Seek and Save the Lost

For we brought nothing into this world,
and it is certain we can carry nothing out.
1 Timothy 6:7

Do You Ever Think About Death?
Ministry Update March2, 2026

Doug and I witnessed in downtown Springfield, MO on Friday night. We were handing out tracts at the corner of South and Walnut when Doug handed a tract to a guy. As the guy walked away, he yelled back that he’s a believer. So Doug recommended that he read the tract and hand it to someone else. After a little bit, we started walking down Walnut Street and the same guy that took the tract was walking back toward us. He asked if he could pray for us. We said sure and David then said the most Spirit-filled prayer that we’ve ever received witnessing downtown. David prayed for us to be filled with the Spirit, reach lost souls and that God would protect us. We thanked him, shook hands and then he went on his way.

Right after that, Doug started witnessing to a young man named Garrett. He handed him a Gospel tract and then asked him, “Do you ever think about death?” Garrett replied, “More often than I probably should.” It was a great opening and Doug clearly shared the Gospel with him. He told us that he has a Bible and we encouraged him to read it every day.

On The Fence

Then we ran into three young men that looked to be college aged. We handed tracts to all three of them and I asked them if they were followers of Christ. Gabriel enthusiastically said that he’s a believer and Ethan (I think that’s his name) said he was, but Colton who was standing in the middle was a little more subdued. So I questioned him again and then he admitted that he’s “on the fence.” So I shared the Gospel with him and explained how being on the fence isn’t a good place to be. We also encouraged them to read their Bibles too.

We visited with three young guys who were taking pictures in front of Great Southern Bank’s chain fence across their drive thru. I asked them why they were taking pictures there and they just thought the fence looked cool. All three of them took tracts and said they are believers.

After that Doug and I walked back around a square 2 block area downtown and ended up back at the square. It was a little before 8 pm and we were debating on whether to walk back down to South and Walnut or to call it a night. I told Doug that I was tired and was ready to call it a night. We handed out some more tracts on the way to our vehicles. I texted my wife right at 8 pm. Sadly, back at South and Walnut in between Great Southern Bank and The Mudhouse Café, a man was shot multiple times and he later died at the hospital. Life is short and none of us know when we will breathe our last breath. That’s why it’s so important to share the glorious Gospel of Jesus Christ with others while we can.

Milk and Cookies

Allen, Mike and I witnessed at Missouri State University on Wednesday. There were two fire trucks, a couple of other fire vehicles as well as several police cars in front of the Blair Shannon residence hall right next to where we witness at the Bear Paw. I brought the first message and as I started to open-air preach, a “snowflake” student interrupted me, requesting that I hold off since the students around there were traumatized and were a captive audience. I told him that we had a permit to be there and that I was going to preach. We could tell right away that there wasn’t a serious fire, but obviously the students didn’t know that when they were rushed out of the building.

I explained to the students that the one student asked me not to share the Gospel at that time. I said you all ran out of Blair Shannon because you thought there was real danger – a fire. At the same time you were running out, the firemen and policemen were running into the building to make sure everyone was safe and to assess the situation. Asking me not to share the Gospel would be like a fireman running into the building and offering you milk and cookies instead of sensing smoke, fire and real danger and grabbing you by your coat and dragging you out of the building. Another student could tell the first guy was traumatized (by our witnessing), so she came over and gave him a hug.

The Eternal Flames Of Hell
We reminded the students that there’s nothing more important than your eternal soul and Jesus Christ is the only Savior. We are warning you about the eternal flames of Hell. Allen brought a message after me and he also used the fire as an illustration in his message and also warned students about the fires of Hell. We handed out several tracts and Allen and Mike handed out booklets that contain the words of Jesus. Lastly, I need to admit that my tone wasn’t the best when the snowflake student tried to get me to stop sharing the Gospel. I shared the truth with him, but I could have said it in a much nicer tone. May the Lord forgive me for that.

(These updates are provided to encourage fellow believers to share the Gospel with others. Yes, many times we think of things we should have said and didn’t. Other times we may get in the flesh – like I did being condescending to the student, but it’s so important to be in the fight. God can forgive us when we mess up, but He calls us to share the Gospel with this lost and dying world. Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God – Romans 10:17.)

Are You Worried About What Happens After You Die?
Ministry Update February 16, 2026

Doug, Justin and I have been witnessing downtown Springfield, MO Friday nights through the winter, but I just haven’t been posting about it. Several night have been really slow there wasn’t really much to report. But Doug and I witnessed this last Friday night when Doug got into a conversation with a young man named Dylan. He asked Dylan, “Are you worried about what happens after you die?” Dylan replied, “Not really.”

After Doug took him through some of the 10 Commandments, Dylan realized that he will be guilty on Judgment Day if God judges him by the 10 Commandments. He seemed more worried about it now than he did at the beginning of the conversation. Doug asked him if he had a Bible at home to which Dylan said he does. Doug encouraged him to read it. We hope and pray that God will save the young man.

Effectively Share Your Faith

Right after that we ran into two college students who both said they were Christians. One took a tract, but the other one didn’t. Doug pointed out that the tract shows them how to effectively share their faith with others. He encouraged them to read it and also directed them to Ray Comfort’s ministry – Living Waters. I then looked at the young man that refused the tract and said, “Do you want a tract now?” He said that he did and he gladly took one. We like to encourage professing Christians to take and read tracts because not everyone who professes to be saved is truly a follower of Jesus Christ our Lord. So we pray those who aren’t really saved will be convicted and truly saved by God. Then we hope they will pass the tract on to someone else.

Three Skaters

After this we ran into three skaters. I handed them tracts – Three Things God Cannot Do. I asked them what those three things are and they couldn’t answer. James kept saying that God is loving, so He can’t hate. I said that is true of His children, but not everyone’s a child of God. Then I told them what the three things are: God cannot lie, God changes not and God cannot let unrepentant sinners into Heaven under their own merit. I shared the Gospel with James, Aiden and Eon, but James in particular seemed to listen. He said he likes what we do – evangelizing. They said that they had Bibles at home, so I encouraged them to read the book of John and then go back to Matthew and read the New Testament. May God truly and soundly save all three young men.

Encouraging Bus Driver

Allen and I (and some of Allen’s friends) have been witnessing at Missouri State University through the winter. Allen has given out several study Bibles including one to a young man named Jake. He recently stopped by and chatted with Allen telling him that he’s still reading the study Bible. Last Wednesday, Allen, Dan and I witnessed at the university. Dan sang a song (that he wrote) in between Allen and I open-air preaching. While I was bringing a message, a bus driver stopped near me and encouraged me. A couple of students listened while I was open-air preaching and a couple listened to Allen when he preached. While he was preaching, the bus driver stopped by where I was handing out tracts and asked for one. He said “God bless” as he drove off. Several students took tracts.

(These updates are provided to encourage Christians to share their faith in Jesus with others.)

I posted yesterday about Kid Rock and his half time performance on the alternative half time show. I was giving him the benefit of the doubt because his set was a great picture of redemption. Unfortunately, I saw an interview he recently gave and he is unrepentant basically said that he's going to continue singing the lyrics he's always sung (in his earlier songs) and that if parents don't like it, don't bring your kids to his show. This was very disappointing to hear. I still like the verse he added to Til You Can't - talking about the Bible and Jesus. I still pray that God will use it to reach lost souls - including Robert Ritchie himself.