising billboard. It staggers the imagination to consider the uncounted multitudes who have read our billboard gospel message. It is wonderful to think also that due to the simple website address included with that message, many have gone on to read the detailed gospel message on our website. The Lord only knows how many souls have been, and will be saved, through this campaign! To God be the glory!
We continue to look for billboards which are very visible, in well traveled locations, and with rare exceptions, in reduced speed limit zones. We certainly welcome any suggestions, though it must be a Lamar Advertising billboard. It staggers the imagination to consider the uncounted multitudes who have read our billboard gospel message. It is wonderful to think also that due to the simple website address included with that message, many have gone on to read the detailed gospel message on our website. The Lord only knows how many souls have been, and will be saved, through this campaign! To God be the glory!
“For with thee is the fountain of life: in thy light shall we see light.” Psalm 36:9
November 4, 2019
A high percentage of people who receive our gospel tracts read them.
Dear Friends,
Although it is time, even past time, to send out a quarterly summary on our public ministry gospel labors, I have decided to wait until after November to do so and include our gospel work for that month as well. The work does go on. So far this year, we have given out 40,192 gospel tracts and booklets, as well as 188 Gospels of John and two Bibles. We have had many good opportunities to witness to individuals; and of course, have made use of our large Scripture signs at a number of events.
Since the last report which went out the end of July, we have witnessed at more public events, done some gospel tract lit dropping door-to-door, and also reserved two more billboards for our gospel message, bringing to 43 the number of billboards which we have rented for that purpose. For whatever reason, a number of the billboards we have put up this year have stayed up well past the end date of our rental period; in fact, several have stayed up for months past that date.
Although it is time, even past time, to send out a quarterly summary on our public ministry gospel labors, I have decided to wait until after November to do so and include our gospel work for that month as well. The work does go on. So far this year, we have given out 40,192 gospel tracts and booklets, as well as 188 Gospels of John and two Bibles. We have had many good opportunities to witness to individuals; and of course, have made use of our large Scripture signs at a number of events.
Since the last report which went out the end of July, we have witnessed at more public events, done some gospel tract lit dropping door-to-door, and also reserved two more billboards for our gospel message, bringing to 43 the number of billboards which we have rented for that purpose. For whatever reason, a number of the billboards we have put up this year have stayed up well past the end date of our rental period; in fact, several have stayed up for months past that date.
This billboard is on a state highway near Hazel Green, a short distance before an intersection.
In October, we were at first disappointed to hear that a very large public event we were planning to witness at, and had witnessed at in the past, would no longer take place. On the other hand, the disappointment was soon outweighed by the gladness that the “Wizards and Warriors Festival” in Jefferson, Wisconsin is now a thing of the past.
I want to take this opportunity to emphasize how much we appreciate those who pray for this work, and also thank those who have helped our small church to fund it, even though we never make pleas for such help.
Sincerely,
Ralph Ovadal
I want to take this opportunity to emphasize how much we appreciate those who pray for this work, and also thank those who have helped our small church to fund it, even though we never make pleas for such help.
Sincerely,
Ralph Ovadal
July 18, 2019
“The Lord hath made bare his holy arm in the eyes of all the nations; and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God.” Isaiah 52:10
“The Lord hath made bare his holy arm in the eyes of all the nations; and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God.” Isaiah 52:10
Dear Friends,
For those of you who are interested, here is a summary of our public ministry gospel labors since the last such update we sent out this past April. I know that some of you are praying for this work, and others are also helping support it financially. Our sincere thanks to those who have felt led to pray, and as the case may be, to send gifts to help our church carry on the work. We never make appeals for such gifts, but we do want those who send such assistance to know that it is gratefully received and faithfully made use of in bringing the gospel message to multitudes of perishing souls over the course of each year.
In the report which follows, the gospel tracts given out at the various events were our Christ Jesus Came into the World to Save Sinners tract and our Heaven or Hell tract. The booklet mentioned is our From Death unto Life gospel booklet.
Ralph Ovadal
For those of you who are interested, here is a summary of our public ministry gospel labors since the last such update we sent out this past April. I know that some of you are praying for this work, and others are also helping support it financially. Our sincere thanks to those who have felt led to pray, and as the case may be, to send gifts to help our church carry on the work. We never make appeals for such gifts, but we do want those who send such assistance to know that it is gratefully received and faithfully made use of in bringing the gospel message to multitudes of perishing souls over the course of each year.
In the report which follows, the gospel tracts given out at the various events were our Christ Jesus Came into the World to Save Sinners tract and our Heaven or Hell tract. The booklet mentioned is our From Death unto Life gospel booklet.
Ralph Ovadal
Cinco de Mayo Times Two: Delavan and Omaha – May 4
We have in the last couple of years conducted gospel ministry at a Cinco de Mayo celebration in Darlington, Wisconsin, while at the same time our Omaha connection has done likewise at the much larger Cinco de Mayo event in that Nebraska city. This year, I decided we would travel to Delavan to witness at the Cinco de Mayo celebration held in a city park there, even as the Omaha witness was also faithfully undertaken. We expected the crowd at Delavan to be a large one, given the great number of Hispanics living in that city and the surrounding area. The reality did not meet our expectations!
The event turned out to be very small, with much lower numbers of attendees than the celebration in Darlington. We set up with gospel signs at two different approaches into the park – in fact, on the sidewalk at the corner of two fairly busy intersections. That way we were able to hand out tracts to those entering the park and also expose them to the gospel message on the signs even as persons in the vehicles at the intersections also read the same gospel message. Due to the low turnout at the event, two of our number also lit dropped gospel tracts at homes in the area. All told, we ended up handing out 685 From Death unto Life gospel booklets, each with an insert with Scripture verses in Spanish; and we had several private conversations as well.
Meanwhile, at the Nebraska Cinco de Mayo celebration, there was no shortage of people when it came to the crowd attending. Mark and Janet, holding a Scripture sign, were enabled by the Lord to give out a total 1,238 gospel tracts.
The event turned out to be very small, with much lower numbers of attendees than the celebration in Darlington. We set up with gospel signs at two different approaches into the park – in fact, on the sidewalk at the corner of two fairly busy intersections. That way we were able to hand out tracts to those entering the park and also expose them to the gospel message on the signs even as persons in the vehicles at the intersections also read the same gospel message. Due to the low turnout at the event, two of our number also lit dropped gospel tracts at homes in the area. All told, we ended up handing out 685 From Death unto Life gospel booklets, each with an insert with Scripture verses in Spanish; and we had several private conversations as well.
Meanwhile, at the Nebraska Cinco de Mayo celebration, there was no shortage of people when it came to the crowd attending. Mark and Janet, holding a Scripture sign, were enabled by the Lord to give out a total 1,238 gospel tracts.
Gospel Ministry at the Nebraska State Track Meet – May 17
At this high school event, Janet held a Scripture sign and at the same time gave out what gospel tracts she could. Mark concentrated on offering gospel tracts. The two of them together gave out 300 gospel tracts to fans arriving for the state track meet in Omaha. Mark had several good conversations in which he was able to witness to individuals. Mark was himself encouraged on in the work by a bus driver who stopped to say he had seen Mark out every year witnessing for the Lord at the event and that he really appreciated it. “. . . for there is no restraint to the Lord to save by many or by few” (1 Samuel 14:6).
Sharing the Word of Life at the Syttende Mai Celebration in Stoughton – May 18
Four of our PCC members traveled to Stoughton to share the gospel at the commemoration of Norwegian Independence Day. Since my grandpa on my father’s side emigrated here from Norway at age 19 to seek a better life, I hope I will be forgiven for mentioning that it is doubtful any towns in Norway celebrate our Independence Day! Nevertheless, the event provided a good occasion to share the gospel. Our Joy had a good opportunity to witness to a sincere young lady, and by the time our team headed home, they had given out about 1,400 gospel tracts, counting about 100 of our tracts given out by a good brother, a friend of ours named Ryan who currently is a full-time evangelist traveling to different areas of the country. Ryan spent his time in Stoughton holding a Scripture banner and preaching.
A Glorious Memorial Day Gospel Witness – May 27
When Memorial Day rolled around this year, we were geared up to share the gospel along the route of not only one parade but two parades, one in Beloit and the other in Janesville. The Janesville parade was scheduled to start only two hours later than the Beloit parade. Nevertheless, we decided to make a try for both, with the stipulation that we would not compromise in the thoroughness of our work in Beloit.
With rain threatening and the air muggy, we arrived in Beloit, split into two teams of three each which headed to the start of the parade with a determination to offer a gospel tract to every last person on the parade route. At the same time, a third team of two set up a gospel sign at the end point of the parade with the intent of handing out gospel tracts there as well.
Though each team was equipped with over 2,000 gospel tracts, part way through the parade both teams ran out! We put in a call to the team at the end of the parade letting them know we needed to be resupplied from the van they had parked nearby their position. They wasted no time getting the needed tracts to us and we went back to work. And work it was, since the entire parade route was packed with people. In fact, there were so many people that we ended up handing out well over 5,000 gospel tracts and 110 Gospel of John booklets at that one parade! Upon arriving at the end of the parade route, we quickly piled into the van and headed for Janesville. We arrived in time to take up our positions and start down the parade route, even as there were a few drops of rain in the air. We quickly found out that the Janesville parade attendance was what can only be called sparse and deduced that many people from that area had traveled to Beloit for the parade there, since the chance of rain earlier was less for Beloit than the chance of rain later for the Janesville parade. However, other than intermittent sprinkles, the rain held off until we had covered the entire Jamesville parade route and handed out over 1,000 gospel tracts. Thus we ended up the day having handed out at the two parades a grand total of 6,260 gospel tracts and 110 Gospels of John. “Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen” (Ephesians 3:20-21).
With rain threatening and the air muggy, we arrived in Beloit, split into two teams of three each which headed to the start of the parade with a determination to offer a gospel tract to every last person on the parade route. At the same time, a third team of two set up a gospel sign at the end point of the parade with the intent of handing out gospel tracts there as well.
Though each team was equipped with over 2,000 gospel tracts, part way through the parade both teams ran out! We put in a call to the team at the end of the parade letting them know we needed to be resupplied from the van they had parked nearby their position. They wasted no time getting the needed tracts to us and we went back to work. And work it was, since the entire parade route was packed with people. In fact, there were so many people that we ended up handing out well over 5,000 gospel tracts and 110 Gospel of John booklets at that one parade! Upon arriving at the end of the parade route, we quickly piled into the van and headed for Janesville. We arrived in time to take up our positions and start down the parade route, even as there were a few drops of rain in the air. We quickly found out that the Janesville parade attendance was what can only be called sparse and deduced that many people from that area had traveled to Beloit for the parade there, since the chance of rain earlier was less for Beloit than the chance of rain later for the Janesville parade. However, other than intermittent sprinkles, the rain held off until we had covered the entire Jamesville parade route and handed out over 1,000 gospel tracts. Thus we ended up the day having handed out at the two parades a grand total of 6,260 gospel tracts and 110 Gospels of John. “Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen” (Ephesians 3:20-21).
Car Show Witness – June 7
On short notice, one of our PCC members joined with the aforementioned Ryan to share the gospel with individuals attending a car show on the square in Monroe. 303 gospel tracts were handed out and many also heard preaching from Ryan as well as read the Scripture signs which he held. Much gospel truth was also shared through many one-on-one conversations.
ArchOmaha Unite – June 8
This family event, sponsored by the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Omaha, featured food, music of all types, comedy performances, and of course, the “celebration of the mass.” Mark and Janet were on hand to witness to the Roman Catholics attending. By the grace of God, they handed out about 300 gospel booklets each with our An Urgent Plea to Roman Catholics tract as an insert. A great many of the pope’s deceived, spiritually enslaved followers saw the Scripture sign Mark and Janet displayed. Mark was also able to share needed truth with the men and women and young people filing past. “The people which sat in darkness saw great light; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up” (Matthew 4:16).
College World Series (CWS) – June 14-26
Once again this year, we sent Joy out to Omaha to reinforce Mark and Janet for a gospel witness to the teeming crowds attending the baseball College World Series. Ryan also made his way to Omaha to preach at the same event. This year, the colleges participating in CWS came from Arkansas, Alabama, Florida, Kentucky, Michigan, Mississippi, Texas, and Tennessee. Fans from all round the nation came to Omaha for the games.
Our gospel team’s ministry actually began the night of Thursday, June 13 at a major league baseball game between Detroit and Kansas City. CWS began on Friday with our brethren on hand to share the gospel to the crowds arriving for the opening ceremony. Over the following days, the four labored many, many long hours sharing the gospel. They made use of a number of Scripture signs, engaged in quite a number of worthwhile one-on-one witnesses, and handed out our gospel booklets and gospel tracts. For his part, Ryan put in a great many hours preaching, at times to stationary masses of fans waiting to enter the stadium.
Our gospel team’s ministry actually began the night of Thursday, June 13 at a major league baseball game between Detroit and Kansas City. CWS began on Friday with our brethren on hand to share the gospel to the crowds arriving for the opening ceremony. Over the following days, the four labored many, many long hours sharing the gospel. They made use of a number of Scripture signs, engaged in quite a number of worthwhile one-on-one witnesses, and handed out our gospel booklets and gospel tracts. For his part, Ryan put in a great many hours preaching, at times to stationary masses of fans waiting to enter the stadium.
As might be expected, our great adversary (1 Peter 5:8) stirred up some opposition to our brethren’s faithful gospel witness. Representatives of the corporation which owns the stadium in which the CWS games took place gave Mark a hard time with the goal being to convince him that the public sidewalk adjoining the stadium property was off limits for gospel ministry. Joy in particular was targeted by some brave “men” obviously full of hatred for the Lord, His people, and His gospel. One corpulent man came up behind Joy and began shoving her with his fat, Buddha-like belly. At one point, another hero stepped in front of Joy and blocked her from handing out tracts, moving with Joy every time she moved away from him. When she headed toward one of our men, Joy’s antagonist stayed with her until he realized where she was going. At that point, his courage failed, and he was gone, which is par for the course for such individuals.
Unfortunately, the worst bully of all wore the uniform of the Omaha Police Department. This officer walked up to Joy, ripped the gospel tracts out of her hands, and told her she was going straight to Corrections. How this officer planned to do this without a trial, he did not explain. Joy, though trembling a bit under this onslaught, kept her wits about her, calmly asserting she was exercising her constitutional rights on the public sidewalk and requested to speak to the officer’s supervisor. At this point, Officer Friendly stalked off. He came back some time later and handed Joy her tracts while at the same time assuring her she was just fine doing what she was doing. No doubt the officer had received an attitude adjustment from a superior officer on the scene. Nevertheless, the officer’s pride required that he then accuse Joy of previously blocking the sidewalk, which was not only ridiculous but would have been impossible for Joy to do even if she had wanted to do so! Mark was by then on the scene and did a good job communicating to the officer the unlawful, unconstitutional nature of his actions.
Unfortunately, the worst bully of all wore the uniform of the Omaha Police Department. This officer walked up to Joy, ripped the gospel tracts out of her hands, and told her she was going straight to Corrections. How this officer planned to do this without a trial, he did not explain. Joy, though trembling a bit under this onslaught, kept her wits about her, calmly asserting she was exercising her constitutional rights on the public sidewalk and requested to speak to the officer’s supervisor. At this point, Officer Friendly stalked off. He came back some time later and handed Joy her tracts while at the same time assuring her she was just fine doing what she was doing. No doubt the officer had received an attitude adjustment from a superior officer on the scene. Nevertheless, the officer’s pride required that he then accuse Joy of previously blocking the sidewalk, which was not only ridiculous but would have been impossible for Joy to do even if she had wanted to do so! Mark was by then on the scene and did a good job communicating to the officer the unlawful, unconstitutional nature of his actions.
Such Christ-hating rogue officers abuse their authority and use intimidation in the hopes of shutting down the sort of gospel witness which was being carried on by our brethren at CWS. But thanks be to God, they are still a very small minority of those pledged to serve and protect. Mark and Joy did an excellent job handling the situation which in turn, by the grace of God, resulted in very little interruption in the gospel work.
After the CWS games on June 21, Joy headed back to Monroe, and Ryan left for other ministry elsewhere. Meanwhile Mark, who had taken off time from work to share the gospel at CWS, spent many more hours witnessing there while Janet, with their two children in tow, was able to also be out on one of the remaining days of the series.
From June 13th to the 26th, our brethren handed out a grand total of 12,560 gospel tracts and gospel booklets. In addition, a multitude heard the gospel preached and read the various Scripture signs the faithful four made use of over the course of 14 days of hard labor. “Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place” (2 Corinthians 2:14).
After the CWS games on June 21, Joy headed back to Monroe, and Ryan left for other ministry elsewhere. Meanwhile Mark, who had taken off time from work to share the gospel at CWS, spent many more hours witnessing there while Janet, with their two children in tow, was able to also be out on one of the remaining days of the series.
From June 13th to the 26th, our brethren handed out a grand total of 12,560 gospel tracts and gospel booklets. In addition, a multitude heard the gospel preached and read the various Scripture signs the faithful four made use of over the course of 14 days of hard labor. “Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place” (2 Corinthians 2:14).
Memorial Park Concert – June 28
Mark and Janet, with Janet holding a gospel sign, handed out 249 gospel tracts and gospel booklets as well as a couple of our An Urgent Plea to Roman Catholics tracts at the annual Memorial Park music concert in Omaha. They also were able to engage a number of music fans in conversation, thus witnessing to them of the way of salvation. Mark was enabled to share much gospel truth with a young man who appeared to be into cutting himself. Before he left, the young man accepted from Mark one of our gospel tracts, also a gospel booklet and a Gospel of John.
During the course of this gospel witness, Mark and Janet were accosted by a United Church of Christ minister who is involved with the Tri Faith Center (“Christian,” Judaism, and Islam). The wrought-up wolf accused Mark and Janet of spreading a “false gospel.”
During the course of this gospel witness, Mark and Janet were accosted by a United Church of Christ minister who is involved with the Tri Faith Center (“Christian,” Judaism, and Islam). The wrought-up wolf accused Mark and Janet of spreading a “false gospel.”
Town and Country Days in Lake Mills – June 29
The last Saturday in June found six of us from Pilgrims Covenant church in Lake Mills, Wisconsin to share the gospel with the crowd assembled along the Town and Country Days parade route. By the grace of God, 2,702 gospel tracts were received by that same number of individuals. It bears mentioning that even many of those who do not accept a tract offered to them by us during our ministry labors nevertheless read what is written on the front of the tract. Depending on the gospel tract we are using, what they read is either Heaven or Hell? or Christ Jesus Came into the World to Save Sinners. The Spirit of the Lord is well able to effectually use those words in the heart of a perishing sinner.
Independence Day Witness – Mineral Point, July 4
Eight of us from PCC were on hand to share the gospel with those watching an Independence Day parade in Mineral Point. Due to the town being a tourist destination in the summer, there is a certain element of the population of around 2,500 which is anything but favorable to gospel ministry. That number included a mean-looking woman who watched the parade with her pet boa constrictor draped about her neck. But there were also many that willingly received our gospel tracts. The parade pulls in people from the immediate surrounding rural area as well, and the Lord enabled us to hand out 2,258 gospel tracts.
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Other Gospel Labors
Since the last ministry report in April, 2,800 of our gospel tracts and booklets, 78 Gospels of John, and one Bible have been given out at other various public events, including events in several towns and cities, at some area high schools and junior high schools, and by lit drops in Omaha and Schuyler, Nebraska, as well as Monroe and New Glarus, Wisconsin.
Billboard Update
As I write this, we have our gospel message on billboards at the intersection of Highways 11 and 35 near Hazel Green and on Highway 51 by the airport in Janesville. Amazingly, our billboard near Omaha, which went up on November 26, 2018, is still up! We purchased the space for one month, but for whatever reason, we have received quite a bonus, for which we thank the Lord. We have had billboards stay up past the rented time but nothing which has stayed up anywhere near this long. The closest we have come is our billboard in Freeport, Illinois. Our message went up on that “board” at the end of February of this year. As of two weeks ago when a member of our church passed by that billboard, our gospel message was still on it! We have now posted that same message on 38 billboards. We currently have two more billboards reserved, one in Monroe for Cheese Days of next year and one in Waupun for the end of August to the end of September. Lord willing, we will continue this billboard campaign which has already shared the gospel with a great multitude of perishing souls.
“Oh that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!” Psalm 107:8
Our church’s pro-life billboard
April 8, 2019
Dear Friends,
For those interested, here is a short update on our public ministry work. With the exception of an event in Omaha and our gospel billboards, our open-air 2019 gospel campaign began in early March, and going forward, there will be increasing opportunities for us to share the gospel with multitudes at large public events.
In this report, I have included a picture of a pro-life billboard message which our church has posted and which, as I write this, is being seen by many who enter Monroe from the south on Hwy. 69, including many citizens of Illinois, even as pro-aborts in that state are moving toward enacting a law which would remove all regulations and all restrictions on abortion. So our timing and location of this billboard could not be better, and of course, many Wisconsin residents do also see this billboard as well. As I mentioned, this billboard message was not paid for by our public ministry fund which is strictly for open-air gospel ministry, but by our church’s general fund.
Our thanks to all of you who are praying for our gospel labors and to those who have helped to fund those labors.
Sincerely,
Ralph Ovadal
Dear Friends,
For those interested, here is a short update on our public ministry work. With the exception of an event in Omaha and our gospel billboards, our open-air 2019 gospel campaign began in early March, and going forward, there will be increasing opportunities for us to share the gospel with multitudes at large public events.
In this report, I have included a picture of a pro-life billboard message which our church has posted and which, as I write this, is being seen by many who enter Monroe from the south on Hwy. 69, including many citizens of Illinois, even as pro-aborts in that state are moving toward enacting a law which would remove all regulations and all restrictions on abortion. So our timing and location of this billboard could not be better, and of course, many Wisconsin residents do also see this billboard as well. As I mentioned, this billboard message was not paid for by our public ministry fund which is strictly for open-air gospel ministry, but by our church’s general fund.
Our thanks to all of you who are praying for our gospel labors and to those who have helped to fund those labors.
Sincerely,
Ralph Ovadal
Gospel Witness to 4,000 Roman Catholics – Saturday, January 26
“The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me; because the Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound.” Isaiah 61:1
Every year a Roman Catholic pro-life parade filled with all manner of idolatry, and with a few new evangelicals taking part, is staged in Lincoln, Nebraska. Mark and Janet, our Omaha connection, seized on this event as an opportunity to share gospel truth with those thousands of perishing Roman Catholics in bondage to popery’s idolatry and gospel of sacramental salvation.
Mark and Janet took their stand on the parade route about 50 yards from the end of the march. As Mark (a former Roman Catholic himself) preached from the back of their truck and held a large sign reading, “Salvation is by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone; not by the mass, Mary, or the sacraments. (Galatians 2:16, Ephesians 2:8-9),” Janet handed out our gospel booklet titled From Death unto Life. By the grace of God, she was enabled to hand out a total of 175 booklets.
At one point a man with a huge tapestry of “Our Lady of Guadalupe” tried to block Mark’s sign, but without much success. That particular manifestation of the Roman Catholic goddess is held to be the “Patroness of the Unborn.” The Roman Catholics believe she will stop abortion and pray to her to do just that. During the course of this ministry, Mark also ended up witnessing to some individual marchers who engaged him in conversation, including a Roman Catholic priest. We trust this gospel witness will be used to deliver more than one, even many Roman Catholics, from death unto life – everlasting life in Christ.
Mark and Janet took their stand on the parade route about 50 yards from the end of the march. As Mark (a former Roman Catholic himself) preached from the back of their truck and held a large sign reading, “Salvation is by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone; not by the mass, Mary, or the sacraments. (Galatians 2:16, Ephesians 2:8-9),” Janet handed out our gospel booklet titled From Death unto Life. By the grace of God, she was enabled to hand out a total of 175 booklets.
At one point a man with a huge tapestry of “Our Lady of Guadalupe” tried to block Mark’s sign, but without much success. That particular manifestation of the Roman Catholic goddess is held to be the “Patroness of the Unborn.” The Roman Catholics believe she will stop abortion and pray to her to do just that. During the course of this ministry, Mark also ended up witnessing to some individual marchers who engaged him in conversation, including a Roman Catholic priest. We trust this gospel witness will be used to deliver more than one, even many Roman Catholics, from death unto life – everlasting life in Christ.
Idolatry at the Walk for Life (Picture source: Lincoln Journal Star)
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Mark sharing the way of eternal life
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State High School Wrestling Championships
“For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.” Luke 19:10
Eight of us witnessed to wrestling fans, a great many of them young people, attending the annual state championship matches at the UW Field House in Madison on Saturday, March 2. We split into two teams, with each team set up complete with a large gospel sign at each entrance to the field house. While two of our number held those signs and gave out what gospel tracts they could, the rest of us concentrated on handing out our tract titled Christ Jesus Came into the World to Save Sinners. By the time we headed for home, a total of 1,042 individuals had accepted that tract from us.
State Boys Basketball Tournaments
“For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.” 1 Corinthians 1:18
Luke, Joy, and Dan hand out gospel tracts at the entrance of the Kohl Center grounds
As we have done for so many years, we were once again back at the Kohl Center in Madison to witness to the crowds attending the high school basketball championships. Nine of us set up at three different spots where fans go past to get into the Kohl Center. We used three Scripture signs and handed out 1,625 gospel tracts. Considering the schools we witnessed to were from the divisions which are made up of smaller schools, and that two of the schools were Roman Catholic, we were quite happy with the number of tracts given out. We find that Roman Catholics tend to be more resistant to a gospel witness than the average person. Ditto for liberal Lutherans. We did find the Roman Catholics pretty standoffish at this event. But a good number did take tracts, and they could not escape seeing our Scripture signs. The essence of gospel ministry is to share the true gospel out of Christian love and with steadfast faith in the effectual, sovereign work of the Holy Spirit. Salvation is of the Lord.
Two of our Scripture signs at the basketball tournaments
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Tommy sharing the gospel with a busload of fans
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Gospel Billboard Update
“All thy works shall praise thee, O Lord; and thy saints shall bless thee.” Psalm 145:10
Since beginning our billboard campaign in the spring of 2016, we have had our gospel message on 36 billboards. Thus far in 2019, our billboards have been in Baldwin, Wisconsin; Freeport, Illinois; and on a busy highway near Omaha, Nebraska. We have also reserved billboards at Hazel Green and Waupun, both in Wisconsin.
An amazing and wonderful thing has happened with the billboard near Omaha. In the past we have occasionally had our message stay up beyond the four-week period for which we have paid. There are various reasons the billboard company sometimes does not change the message immediately. But as I write this, the Nebraska billboard, which was first posted on November 26, 2018, is still up! We can only speculate on why, but perhaps the Lord has restrained others from renting that space; and since billboard companies usually don’t take down one billboard message until they put up the other, ours is still up.
To make this situation even more astounding, and as I said wonderful, since all the flooding in that area of Nebraska, traffic has been re-routed from other highways which are closed due to being under water, to pass our billboard! It is a blessing to know that so many people are reading our gospel message from that billboard in the middle of a disaster area.
An amazing and wonderful thing has happened with the billboard near Omaha. In the past we have occasionally had our message stay up beyond the four-week period for which we have paid. There are various reasons the billboard company sometimes does not change the message immediately. But as I write this, the Nebraska billboard, which was first posted on November 26, 2018, is still up! We can only speculate on why, but perhaps the Lord has restrained others from renting that space; and since billboard companies usually don’t take down one billboard message until they put up the other, ours is still up.
To make this situation even more astounding, and as I said wonderful, since all the flooding in that area of Nebraska, traffic has been re-routed from other highways which are closed due to being under water, to pass our billboard! It is a blessing to know that so many people are reading our gospel message from that billboard in the middle of a disaster area.
“And blessed be his glorious name for ever:
and let the whole earth be filled with his glory;
Amen, and Amen.”
Psalm 72:19
and let the whole earth be filled with his glory;
Amen, and Amen.”
Psalm 72:19