Get The Seed Out Of The Barn

World Cup Outreach Recap –

WWI Memorial Fan Experience

Psalm 1:1-3 became an unexpected picture of what we experienced during our World Cup Outreach at the WWI Memorial Fan Experience yesterday, on Tuesday, July 16^th.

"Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful... And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water..." (Psalm 1:1-3)

While Psalm 1 is written as a warning against the downward progression of sin, we found ourselves looking for the opposite progression that occurs in our epic fight of faith during outreach, Go with the gospel, and reach the Nations of the World.

Our goal was simple: get as much seed out of the barn as possible while remaining available for meaningful gospel conversations. We wanted to place as many Romans booklets into the hands of people from every nation while trusting God to use both the printed Word and technology tools such as QR codes and geofencing to create future opportunities for gospel engagement.

At first, we met at Midtown Baptist Temple and gathered to pray with many others who joined us in the harvest. As we joined together and went out in faith, God opened doors through FIFA volunteers who were believers themselves. These volunteers joined us in distributing the booklets, multiplying our efforts far beyond what our team alone could ever have accomplished.

Then God provided an opportunity none of us could have planned.

As fan traffic entering and leaving the Fan Experience began to merge, confusion developed in the flow of people. Suddenly, a security guard drove up and shouted, "Move the barriers and the dividing line, now! I need volunteers to help!"

Without hesitation, TJ and I responded, "We'll help!"

We grabbed barriers and immediately began redirecting foot traffic directly in front of the Fan Experience entrance. Almost instantly, we found ourselves in a strategic position, appearing to many as part of the volunteer team managing the crowd.

As thousands of fans streamed past, we began calling out:

"Have you gotten one of these gifts yet?"
"Please take one!"
"Get your very own Futbol Bracket in the back and scan the QR code on the front for the gift!"
"Have you heard the Gospel?"

People eagerly reached for them. Some asked for one. Others asked for two. Some asked for ten. Within minutes, hundreds of Romans booklets had been distributed to people representing nations from around the world.

The seed was leaving the barn.

Yet our goal was never merely distribution. We were also looking for those whom God was drawing closer to Himself!

Some people were willing to "walk" with us for a few moments. As they moved through the crowd, we were able to briefly share the Gospel and answer some of their key questions.

Others would "stand" and engage in conversation. These moments allowed us to go deeper, discussing Christ, salvation, and the hope found in Him.

Still others would "sit." These were the divine appointments. These were the people willing to slow down, listen carefully, ask sincere questions, and consider the claims of Christ. While Psalm 1 warns against sitting in the seat of the scornful, we were seeking those willing to leave that seat behind and sit in a posture of humility, openness, and faith.

Most scornful people hold a high opinion of themselves while viewing God's invitation with contempt. But the Gospel calls people to come as they are and receive the free gift of God's grace. We prayed for those whose hearts would move from resistance to receptivity.

Eventually, we had to step away from the distribution line to preserve the last few booklets for deeper conversations. By God's grace, He provided those opportunities as well. The same Lord who enabled hundreds of booklets to be distributed also opened doors for personal Gospel conversations.

Psalm 1 concludes with the picture of a tree planted by rivers of water, bringing forth fruit in its season. That is our prayer for every booklet distributed, every QR code scanned, every Gospel conversation held, and every seed planted.

Some seeds were scattered broadly.
Some seeds were planted personally.
Some seeds may not bear visible fruit for months or maybe years.

But all of them were entrusted to the God who alone gives the increase.

The nations came to Kansas City, and God allowed us the privilege of placing His Word into their hands and the Gospel into their hearing hearts. Now we trust Him for the harvest of their souls!

Please join us in prayer for the same fruitful outcome!