Tombstone Evangelistic Outreach Aug. 27, 2024
On Saturday, August 27, 2024, First Baptist Church of Tombstone hosted an evangelistic outreach event led by Peter LaJoy. A small group of Spirit-filled Christians set out to share the Gospel with people along the historic Allen Street boardwalk in downtown Tombstone, AZ.
The event began early in the morning with prayer, worship, and training. Before heading downtown, Roy Butler, pastor of First Baptist Church, shared his desire to seek God's direction, referencing John 5:17 and Henry Blackaby's Experiencing God (Lifeway, 1990). Pastor Roy stated, "I’m hoping to meet those people with whom the Holy Spirit has already been working and join in His work."
The outcome of the event was more amazing than expected. Several merchants and actors expressed that while they couldn’t attend church on Sunday mornings, they would gladly participate in a Sunday evening worship service if offered.
One such person was Andy, a local gunfighter and regular church attendee in his hometown in Georgia. "I'm having a lot of fun playing the role of a gunfighter," Andy shared. "But I miss the fellowship of being involved with a local church. This job doesn’t allow me to go to church on Sunday mornings. If you offer a Sunday night service, I’ll be there."
Art Thomasson, pastor of Calvary Tombstone Fellowship, and his group encountered a young married couple, Jason and Jolena. Jason, a stagecoach driver, warmly stated, "I used to attend church a long time ago and wouldn’t mind going back." Though initially hesitant, Jolena eventually felt comfortable enough to share her story with Art’s wife, Kim. Jolena, a veteran of the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, opened up about her struggles and said she would greatly appreciate their prayers.
Peter LaJoy’s group met Mike and Sharon, a couple down on their luck. They were open to hearing the Gospel and even responded by praying with Peter. Sharon admitted their current situation was difficult, and they were both eager for a fresh start. Mike remarked, "Maybe Jesus is the answer we need right now."
Throughout the outreach, the teams shared their experiences as they crossed paths. Steve Howard, a local resident and new member of First Baptist, noted the unusual openness of the townspeople. "I’ve lived here a long time, and the people aren’t usually this friendly. It’s different now. I know a lot of these people, and I’m surprised by how open they are to talking with us."
Rick and Sue, from Gleeson, AZ, and regular attendees of First Baptist, also shared their experiences. Rick said, "We did what Peter said: ‘Just be nice.’ We had a great time, and it enriched my spiritual growth. We learned that we don’t have to be afraid or worry—just let God do it all. He’s doing it anyway." Sue added, "It was an amazing experience and an answer to prayer. We learned so much by talking to people and hearing their stories. We’re excited and ready to do this again!"
After a few hours downtown, the groups returned to the church, filled with excitement and encouragement. They were reassured to know they were not alone—several local pastors and congregations have been praying for revival for quite some time. Based on Saturday’s experiences, the evidence is clear: the Holy Spirit is at work in Tombstone.
By Beth LaJoy
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