Every year in Northern Minnesota near Twig Minnesota, a light display is put up called: "Bentleyville tour of lights." This year the event was moved to Duluth MN. in the bay front area. Last night my Mom, Sister, myself and another brother in Christ (Steve) went out to this light display to pass out tracts and proclaim the gospel. My Mom and Sister held signs outside the gated area singing Carols, their signs said: "Jesus came to give LIFE" and "The Lord our God He is mighty to Save" Steve and I passed out tracts inside the event. This is a free event and the place we were standing is public sidewalk.
We were able to pass out many tracts until Mr. Bentley the man that puts on the event, came up to us very angrily saying, "You can't be here" Steve asked what law we were breaking Mr. Bentley said "The sign says no loitering" the sign actually says "No littering" which Steve pointed out. Mr. Bentley just started getting more angry, starting to yell at us, in fact he was so mad Steve thought Mr. Bentley was going to punch him!
He told Steve the police had told him we might show up at this event and we had waited two whole weeks to show up! (Acts 17:6) Mr. Bentley went over to my Mom and Sister, yelling at them saying he didn't want this c**p at his event, then Mr Bentley stomped off to call the police and get "Reinforcements" one volunteer for the event was left in place to "Guard" us. Steve started passing out tracts again and the volunteer grabbed his arm saying he couldn't pass them out because it was "Soliciting" Steve warned her that if she did that again he would press charges for assault. She had told us that she "Goes to Church" Steve told her she was ignorant of what soliciting is and that she was NOT a Christian.
We resumed passing out tracts while waiting for the police to arrive. As I passed out tracts near the entrance, the volunteer mentioned earlier, started saying to those taking tracts: "Were very sorry about this, their not a part of Bentleyville, their just soliciting" so I started saying as I passed them out, "These are FREE we are NOT soliciting." This went on for some time. eventually Mr. Bentley came back and started blocking me with his arm saying similar things to what the volunteer said.
The Police arrived and we were very thankful because the officer who showed up actually KNEW the law and told Mr. Bentley and the volunteer harassing us, we had a constitutional right to be there! Praise the Lord!!!
While Steve was talking with the police, a different volunteer approached me, she claimed to be a "Christian" but thought we should not be passing tracts out at this event. She told me it "Makes her sick" when someone approaches her with a tract. When I asked about Jesus command to preach the gospel, she replied "I think your misquoting scripture" I told her I disagree.
The officer suggested we move right outside the gate to avoid the scene being made, we took his advice and stood outside continuing to pass out tracts. The volunteer started telling everyone the same thing as before, so Steve went back inside the event and told the officer that as long as she kept it up, he would stand inside, when she realized this she stopped.
On our way to leave, Steve was able to give the gospel to one teen named Dan, please pray for his salvation.
Glory to God! We know that the world and the devil HATE the name of Jesus, any other name is accepted but not THAT name! We pray the name above all name, JESUS was lifted up last night! We plan to return on Saturday to this event. Please pray that, ...Utterance may be given unto us, that we may open our mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel... (Ephesians 6:19)
4 years ago
