Stories From Colorado Springs Continued…

Moving Closer to Trusting Christ
A young man walked quickly by the literature table but stopped and turned back after a few steps. When I asked how he was doing, he said, “My life is totally out of control and I’m at the end of my rope.” He went on to say that a friend of his had moved to Texas and had become a Christian. The man noticed a change in his friend’s outlook on life in contrast to his own hopelessness. We conversed for some time about what God has done for us in Christ. He was very open to the Gospel but needed some time to think about committing his life to Christ.

 A  Way to Make an ETERNAL difference
In 2010 I personally conducted a three day silent protest of the Art Exhibit sculpture depicting an African slave ship. I strongly disagreed with its placement in front of the courthouse, considering how many African Americans face the criminal justice system and receive no justice.   For three straight days Courtside Ministries showed up nearby in the courtyard. I took notice of them listening to and praying with others. I thought how much more effective for change I would be if I were praying with people.   Soon after the art exhibit was moved, I went back to the Courtside table and asked how I could participate.  In my first two hours of volunteering we prayed with more than thirty people of all kinds, ages, and races. It was a powerful experience. Many expressed gratitude that we were available for them.  I believe Courtside Ministries has great leaders and is being effective for God’s Kingdom. The Lord has raised up this ministry for “such a time as this” to “bring the aroma of Christ to the courthouse” for Colorado Springs. Amen!

Moving Closer to Trusting Christ
A young man walked quickly by the literature table but stopped and turned back after a few steps. When I asked how he was doing, he said, “My life is totally out of control and I’m at the end of my rope.” He went on to say that a friend of his had moved to Texas and had become a Christian. The man noticed a change in his friend’s outlook on life in contrast to his own hopelessness. We conversed for some time about what God has done for us in Christ. He was very open to the Gospel but needed some time to think about committing his life to Christ.

 A  Way to Make an ETERNAL difference
In 2010 I personally conducted a three day silent protest of the Art Exhibit sculpture depicting an African slave ship. I strongly disagreed with its placement in front of the courthouse, considering how many African Americans face the criminal justice system and receive no justice.   For three straight days Courtside Ministries showed up nearby in the courtyard. I took notice of them listening to and praying with others. I thought how much more effective for change I would be if I were praying with people.   Soon after the art exhibit was moved, I went back to the Courtside table and asked how I could participate.  In my first two hours of volunteering we prayed with more than thirty people of all kinds, ages, and races. It was a powerful experience. Many expressed gratitude that we were available for them.  I believe Courtside Ministries has great leaders and is being effective for God’s Kingdom. The Lord has raised up this ministry for “such a time as this” to “bring the aroma of Christ to the courthouse” for Colorado Springs. Amen!

God Brings a Stream of People for Prayer
A wonderful thing happened to day as far as the extent of ministry. Recently we have been breaking our own records, and today we had the busiest day of all. During the four hours we were open, we prayed 88 times out at the table in front of the courthouse and twelve times in the Ministry Center.

Learning to Forgive
One woman named Donna was standing out front with her family. On the back of her shirt it had a picture of her 20 year old son who passed away three years earlier.   She said they had just caught the man who murdered her son and the court proceedings had begun this week. She was open to a brief prayer, and was open to talk about her son and God’s character in the midst of suffering.   She began to cry as the horror and pain of the last three years came to the surface.  She was still having a hard time getting to the place of forgiving the perpetrator of her son’s untimely death.  We encouraged her to continue to ask God for help and know that God would meet her there.

Finding Peace in Christ in the Midst of Tragedy
A young woman named Tina clearly needed some prayer and an encounter with God.  Her son had died 2 months ago and her husband committed suicide 3 weeks ago.  It was gut-wrenching to see the pain she was in.  As we started to pray she said that she was at a place where she needed to get her life back in line with God’s will.  We proceeded to lead her in re-committing her life to Christ, and with tears in her eyes she received additional prayer.  We were able to give her some referrals and resources.

Different Faith Sees the Need for Hope
A Jewish attorney came by the table and thanked us for being there.  He said, “Even though I have a different world view, I believe you are doing good and helping the people and the court system.”  He proceeded to reach into his wallet and gave us a donation, and told us that if we needed any help to let him know!

Finding Peace in the Journey
“Dear Prayer Warriors, thank you for praying for my earnest and heartfelt needs. I have not gotten employment yet, or permanent housing, but I am calmer now, at peace, and am able to tackle life’s crises.”

Experiencing the Faithfulness of God
Julia visited the organization…a year ago looking for help feeding her family. Her troubles didn’t stop there. Her new marriage was falling apart and her son was causing trouble. “They had a man named Marvin pray for my family,” Julia said. “Marvin encouraged me, and I cried. He lifted me up and prayed for us and every one of those prayers was answered.”

The Prompting of the Spirit
Debbie, (name changed) came out of the courthouse, passed one volunteer (who was busy with another person), and came up to a second one. Apologetically she said, “When I was going into the courthouse he asked me if he could pray with me.  I said that I was in a hurry. But, as I walked inside, God used his simple invitation to calm my spirit. Please thank him for me.”

A Marriage Healed
A couple came to the table with praise. One of them had visited about a month before and we prayed for the divorce proceedings and healing of the marriage. They returned now to praise the Lord that their marriage has been healed and they are doing well.

Experiencing Victory Over Addiction
A young woman has stopped at the Courtside table every Wednesday for several weeks. She is required to attend a court meeting regarding her past drug addiction and conviction. She has been clean for months and has been praising God. Today when she came out of the court house she was especially pleased because people in the courtroom including the judge actually applauded her attitude and progress. She was very excited to relate this to us.

Praying for Anyone in Need
A beautiful, heartbroken mother stopped to ask if we could pray for her even if she’s not a Christian. “I’m Jewish,” she said. We prayed together for her and her son and his legal problems. I’m grateful that people are drawn to the Courtside Ministries table by the Spirit of Christ. “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son…”