Duluth News Tribune Articles

The Duluth News Tribune printed two articles about this ministry. Both of the "articles" come from the READER'S VIEWS (opinion section). The articles follow.

Article #1 Friday August 15, 2008
RELIGIOUS ZEALOTS CHOSE WRONG PLACE FOR MESSAGE
Thousands of visitors lined up to enjoy the three replica sailing ships in the Twin Ports as part of the weekend Maritime Festival. Duluth could take a bow.
But on every parade some rain may fall, apparently. One this occasion, a couple of religious zealots were on hand with their soapbox and their repent-or-perish placecard. They stood on the walkway beside the Baltimore ship.
If people were searching for a spiritual message, they would have attended a Franklin Graham festival. People who braved freeway traffic, parking and prices were unlikely to have interest in a doomsday message, brandished by zealots taking advantage of a crowd with nothing to do but wait and observe and joke.
Ironically, as an evangelical believer, I will say there was truth in the sermon for the day - but it was at the wrong time and place. My scriptures tell one the wisdom from above is gentle, easy to share and full of mercy. It didn't come across that way from these sidewalk dudes.
But in spite of them, the sun was shining.
Allan Taylor (Bloomington, MN)

Article #2 Sunday September 14, 2008
LET'S PRAY THAT WORDS OF ZEALOTS REACH TARGET
In response to the Aug. 15 letter "Religious zealots chose wrong place for message," the core word in zealot, of course, is zeal, defined in my dictionary as "intense enthusiasm for a cause or person; a passionate ardor."
So a couple people were at the tall ships event this summer enthusiastically sharing a passionate message to a crowd of people who they may never see again, with a saving message they may never hear again, hoping they may save a few who would otherwise be lost to eternal damnation. Kind of sounds like John the Baptist to me.
I pray the words of zealots, whether spoken near a ship or on a street corner, or wherever, fall on some open ears and open hearts. The Bible talks about letting those with eyes see, and ears hear. Let it be so.
Paula Odegaard (Hibbing, MN)