By David Lazenby
Editor
TRUSSVILLE — As motorists traveled on Main Street and Chalkville Road Friday afternoon — many presumably driving home from work — half a dozen members of area churches were at work, performing what they say is a duty instructed by The Holy Bible.
Terry Watkins, 62, the pastor of Pearl Lake Baptist Church of Springville, preached into an electronic Megaphone under the awing at the former location of Braden Furniture while his family and other church members hoisted signs with messages derived from the Holy Bible.
Watkins warned those driving along Main Street of the consequences of dying without having accepted Jesus Christ as their personal savior.
“The Bible says in Mathew 16 to go ye in all the world and preach the gospel,”Watkins said. “We’re just trying to do what the Lord wants us to do.”
To make sure those who can’t hear Watkins’ words get the message, he wore a white T-shirt Friday that said in large red letters “TRUST JESUS”.
Other members of the church also bestowed messages of salvation through placards they held up.
The missive on a sign held by Watkins’ wife, Esther, was the message “For whosever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved,” a verse from the Book of Romans.
Another church member, Karen Zito held up a sign with a verse from the Holy Bible’s Book of Acts. It said “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved.”
Joshua Rotche also took a turn preaching Friday afternoon.
“If you reject the son of God, if you reject Jesus Christ, our Father will also reject you, and you will spend an eternity with the devil and his angels in a lake of fire,” Rotche warned. “We don’t want this for you.”
Terry said 95 percent of feedback from those to whom he preaches on the street is positive.
“People will give us a thumps-up or a little honk,” he said, adding that one well-wisher brought the group drinking water.
However, Terry said his group does encounter some adversaries when preaching at different locations where the church members take their message. He said usually this only entails a long honk from critics’ horns or the occasional obscene gesture. However, in rare instances he said he has been approached by individuals who want to argue with him.
Esther said once someone threw mustard and mayonnaise packets at her husband. However, she added these critiques do not hamper her desire to share their testament with strangers.
“We just want people to know Jesus is the only way to heaven and they have to believe in him and receive him.”
Terry said, “A lot of people have never heard the gospel, they’ve never heard these scriptures.” He added. “We’re just ordinary Christians that want to serve God.”
36 Comments
Laura Watson Owen
Shelby Long
Terry Ridley
Thank You! Church
Kevin Small
Scott Buttram, I would love to see you write a commentary on this for the paper.
Tyler Skewes
I remember when I still believed in fairytales.
Teya Steffens
Deborah Bachelor
Donna Santos Griffith
I appreciate their efforts to get the Word out…. Different ministries have different ways of sharing God’s love with the people around them. This just happens to be their way. They are not interrupting any activity, or disturbing by knocking on doors, or randomly approaching in a parking lot. I have never seen this group do anything offensive toward the vehicle travelers. I am one who will smile and wave (in a good way) to them.
Nate Arkitek Nite
So are you saying you don’t believe in god ?
Kay Warren Birdwell
Donna, I do too.I ALWAYS LET MY WINDOW DOWN and say “thank you” for what you are doing.
Tyler Skewes
Precisely
Debbie Bellamy
so so sad.
Ernie Johnston
We have to be the hands and feet to spread the gospel.
Deborah Bachelor
Amen
Kay Saruse Vinson
Alicia Eads
Bless your heart.
Tyler Skewes
No thanks
Kenneth Mcintyre
Tyler Skewes , bless your heart LOL
Mary Scheinert
Cara Sullivan Lindsey
Lisa Nolen
God believes in you regardless Tyler Skewes
Tyler Skewes
1 Timothy 2:12
I do not permit a woman to teach or to assume authority over a man; she must be quiet.
Listen to your fictional book of stories and be quiet.
Kelli Mize Dailey
I think it’s amazing! I saw them last week on Friday.
Shannon Meadows Wells
Laryn Shea Doriety
Angie Gorman
Drew Lee
Donna Phillips
Faye Palumbo
I appreciate what they are doing but I almost had a wreck at that corner.
Out of the blue I heard a loud screaming sound. I thought someone was hurt or got hit. No, it was these men yelling. Not a good idea to be yelling at an intersection.
Patience Kleber Itson
take it to your home or your church!
Dawn Thomas
🙄
Dawn Thomas
Tyler Skewes
🤣💦
Ahh…you’re a joke!
Tyler Skewes
Which part did you find amusing? As a female you should be worried about some of the things written in your bible.
Atalie Whitley
Lauren Bowles Adrienne Bowles Olivia Bowles
Deborah Bachelor
So should you
Deborah Bachelor
Why? when people have all kinds of protests and sit in’s cant these people stand up for our Lord Jesus ?
Lauren Bowles
I saw them 😳😳
Lorrie Sawyer
Steven Sawyer
Amber Creatore
Tyler Skewes, why are you quoting the Bible if you don’t believe in God?
Tammy McCown
Absolutely
Cheryl Stone-Hamilton
Why do they need to advertise their church on the public wayfare? Will other local churches soon follow suit? The competition for membership must be fierce.