After sharing the Gospel with one 16-year-old girl, her parents — who run a t-shirt printing business — offered to create this custom Good Person shirt for us to remember the occasion. We met several Christians and even pastors — one of whom made a generous donation to Gospel Xpress.

We’re hoping to make this July 4th outreach an annual tradition in Alderson!

On April 13, 2010, Gospel Academy students went into Washington, DC to hand out tracts and share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with people attending the Cherry Blossom Festival. We handed out million dollar bills, optical illusion, and other ice breaker tracts and talked to people one-on-one. Gospel Academy was a Christian evangelism class sponsored by Gospel Xpress and FUEL (a singles ministry of McLean Bible Church).

Today, October 6 is Read The Bible In Public Day.

Last month, Gospel Xpress launched a viral outreach campaign on Facebook called Read The Bible In Public Day. Over 3,400 people signed up online to participate. Through this promotion, we are encouraging Christians across the United States to take their Bibles out into their communities and read it in a public place. Whether it’s at work, at school, on the subway, or at a playground — we want Christians to be a living witness to the influence God’s Word has on our country.

Sadly, many American Christians are ashamed to be identified as a Christians, when we have the legal freedom to follow Jesus Christ and read God’s Word — unlike many Christians around the world who risk their lives to follow Christ and meet with other believers. Americans have a unique opportunity to boldly profess their faith and tell others the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Yet so many of us are afraid to confront the world. We choose comfort over confrontation and somehow rationalize our disobedience.

Let today be the first step in your engagement with the world. Use your Bible as a conversation-starter with a stranger. Join us for Read The Bible In Public Day!

(Don’t use Facebook? Visit our promotion page for more info and videos.)

Leo shares the Gospel with four young men from south east Washington, DC.

Gospel Academy students participate in the Fairfax job fair outreach.

It only took an hour and a half for the Gospel Academy students to hand out 200 fliers and 400 tracts.

For Laura, this was her first time handing out any sort of religious literature to strangers. On the other hand, this was Dan’s third time handing out Bibles and/or tracts with Gospel Xpress, so he found it less stressful. Kevin has also done evangelism outreach in the past, so he was quite comfortable.

At one point during our outreach, the organizer told us we were not allowed to distribute literature at the job fair (which seemed suspect to me due to the nature of job fairs and the fact that everyone else was distributing job-related literature), and he asked us to leave. However, after discovering we were from McLean Bible Church and were promoting the church’s well-known Career Network ministry, he allowed us to finish.

The point of this outreach event was to get the students comfortable with handing out literature that was highly targeted to the recipients (i.e., giving unemployment-related information/literature to people looking for jobs). This will act as a stepping stone to the next series of outreach events.

Check out the video highlights from the outreach (you can also subscribe to our Witness Videos podcast)…

Megan co-leads the class.

We will be going through the Way of the Master basic training course, featuring video lessons hosted by Ray Comfort and Kirk Cameron. The class is facilitated by Michael Tolosa and Megan Beckwith, and study guides were provided free of charge to each student by Gospel Xpress.

The class meets every other Sunday for eight sessions at McLean Bible Church. On the off-weeks, Michael and Megan organize evangelism outreaches in the DC metro area. Stay tuned for more info on our class and outreach events!

In the meantime, check out the video promo we created to promote the class…

Leo shares the Gospel with Jay, a former Catholic from New York City. Notice how Jay mentions that there are some (mortal) sins that you cannot recover from. But an accurate knowledge of the Gospel acknowledges that Jesus has paid for ALL of your sins (past, present, and future), if you repent — and there is nothing we can do ourselves to “balance the scales” or earn forgiveness.

On Saturday, February 20, we showed up to a homeless outreach event in Herndon, Virginia, where we handed out free Spanish Bibles to the predominantly Hispanic crowd gathered to receive free warm meals and clothing from Cota and other members of the Soul Purpose ministry at McLean Bible Church.

The outreach started at 4:30 PM, when Cota went across the street to the 7-Eleven in Herndon, where homeless/poverty-stricken illegal Hispanics notoriously gather for day labor opportunities. Once promised with free meals and clothing, they gathered in a parking lot across the street, where Cota and her ministry partners dished out hot meals.

Following the meal, Cota and another woman presented the Gospel message in Spanish to the listening crowd. They acted out impromptu skits and also led the group in a cappella praise songs.

After the message was given, the attendees were given free clothing provided by MBC’s Clothing Shop ministry. During this time, we handed out the Bibles I had brought.

Michael, Megan, and Leo hit the streets of Washington, DC in downtown Chinatown to hand out tracts and share the Gospel with Washington Capitals hockey fans on Saturday, March 6, 2010.

On Thursday, February 4, we were able to hand out fifty Spanish Bibles during a Hispanic outreach in McLean, Virginia. The outreach was held at McLean Bible Church and was sponsored by the church’s Clothing Shop ministry. Luis Villalobos, the Hispanic outreach director for Frontline (the young adult community at MBC), shared the Gospel to the predominantly Latino audience prior to their visit into the Clothing Shop, where they helped themselves to bag-fulls of free clothing.

The Clothing Shop provides free clothing to people attending MBC, as well as the local community — there are no economic qualifications. They provide gently used men’s, women’s and children’s clothing and shoes, which have been donated by the MBC community.

The Hispanic clothing ministry is held every Thursday night at 6:30 PM. We would like to attend regularly to pass out Bibles, but we will need funds to purchase additional Spanish Bibles. Find out how you can help!

Megan Beckwith and Michael Tolosa handing out Christmas-themed Bibles outside the White House in Washington, DC.

“Did you get one of these?” I would say to get their attention, “They’re free.” When the passersby inquired what I was handing out, I would tell them, “It’s the original Christmas story.” Most would gladly accept the free gift, while the others would politely refuse.

We encountered many fellow Christians, who encouraged us and thanked us for doing the Bible handouts. One woman said she was completely surprised and inspired to see someone doing what we were doing in DC. A pastor even stopped to bless us. The park police officer patrolling the National Christmas Tree area told us, reluctantly, that we had to move further down the sidewalk away from the Christmas Tree, because there was no soliciting allowed. “I’m a fellow believer,” she said, “And I think what you’re doing is great.”

Inside each Bible, we included a Christmas-themed Gospel tract, so that everyone who received a Bible also received a clear Gospel message. That is, after all, the point of all of this… To reach the Washington, DC area with the message of Jesus Christ.

In addition to the handouts in DC, I was also able to hand out 100 Bibles at Tysons Corner Mall in the affluent area of Tysons Corner, Virginia. In total, we handed out nearly 300 Christmas Bibles last week. We have more Bibles to hand out, including 100 Spanish-language Bibles we’d like to distribute to low-income areas of Langley Park, Maryland in the coming weeks.

Please pray that our commitment to hit the streets with the Gospel message would remain strong, that we would find more people to help us, and that God would bless our efforts and use these Bibles to reveal Himself to the people of Washington, DC.

Michael Tolosa

Michael, who has over a decade of online marketing and filmmaking experience, will use his skills and knowledge to impact the secular Washington, DC area (as well as the Internet) with the message of Jesus Christ.

Already, the U.S. division of Gospel Xpress has launched two video podcast shows (Testimony Videos, Witness Videos) and engaged in mass Bible and tract handouts on the streets of DC, Maryland, and Virginia. In 2010, Michael will begin training other young adults to do street evangelism.

We’re excited to see how God is using Gospel Xpress to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ in the United States capital and all over the world!

Sterling Brown grew up in South-East Washington, DC. As a former drug dealer, his life was filled with conflict. One day, through extreme crisis, God delivered him from that lifestyle. Here is his story…

Leo approached six Muslims at the Starbucks in McLean, Virginia and shared the Gospel of Jesus Christ with them.

Dan Hong became saved in the 9th grade, his parents didn’t understand why, and he proceeded to live the ups and downs of the Christian walk into his adulthood. This is his story…

Megan Beckwith grew up in a troubled home, struggled with alcoholism and disbelief for most of her life, but discovered Jesus with the help of Christians in her life who never gave up on her. This is her story…

Nate Keeler grew up as a pastor’s son, but that wasn’t necessarily always a good thing. Hear his story…

Michael Tolosa grew up in a Christian home, but it wasn’t until college that he became born again. Listen to his testimony.

The new GX Program Director is Bro. Ed Tolosa. He took over for Bro. Chito Tolosa, who passed away last year. A new team has been trained by Ed for door-to-door evangelism.

When Jesus began His public ministry, He came “preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God” (Mark 1 :14), calling the people to repent for “the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matt. 4:17b). This was an announcement of an wonderful new state of affairs; God was at work in time and space to bring about the government of the promised Messiah.

As Jesus’ apostles took the Gospel into all the world, however, their preaching and writing referred more to “the gospel of Christ”(Romans 15:29). The church was proclaiming the Good News of the life, death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ. This was the same message; the focus had merely shifted from the kingdom to the King. And above all, it was “the gospel of God”(Rom.1:1), the Good News to man from God, who declared Jesus to be the Messiah, most powerfully by raising Him from the dead. So the Gospel is God’s message about Christ, and when we communicate the Gospel, we are, in a real sense merely repeating to the world what God has said.

Jesus employed a very significant word for this task in Acts 1:8, saying His disciples would be His “witnesses.” In the New Testament, to bear witness to something is to call attention to it. When “witness” is applied to the work of the church, we see that our task is to call attention to the King and His kingdom; we are to make visible what is invisible to a lost and dying world. Christians do this in a host of ways: by loving one another, by keeping the Lord’s Supper, by feeding the hungry and clothing the naked, and even by dying for the faith. Any activity that calls attention to Christ falls under the heading of “witness,” evangelism and missions included.

MEDITATE…

It is ironic that “to witness” has to do with calling attention to Christ-we’re often reluctant to witness because we fear calling attention to ourselves. Somehow we must overcome this hesitation. Examine your heart: What do you fear? Ridicule? Loss of social status? The mockery of worldly friends? Seek to please Christ, not men.

Cavite: 2009 Mission Field

Cavite has a total population of 2,856,765 based on the year 2007 census. The main languages spoken are Tagalog, Chabacano and English. However, a large number of immigrants from farther provinces also speak Bicolano, Cebuano, and Ilocano. In line with national statistics, the majority (90%) of the population are Roman Catholic while adherents of Iglesia ni Cristo account for 4% of the population. Other Christian sects and Muslims comprise the remainder.

Cavite is one of the fastest growing provinces in the country due to its close proximity to Metro Manila. Many companies have established manufacturing plants in numerous industrial parks.

Cavite is subdivided into 20 municipalities and 3 cities: Cavite City, Tagaytay City, Trece Martires City.

GX door to door evangelism campaign in the year 2000 started at Trece Martires City. The pure message of the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ was brought to the residents in different subdivisions and barangays. As a result bible studies and cell groups were established. Our workers may have covered almost all of the major subdivisions and barangays of this city through the years but saturation work still needs to be done.

Door to door evangelism, the heralding of good news, is not easy, for in evangelism, we attack the strongholds of Satan. True evangelism often results in Christians being mocked and mistreated.

God honors true evangelism and is often pleased to make the seed grow and bear fruit. The Father is the Lord of the harvest, He grants or withholds success. Christ is the builder of His church, the Holy Spirit is the divine Energizer and Commissioner. Where God is honored and His doctrine is maintained, we can be sure that our labor will not be in vain.

I would like to commend our ex-GX workers for their good stewardship in fulfilling the Great Commission of preaching the gospel. They have been faithful servants who selflessly served the Lord, never thinking of financial gain. They have become models of the gospel. The gospel has changed them. Their examples speak, perhaps more than their words.

This year 2009, we have a new team who will go door to door in General Trias to continue to wear out more shoes for the gospel.

GX would like to specially thank our former workers for their faithfulness. We thank the Lord for our friends for your prayers and faithful support. May our good Lord bless us as we move on to tomorrow.

Our door to door evangelism started last January in Navy Base, Baguio City with the help of our volunteers and co- workers in all our projects. Navy Base Christian Fellowship is surrounded by almost 200 houses and all of them received GXcomics and welcomed the good news we shared. We extended invitations for them to join our Sunday Services. We thank the young people, ladies and Pastor Winnie for their help in making this ministry possible. We are looking forward to ministering to more homes in adjacent areas. It is our prayer that this activity will be carried out all year round to places where our brothers and sisters in Navy Base have already established contacts and to places where we will build new ties. I am very confident that this will be possible because our volunteers are very enthusiastic and dedicated.

We had a series of lessons on door to door evangelism with the young people and ladies of Navy Base Christian Fellowship.

Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me and to finish His work. Do you not say, “There are still four months and then comes the harvest”? Behold I say to you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for harvest!” John 4:34-35

Reed Basket

The weather in Baguio is a lot cooler than the rest of the Philippines but that did not prevent the kids of Reed Basket from enjoying a cup of delicious ice cream after school. It was some sort of a reward for being fast learners. The older group can now read sentences fast and easy! School’s off this coming week to give way to Daily Vacation Bible School. Our students are required to attend. School year 2007-2008 ends on May 17.

If you think Teacher Joey Tolosa is confined inside the small day care room then think again! Just recently she was special guest speaker of the ladies’ group. She talked about Ana and Priscilla being worthy of emulation. The message was interrelated with the games (mind games) which Joey also prepared. At the end of her message she read a very encouraging poem dedicated to a sister, a daughter, a mother, a wife, an aunt, a grandmother or whatever the present role in life the attendee is in. ”In God’s eyes we are more than what we perceive ourselves to be!”

SOP Daycare, Cavite

Another school year had ended and truly God is so Good!

The graduation of the children was held at the SOP Church building on 14 March at 9am to 11am.

There were 7 kids who successfully completed the daycare program curriculum. They were given a certificate of completion and are now qualified to enter Grade I. Likewise, 11 kids who completed the Kinder-1 curriculum and were promoted to Kinder-2 this coming school year (2008-2009). Not to forget the 2 nursery kids who were promoted to K-1.

The program was opened with an invocation prayer by Rev. de Fiesta. Inspiring messages were also given by Rev. Conrad Tolosa and Hon. Councilor Remegio Dilag.

A thanksgiving message was given by Teacher Maria Cartagena and to close this happy event for the kids a snack was provided by our benefactors and parents of the kids. Though the daycare program has come to an end and will no longer be available this coming school year, we know in our hearts that the Lord Jesus will still continue to lead these kids to another school were they will know more about the life of our Lord Jesus and His free gift of salvation.

Home for Abused Girls

Last January 4, 2008, GX workers headed by Bro. Tony Tolosa, visited the Bethany Home for abused girls. The home is operated by the Salvation Army and is in it’s 7th year. The GX and SA workers treated the girls to a wonderful party. There was singing, dancing and a lot of good food. Bro. Tony brought with him gifts courtesy of the SA World Service Office. The girls were waiting for him to return and visit them, as he had promised on his July 2007 visit. A message of faith, hope and love was given by Sis. Maria Cartagena to the encouragement of the girls. Pray that this ministry will continue.

Thank you for all your support and prayers. To God be the glory!

Christians of all generations practice evangelism, rather than merely talk about it. They draw their spiritual life from the Word and for this reason evangelism is a way of life rather than a technique to be learned. They witness for the Lord Jesus Christ and teach His salvation to others.

The roots of evangelism are embedded in the local church which derives its life from Christ. Christians who abide in Christ by abiding in a true local church will evangelize spontaneously. We should devote our time and energy to evangelism, evangelism that springs up all year round.

Evangelism is not a special crusade or campaign. Evangelism is the preaching of the Gospel to every person old or young, male or female, rich or poor, weak or strong. The Gospel must be preached and applied to our own family first before we go into all the world.

Evangelism, in which teaching and doctrine are minimized by man-centered religion with emphasis on entertainment, is weak and disappointing because those who profess to have made decisions for Christ soon fall away. It is not by the wisdom of men that souls are saved, but by the foolishness of preaching (1 Cor. 1:21).

Door to door evangelism, if thoughtfully conducted, is found to be the best means of evangelism. To evangelize is to teach and instruct every person about the Gospel (Matt. 28: 19). Door to door evangelism can be done two by two. It is not suitable for men to visit women on their own. One purpose of visiting is to make contact with the people and to inform them of the work of the church in their area. While people are invited to come, it is to be realized that it is exceedingly doubtful that they will respond to such an invitation and therefore, the main objective must be to share the primary issues of the Gospel. We must not wait for them to come to us for we will wait in vain; Rather, we must be the ones to walk the distance. Records should be kept. Careful follow-up work is also very important. Proper timing for visitations need to be observed.

Starting door to door evangelism is difficult to do, follow-ups can be even more painstaking. Our Lord commanded us to teach all nations and assured us that He is with us even to the end of time. If He has commanded evangelism and promised to be with us, then that should be enough to encourage us on. We should persuade one another in this urgent and important mission.

A total of 568 Houses visited, 769 Individuals Witnessed to, 56 Converts, 52 Houses Open for Bible Studies, 216 Houses Open for Follow-up in the areas of Villaros, Baretbet, Villa Coloma Bagabag, Diffon Quirino, and San Pedro Bagabag was reached by Gospel Xpress.

Because of the Lord’s faithfulness to His children, Gospel Xpress Door to Door Evangelism is very successful in Nueva Viscaya. Aside from his work with GX, Ed Gonzay keeps himself busy by helping and being involved with other Christian Organizations as well. He was invited as guest speaker for a High School program and for several Christian churches. In March 2007, the temporary extension church at his residence was already finished and he now regularly holds Sunday School for children and adults, preaching service, extension program for Sunday School in the afternoon, Youth Discipleship and One-on-One Evangelism.

To God be the glory!

Cavite

Our Cavite Team composed of Lissa Destura and John Paul de la Cruz in one area and father and son tandem of Lorie and Francis de Sena in another area continue to be zealous in spreading the Gospel through GX and other very helpful and practical ways.

For this year Lissa and John Paul were given the opportunity to share the good news to the residents of more than 360 houses. While they practiced door to door evangelism they were also able to witness to people they met at work and people they met every day on the streets and other places.

Lorie and Francis de Sena had a full schedule during the months of August-September. Their main task was to teach the parents (mothers) of SOP (Sanctuary of Praise) Day Care students and the SOP Congregation. Topics they touched include 1.Forgiveness- 1John 1:9 2. God Disciplines His Sons- Hebrews 12:5-11 3. Fake Gods-Deut. 4:39 4. Bible- Job 23:12 5.Prayer-John 16:24 and Hebrews 12:5-11 and 6. Faith- 1John 5:3-5. They also spent a day of praising and praying with the SOP Day Care mothers.

Praise the Lord for giving the opportunity to reach more souls through the work He assigned to each of us. He gives and He equips. “For You, Lord, have made me glad through Your work: I will triumph in the works of Your hands.” Psalm 92:4.

SOP Daycare

SOP Church inaugurated the pre-school class of the Kids Center last 4 June 2007, offering free day care service for children ages 4-5 years old. With the kind heart of Ms. Shirley Tolosa, the center is able to teach Christian Values, English, Pilipino, Math and Science to 24 children. School supplies, other materials, and snacks are given free to these children.

Through this we were able to reach out to the parents of these children so that souls could be won for our Lord Jesus.

Mama Bay Cartagena teaches the kids with Ms. KC De Sena being the assistant teacher.

Parents, likewise, participate in the preparation of the snacks for the kids and the cleaning of the center after the class.

GX Sponsored Seminar

“How to share the Gospel to your kids” was the theme of this seminar. Participants were parents from the SOP daycare and nearby churches.

Lambat Ministries conducted the seminar under the leadership of Conrad Tolosa and Sis. Gin Tolosa. The lessons and workshops were very enlightening for most parents.

Baguio City

Sixteen participants with mixed age groups attended our seminar on evangelism. Bro. Chito started out with praise and worship before proceeding to the main part of the program. They enjoyed the lecture just as much as they enjoyed the singing. Afterwards those who prepared shared their short testimonies and gamely tried out their newly acquired strategy on soul winning on each other. The seminar ended with snacks provided by Bro. Chito and Sis. Irene.

The Reed Basket Child Care Center

Teacher Joey presented the first batch of students on their recognition day last April, 2007 where citations and special awards were handed out. Little Angel Mendita told the audience she would like to be a doctor when she grows up.

Our young students showed off their certificates of completion. Ms. Brenda Bayhon, Reed Basket president, shook the hand of Noralyn who received the Christian Character Award while program host Janis Tolosa and Pastor Winie Mata looked on.

This school year, Reed Basket Child Care Center has doubled the number of enrollees. We now have the “ready to read” group, which consists of the older students, and the beginners. Teacher Joey Tolosa is being assisted by two volunteers from Navy Base Christian fellowship, Chat Guisoben and Malu Mendita. A lot more educational activities are lined up for this year to help the children be better sons and daughters to their parents, better citizens of the community, and the best Leaders of tomorrow.

Teacher Joey’s assistants, Chat Guisoben and Malu Mendita are now enrolled in Kalos M.A. College taking up elementary education. Ronald Palacio, another active church member, is also enrolled in the same college taking up Information Technology. We are currently shouldering their studies thru the generosity of Sis. Brenda Bayhon.

Another Year Gone By

We praise and thank our Lord God for making our lives exciting. We thank Him for continually giving us the opportunity to work in His vineyard. We thank you our sisters, brothers, relatives, friends and church mates for your love gifts and prayers.

Soli Deo Gloria!

“The harvest is plenty-ful, but the workers are few. Therefore beseech the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into His harvest” (Matt. 9:37-38).

Prayer is important in a Christian’s life. Without it, our witness will be far less effective and we will be susceptible to the enemy. When we witness, we need the blessing and support of the Lord. Prayer makes all these possible.

We plant the seeds of the Gospel but it is God who gives the growth (1 Cor. 3:6-7). In prayer, we ask God to give that growth. In prayer, we ask God to convict the unrepentant of their sin and see their need for salvation.

Jesus prayed often; so should we. The reason is that we battle not against flesh and blood but against powers and the spiritual forces of darkness. That is where the real battle is. We need prayer because sharing the Gospel is certainly a spiritual battle.

Prayer is a privilege. Without it we will be unwise workers in the fields of the dead. Let us pray and ask the Lord of the harvest to raise the dead to life as we witness.

Sis. Lissa, Bros. Gary and John Paul continue to coordinate with different churches for door to door evangelism in different areas of this city.

In Golden City, Paliparan, together with some members of Jesus Loves You Church, met sisters Honey Serato and Ella Serato and their friend Rizzalyn Basol. After hearing the gospel, the three young ladies opened up their hearts to the group and told them about their job, which was illegal and not pleasing to the Lord. They realized they had to give up this job and look for a decent one if they wanted to grow in the spirit. Last Mar. 20, our team conducted a bible study at their home. Today the rest of their household attends the study. Let us pray for them.

In Brgy. Biglang Sibol with Word for Christ Ministry under Ptr. Diony Sefuentes, most of the people they witnessed to were willing to attend bible studies and were willing to be visited in their homes. We encountered no rejection in this area; they were receptive to God’s word.

Bagong Bayan- the coordinating church is World for Christ Ministries. There was a woman there who was so accommodating to have a bible study in her home. She’s been living here for a year now and was so happy to meet our team, for she is a Christian too. They were able to witness to mostly young people. Follow-up work is being conducted by John Paul.

In other areas, they conducted follow-up programs, held group bible studies, and visitations. Some groups were so accommodating, they were willing to share their personal experiences and were so open and friendly, while in other areas our team had to be very careful because Muslims dominate the area.

This quarter a total of 315 houses were visited.

Trece Martirez, Cavite

Brother Lorie and Sister Tess continue to hold group bible studies, particularly in Baranggay Luciano, Tradition Homes, and Sampaguita Village. Let’s continue to pray that they will be able to reach more areas.

Nueva Vizcaya

Pastor Gonsay with his children and Bro. Chito

Baguio City

Bro. Chito was guest speaker for Married Couples Fellowship in Navy Base Christian Fellowship, our partner church in this place. He challenged the husbands and the wives to be more vigilant in guarding the education of their children. He also shared with them our work in Gospel Xpress. He scheduled a seminar on door to door evangelism first week of May.

The Reed Basket Child Care Center

is scheduled to have its very first graduation ceremony on April 29, 2007. Teacher Joey is very excited to announce that after eight months the older kids have learned how to read and write which makes them ready for the first grade in any school of their choice. The younger ones learned their ABC’s, how to count from 1-20, and recognize shapes & colors. More importantly, they learned the importance of Jesus Christ in their young lives.