Tooting My Own Horn

I made it through 34 years in my life without ever being in the news. On January 16th an article ran in the Sunday Daily Herald in the Neighbor section that mostly interviewed my friend Rocio, but also featured a couple of quotes from me. I figured I would put it on here because it saves me from having to type out something longer on my own for a couple of days

Sidewalk salvation
Group finds field work the best way to spread Christian message
By Henry Stuttley Daily Herald Staff Writer

Armed with religious tracts, blankets and brown bags stuffed with
food, Rocia Rosas and other members of the Chicago Outreach Ministry
stroll through downtown Chicago.

As they pass the busy shoppers on State Street, they spot a homeless couple cuddling in the cold as they sleep on the corner.

A sign reading, "Just Plain Hungry," is propped up against them while several suitcases and a trash can sit behind.

Rosas, of Carol Stream, kneels and offers them sandwiches, potato chips, a thick blanket and socks.

Without hesitation, they accept.

After eating, Rosa prays with the couple.

"You don't have to stay out here," she says before calling several shelters to find refuge for them. "When you get back on your feet, always seek God first."

Rosas and other members of the Chicago Outreach Ministry believe they're called by God to travel outside of the church to spread their Christian message.

Members of the ministry, an evangelistic group, are parishioners of Harvest Bible Church in Rolling Meadows.

Once a month, Rosas, who is Chicago Outreach's discipleship coordinator, helps lead a group of volunteers that travels around the Chicago area.

The trips are as much a mission to spread Christianity as they are an attempt to help people.

Consisting of six to 20 people, the volunteers also pass out spiritual bracelets and questionnaires about religious beliefs.

They have set up prayer stations at O'Hare International Airport, Grant Park and Navy Pier, where they held their first outing in 2002.

Volunteer Patrick Gaffney of Naperville said it's a way of going outside the walls of the church rather than waiting for others to come to God.

"You can take it to people and not be offensive and in their face," he said. "If our faith is so important to us, it shouldn't be something hard to talk about."

Some reject their message.

But some have become Christians or renewed their faith in God, organizers say.

The one-on-one ministry is something many Christians embrace as the best way to spread the word.
Some talk about their faith at work, sporting events or even grocery stores.

Listening to people will make a difference, too, Gaffney said. But he doesn't believe God would want him to always be silent.

"If Christ is the most important person to you, you want to talk about him," he said.