XXX Church, Things you must know, a first hand account

We were at gay pride today and i got to speak with a person from xxx church about evangelism. Let me set the stage. There was a Gay friendly church called Trinity UMC that had signs up promoting that "God loves everbody" and "whosover means everyone." They were welcoming homosexuals. I was on the opposite corner, very close to them, and decided I was going to open air. This wasn't just any open air, this was a 90% scripture 10% preaching/explanation open air. I wanted to let the word speak for itself. I raised my voice loud enough for them to hear, but I was being very careful. As I began, you could see there eyes rolling and their heads shacking. I was only reading scripture, it was the words of God they hated. I gave a balanced message, I did mention homosexuality in a few passages, but not just focusing on that one sin. I even smiled when preaching about Jesus imploring everyone to come and lay down ALL their sin.

As I was still preaching, I recognized Craig Gross from xxx church. He had a frined with a camera. The minute I saw him, I knew exactly what he was going to do. He interviewed me with the purpose of thinking Im a typical hell fire, no grace, street preacher. He was trying to provoke me. He started by asking me what I was doing and why I was doing it. My answers were very scriptural and grace centered. I emphasized my desire for all to come to repentance and be saved, telling him that knowing that the scripture teaches that homosexuals will not inherit the kingdom of god (1 corinthians 6:9-11) and that I would be a terrible person if I barred the kingdom of heaven by not telling the truth. I also explained that Galatians 1 speaks of being accursed for preaching a diffrent Gospel, and the UMC gay church was preaching a wrong gospel ACCORDING TO SCRIPTURE.

He then began to ask me on camera why we as christians were arguing?(he was calling the gay methodists christians.) I explained that true christians have repented and turned from all sin. He was trying to make me the bad guy and insinuating that I was doing things the wrong way. I answered all his questions with scripture and was very grace centered with my bible in my hand and he asked "If Jesus were here, would he be on my corner or the other one?" I told him he would be where his word is proclaimed rightly. He then went over to talk to the other folks and get some footage for himself.

Now the interesting things happened. After they wer finished, I went over and asked them (offcamera) what they do with the concept of God hating people?(Psalm 7:11,psalm 11:5, etc. they have a new book called God Loves you and harp on that alot.) Craig said in short that he believes most of the OT law was done away with (Matt 5:17-20 Jesus didn't come to abolish the Law.) He was asking "Why do you come here and focus on this one sin?" I explained that I personally go to alot of diffrent events, even christian ones, and speak about Christ. I continued that I was speaking a balanced message of Law and Grace and that I wasn't focused on this one sin alone, but that it is a sin and needs to be spoken about. Craig replied and said that Jesus was only harsh with the relegious, other than that he was kind. I brought in the woman at the well and how Jesus pointed out her sin specifically and the rich young ruler how Jesus spoke directly to his sin (Mark 10:17-22, and John 4:10-12). He didn't really respond to that. He went on about how we are not effective.

He believes that Jesus never preached, he just made relationships with people and as they were open he shared. I brought up the sermon on the mount with look of shock on my face. I couldn't believe that hew was saying this. He also asked me for 1 verse where Jesus condemns homosexuals, and there isnt directly one, so I brought up romans 1. He said "NO, thats paul, I wan't a verse from Jesus." He went explain He believes that Jesus words in red are higher above paul and peters. (Jesus quouted the OT as sripture and 2 tim 3:16-17 says ALL scripture is inspired.) He couldn't pin me like he wanted. I am not a heartless screamer, I am beggar who has found bread telling other beggars where to find bread.

He went on to say that the Bible is a book for christians and unbelievers don't want to hear the word, thats why we must make disciples. (He is using make disciples to mean befriend lost people and hang with them and they are your disciple, at least thats how he used it in our conversation.) I asked him where faith comes from? Romans 10 declares Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of Christ. Where is the word of Christ unbelievers need? IN THE BIBLE!!!!!! I told him the word of God teaches men hate the light becuase there deeds are exposed. He was judging my brothers like crazy. Our brothers with signs (resonable sign guys), he was saying they aren't effective in reaching people. My buddy shot back by saying "have you ever held a sign and had people come to you?" He said no. He said the days of tracts and open air are gone and that speaking with people about Jesus Christ the way Paul did isn't effective. We must make disciples (befriend lost people) and eventually they will ask us.

I write this so others will have information of his theology. If you are questioning its reliability, email him at his site about his beliefs and email me about mine. I am not promoting a book, im not making money off this. People need to know this. At their booth they handed out bracelets that said "We're sorry." My buddy Keith asked them exactly what it meant? The lady at the booth said they were sorry that the relegious have condemned the homosexuals and told them they are going to hell. Even if a person says that with a wrong tone, it is TRUE from scripture that Homosexuality is a sin. I desire all men to come to Jesus, Thats why I go. Even in a dark place like this, I Go with the gospel of peace and a heart full of love. Pray that God would save ALL Gay people and that these people from xxx church would repent. God Bless