When I was in the fifth grade, our class assignment was to write a report on one of the states in the US and build a small float to represent that state. After finishing my report on Vermont, my mother and I built a shoebox sized float. It featured a little man standing proudly in a field, holding a syrup bucket by a maple tree.

I don’t know who judged the floats, which represented Texas oil rigs, Hawaiian beaches, Florida space launches, etc. The judges awarded ribbons and prizes for First through Sixth Places, a First, Second and Third Best in Show, a Grand Prize, and many honorable mentions. Most of the class received awards, but my float got no recognition. My mother wasn’t too bothered, but I was very disappointed.

I don’t want to disappoint anyone, but I’m about to hand out an honorable mention in this Reflections. I’ll hold off on the Grand Prize and other awards in light of what Jesus said: “To sit at my right and left hand in my Kingdom is not for me to grant. These places belong to those for whom they have been prepared by my Father.” (Matthew 20:23)

The Father prepares Kingdom blessings for us when we faithfully fulfill the assignments he gives us. Two such faithful people are Pastors Walt and Louene Ratray, who have led Church on the Street (COTS) in Phoenix for over forty years. They carry out more outreach evangelism than anyone I know. Five days a week, Walt and his team bus homeless people to an inner city church where they sing, preach and feed 150-200 hundred people breakfast and lunch.

Several times a week, they lead outreaches at local parks to share the gospel and provide meals. Every Friday night, Walt and his disciples go to downtown Scottsdale or Tempe until midnight, where they talk about Jesus with folks heading to the bars. On Saturday mornings, Walt preaches at a downtown mission where COTS houses men who respond to their message about Jesus.

Every week, Walt and Louene hold services in local jails and prisons. They also hold a Sunday night service and a Tuesday night Bible Study for COTS every week. Walt regularly jogs and lifts weights with men he is discipling and he beats me at golf.

Did I mention that Walt and Louene are in their eighties?

At an age when most people are winding down, they are both going strong for the Lord. They were not able to have children of their own, but they have been spiritual parents to thousands of men and women who they have served, taught and discipled over the years.

Walt and Louene love the ministry they are doing. The disciples on their team are their spiritual family. I can’t talk Walt into taking vacations because there is nothing he would rather be doing than going out with his team to share the love of Jesus with people.
I’ve preached at Church on the Street services for years. It has been liberating for me to open my heart and share with a congregation that understands what it means to be poor, incarcerated, addicted and homeless. The love and acceptance in their ministry brings the best out of me. They don’t give honorariums, but they have given me something very valuable. They have continually prayed and interceded for Kristina and me through the challenges we have faced these last years. When those who are close to Jesus pray for you, wonderful things happen.

It’s a great experience to preach on the street or to witness about Jesus in public places. It can help you get over self-consciousness and become bold about sharing your faith with strangers. I try to share my faith whenever I get a chance, whether I’m at the grocery store, on an airplane, or on a hiking trail. In the natural course of our lives we are constantly surrounded by people who need the Lord. We are not responsible to save the whole world, but we are responsible to bear witness to the reality of the resurrection to those we get to know.

Many believers are praying for revival to sweep our nation. A spiritual awakening can be ignited when many believers in the same area share their faith. When non-believers hear the message of the gospel from several sources, it makes them curious and helps the seeds of truth penetrate their hearts. The cumulative impact of our collective testimony is vital to bring people to Christ.

We each have specific assignments from the Lord. Together we are building up the body of Christ and preparing the Church for his return. We are heading to heaven soon enough, but now is the time the Lord has given us to serve him and lay up a reward in heaven.

When the final trumpet blows, the angels will gather us up and the Father will give out more than honorable mentions. We will share his glory forever.