“Mario, tent crusades will not work in this day and age—especially not in California.”
That was the voice of a highly respected minister.
Then he gave me all kinds of reasons.
His biggest reason to discourage me was this:
“Tents do not work with modern audiences, but especially now that they are illegal.”
Well, God had other plans.
He had plans to overrule human wisdom and to pour out His Spirit along Highway 99 in the Central Valley of California.
A dream became reality, and in the process, destroyed all the “logic” of man.
Now that the tent crusade is back in California, it is time to bring something else back.
The street meeting.
I am not talking about a concert.
I am not talking about a prayer meeting.
I am talking about taking the gospel directly to the streets.
Deliberately, setting up a stage in what some might call a “dangerous neighborhood,” and preaching a simple and direct soulwinning message.
Read this about the way street meetings were revolutionized by the Salvation Army:
“Soon after beginning his ministerial career in England in 1852, William Booth abandoned the concept of the traditional church pulpit in favor of taking the gospel of Jesus Christ directly to the people.
Walking the streets of London, he preached to the poor, the homeless, the hungry, and the destitute.
“When fellow clergymen disagreed with Booth’s unconventional approach, he and his wife Catherine withdrew from the church to train evangelists throughout England.
The couple returned to the East End of London in 1865, where many followers joined their fight for the souls of lost men and women.
Within 10 years, their organization, operating under the name “The Christian Mission,” had over 1,000 volunteers and evangelists.
“Thieves, prostitutes, gamblers, and drunkards were among their first converts to Christianity.
And soon, those converts were also preaching and singing in the streets as living testimonies to the power of God.
“When Booth read a printer’s proof of the 1878 “Christian Mission” annual report, he noticed the statement “The Christian Mission is a volunteer army.”
Crossing out the words “volunteer army,” he penned in “Salvation Army.”
From those words came the basis of the foundation deed of The Salvation Army.
“From that point onward, converts became soldiers of Christ and were known then, as now, as Salvationists.
They launched an offensive throughout the British Isles that, in spite of violence and persecution, converted 250,000 Christians between 1881 and 1885.
Their message spread rapidly, gaining a foothold in America and soon after Canada, Australia, France, Switzerland, India, South Africa, Iceland, and Germany.”
Now, 136 years later, Frank Saldana and his team from Inner City Action and Mario Murillo Ministries are having our first major street meeting, tomorrow, on Good Friday!
We will be on the streets in Modesto, CA, and we are hoping that as many as 1,000 people to gather in the streets to hear the unfiltered message of Jesus.
We will bless them with many things, food, clothing, and even a raffle.
Someone will win a PS-5, another a valuable bicycle, and yes, someone will win $1,000 toward their rent.
Why? That is the bait so we can tell them how to be free from drugs, poverty, and demonic power.
This is going to be amazing! But there is even more…
Former Pro Wrestler Carmine Azzato AKA Demolition BLAST (9 Time World Champion) will be there in person.
Carmine was supernaturally healed in one of our outreaches of deafness in one ear.
He lost his hearing during a match when his opponent slammed a folding chair against his head.
Since his miracle, he has been totally on fire for Jesus and is one of our associate evangelists.
He will tell his story as only he can.
Then Frank Saldana will take the stage to make a powerful appeal for the lost to come to Christ.
Why didn’t you know about this sooner?
Because we have been promoting this entirely among lost souls.
You may want to come—if you do, come with us and minister to these beloved lost souls.
At the very least pray for this incredible outreach.
God bless you!
I can’t wait to report to you what happens at this amazing soul winning event!
It is time to bring back the street meetings.
Remember how close we are to the tent crusade and pray!! If you can–please bring someone who needs healing to the crusade. And especially remember to bring those who need to be set free by the Gospel of Christ! MM
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