Pittsburgh Outreach

CITY OUTREACH: PITTSBURGH JUNE 2023 REPORT

Monday through Wednesday, June 26th-28th 2023, the CWI staff along with colleagues from other ministries and local church volunteers, gathered for our 2nd annual Pittsburgh City Outreach. We set up at our regular street outreach location at the corner of Darlington and Murray, in Pittsburgh’s Squirrel Hill - home to around 50% of the Pittsburgh Jewish community. On two rainy days, and one ’smoky’ day (yes, from Canadian wildfires!) we braved the elements to distribute literature, engage in gospel conversations, and even meet an amicable young rabbi! Below, are just a few stories from staff and volunteers.

Frank, one of the students from the Reformed Presbyterian Theological Seminary met Isaiah, an observant elderly Jewish man. ’I said, “Surely you know that Isaiah wrote about the Messiah. In fact, in chapter 53 of his book, he has a detailed description of how the Messiah must suffer and sacrifice and shed his blood so that the sin of Israel, and truly of the whole world, may be atoned for?” I said the experience of Jesus matched exactly to what Isaiah has in chapter 53. He said he did not know about this chapter. I handed him the tract about Isaiah 53 and told him there are more details in the tract. He asked if the text of the passage is included in the brochure. I said yes. He was very interested and said he will read it and think about it.’ Frank went on to graciously challenge the man’s belief that Jesus was just a man, quoting Zechariah and other prophecies that Jesus fulfilled. The conversation was very amicable. ‘As he was ready to leave, it occurred to me that maybe he does have the soft heart that God promised. So I said to him “It is written in Jeremiah that God would swap out the heart of stone with a heart of flesh for his children.” I said I would pray for him that God will give him a fleshy heart. And I do hope that he will continue to have a soft heart and respond to God’s call’.

Another student, Shane, saw the notice concerning the outreach on the RPTS seminary site. He told me later when he read that he thought: ‘Jewish Outreach, Squirrel Hill? They must be mad. I think I’ll join them!’ And he did, and was truly a marvelous example to all!

Mark & Lyn felt a little downcast as few were taking the tracts. But they persisted, and the Lord opened up some long conversations and mercy ministry. They specifically ask us to pray for Dino (a believer), Baris (a Turkish atheist), John and Freddy (homeless). Mark and Lyn tirelessly spent a couple of hours sharing their testimony, and even bought some food for them. The next day Baris asked about a Bible app which he has downloaded and is starting to read the Bible in his native language.

Chaim is a young rabbi with 7 kids. He was willing for me to take his photo. When he learned Mitch was Jewish he insisted that Mitch put on the tefillin (phylacteries). Mitch jokingly asked if this was a ‘mitzvot’ (good deed) for him, or for the rabbi! A great conversation ensued with good humor. Long story short, it ended with the rabbi being willing to receive a Hebrew New Testament—(often deemed a ‘forbidden book’). Pray that he will read of Yeshua who fulfils the promise of Jeremiah 31 concerning the New Covenant (New Testament) with the house of Israel. And pray this learned young man will learn of the ’mitzvot of Messiah’, the sacrifice for sin, on the cross of Calvary.

On the streets, we meet many people from many different backgrounds, and some very sad cases. In addition to Jewish evangelism we are there to give a cup of cold water in Christ’s name and we know that seeds sown, in word and deed, will have eternal effect. SOLI DEO GLORIA.