Evangelism and License Plates

7/11/06

Many have asked how a person (me in particular) can use license plates in evangelism? The purpose of evangelism is to proclaim the Gospel (Good News) of Jesus Christ. This typically involves for many believers, how the restored brethren came to be convicted of his/her sin and finally how he/she answered the call of the Holy Spirit. The Gospel (or the story of Jesus), is the mechanism that God uses to bring someone to Christ. It is imperative that all that believe on the Lord Jesus Christ be ready to give a defense for his faith (1 Peter 3:15), for the hope that lives in them. This presentation/experience is recounted by individuals in something called a testimony (in the protestant churches). Being a prior Catholic, there is really no equivalent in the Catholic Church. There is no defined “conversion” experience, and salvation is defined/based on works or deeds, the sacraments and adherence to the traditions of teaching of the church.

With this said, I use porcelain license plates to tell the story of how I came to believe on Christ. One may ask, what?!.. How is this possible? Actually it was quite easy! I have in my collection of plates hundreds of real porcelain plates and about 6 replicas (forgeries). I use the real license to illustrate the true “Born from Above Christians, John 3” Christians and the replica or forgery license plates (VA 11, NC 16, MI 07) to illustrate professing Christians (my state prior to walking with Christ or prior to regeneration).

I usually give my testimony to small groups of 5-50 children or young adults. I start by setting up 8 chairs in the front of the group. I will pick out 6 real license plates (at least 2 mint ones), a replica (VA 11 or NC 16) and the fake (MI 07). I ask for 8 volunteers (normally not a problem, since everyone wants in on this one!) and sit them on the eight chairs facing the group. I hand each person a plate and tell him or her to hold down the plate face down in his/her lap. (Yes, I normally instruct them not to DROP, BEND, TWIRL or otherwise LAUNCH the plate from his/her seat, which has happened!). At this point I give them a brief description of my hobby of license plate collecting. Since I am an avid collector, I enjoy talking about the hobby and how porcelain plates are made and the like. After I brief description of license plate collecting and how I came to collect plates, I have each of the 8 volunteers hold up his/her plate.

1918 NH M/C (real)	1915/16 W. VA (real)	1911 VA (replica)	1913 NC (replica)
1915 MA M/C (real)	1908 MA (real)	1907 MI (fake)	1911 AR (real)

I then go, person by person (plate by plate) and describe the plates each is holding. I normally say something like “this looks like a CA 14 porcelain license plate” or this resembles a CA 15 Porcelain Motorcycle plate.

After I have described each candidate plate, I then tell the audience that two of the plates are not real license plates at all… that one is a replica and one is a forgery. I explain how the forgeries/replica’s look good on the outside, give the appearance of authenticity, but can only imitate the originals. I explain how for many years, my belief in Christ was also not authentic. Oh, I put an a good show… I was on the honor role in school, I was an Eagle Scout, I served as an alter boy in church, never in trouble with the law, did not use alcohol or drugs, had multiple engineering degrees. I was from the outside a “good” person who went to church, but in reality, was only imitating the true believer in Christ. From my perspective, I was as good or better then any of the people I knew! I was like one of these fake license plates, in that I looked good on the outside (I had some type of outward profession), but was not the real thing (I was not in possession). I never really bothered to read the Bible (actually not even encouraged), I did not seek after God or attempt to serve him in any meaningful way. I only did things to glorify myself and could care less about glorifying God and His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. I was in a religious system that actually fostered that general approach, and as such, only really cared about myself on to college and beyond.

After presenting this testimony I ask the audience to pick out the two fake license plates. This is usually pretty interesting and a lot of fun. Normally, the older kids will pick the “cleaner, unchipped” forgeries, over the true porcelains. Most people also tend to pick the lower number plates as well. In the end, I go one by one and reveal the real plates, building the suspense as we go.

When I have gotten to the last two plates (the fakes), I again re-emphasize how this was my state with a profession of Christianity, before being born from above (or again). The children who picked out the real fakes are normally pretty happy. I then offer the invitation for those present to seek the Lord’s Calling and feel free to talk to their minister, their parents or me if they have any other questions.

This is a skeleton of what normally happens, but like any unrehearsed activity, there are always excursions (i.e. The discussion of how a real Christian will bear fruit, eternal security, calling, etc…)

If anyone out there has any question about the Gospel (God News) of Jesus Christ or any particular doctrine of the Christian Faith, I will be glad to share what the Holy Spirit has revealed to me about your question.

If anyone would like to lend a plate for this ministry, I am always in need of additional replica plates and I could also use a pretty nice 2/1 digit porcelain plate (any state). All lender plates will be returned, if desired.

Feel free to email me at: EMAIL(home) EMAIL(work)

IHS,

Steve Gaj

1Pe 3:15 But¹¹⁶¹ sanctify³⁷ the Lord²⁹⁶² God²³¹⁶ in¹⁷²² your⁵²¹⁶ hearts:²⁵⁸⁸ and¹¹⁶¹ be ready²⁰⁹² always¹⁰⁴ to give an answer^{4314, 627} to every man³⁹⁵⁶ that asketh¹⁵⁴ you⁵²⁰⁹ a reason³⁰⁵⁶ of⁴⁰¹² the³⁵⁸⁸ hope¹⁶⁸⁰ that is in¹⁷²² you⁵²¹³ with³³²⁶ meekness⁴²⁴⁰ and²⁵³² fear:⁵⁴⁰¹