A TRUCE outreach is an aggressive and unorthodox vehicle to reach the inner cities of North America and Europe. These invasions take months of planning and preparation. Our team travels to targeted cities months in advance to set up 'camp' and work with local churches to reach into some of the most needy and troubled neighborhoods with the Gospel.
Our team trains local volunteers in street evangelism. We then take to the streets in selected areas. As one part of our team sets up the sound system, the rest fan out through the neighborhood handing out club cards with event info. They also invite the neighborhood to a certain street corner for a free concert. As the people approach, they hear urban music and see street dancers. Before long, all kinds of people show up to see what is going on. (At one of our first TRUCE outreaches in the Bronx, one of the policemen with us said that many of the gang members in the crowd were actually carrying machine guns!) Once the crowd grows, we then present a couple of songs, a quick testimony, and then a message about God’s love and Christ’s death, burial and resurrection. Then we ask people to come forward to accept Christ and for prayer.
As people come forward, many with tears streaming down their face, our team prays with them. Other team members fan out through the crowd looking for opportunities to pray with people and witness to them.
Obviously, that approach isn't appropriate everywhere. In some places we reach kids through a school assembly program, a church crusade, a youth rally or other such event. We share with them, pray with them as we are allowed, and invite them to the main event. Wherever we go and whatever our surroundings, kids hear the message they desperately need: Jesus loves you and can change your life!
Since TRUCE began, thousands have come to Christ - and their lives have been changed forever. We have conducted dozens of city-wide events throughout America and Europe. Numerous law enforcement officials have recognized the effectiveness of this campaign and have credited this type of outreach as reducing crime and violence.