08/19/2026
Forerunner Ministries Journey
Post #5
As we continue to report on our season of evangelism, we want to mention that the outreaches to these cities were not just onetime events but happened yearly for quite a time span. The testimonies and pictures we share are just a tidbit of what happened over the years working with many different churches and a tribe of evangelistic ministries.
Psalm 105:2 & 5, “Sing to Him, sing psalms to Him; talk of all His wondrous works! Remember His marvelous works which He has done, His wonders and the judgments of His mouth.”
For many summers we would travel to New York City with the Soldiers for Jesus and work with Pastor Rick and Arlene DeRio, Abounding Grace Ministries, at the Jesus Loves You New York Outreach; ministering in the Lower East Side and Manhattan parts of New York City. There are so many stories from the many years of outreaches here.
I remember a night in Times Square, the heart of New York City, with the nightlife and crowds of people. We had a team of 30 or so right in the middle of all this. We jumped in and just started singing and praising the Lord one song after another. It was like a surprise ambush! I don’t recall all the stories except there was a lot of prayer for salvation, healing, and deliverance.
Another memory was when we were finishing up one night in Times Square and the bus had arrived to pick up the team, we had to go. Bill Henderson, aka Manna Man, from Soldiers for Jesus had a half mile hailer (small amplifier) which he was preaching from. Bill told me we needed to catch the bus. I said, “preach!” He told me, “No Mark, we’re going to miss the bus”. I said, “preach!” Bill preceded to preach and as he did, a homeless man heard this preaching from a distance and was drawn to it. Bill prayed for him to receive Jesus. The man then told Bill that he was on his way to the subway to throw himself on the tracks, but then he heard this voice talking about Jesus. This man’s soul and life were saved, and we still caught the bus!
One unforgettable memory happened in Tompkins Square Park. So much was happening there with the drunks, homeless, and strife between the neighborhood and people in the park. Riots broke out and even made the national news. While on a plane from California to Jesus Loves You New York Outreach, I was reading the USA Today paper and saw a small section with the headlines, “Riots in Tompkins Square Park”. Knowing we were going to be ministering there, I confess that faith was not rising in me!
Sure enough, we were ministering in another area when Pastor Rick DelRio told me the park stage was set and to go do some music and get things started. As we were singing NYPD helmeted police entered the park. At one point the Lord directed us to go near the homeless base camp and pray. The Holy Spirit had our group kneel and lay on the ground to pray. As we were doing this, I saw a light, which I wish had been the light of God, but instead was the light from a local news camera filming these crazy Christians! Have you ever had your heart beat so loud you think others can hear it? That’s what I felt. Then the Holy Spirit reminded me of David and his battle with the Philistines when the Lord instructed him to wait until he saw the rustling in the trees. I looked up at the trees and not a leaf was moving. At one point Pastor Rick announced from the stage that we were here to let them know that Jesus loved them. He also had t-shirts and coffee packets to hand out. I told the team to grab the items and that we were going in. As we entered the encampment, they were open and non-confrontational; prayer and ministry were able to happen. The wall came down.
Thank you, Pastor Rick & Arlene DelRio, for your years of faithful service with Jesus Loves You New York outreaches and as pastors at Abounding Grace Christian Center.
