Spring 2008

Dearly Beloved of Our Lord:

We are very thankful that we have the opportunity to interact with people of all ages, backgrounds, lifestyles, cultures, etc.  We also meet people from different nations who can barely speak or understand English but are strong followers of Jesus.  These encounters always bring us joy because there is this language in the Holy Spirit, often non-verbal, with which we can praise our Lord together.  But the greatest joy is often found in our interactions with those who are young, especially with those under twenty-five.  For them we are too old to be treated as parents or equals so we get to be grandparents to those who often are confused, lost, angry, or alienated in the midst of twenty-first century life.  Here is a short testimony from Karen about one interaction on Good Friday at Pioneer Courthouse Square.  It was a fairly cold and rainy day and we had to take shelter from the rain and hail more than once.

Pioneer Courthouse Square ~ Spring Break and Good Friday

Ron’s Testimony ~ An American Cancer Society tent was set up on a cold and rainy Thursday at the Square.  Some young women were selling daffodils to raise money.  Two of them came over to talk with me and thank us for being out in the cold and the rain for Jesus.  Then the oft-asked question, “Which church do you go to?”  This gave me an opportunity to share with them about “being the church” in contrast to “going to church” and the importance of letting the Holy Spirit move in each of us in the ordinary times of our lives.  We talked about the joy of being a channel through which the Holy Spirit can flow.  He moves in our hearts and then moves through us and out to others.  The Holy Spirit always bears good fruit: love, joy, peace, longsuffering (patience), kindness, goodness, faithfulness, meekness (gentleness), and self-control. (See Galatians 5:22-23.)  We shared that the Holy Spirit often will give us a gift to use such as healing or a word of prophecy which strengthens, exhorts, or brings comfort. (See 1 Corinthians 12:7-11 & 1 Corinthians 14:1-3)  They seemed very hungry to learn more so we had a time of discipleship right there as we taught about walking in the Holy Spirit.

When I asked them “the question” about their church relationships they both admitted that they had been attending large evangelical fellowships (not the same ones) but that they had stopped for a while because they were too large and impersonal.  They believed that there was something better for them but did not know how to find it.  They were not unlike so many other younger brethren that we have been meeting in the past few years.  Traditional church groups are not working well with those under thirty and these two young women were close to twenty, if not below twenty.

We believe that we are on the cusp of awakening and harvest among the youth in the Pacific Northwest region, if not our entire nation.  They will be seeking new ways of fellowship and discipleship and a genuine expression of Acts 2:42 ff as they come to Jesus and grow in His wonderful grace.

Karen’s Testimony ~ Marty, Ron, and I were at Pioneer Square on Good Friday.  Marty carried a very large banner saying “GOD’S LOVE.”  It depicted the hand of Jesus nailed to a cross with blood dripping from His hand.  The photo below shows the same banner when Marty used it last spring on Good Friday at the Square.

Three teenage girls came by.  They reminded me of the girls that attend Saint Mary’s Catholic School.  One of the girls yelled to Marty that he should be ashamed to display such a gory picture.  As she walked by me I yelled out that the sign is supposed to be offensive. The young woman came back and talked to me.  She was telling me that we should not put such a gory picture up because there are children around. (The statement reminded me of what people say about the pictures of aborted babies – Innocent babies killed.)  I said: “Well at least it is not a picture of an aborted baby.”  She said: “You should not be pushing your religion on people.”  I said: “In this country we have the right of free speech.  You have the right to say what you want and I have the right to say what I want.  I am not pushing my religion on you.”  She asked why I was so intense.

I said that I am here to answer questions.  So, she asked why we had the sign up.  I said, “Today is a special day.  It is Good Friday which is the day that Jesus died on the cross.  He became sin that we might become the righteousness of God.”  She asked, “Why is it in cartoon form?”  I said, “So it might be more easily received.” (Jesus was innocent yet he was beaten until his body was unrecognizable and killed.  Death could not hold him.  Jesus rose from the dead and He is alive!)  She walked away.

I told Marty that he just got persecuted for his banner.  An older business man who heard everything came by and thanked me for being there.

Two older Christian women came by.  They had food packages with scriptures in them.  They give hot drinks and food for the street kids and beggars.  I told them what just happened.  They expressed their thankfulness for us being out there. These two women have been faithfully doing this for many years. 

Thank You for Your Prayers

We believe it is important to be available in a personal way to pray with people and share the good news.  So many people seem to desire to talk and have someone listen.  Your encouragement and support provide for us so that we can be personally available.  We send you our love and prayers with this letter.

~ Ron & Karen

E-mail: awakening1s@comcast.net   

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Ron & Karen Rohman

PO Box 14292

PORTLAND  OR  97293