Stories from the Field

April-May 2006

Skateboarders for Jesus
From a worker on the field

On the second day of Bible distribution, John and Elliot ran out of Bibles and decided to walk back to the hotel from their neighborhood, not knowing exactly how far they were from the hotel—or how to get back.  They stopped on the way to buy a few souvenirs and were looking for people to talk to on the street.  They thought they might catch a cab back to the hotel, but for some reason did not and kept walking.  A couple of blocks later, John spotted a group of young teenage boys (16-18).  John crossed the street to go talk to them and Elliot followed.  They told the group of young men who they were and what they were doing, and began to share the Gospel with them using the Evangecube.  These boys told John and Elliot that they were skateboarders (and they looked the part), and proceeded to tell them how they were outcasts and misfits in society.  As John continued to share to a captive audience Elliot sensed that God was speaking to these boys.  They were very focused on what John was saying.

As he listened on, Elliot noticed a very strange looking man with apparent physical disabilities watching—and per Elliot, scowling—at them from across the street.  This man began to cross the street and approach the group from behind John.  He came right up behind John and began mocking him as he (John) continued to share the gospel—unbeknownst to John but in full view of his audience and Elliot.  He didn’t make any noise, but was mocking John right behind his back, twisting his face in contortion.  For whatever reason, whether due to this man’s appearance or the timing of his arrival, it entered Elliot’s mind that this man was a demon.  Elliot was afraid.  He had no idea what this man intended, but he was a big man and it was very clear that he meant no good.  Elliot began to pray, and then, out loud but under his breath, he said, “I rebuke you in the name of Jesus Christ.”  When he did, the man yelled out loudly, turned around and returned across the street where he came from.  They never saw him again.

Until the man yelled, John had no idea that he was behind him.  He had been fully focused on sharing the Gospel, and barely missed a beat.  John and Elliot both proceeded to share with the group after this, giving their testimonies, quoting Scripture, and using the Evangecube.  At the end, John asked the group if, based on everything they had heard that day, if there was any reason whey they would not choose to give their lives to Christ.  Three of the boys immediately said that they wanted to follow Christ, and prayed to receive Christ right there in front of the other 5 friends.  John kept sharing with these other 5, and one-by-one, each of the other 5 boys accepted Jesus.  All of this happened right there on the street. 

Most of these young men were dressed in the typical skateboarder garb, complete with chains and necklaces, long, bushy hair and baggy jeans.  After they prayed, Elliot pointed to the pentagram around one of the boy’s necks.  He asked him if he knew want it meant.  They boy knew.  Elliot told him, “I just want you to know that you are no longer bound by that.”  Immediately, the boy took the necklace off, along with the marijuana leaf necklace around his neck.  A couple others proceeded to do the same.  John and Elliot watched in amazement as this group of rough-looking skaters changed before their eyes. 

Elliot and John continued to invest in this group of young men for the remainder of their trip, meeting with them at least 3 more times.  2 of the boys even accompanied the volunteer group on follow-up visits as interpreters.