Beaumont Street Evangelism

Though my experience with First Baptist left me questioning the relevance of organized religion, I continued to work within the Baptist Denomination. Ray and I brought converts to Amelia Baptist, in the west end of Beaumont. Jimmy Burke, a dedicated man, pastored the church. Ray and I became friends with Pastor Burke and a few families. We often were invited to different homes for lunch after Sunday services. Like First Baptist, there was a core of Christians at Amelia Baptist dedicated to serving the Lord. They clashed with a layer of individuals wishing to insulate the church from the outside world. Danny Robinson devoted much of his life to drugs and violence. An ear had been bitten off and he had scars on his cheeks and forehead. He was the perfect hit man for organized crime and struck fear into anyone thinking of backing out of a drug deal. I found Danny kneeling in the streets of downtown Beaumont in the middle of the night. Ray was leading him in prayer and he was giving his life to Jesus. Tears were making their way down the horrible scars on his face. Ray was a fearless Christian and was not afraid to share Jesus with anyone, anywhere, and at any hour. We visited bars and houses of prostitution passing out Gospel tracts. Do you know who that is? Ray asked as he walked toward me. Danny was still on his knees praying. Hes killed people and is one of the most feared guys on the streets. Ray and I were both amazed when he began singing gospel songs as he

cried. Danny later explained that he had spent his early life in church, when his father was a preacher. Most of Dannys criminal associates were shocked when he openly shared his new faith in Jesus. Danny was the oldest in a large family that had been abandoned by their father. Without a father, the younger Robinsons followed Dannys lead and fell in line with everything he did, including accepting Jesus. Ray and I brought Danny to Amelia Baptist for baptism. When Danny stood in the baptistery and faced the people of the congregation, many began moving around nervously. One woman gasped. Danny was a horrible sight to those watching. After the baptism, few spoke with him. Danny never fit into church and eventually went back to crime. A couple of years later, gang rivals killed Danny and threw his body in the Neches River. The perception of most people in the world is that you do not delve into the personal lives of others. The Jesus movement proved everyone wrong. Ray and I found strangers willing to share problems, fears, and lay their personal lives open for scrutiny. Men and women often talked about the reasons for broken marriages and alcoholism. I frequently stopped people on street corners and asked them if they knew the purpose for life. Amazingly, few could find a reason to justify their existence and few had even considered the question. The Gospel is a message that can change lives, however, the church must get beyond a fear of being intrusive. The world wants to hear that Jesus is the answer to all their problems.