Hello and welcome to the Shoulder2Shoulder monthly newsletter. Many exciting things have been happening out in the streets as we have continued to advance the gospel in creative ways and take Jesus to those who might not otherwise ever hear of the goodness of God.

September was a very busy month as I found myself partnering up with Forgotten ministries out of Enid, OK and heading to New York City to minister in Times Square and in the south Bronx. As always God moved in mighty ways and taught me so much about His Kingdom and light versus the darkness. There was a definite darkness and hardness to New York City. As we would walk the streets and talk with people I saw a recurring theme. People would acknowledge us and that we were there to talk about Jesus before we would ever open our mouths. From gang members to homeless people they would see the light in the midst of darkness! We prayed with many people and just listened to their stories and how they came to be where they are now. Jesus was shining bright! God even gave me the opportunity to preach over an open air mic at Times Square right in front of David Wilkerson’s church Times Square Church!

Being raised in the bible belt my eyes were opened to the lostness of our nation. As I thought about how parts of our country are so lost and yet we continue to see church plants happening on every corner here. Why! We need to be taking church to these lost and mostly dark cities!  The Lord reminded me that He wants to use this so-called bible belt to raise up disciples who will GO and PREACH the Gospel with all boldness and power. We are going to see revival as we return to the intimacy with Christ as the main thing again. A generation is rising up to live out the book of Acts!

Upon my return from New York we have been busy in the streets. Carrying on our Tuesday night Street Worship every week in Sapulpa we circle the city by moving locations each week. Starting with Reasors parking lot, Davis Park, Liberty park and McGoy Park. We see so many come to Christ and get set free through this ministry. We have gained the support of the city and most businesses. We are working to have local churches fully involved and to eventually take over this street outreach that so greatly benefits the community. We would then move to the next city and start it there. 

Right now we are starting Street Worship at 21st & Garnett area to hold a bilingual service. This will be held on the first Friday of each month. We plan to circle Tulsa by moving each week to 21st & Garnett, 5400 w Charles Page BLVD, Town West and 61st & Peoria. We are just kicking this off and ask for your prayers in these next steps.

THIS MONTH’S TESTIMONY

This summer I was in Enid with Forgotten Ministries and helping them do some street outreach as well as discipleship when I encountered a young man by the name of David. David is a guest in Forgotten's men's transitional living program called The Oasis. Like many David has a unique story but what made his story especially interesting to me was that when he saw me he walked up and asked if my name was Levi. I answered him with a yes and he grabbed me and hugged me saying “thank you for what you do in the streets”. I thought this guy must have me confused with someone else but I'll hear him out first. What he told me next moved me to tears.

He told me how about 6 months earlier he had just picked up a bag of dope from his dealer and was pulling into his apartment to get high on meth. Not just any high either and not just any apartment. He was living in darkness he said, like literal darkness because his electricity had been cut off and he was living in the dark. He used his money for drugs because he was done with life and he wanted to take it all and call it quits. But God had something else in store for David. When he pulled into his dark apartment he sat in his car for a moment thinking about all that was going on. As he sat there he heard some music so he rolled his window down just a little and he began to listen. What he heard rocked him to his core! He heard people singing to Jesus! Lifting up the name of Jesus! Because of this he threw the drugs on the dash and he sat and listened to what was being said.

After a few songs he said a man got on the mic and began to preach the gospel. They began to say that if you could hear his voice then God is calling to you to come out of the darkness and come to Him in the light! That there is life in Jesus! In that moment David had a shift in his heart. He knew he had to get out from where he was. So he reached out to a friend in Enid, OK and decided to go stay with him and work for his friend's dad there. Once he got there he realized he needed more help and he was told about Forgotten Ministries. He applied and was accepted into their men's program and is serving Jesus free and sober to this day!

Here's the amazing part. Those apartments he lived in were located in Sapulpa, OK and we were having street worship that night directly across from those apartments. Once he arrived at Forgotten he kept hearing talk of a street ministry in Tulsa with a bus. He asked who they were talking of and soon realized it was Shoulder2Shoulder who was out worshiping the Lord that night. He never approached us as he was too scared but he told me “Levi, God saved my life that night through your obedience to go and do what you’re doing. Never stop doing that!”

Talk about a testimony! But it gets better! As he described that night it all came back to me and I remembered it well. It was a day I was discouraged and beat down. I did not want to go out that night but i went not because of the people but because God had asked me to. And how could I disobey when He has been so good to me. It was a night we were short staffed and not many people showed up. It was a cold and drizzle night and my mind could think of a dozen other places I would have rather been. But God took what I thought was useless and He transformed a young man's life that night. And for that I will always GO! Will you?

David, full of life, about to serve others with the ministry

Here is a current list of our needs. Please partner with us in prayer for these or by donating!

• Church partners

• Volunteers and staff members

• Building - We need a home base (The Sapulpa Elks Lodge has graciously let us use their basement for the next year while we look for a permanent home base)

• We are needing 2 deep freezers and 2 refrigerator's to help store food for families

• Evangelism school - God has put it on my heart to open and run a school of ministry specifically for evangelism.

• 15 passenger van - will be used for mission trips and transporting missionaries.

• Street Ministry plants:

•  This will include:

• Sound system-$1,000

• tables-$300

• chairs-$300

• 2000W generator- $750

• Small 5 x 8 enclosed trailer-$3,000.

• Finances. Please prayerfully consider donating and help us advance the Gospel. Below are ways to give.

Please make checks payable to Shoulder2Shoulder Ministries or visit our website at shoulder2shoulderministries.org and click the link above to donate.

Please prayerfully consider partnering with us financially to continue advancing the gospel in the streets of America and around the world. 

Any size reoccurring gift whether $5 or $1,000 monthly will help us plan and fund the efforts going forward. Would you consider making small sacrifices that would allow you to give money towards others hearing the gospel of Jesus you can follow the link to give online https://www.shoulder2shoulderministries.org/donateor cash or check to Shoulder2Shoulder Ministries at PO BOX 724 Sapulpa, OK 74067. Cashapp $S2SMin