Senior Correspondent, ASSIST News Service
NEW YORK (ANS) -- She has been handing out tracts and witnessing for Christ almost every night for 41 years in the heart of Times Square
.
."In 1970 I started going out in the streets," says Irma Moares, 84.
 |
Irma Moraes with writer |
Times Square
has changed dramatically since Irma began her missionary outreach. Much of the tawdry atmosphere characterized by sex shops, adult theaters and go-go bars departed in the 1990s, replaced by tourist-friendly stores, restaurants, and jumbotrons lighting the night sky ala Las Vegas.
has changed dramatically since Irma began her missionary outreach. Much of the tawdry atmosphere characterized by sex shops, adult theaters and go-go bars departed in the 1990s, replaced by tourist-friendly stores, restaurants, and jumbotrons lighting the night sky ala Las Vegas.Many credit the diminished crime and the clean - almost Disney-like atmosphere - to political figures such as Rudy Giulian
i, Ed Koch
, and David Dinkins
. Few are aware of a powerful Christian presence and the fervent prayers of believers like Irma behind the scenes, interceding for the city.
i, Ed Koch, and David Dinkins. Few are aware of a powerful Christian presence and the fervent prayers of believers like Irma behind the scenes, interceding for the city."I prayed that God would send a good church to Times Square and Pastor David came," Irma notes. She refers to David Wilkerson
, the legendary evangelist, author and the founding pastor of Times Square Church
, launched in 1987.
, the legendary evangelist, author and the founding pastor of Times Square Church, launched in 1987.Wilkerson received the call to Times Square
when he walked down 42nd Street in New York after midnight. As he witnessed kids high on crack cocaine, pimps, prostitutes and runaways amid X-rated movie houses, he cried out for God to send someone.
when he walked down 42nd Street in New York after midnight. As he witnessed kids high on crack cocaine, pimps, prostitutes and runaways amid X-rated movie houses, he cried out for God to send someone.MORE: Click here.
Mark Ellis is a senior correspondent for ASSIST News Service and the founder of
www.Godreports.com. He is available to speak to groups about the plight of the church in restricted countries, to share stories and testimonies from the mission field, and to preach the gospel.
mark@Godreports.com
www.Godreports.com. He is available to speak to groups about the plight of the church in restricted countries, to share stories and testimonies from the mission field, and to preach the gospel.
mark@Godreports.com
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