Wainwright Saves
Into the sea of Cardinal red which filled downtown St. Louis during yesterday’s victory parade and celebration waded Dave Finke of Maryland Heights, Missouri. For Finke, a sidewalk evangelist, the “fields were red unto salvation.”
Hopping aboard a pair of stilts for maximum visibility, Finke carried a “Jesus Saves” sign in one hand and a cross in the other. He ambled about among the revelers, a veritable John the Baptist crying out in a wilderness of concrete, glass and steel.
Several partygoers stopped to have their pictures taken with Finke and engage him in conversation. Others offered up their own commentary asides as they passed him by.
“Eckstein is my Jesus!” shouted one.
Another quietly remarked, “Wainwright Saves,” proving once again that it is much easier and more natural to walk by sight rather than by faith.
6 Comments
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Hal
I’m not convinced Finke’s method of evangelism is most effective, however I admire his courage and faithfulness to what he must believe as God’s calling for him. St. Louis is apparently a great place for revival to begin (whatever the method). Did you see the news report today about St. Louis becoming the most dangerous city in the nation?
Check it out at: http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2002/12/06/national/main532163.shtml
It seems ironic to me that Detroit was the most dangerous city in the nation for the past 3 years, and now that St. Louis has beat Detroit in the World Series the honor has passed on to St. Louis.
Mike the Eyeguy
Hal, I agree. Jesus had nothing against a good party (see the wedding feast at Cana) and didn’t, on that occasion, use the opportunity to talk about “spiritual things.” Instead, he made stronger wine.
Yes, I did see that report and noted the irony. Those statistics are based on St. Louis proper, around 300, 000 people, and not the larger metro area consisting of the suburbs of St. Louis county.
DAVID u
His method’s may not be the best, but I admire Finke for his courage and boldness. I could learn a thing or two from him!
DU
Mike the Eyeguy
As could we all, DU.
Most times, I’m the man saying “Wainwright Saves.” On rarer occasions, I’m Finke.
But I do like a good party. God can be in the feast too.
Tarwater
That is a riot. Right out of a Flannery O’Connor story or her novel Wise Blood. He must be from the South. A stilt walking street evangelist preaching the gospel according to himself! Hazel Motes move over.
Mike the Eyeguy
Maryland Heights is south of St. Charles, but I don’t think that counts. Perhaps Mr. Finke grew up in the “Christ-haunted” South.
My guess is that O’Connor would like Mr. Finke’s style. After all, she often remarked that she had more in common with some Protestant fundamentalists than she did many from her own Catholic Church.