J Bay Winter Fest 2015 Evangelism

13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:
14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. ~ Matthew 7:13,14

 

The Jeffreys Bay Winter Fest 2015 was scheduled from 8-19 July in South Africa. The various sporting codes would be the World Surf League (WSL) Open, the Billabong Junior Series surfing, Core Sokkie Joll skateboarding, Funduro, MTB, Cold Water swimming, and other events.

 

Gary had travelled down from Pietermaritzburg in KZN to Jeffreys Bay in the Eastern Cape on Monday July 13 and returned July 20 – a total round trip with the seed-sower of 2094.7kms. GOD was gracious in providing safe travels all round ~ Hallelujah!

 

Thankful for the hospitality of missionary church-planters Dave and Pam Webster who lovingly opened their home for the preaching of the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ and the wonderful fellowship enjoyed together. We are also thankful for all the prayers that have been offered before the Throne of Grace and especially to Living Hope Baptist Church and JBay Bible Church and also by the brethren on Facebook. Gary met with two Brothers from JBay Bible Church on Tuesday July 14 who were willing to come out of their comfort zones to make Gospel tract distribution and confront the fear of man by having evangelistic conversations down at the main WSL Open surfing event. It was a real challenge first day up-on-the-box and with Jancey and Jaycee experiencing first hand the wiles of the enemy – that serpent the devil – against the preaching of the cross! We set up outside the perimeter fencing of the WSL event’s site – knowing full well the legal restrictions and where public property was – but it was just a matter of minutes before complaints were made to the local WSL organisers/security who tried to summarily shut down the preaching ministry. However, Gary knew our constitutional rights to freedom of speech, expression, and to associate or disassociate with any person as well as the freedom of religion.

 

We were preaching the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, a message of hope, warning of two ways in life, a narrow way that leads to eternal life and a broad way that leads to eternal damnation in Hell (see Matthew 7:13,14), when we were then confronted by various persons wanting to stop the Word of GOD being made known on Da Gama Road outside the world renowned Supertubes! Whilst the preaching of the gospel is the power of GOD unto salvation to those that believe,

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

the preaching of the cross is also foolishness to them that are perishing,

18 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

Please note that while ministers of the Gospel are out on the streets at worldly events, we are not there to “pick a fight”, but to make known a Redeemer who can save the souls of unbelievers from an eternity in Hell, because of their wilful evil and wicked sin against their Creator! We speak the Truth in love (see Ephesians 4:15). Whilst most souls in attendance at these events do not wish to hear the Word of God being proclaimed, it does not excuse them from appearing before the Judgment Seat of Jesus Christ and to give an accounting of their lives upon earth according to the books which will be opened (see Revelation 20:11-15), as it is written:

27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:
28 So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation. ~ Hebrews 9:27,28

Needless to say, the preaching continued and the following testimony by Brother Jaycee is evident that our labour and stand in boldness was not in vain:

One of the biggest challenges that one can face is standing boldly for your faith in our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Fear of man is one of those things that seems to get to even the strongest among our brothers.

 

I had the wonderful opportunity to spend some time with Gary at the J Bay Open. While the event is in the world media due to the shark encounter, it will stick in my mind forever for the right reasons.

 

Gary and two of us went to the event to share the gospel on Tuesday. There was some commotion with the organizers as they felt that spreading the gospel should not be done there, but Gary stood strong and – he continued to do what he does best – preached.

 

I handed out some tracts, although the opportunity to have a one on one conversation with someone did not come my way, I had the privilege to observe how the message of the gospel affected the passersby. It was heartbreaking to see a young boy, about 11 years old, heckle and shout that there is no God. He was aggressive and had a lot to say about the man preaching, when my brother gave him and his friend one of the “What If” tracts, he tore his up immediately and ripped his friend’s out of his hand and tore it up too. He was part of a group of young people, and there was this girl, somewhat older that was part of this group, she came closer and spent a while listening intently to what was being said. The rest of the group called her to sit with them, about 15m away. I watched her, and my heart was so glad to see how she repositioned her body, tilted her head to make sure she could still hear what Gary was saying.

 

There [also] was this one guy that shouted from a distance that Gary should stop screaming at him, and then the surfer dude that I thought was a real beach bum (the danger of taking a book by its cover) he walked past and loudly said, “Preach It Brother!!” It is amazing to see the different responses from the people when they are faced with the truth. There was a young mother that stood next to me and listened to the word for a long time. When she left she asked me to thank Gary.

 

Back at home that afternoon, I reflected on the day and was overcome with the power there is in an outreach like that morning, we will never know who heard and to who’s conscience was spoken. There is power in spreading the gospel this way.

 

I only came to know how the ministry works and how important it is, when two days later I parked my car about 50m away from the spot we whereat, and the car guard greeted me with “Morning pastor” although I am not a pastor, it just showed that even if we did not see him that day he was reached. As I walked toward the gate another car guard shouted, “Yes for Jesus.” As long as we just do what is commanded and spread the Gospel, there will be ears to hear.

 

Blessings
Jaycee Compaan – Du Toit

 

Which brings us to the WSL Open Final and the “shark attack” on Australian Mick Fanning. Whilst much speculation can be given as to the shark attack, let me tell you what GOD’s Word tells us. GOD is in control of all things. And whilst the organisers/security tried to silence on Tuesday afore-stated the preaching of the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all (see Acts 10:36), for every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father (see Philippians 2:10,11), all the happenings that unfolded were GOD ordained. HE controlled the weather, even the rainy conditions over most of the week and the lack of favourable surfing conditions, to the very last act of HIS grace towards Mick Fanning that the Australian was not harmed showing HIS goodness, as we can read:

39 See now that I, even I, am he, and there is no god with me: I kill, and I make alive; I wound, and I heal: neither is there any that can deliver out of my hand.
40 For I lift up my hand to heaven, and say, I live for ever.
41 If I whet my glittering sword, and mine hand take hold on judgment; I will render vengeance to mine enemies, and will reward them that hate me.
42 I will make mine arrows drunk with blood, and my sword shall devour flesh; and that with the blood of the slain and of the captives, from the beginning of revenges upon the enemy.
43 Rejoice, O ye nations, with his people: for he will avenge the blood of his servants, and will render vengeance to his adversaries, and will be merciful unto his land, and to his people. ~ Deuteronomy 32:39-43

16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:
17 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. ~ Colossians 1:16,17

28 And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all. ~ 1 Corinthians 14:28

11 In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will: ~ Ephesians 1:11

The question posed, not only to Mick Fanning, but to every single person on planet earth, is: Are YOU Ready? If YOU should die, are you ready to stand before the Judgment Seat of GOD Almighty, the Lord Jesus Christ? The Scriptures are clear that if you die unredeemed by the Lamb of GOD who taketh away the sins of the world, who lay down HIS life and was bruised for our iniquity, who paid our fine that is deserving of death and eternity in Hell with HIS precious blood as a substitutionary atonement for our wretched sins, if you have not the righteousness of GOD through the redemptive work of Jesus Christ upon the cross and by HIS death and resurrection, you will stand condemned and worthy of eternal punishment in the lake of fire which is the second death! Friend, you are not guaranteed tomorrow. Life can be taken at any moment in time. Mick Fanning was fortunate his soul was not required of him on Sunday July 19, 2015, and that GOD – the Only True and Living GOD YHVH – was gracious and mercifully gave a warning, not only to Mick Fanning, but to every eye witness who saw the events unfolding live on international television, and to those also fortunate enough to have heard the preaching of the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ at Jeffreys Bay. Don’t be mocking as the Australian spectator (?) was on Tuesday July 14, 2015, who said the Bible is metaphorical implying it cannot be trusted, or the incidences mentioned here-above, for it is written:

7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. ~ Galatians 6:7

Not even “heroic works” seen as good deeds, for example those done by fellow Australian and JBay Open finalist Julian Wilson and/or the water safety team will help a person before the Great White Throne Judgment Seat. Good deeds do not help with one’s salvation. Only whether you are born-again (see John 3:3,7) by the Spirit of God will help. So, TODAY repent and believe and be saved. Do you not know that GOD worketh repentance to those HE calls? So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. (Romans 10:17)

8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
9 Not of works, lest any man should boast. ~ Ephesians 2:8,9

Man can think he has control over his life, but GOD ordains everything – including when you will enter eternity, so do make absolutely sure that you are ready to face the Judge of the Universe Who is a Perfect, Holy, Righteous, Good GOD . . .

 

> Mick Fanning Shark Attack

> Competition Called Off: Surfers React to Shark Attack

Whilst all the events were taking place in and around Jeffreys Bay in cold, windy and wet weather, the fellowship and worship with like-minded GOD loving believers were priceless. Besides a lengthy discussion with a young surfer at Supertubes named Francois, the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ was also shared with car guards – one being Vuyani who wanted to know more, young children and teenagers like Bruce who wanted prayer both spiritual and for physical healing from a sport’s injury, and some young adult men – Wayne, Stevelin, Jaydrian and Zane – who were hanging out shooting hoops at a basketball court and who heard the Gospel and were challenged. The evangelism and fellowship was not only about the JBay Winter Fest – it went a whole lot wider and further and we give all our praises to our Most High GOD for that! Please do keep all in prayer for their salvation, which salvation is of GOD! The week ended with sweet fellowship and worship at JBBC.

 

 

In closing, to all the various religious and spiritual persons out here in cyberspace reading this article, know this . . . the Son of GOD, the manifestation of GOD the Creator (see John 1:1,2,14) made it abundantly clear when HE said: “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” (John 14:6). Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. (Acts 4:12)

46 And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day:
47 And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. ~ Luke 24:46,47; thus saith Yeshua haMeshiach [Jesus the Christ] Who is King of kings, Lord of lords and GOD above all man-made gods!

SOLI DEO GLORIA!