Terrorists in the Elevator! Part 1

You’d think that I was part of Al Queda the way Security swooped down on me.

Out of nowhere, right in the middle of a purchase—a gift for my wife—they got me. “You’re trespassing!” the over-zealous guard charged. “And you must leave right now!”

“What about my purchase?” I protested, putting the gift down. I hung my head and walked out of the mall as the guards watched every move I made, every step I took.

My crime? Elevator preaching.

It was Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving,the busiest shopping day of the year, and all we wanted to do was hand out a few Gospel tracts, and give an “inner-air” sermon or two.

It was quite an uplifting experience.

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A crowd of people get on, then we hand everyone a million dollar bill Gospel tract. I push the button to hold the doors open a few seconds longer, to make sure all the people are in.

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Then I preach a 25-second sermon: “Hi everybody. You just got a million dollar bill and I want to ask you the million dollar question: If you were to die today, would you go to Heaven or Hell? Here’s a quick test. Have you kept the 10 Commandments?


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“The bible says that if you break just one, that’s called sin, and if you’ve sinned just one time, you will be found guilty and end up in Hell.


“Let’s see how you do. If you’ve ever lied one time, or stolen one thing, God will see you as a lying thief, and on Judgment Day you will be found guilty and end up in Hell. But that’s not God’s will…


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“If you repent and trust in Jesus, God will forgive you and grant you everlasting life.” I finish in one floor, about 25 seconds.

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WHOOSH!! They clear out in a hurry, some saying “Amen!” others, “Thank you!” and still others, “That’s right!” If we go down two floors, I add John 3:16 and encourage them to repent soon. Or I’ll say with a smile, “That’s elevator sermon #252!”

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People smile and actually appreciate the little talk. I don’t shout. I’m not overbearing. I speak in a conversational tone, just rather quickly.

Then voila! Another concregation appears!


And I preach yet another 25 second sermon.

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Over and over and over again.

After about half an hour and 150 people, I told my partner Ray that it was time to leave because the chances were good that someone has complained. I was right. As we walked out of the elevator, I noticed a lady gesticulating wildly to two Security guards. We beat a hasty retreat through Macy’s department store.

After ten minutes, we thought it safe to buy my wife’s gift. Wrong! The guards nabbed us without warning, no gentle reminder of the rules; the man just plain accused me of handing out Gospel tracts and told me to leave. I had no choice but to snap his picture.

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Ray was next. Six Security officers got him. Poor guy. Didn’t have a chance.

On the outside, I struck up a conversation with two parking attendants…

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…and was truly thankful that I live in a country where we will always have the right to preach Christ freely without fear of persecution or loss of liberty.

“Oh, how they preached! No polished periods, no learned arguments, no labored paragraphs, chilled their appeals, or rendered their discourses unintelligible. No fear of man, no love of popular applause, no ever-scrupulous dread of strong expressions, no fear of excitement or enthusiasm, prevented them from pouring out the whole fervor of their hearts, that yearned with tenderness unutterable over dying souls.”
—Horatious Bonar (1808-1889), from his writing “Words to Winners of Souls”

Oh no! I got caught again by the same guard the other night! Read part 2 here.

Comments (5)

  1. Reply

    Steve,

    These stories are great. They help I think for all of us see that most people are not going to attack us. If anything they will ignore us or write us off as a harmless person. Rarely will we get attacked. Sure the security was bad but not that bad.

  2. Reply

    I want these to be an encouragement to those who are a little reluctant to go out and do something by faith. Is this a little kooky? Some would say yes. Still, Christ is preached. Just a seed.

    In most situations, you can stand your ground against Security and police, as long as you are gracious, gentle and respectful.

    It’s an adventure!

  3. Val

    Reply

    You are just having too much FUN!! lol! And just who’s idea was it to start this elevador preaching business, hmmmmmm??? You know what’s so fun about this blog is the expressions of your face in the elevador. lol! Awsome.

  4. Paul

    Reply

    Please note that two one-way elevators will be in service on Judgement Day. Up for the righteous. Down for the self-righteous. No stopping on Limbo or Purgatory floors as they never existed anyway. Elevator service will cease to operate at Day’s end…forever.

    Steve and Ray: Great service, boys! And thanks for the Elevangie Tales!

  5. M. Mellein

    Reply

    I’m so thankful that God has given you the vision to reach out on such a scale. I had many laughs reading this story. And much praise is going to the good Lord for your bravery and obedience. What a blessing. :-)Thanks, Pastor Steve and Ray!

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