Gone Fishing

For years, I have been witnessing on camera (for "The Way of the Master" television program) to hundreds on the streets, in malls, in shopping centers, on planes, and in taxis. I've preached to thousands in churches, universities, and outreaches, but I've never had the courage to find a "fishing hole" in my own neighborhood and go there on a regular basis.

I decided it was time. I scouted out my territory and asked the local police station where teenagers hung out on a Saturday night. The "Westlake Promenade" (a local outdoor shopping center) turned out to be perfect--hundreds of high schoolers with nothing to do but stand around and hope for something exciting to happen.

It was a Friday night, 9:30pm. I loaded up with tracts and went out alone. I was very nervous. No cameras, no help, no encouragement from my friends. I got talking to a group of junior high kids and brought out the "Light Show" followed by a few trivia questions for them to win a bit of Christmas cash ($1 for each correct answer). As I swung to the subject of God, a little Indian Buddhist girl stepped forward and said "So this is what you do now? You give people money so they'll stand here so you can brainwash them?!" I felt sick. She might as well have said "You're pathetic. I used to like you on TV, but not anymore because you're bribing people to listen to your religious garbage." I swallowed my pride for about 10 more minutes before I packed it in and went home, licking my wounds. I felt terrible, as my fears got the best of me that night.

I was determined not to be defeated by a shrimpy little girl, so I went back the next night. Ray offered to come with me. This time it was electric! Totally different and incredibly effective. I learned so much that night about being bold, unashamed, and straight forward in my approach. It made all the difference. About 20 teenagers soaked up everything we had to say, took our literature, and thanked us for talking with them about eternity. I left with evangelistic goose bumps.

The next weekend I was back. Alone again. Shared the gospel with about 15 more high schoolers getting out of a movie. They loved it--Million Dollar Bills, trivia, and the Million Dollar Question: "Do you consider yourself to be a good person?" Great debates, spirited conversations, took them through the Law to the cross and they all took some "Save Yourself Some Pain" booklets! I left clicking my heels with gratitude for the seeds sown that night.

The next weekend I returned to the same spot with my pastor. In my car we read Spurgeon's evening devotional:

Paul's great object was not merely to instruct and to improve, but to save. Anything short of this would have disappointed him; he would have men renewed in heart, forgiven, sanctified, in fact, saved. His prayers were importunate and his labours incessant. To save souls was his consuming passion, his ambition, his calling. Dear reader, have you and I lived to win souls at this noble rate? Are we possessed with the same all-absorbing desire? If not, why not? Jesus died for sinners, cannot we live for them? Where is our tenderness? Where our love to Christ, if we seek not His honour in the salvation of men? O that the Lord would saturate us through and through with an undying zeal for the souls of men.

Thoroughly inspired, we talked to one group in the parking lot, two groups in front of the theatre, and then... I panicked. In the distance I could see that little Indian Buddhist girl standing on a bench in front of her friends. I ducked behind a tree, but it was too late. She spotted me, ran up and threw her arms around me and yelled in a mocking voice, "Oh Kirk Cameron, where's my free Bible? I want a free Bible!" After shaking off this little distraction (obviously a demonic dart to discourage me again), Johnny and I shared with another group and prayed with a young man to receive the Lord.

I am so thankful for the encouragement I've received to press on, get back into the game, and never give up for the sake of the lost. I've now found my own local fishing hole and I plan to be there every weekend I'm in town. How about you? Do you have an hour to spare one night a week for the sake of the lost in your neighborhood? Find out where the fish congregate and go to them. Visit our website for great tools to help you with your technique. May God bless you and help you bring in a big one as you faithfully serve Him.