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Rick Alonzo, speed painter, martial artist and preacher shares his talent and the gospel like no other. Alonzo can easily paint a gorgeous masterpiece in 2-5 minutes. Most of his works are used in sermons and performances to spread the gospel, raise money for organizations, support charities and even inspire young children to stay away from drugs and alcohol.

During a men’s retreat at Northpointe Community Church, Alonzo painted four paintings, Sept. 26. These include a painting of Bruce Lee, explaining his love for martial arts, and to teach others about what he calls “Christian Martial Arts”, which are used to defeat the Enemy.

The second painting Is a painting of an audience member in the armor of God. The purpose of this was to show how one can use the armor of God to defend against the enemy.

The third painting presented Jesus in a patriotic fashion. The purpose behind this piece was to show how we need God in America; a country that he believes is falling fast from the Lord.

Finally, the last painting was of Jesus on the cross, portraying how he has already saved us from the punishment of death and how he is carrying us to an eternity of salvation.

Alonzo started making his art to glorify God very early on in life, when he began to paint at the age of 4 years old. He then experienced a close encounter with God through an experience after a work day.

“It started in 1992, I was on my way home from work, and I saw these kids spray painting on the walls,” said Alonzo. “I asked the Lord God, If you?re real, why is this happening to those kids? It was that night where the Lord was speaking to me. He said, You can reach those kids, I want you to reach them.”

Alonzo’s message included topics such as how to use the word of God and the armor of God to defend against evil unseen forces of the world. Alonzo went into detail with how our spiritual battles will affect our lives. He saw the hurt of his own kids and of the world, inspiring him to do a sermon on the topic of spiritual battle.

“I was praying for what God wanted me to talk about, and my kids inspired me to basically write that kind of message,” Alonzo said. “Today’s kids have so much going on in school. My kids would always come home and talk about their friends’ stories about parental divorce, or issues with dating relationships.”

Alonzo’s concern for his children’s problems at school leads him to make a message that tells us how to defeat the enemy.

“This made me notice that there is more to life than we are seeing,” Alonzo said. “There is a spiritual battle that we can?t see. That?s what inspired me to speak about that tonight, because I want these men to know that there is a way to fight in the right way. The Bible says that we do not battle against flesh and blood, so we fight Satan and his evil forces. They are real!”

Alonzo reports that he truly wants everyone who is currently struggling with worldly problems to realize that we are fighting a spiritual battle rather than a physical one. The Bible describes this truth.

“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” – Ephesians 6:12

Alonzo’s powerful message wasn’t only meant to reach older men, but also younger teenage boys. Alonzo believes that God loves each and every one of us, and that he has a plan for all of us.

“I want these kids to realize that God has a specific purpose for them,” Alonzo said. “Just as he has a specific plan for me.’

Alonzo wants the junior high and high school students who are reading this article to understand that God has a plan for them, and will never let them down.

“The only way they can know this truth is if they seek the Lord,” Alonzo said. “They just need to pray and ask the lord, What is it that you are asking me to do, as a child of God or as a youth? What are you trying to do with me right now? With that, they can wait for answers, because God is faithful, and he will answer those prayers. When kids are patient with God, and patient with themselves, God is faithful and he will answer. I want these kids to know that God loves them. God loves you! He has a wonderful plan for your life.”

All of Alonzo?s stories can be found thespeedpainter.com and rickalonzo.com.

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This writer can be reached via Twitter: @jareds_the_name

For more features, read the Oct. 2 article, Multimedia position filled: Video Productions.