God warned me about a month ago that I would be returning to New York. I was there two weeks ago witnessing to a new gang. When God said it was time to go again, Marciano, a born again gang convert from my 2017 New York visit, called me and asked me if I could come to New York and witness to his cousin Victor and his gang. Marciano has been going to Victor and his gang sharing God’s word to them. He called me to ask for help. This was my confirmation that it was time to go back to New York again. The police jet that flew me to Chicago and New Jersey came to pick me up at Denver International Airport. As we began to fly over New York City, I walked up to the pilots and asked, “Can you fly over Brooklyn where the gang I am going to witness to tomorrow.” The pilots honored my request by banking the plane over the location I was to go. From my window, it was clear that some of the buildings were abandoned and had broken windows. Nearby, I saw a baseball field that looked run down but some kids were playing baseball. The undercover police told me that there’s a Christian grounds keeper that takes care of that field. After I finished my inspection, the undercover police that were with me told the pilots to fly over the Bronx where I had witnessed to a gang two years ago. God wanted to show me what the ex gang members have done to that part of the neighborhood. They have cleaned it up. People are actually living there now.
When the jet landed at LaGuardia Airport, all 17 ex gang members that I witnessed to two years ago in the Bronx were there waiting for me. We hugged and prayed together. The Holy Spirit was radiating from them. It was beautiful sight to see how Jesus Christ has changed Marciano and the young mens hearts from two years ago. Marciano asked me, “Sonny, what has God shown to you about how we are to reach my cousins in Brooklyn.” They are a gang of 15 young men.
I said, “We are taking God’s Kingdom to them on Saturday at noon near the baseball field. God has shown me that we need to prepare a meal before our enemies.” We purchased 17 large pizzas and bottled water. Next, we needed four tables and chairs to serve on. With food and supplies in hand, we headed to Brooklyn. After arriving at our destination, we prayed for the days event and set up the tables. Marciano cousin Victor and his gang kept driving by when we were done setting up. We signaled for them to stop and eat. After some coaxing, they finally parked their cars. We asked them to sit down and eat with us. Marciano said, “I would like to read my favorite Bible verse John 3:16”
16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
Then he read Philippians 4:13:
13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength.
Then Marciano said, “Sonny, do you have a verse to share?”
God led me to read Psalm 34:18
18 The LORD is close to the brokenhearted
and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
After I finished reading the scripture, I looked at Victor and saw his eyes tearing up. Marciano prayed for our meal. Victor and his gang kept looking at Marciano while he was praying. His prayer was so anointed by the Holy Spirit that the gang kept silent. Some of the young men were looking around, some listened intently and the rest of Victor’s gang had their eyes closed during Marciano’s prayer. As Marciano continued praying, you could see their hearts softening. During the meal they started talking about baseball and the Yankees. The conversation lead to the possibility that there are new gangs trying to move into the Bronx and Brooklyn area. Those 17 young men that met me at the airport started sharing with the gang members around them what God has been doing in their hearts and lives since they left the gang environment two years ago. They were reading the Bible to Victor’s gang. Marciano got up and said, “I want to introduce the man that led us to the Lord. His name is Sonny.”
I introduced myself and said, “Hi” to all of Victor’s Gang.
The leader Victor said, “Your the one that brought the big light to the Bronx that night. It was so bright.”
I said, “Yes, that light you saw was Jesus Christ my King. He loves all of you and wants to bring healing to all your hearts. All you have to do is to ask Jesus Christ to forgive you of all your sins and ask Jesus Christ to come into your hearts. Jesus Christ will forgive you and forget all your sins. My King will transform your hearts. God told me to prepare a meal before our enemies. We come to bring Salvation, peace and a new purpose for your lives. In this world Jesus Christ loves all of you. Jesus Christ wants to transform your hearts so he can use you in this world to bring Salvation and healing to those around you.”
Victor stood up and asked, “Is it really that easy to ask Jesus Christ to forgive me for everything I have done?”
I said, “Yes, my King will forgive you and forget your sins.”
Victor and his gang stood up and said, “We are leaving now.”
Marciano said, “Before you guys leave let me pray for all of you.” Marciano prayed, “Father God thank you for your love for us and thank you for bringing us together to eat this meal and talk about all the amazing things you’re doing in our lives to protect us, to provide for us and to help us to be a light in this world for those that are lost and broken hearted around us. We ask this in Jesus Christ’s Holy Name. Amen!” The power of this prayer was so beautiful. They all stood there and listened to his prayer anointed by the Holy Spirit. Marciano then asked, “Victor, do you remember when we were kids and played baseball.”
Victor said, “Yes, it was so much fun back then.” Then Victor said, “There’s a field not to far from here. What do you say Marciano? Let’s go and play baseball. There’s a ground keeper there that takes care of the baseball field. He will let us use the field.”
Marciano said, “I’ll go and get everything we need to play baseball.”
Victor said, “We have some gloves and baseballs.” When we got to the baseball field, the gentleman was just finishing raking the field and was putting the bases back. The gentleman’s name was Isaiah. He came walking up to us and said, “Hi! My name is Isaiah. How can I help you young men?”
I said, “Hi, my name is Sonny. We were wondering if we could use this field to play baseball. ”
Isaiah said, “Sure, that’s what this field is for. Do you young men have everything you need to play baseball. I have baseballs, gloves and bats.”
Marciano said, “Sir, we could use some bats and some baseball gloves.”
Isaiah said, “I will locate some bats and baseball gloves for you guys to use and I will put them by the dugout.”
Do you remember people who were playing baseball on this field before I landed? 12 of them came back to use the field today. They asked, “Are you guys going to play baseball now?”
We said, “Yes.” Then the boys asked, “Can we play a game of baseball with you guys?”
Marciano said, “Sure, let’s pick teams.” Isaiah walked up to Victor and said, “Lou is 16 and he is an amazing pitcher.” Victor and Marciano became the team Captains. I found out all 12 boys in this group that came to play today are Christians. The youngest is 12 years old the oldest is 16. Before they began picking the teams, I had a quarter to see who goes first. I told Victor, “You call it in the air to see which captain chooses first.” I flipped the quarter in the air Victor called “heads” and it was heads. Victor picked his first player who was Lou. Then Marciano picked next. There was total of 44 young men on the field with 22 per team. Isaiah showed up wearing an umpire’s uniform. He said let’s pray before the baseball game starts. As Isaiah began praying, all the boys put their heads down and closed their eyes except Victor. Isaiah walked up to Victor and placed his hand on Victor’s heart. Victor just stood there and let him pray for him. I could hear Isaiah’s prayer for Victor, “Dear God, I lift up Victor and his boys to your Kingdom. Bring healing to their hearts. Father, I ask that you bring healing to them and let them know that you love them and have a purpose for them in this world.”
Victor said, “I’m ready to ask Jesus Christ to forgive me of all my sins.” Then Marciano stepped in and said, “Victor, do you want your name written in the lambs book of life?” Victor said, “Yes, I do.” The Holy Spirit prompted me to ask the rest of the gang members the same question. I said, “The rest of you that want your names written in the lambs book of life come over here and stand by me.” All of Victor’s gang came and stood by me. Marciano and the 16 others came forward to help pray with Victor’s Gang. The 12 young men who came to play baseball positioned themselves around the front. As they started to talk to Victor’s gang, God showed each young man a verse to read:
Ephesians 4:32
32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
Psalms 16:8
8 I keep my eyes always on the LORD.
With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken.
John 14:6
6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
Mathew 6:33
33But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
Psalms 119:105
105 Your word is a lamp for my feet,
a light on my path.
Joshua 1:5
5 No one will be able to stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you.
Psalms 32:8
8 I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;
I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.
Lamentations 3:23
23 They are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.
Micah 6:8
8 He has shown you, O mortal, what is good.
And what does the LORD require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy
and to walk humbly[a] with your God.
Psalms 34:18-19
18 The LORD is close to the brokenhearted
and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
19 The righteous person may have many troubles,
but the LORD delivers him from them all;
Psalms 139:16
16 Your eyes saw my unformed body;
all the days ordained for me were written in your book
before one of them came to be.
2 Corinthians 5:1
1 For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands.
Each boy read their verse to Victor’s gang. I read Jeremiah 29:11 to Victor.
11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
It was so powerful how my King used these young men to witness to Victor’s gang and read scriptures to the ones that had just given their hearts to Jesus Christ. We all came together giving hugs and celebrated the Salvation of Victor’s gang.
Victor said, “Call all your parents and have them come and get you. All of you can go home to your parents.” Victor then called his parents. You could hear his parents praising God because Victor and his gang gave their hearts to Jesus Christ. After Victor’s gang called their parents, you could hear them talking about going home. It would be a couple of hours before the parents arrived.
Now it was time to start playing the baseball game. Isaiah flipped the quarter in the air and told Marciano call it in the air. Marciano called “heads” and it landed “heads”. Isn’t it interesting that it was heads both times the quarter was flipped. Does that mean that God wants these young men to look forward and not to look back? They are about to start a new journey.
Marciano said, “My team wants to bat first.” Victor and his team went out to the field they all rotated positions to make it fair. My King gets all the Glory and the Victory. I had so much fun watching the boys playing baseball. It looked like they had been playing together forever. Victor’s team was winning when parents began to arrive. But the boys wouldn’t stop playing. Marciano and I gathered the parents that arrived and explained to them what our King did. And my King gets all the Glory and the Victory. The parents couldn’t stop crying. The anointing of the Holy Spirit was so beautiful. I then asked, “Do any of the parents want to give your hearts to Jesus Christ.” They all came over and they to gave their hearts to Jesus Christ. It was so beautiful see both the parents and their sons give their lives to Jesus Christ. My King gets all the Glory and the Victory. The parents hugged each other then sat down. The boys kept playing baseball and their parents were cheering their sons on. It was such a big celebration. After the game ended the 12 boys introduced themselves to the parents. The parents thanked them for praying for their sons. The 12 boys walked over to me and hugged me and said to me, “You are truly a man of God.”
I said, “I can only do what God tells me to do. The Holy Spirit makes it all happen.” My King gets all the Glory. The 12 boys said, “Keep your eyes on God’s Kingdom, Sonny.”
Isaiah came to me and said, “God Bless you Sonny for being obedient. You are truly Anointed by our King. I said, “God bless you Isaiah for representing our King at this baseball field.” Isaiah turned and walked away with the 12 boys. My King gets the final Victory. I flew in the police jet back home to Colorado thinking about the wonderful thing God did here in New York.