Harlem is a place with so many layers of darkness—poverty, drug and alcohol addiction, racial injustice ingrained in the Black community’s psyche, homelessness, and the ongoing illegal immigration crisis. It’s a community that has been through so much, and people here are facing battles on all fronts—physical, emotional, and spiritual.
Walking through Harlem, you see a strong Islamic presence, with mosques on almost every corner as if it were an Islamic country. There’s also a deep influence of African spiritual practices—witchcraft and voodoo woven into the culture. It’s a spiritual battlefield, a place where different forces collide, making evangelism a challenge but also an urgent necessity.
Partnering with the Salvation Army
Our outreach started with the Salvation Army Temple on 134th Street, where about 500 people are fed daily. We joined hands with them to not only serve but to share the Gospel with those in desperate need. As we ministered, we saw firsthand how broken many in this community are—about 80% of the people we encountered were struggling with drug or alcohol addiction, mental illness, or both.
Many undocumented immigrants, particularly from Latin America, were among those seeking help. They had no identification, no way to navigate life in a foreign country, and no hope. It was clear: people weren’t just hungry for food; they were hungry for hope, for something greater than themselves.
Spiritual Resistance on the Streets
As we took the Gospel beyond the Salvation Army and into the streets, we faced different reactions. Many from Christian backgrounds were open—they needed encouragement, prayer, and a fresh encounter with God. But one of the biggest walls we hit was with the Islamic community.
A lot of those we approached rejected the Gospel. Some debated with us, saying Jesus was just a prophet, not the Son of God. Others refused prayer with a sense of spiritual pride. It was clear that we weren’t just facing people—we were up against spiritual strongholds.
But we knew the battle wasn’t ours to fight in the flesh. As the Bible says, “Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit,” says the Lord of hosts. (Zechariah 4:6). Over four weeks, we led 85 people to Christ—mostly people who had been raised in the faith but needed a reminder of God’s love, healing, and restoration.
Taking the Gospel to 125th Street
After two months of outreach at the Salvation Army, the Holy Spirit led my sister Linda and me to 125th Street, near the subway station. This time, we weren’t just stopping people—we were doing prayer walks, letting God guide us to those He wanted us to minister to.
That’s when we had some of the most powerful encounters. People were drawn to us, stopping to talk, listen, and receive prayer. We didn’t have to force anything—God was leading the way.
Harlem Is Ripe for Revival
Evangelism in Harlem isn’t easy. The spiritual warfare is real. The resistance is real. But so is the power of God.
We’ve seen lives changed, chains broken, and hearts opened to the love of Christ. Harlem is not beyond redemption—it is ripe for revival. And we will continue to stand in the gap, trusting that God is moving, one soul at a time.