23 Years Anew

Posted on by

It has been about 23 years since I responded to the call to start preaching in the subways and it has been a sanctifying and challenging time filled with blessings.  As I am going through many changes in my personal and ministry life, once again, I need to spend time in prayerful discernment, as I desire to be in God’s will and not my own or anyone else’s.

I do want to give more time to this ministry, as well as my family and other ministry work, and yet I struggle with the need to earn a living vs. receive support while preaching the gospel, in order to responsibly care for the family I have been blessed with. And yet I hear the witness of friends in Pakistan and Kenya who have devoted themselves fully to the ministry while relying upon the grace of God to provide.  These men of faith humble me and I consider Jesus’s words about not being able to serve both God and money.  Yet I must discern to what I am called to do by the Lord precisely.  To do more is pride, but to do less is rebellion, and raising support has never been something I have seriously attempted or am comfortable with.

Spiritually, and on earth, our time is always short, and the recent conflicts between Hamas and Israel, added to the 3 years of Covid pandemic, and threats of World War III starting, have raised much discussion in Christian circles about the imminent return of the Lord. Coupling this with the Lord instructing me to preach specifically to his people, the Jews, over the last 2 years, adds to my speculations as to what is happening in the earth and the Kingdom, as whether or not I have been freed up to spend more time evangelizing.

I need the prayers of many, as I do not want to miss God nor be unfaithful in any area of my life’s responsibilities. Of course, I have choices I can make, but what seems reasonable to man is not necessarily the mind of God. and Jesus’ challenging words to follow Him always linger and call out to me.

As far as blogging here, I do hope to do more and give updates, as I have neglected this because of other work, and the uncomfortability I have with seemingly promoting myself. which perhaps I need to get over and reconsider as bearing witness and being transparent for others interested in this ministry.

Please pray and thank you.

Stephen

Epiphany Testimony

Posted on by
The other night, my daughter chose for us to watch the movie “Harriet Tubman”, which in itself was a blessing to see her desired choice, and to also witness in film-version the Lord’s inspirational effect upon Harriet in how He led her and used her mightily to set others free from the evil forces of spiritual darkness in American slavery, but it also reminded me of a supernatural encounter I had many years ago in the subways, which I shared with my daughter after the movie to affirm whatever it was the Lord might be speaking to her through Harriet’s inspirational story. It also spoke to me.

After I first started witnessing on the NYC subway platforms in obedience the Lord’s leading, over 20 years ago, I knew the Lord also wanted me to witness inside the train cars, which I was more fearful to do. But one day while on the platform at 42nd street, as I was resisting the Lord, an old African-American women suddenly appeared preaching and speaking convicting and encouraging words that seemed directed to me, for example: “you know when the Lord is talking to you and you have to do what it is He is telling you to do…you have to trust Him and not be afraid”.

Then she left and a train pulled up, and I knew what the Lord was telling me, as He led me to enter into the subway train car with faith in the midst of fear. After the doors closed behind me and I leaned back against them to pray, I heard the audible voice of the Lord, God the Father, speak to me the words, “Listen to Me, and open your mouth to speak”. By grace I obeyed and overcame my fear to bear witness to Jesus Christ in this way I was led to, and have been since among other ways, to the glory of God and in love for others who might never otherwise hear the Gospel.

Afterwards as I reflected, I could not stop thinking how there was something different, special, and mysterious, about this old woman I encountered who was sent to encourage me. And then I had an epiphany, that this woman was, or had the spirit of, Harriet Tubman, as John the Baptist had the spirit of Elijah, and was Elijah, if the disciples could accept it. And so, I was inspired to name the subway ministry the Underground Railroad NYC, in tribute to Harriet, and I continued in obedience and in love for the Lord and the lost, evangelizing people there and elsewhere as the Lord leads.

I share this to encourage you to listen for God’s voice and leading in your life, no matter how unimaginable it might be, to be open to dreams and visions from the Lord, that you might grow in your relationship with God and share deeper in His work and purposes, especially His desire to reach the people of all nations with the Good News of His Son whom He gave to the world so that people would not perish, but instead have eternal life through Him.

To quote Harriet:
“Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world.”
– Harriet Tubman –

So, dream big in the Lord in 2023, and then start moving towards what the Lord tells you to do.

Faith Made Whole

Posted on by

Faith is made whole by what is does; and so when those who claim faith, never do, their faith remains weak and less complete.

We must believe that God will reward our earnest seeking of Him, but also seek Him where He wills to be found, which can take time and effort of the soul. It is not always where we want to find Him, like in our comfy chair inside our house. It may be in the homeless shelter, or in front of an abortion clinic, or at a bus station, in our neighbor’s backyard, the streets of Pakistan, or whatever battle field He wills for you.

God is pleased by faith and works with us, even going ahead of us to wait and fulfill actions prompted by our faith. His Word says, “Where I am, there my servant will be.”

One of my most recent favorite verses in Scripture is in Samuel 14, where Jonathan moves out in faith, with courage, putting himself and his armour-bearer at risk of death., saying, “Perhaps, the Lord will act upon our behalf…nothing can hinder the Lord from saving, whether by many or few”.

The armour-bearer responds, “Do all that you have in mind. Go ahead; I am with you heart and soul.”

Hear the Word of the Lord,

The Lord is your armour-bearer. He encourages you in your faith, that it might be made whole.

Don’t Be Afraid

Posted on by

Great time today, in God’s will, venturing back into the subways for first time since pandemic broke out….

Preached to many…Jews, Muslims, Hindus, atheists and some believers. Many heard the Gospel and about 30 people took NT bibles. I saw them thinking searching wondering…and reading

Praise God and glory to Jesus. Thank you Holy Spirit!

The fields are ripe for harvest and it is an opportune time to evangelize. The ground has been softened by the virus.

People need to hear that they don’t need to live in fear, but Jesus who came to give them an abundant life, offers them eternal life as well.

“Wisdom calls aloud in the street, she raises her voice in the public squares; at the head of the noisy streets she cries out, in the gateways of the city she makes her speech.”  –  Proverbs 1:20-21

Wisdom and Discernment

Posted on by

My prayer requests is for wisdom and discernment regarding when and how to restart evangelizing in the subways, given the new conditions we live in and perhaps enhanced security that may be present in the subway system.

I know they we are living in great times of turmoil and uncertainty, loaded with fear, and some ways there may be an enhanced openness to the Gospel and in other ways people may be more sensitive and reactive in general. However, I know that love always prevails.

So, I am asking for prayer to know the when’s, where’s, and how’s to restart this work of the Lord  as the city reopens, given the many new conditions and dynamics of a changed world and personal-work life.

In His Service,

Stephen

Hello world!

Posted on by

Welcome to the new website for the “Underground RailRoad NYC” vision the Lord moved me into over 20 years ago. I was unsure about creating a new site, because I never really used the old site, except privately, as a refreshing and stimulating reminder of what I know I was called to.

At this time, wanting to afford others the opportunity to participate in some way, believing it may be time to do so and especially in the way of supportive intercession, which is needed and desired most of all, since “apart from God, I can do nothing.” I am very excited to invite you to participate, but also do so both humbly and seriously at the same time, because this vision is about bringing the light of Christ into the darkness, engaging spiritual forces in order to save souls, because that is the Lord’s good desire! May our God and Father in Heaven fulfill every act prompted by faith, to God be the glory!