Street preacher Tony Miano, who was arrested yesterday (8th January), has been released on bail to appear before Dundee Sheriff's Court on 22nd April, reports Christian Concern for our Nation.Police in Scotland arrested the Christian street evangelist after a woman complained that he had spoken about sexual sin.Tony, a US preacher and a former Los Angeles Deputy Sheriff, was then remanded in custody to appear before Dundee Sheriff Court today (9th January).He was part of a street preaching team holding a week-long mission in Scotland. ...read more: http://www.christiantelegraph.com/issue22268.html
_________________SI Moderator - Greg Gordon
Great message from Tony:Open Air Preacher Profile of Tony Miano | Every Evangelist Should Belong to a Church:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0QDOFqZaSrM
Is being arrested really what God wants or is it a notch on some of their belts, so to speak? I am NOT talking about Tony Miano in particular. This article just opened the venue to discuss this.I was just wondering out loud because I know that people can and do preach Jesus Christ and Him crucified with OUT having to mention sexual sins.God bless,Lisa
_________________Lisa
To begin with, I have no knowledge of this particular situation. But from 10 years of sidewalk ministry, there are some things to be learned. Nowhere in public is it "safe" to proclaim gospel truth without repercussions. The devil believes he owns the streets, and will make a good effort to get you off his property!Love on people! When they raise a voice against you, make a verbal demonstration of compassion and personal interest. You may want to invite them to come up and tell their story, asking them to explain what has happened in their life to bring them to whatever they are thinking. You may win the crowd a bit, and if they are disruptive they are going to own the conversation anyway. Street ministry, if it is going to impact anyone, needs to be spontaneous and resourceful. None of your listeners care if you finish your bible quotes, or your three major points. They just want to watch the fight and see who wins. At this point your strongest weapon is personal humility.Roll with it. If God has put you there, He will defend you. If you go down with genuine humility He will raise you up and give you victory.Sometimes it is that quiet observer in the back who just needs to see what the character of Christ looks like, and you are exhibit number one. And you may never know how the victory manifested this side of glory!"A bruised reed He will not break, and a smoldering wick He will not extinguish." And yet- He will break every chain and put every soul on his knees proclaiming the He indeed is the King of kings and the Lord of lords.
_________________Tom Cameron