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February 2013 FOLEY, AL Street Ministers Threatened By Police
For several years a local church has conducted evangelistic street meetings at the main intersection of Foley, Alabama. Recently they were told by police that they could not assemble on the corner without a permit, or they would be cited and prosecuted under a city ordinance which requires a permit for any “parade, procession or public demonstration.” We have contacted the city officials and are seeking a determination that the ordinance does not apply to the informal group of Christians who are displaying signs, handing out tracts, and preaching on the sidewalk. (If the ordinance is deemed to apply to this activity, there are several provisions of the ordinance which may be challenged on First Amendment grounds.)
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November 2012 DELAND, FL Another Complaint Dismissed, Policy Amended
A complaint for a noise ordinance violation by a street preacher was scheduled for a court arraignment on November 7, 2011. This was another complaint by the same merchant who opposed the public preaching last August. After discussions with the City Attorney prior to court, the charge was formally dismissed by the City of DeLand. The City Attorney agreed to a change of policy so that there would no longer automatically be complaint reports generated every time a call is made complaining about the preaching.
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August 31, 2012 DELAND, FL Complaint Dismissed
On August 31, 2012 a formal “Announcement Of No Information” was issued by the DeLand City Attorney, declaring the City’s intent that no formal charge would be filed and there would be no prosecution against a local street preacher who was accused by a local merchant of violating the City’s noise ordinance. There have been additional noise complaints made by the same merchant, but no action has been taken by the City Attorney on those complaints. Preaching in downtown DeLand on Friday afternoons has been done consistently since 1987. The complaining merchant has been in business at that location for less than one year. The merchant had stated that he objects to preaching in front of his store, which he believes is harming his business, and that “it was never about the noise.”
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August 2012 SALISBURY, NC Police Prohibit Sign on Sidewalk
A sidewalk evangelist held a sign depicting Jesus on the cross
with a quote from John 1:29 on a public sidewalk in Salisbury, NC. A police officer promptly ordered the evangelist to remove the sign, upon threat of arrest, claiming that a local ordinance prohibits hand-held signs on the public sidewalks. The location was directly in front of a Chick-Fil-A restaurant, and the restaurant manager allowed the evangelist to display the sign from the restaurant property. We contacted the city attorney, who said that the officer made a mistake and they will institute new training on this issue with the police. There are still some issues to be worked out regarding the application of an ordinance requiring a permit for protests when two or more people hold signs on public property.
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July 2012 VIRGINIA BEACH, VA Street Preachers’ Meeting
Brother Jake was invited to teach on First Amendment issues at the convention
Witnessing on the boardwalk
of the Southeast Open Air Preacher’s Association in Virginia Beach. We covered constitutional issues and spiritual considerations at the meeting on July 2, 2012. We distributed our teaching materials and Brother Jake responded to numerous questions about our liberty to evangelize in public places. In the evening we went to the boardwalk area of Virginia Beach, where we were able to preach, hand out tracts, and have some good conversations with people about the truth of the Bible and the gospel of Jesus Christ.
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June 30, 2012 MINT HILL, NC Public Evangelism seminar
We had a great time of fellowship as we presented a Public Ministry seminar at Faith Baptist Church in Mint Hill, N.C. on Saturday, June 30, 2012. The program covered the Biblical basis for public evangelism, as well as legal and constitutional issues, and practical advice including preparation and precautions, and tips for dealing with opposition. Faith Baptist Church is already very active in public ministry, and we joined them for part of their weekly sidewalk evangelism. Their members and visitors from other churches had many good questions about handling situations they have experienced in their public ministries. We enjoyed a sweet time of fellowship with these brothers and sisters throughout our visit.
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JUNE 2012 NEW PUBLIC EVANGELISM BOOKLETS AVAILABLE
Our Second Edition of PUBLIC EVANGELISM UNDER THE FIRST AMENDMENT is published. With updated 
caselaw and new sections on “Fighting Words,” Noise Ordinances, and more, we hope this will be a very valuable resource for all who are inclined to serve the Lord Jesus Christ in public ministry. As always, these booklets are available without charge. If you choose to donate to this work, a receipt will be provided for your tax-deductible donation.
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June 6, 2012 DELAND, FL Update: Police Chief & City Attorney
We met with the DeLand City Attorney and the Chief of Police to discuss the situation in downtown DeLand. They assured us that they understand and support our First Amendment right to assemble on the public sidewalk and convey our message. They said that they have always found us to be approachable whenever an issue has come up about our ministry. They told us that if there are further violations of the local noise ordinance by the store owner, they will pursue prosecution against him upon proper complaint. With the loud music eliminated, we will not need megaphones and agreed not to use them. (In 27 years of preaching in this venue, we have never used amplification until June 1st.) The gospel continues to be heard in this community.
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June 1, 2012 DELAND, FL Merchant harasses preachers, police intervene
Christians have been publicly proclaiming the gospel on the corner of New York Avenue
Downtown DeLand June 1, 2012
and Woodland Blvd. in DeLand , Florida on Friday afternoons since 1985. On May 25th and June 1st the owner of a new music store put giant speakers in his doorway and blasted loud music to disrupt the street meeting. On June 1st two preachers began to use megaphones to try to be heard, and the police were promptly called. At first the police asked the preachers to stop using amplification, but did not address the music which was much louder, because they had received complaints about the megaphone but not the music. We explained that if amplified music is allowed, amplified preaching must also be allowed. When the music was turned down, we stopped using megaphones. Police were called a second time after the merchant broadcast a loud high-pitched anti-crowd noise and more loud music. Eventually police persuaded the merchant to turn down his noise, and an officer was posted at the scene until we finished preaching. Praise the LORD!
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May 2012 GROTON, N.Y. Local evangelism
A brother in Groton has been displaying his large scripture sign from the trunk of his car in
various locations around the city, including by the local high school. Preaching, tract distribution, and one-on-one conversations are included. We have been providing some advice. So far there have been no conflicts with local authorities.
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May 2012 SEASIDE HEIGHTS, N.J. Evangelism planning
A group of Christian witnesses are planning public evangelism outreach at the popular boardwalk in Seaside Heights following the upcoming local high school graduation. We are providing advice and guidance as plans are made for public preaching, display of gospel signs, and tract distribution.
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April 2012 DUNN, N.C. Police stop amplified preaching
A preacher was told by a local police officer that he must not preach at a busy intersection using a megaphone. Review of the city’s noise ordinance and permitting procedures reveal that the city’s policies violate the First Amendment. We are contacting local officials to advise them of the constitutional concerns, and we expect to receive assurance that the preaching will be allowed to continue without interference.
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November 2011 DAHLONEGA, GA
A group of evangelists were ordered by police to disperse when a large crowd which had gathered in opposition to the preachers became hostile. Police claimed that the preachers were “inciting” a breach of the peace and that their large sign violated the local sign ordinance. We have contacted the city attorney, and are providing analysis and advice to the Christian group.
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October 2, 2011 PORT ORANGE, FL Public Ministry Workshop
We conducted a free seminar on Public Evangelism at Bible Baptist Church in Port Orange, Florida. Biblical and legal issues were covered, with emphasis on practical application and an opportunity for questions and answers. Following the instruction session we had an evangelistic street meeting at U.S. 1 & Dunlawton Avenue. About 20 people participated in public preaching and display of scripture signs.
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September 2011 BUFFALO, NY Police say preacher is “too loud”
A local street preacher has been told that his preaching is too loud and is disturbing the peace. We are reviewing the situation and providing analysis and advice.
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September 2011 PORT ORANGE, FL Liberty prevails for parade evangelism
After our further discussions with the City Attorney of Port Orange, the City has decided that it does not need a new ordinance regarding distribution of literature. Instead, the City has amended its parade policy to specifically allow distribution of literature at its annual Christmas Parade, both by parade participants and by members of the public.
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August 2011 NEW LONDON, CT Police prohibit sidewalk evangelism
New London Police have ordered Christian evangelists to stop witnessing on the public sidewalk outside the Amtrack station. A group from a local church has been holding scripture signs and distributing gospel tracts on the sidewalk outside the Amtrack train station and in a public park across the street. Police have informed the group that this is “private property” and that they must leave the sidewalk by the train station if they want to display their signs and distribute their literature. This police order prevents the group from interacting with the substantial number of pedestrians who use that sidewalk, many of whom are approaching or leaving the nearby ferry. We will be advising the Christian group and contacting the local authorities on their behalf.
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May 2011 LEDYARD, CT Free Public Ministry Workshop
INVITATION
We conducted a free PUBLIC MINISTRY/FIRST AMENDMENT workshop on Saturday,May 21, 2011 at VICTORY BIBLE BAPTIST CHURCH in Ledyard, CT. The morning session included instruction and Q&A regarding the Biblical foundation for evangelism, the constitutional right of free speech, and several legal and practical considerations. In the afternoon we took a group of over 30 people to New London for public evangelism. Bibles and gospel tracts were distributed; scripture signs were displayed; and the gospel of Jesus Christ was preached in the public square.
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March 2011 DELAND, FL Free Speech charge dismissed
A Bible student was charged with violating DeLand’s noise ordinance for preaching on a public sidewalk near two downtown bars which had their loud music blaring. The preacher was cited for being too loud (based on a citizen’s complaint), but the bars were not. The DeLand ordinance prohibits “loud, disturbing and unnecessary noises.” We filed a Motion to Dismiss the charge because we believe the ordinance is unconstitutionally vague, subjective and overbroad due to the lack of sufficient objective criteria for enforcement. The City Prosecutor dismissed the charge.
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February 2011 CHARITABLE STATUS APPROVED
Gospel Advocates, Inc. has received formal approval as a public charity under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. All donations to this ministry are tax-deductible.
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December 2010 PORT ORANGE, FL Rights violated at Christmas Parade
A church group was ordered by the Port Orange Police to stop distributing gospel literature along the parade route of the city’s Christmas Parade. We have contacted the City Attorney to make the city aware of the constitutional violation and to seek assurances that this will not happen again. The city is drafting a formal policy for distribution of literature at its parades, and they have agreed to allow us to review and comment upon any draft proposal of the new policy before it is considered by the City Commission.
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October 2010 ORLANDO, FL Evangelism at Gay Pride event
Christian evangelists participated in public ministry at the annual Gay Pride event at Orlando, Florida on October 10, 2010 without any hindrance from the promoters or the police this year. At last year’s event, Orlando Police would not allow the public ministers into the public park where the event was being held. The Christian witnesses were not even allowed on the sidewalk surrounding the park, but were ordered to remain across the street from the event. In the months that followed we had extensive communications with the Assistant City Attorney who serves as the Orlando Police legal advisor, providing caselaw and legal memoranda in support of the public evangelists’ First Amendment rights. The result was that the City Attorney’s office informed both the Police Department and the event promoters that the Christian witnesses have a right to be on the park property and on the sidewalk while they preach, display signs and distribute gospel tracts.
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September 2010 BUFFALO, NY Police persuaded by our Free Speech Booklet
Our booklet, Public Evangelism Under the First Amendment, was used by a street-preaching brother in reasoning with a Buffalo, NY Police Supervisor regarding public evangelism activities at the Buffalo Wing Festival on Saturday, September 4, 2010. The Police Supervisor was persuaded to allow the preaching and distribution of tracts to continue.
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August 2010 DUNELLON, FL City recedes from permit requirement
A church group wanted to preach, display scripture signs and distribute gospel tracts in Dunellon, Florida. The City of Dunellon has an ordinance that prohibits the distribution of any written materials anywhere in the city without first obtaining a permit from the city. The church’s pastor was aware of another street preacher who had trouble with the Dunellon Police in the past. We contacted the City Attorney on behalf of this church group and explained that the permit requirement was an unconstitutional prior restraint upon protected speech under U. S. Supreme Court precedent. The City Attorney consulted with the City Manager and then sent a reply confirming that the questioned ordinance was outdated, that the City of Dunellon “respects all First Amendment Rights” and “welcomes” the pastor and his public ministry and “will govern itself accordingly.”
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