Posted by Jed Smock on [02 Dec 2009 08:43PM]
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BITTERLY COLD

University of Central Oklahoma, December 2, 2009

This was a bitterly cold day. The temperature was only in the low forties; and with winds up to 30 mph, the wind-chill factor was low 30's. We decided to go to UCO over UO; since UCO would be a new campus, we figured we would be more likely to gather a crowd. Also, it was an opportunity to check out the campus to make sure there were no free speech issues.

Since this is the first time I have ever preached on the campus, yesterday, I emailed the police to introduce Bro and myself. Upon arrival the cold Oklahoma wind almost blew us away. I said to Bro, 'Now this is dedication.' Bro and I held signs; and I began to preach at 11:15 in a relative low key manner, mostly calling students' attention to my new colorful sandwich board listing sins typical to students.

Three fellows stopped with 15 minutes. One of them was a boisterous and proud sinner. Eventually, a cadet in uniform stopped to argue. He claimed to be a Christian; but he pleaded for sin and despised our approach. He was very loud and determined not to listen. Finally, he said he needed to change clothes before he got himself in trouble. Later he returned and stayed all afternoon. A crowd of 25 gathered which remained steady for most of the afternoon.

The main issue throughout the day was holiness. Bro had really stirred up the students on the issue of living above sin. However, from 3:30 to 4:30 Bro had a group of around a dozen quietly listening to him teach on overcoming sin. One boy was convinced and even said he was committed to moral purity. Bro made the point if we can just get one student on each campus to promote holiness, that one man could dramatically change the campus.

Several students, who had earlier opposed me, including the cadet, thanked me for coming to the campus. Late in the afternoon a policeman came out to observe the situation. He remembered me from his undergraduate days at OU. We concluded there are no issues on this campus regarding free speech. Bro and I agreed that considering the cold weather, it was a wonderfully great day on campus. It was remarkable that we were able to get students to stand out in the cold hour after hour. We noticed that some were literally shaking from the cold; but they could not seem to leave. Hopefully, by returning tomorrow we can succeed in getting them shaking with the conviction of sin.

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