Evangelizing by oneself on the street

I really like Ray Comfort approach. I has a good balance between "admiting you are sinner" and being "under grace of the gospel".

zoidar said:

I have been out on the streets with a friend evangelizing, handing out pamphlets, praying for people etc. It's just we have different ideas how it's to be done. He is more of the kind "repent or else" and I'm more like "Jesus loves you". So I have been thinking about doing it alone (with Jesus). Anyone with experience doing it by oneself? What advice would you give me?

Christ love,
Peter

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Don't. Out by 2's is the Lord's Way, and the two ideas need to harmonize. The Lord has put you
together for His purpose. Trust in His Sovereignty. Talk this out openly and honestly, you can have a strategy. Both of you should consider the other's perspective, and when you back each with scriptures, you are both right! Work together,that is "the unity of the Spirit, in the bond of peace."

Bless you for getting out there, and doing such a thing.

Dont care for the confrontational approach. Offering to pray usually was more successful. Included everyone in their group/party if they were agreeable.

Also, stated we would be praying to God of the Bible. In todays climate, might want to give another indicator. There are hundreds of names, titles and attributions of His.

tturt said:

Dont care for the confrontational approach. Offering to pray usually was more successful. Included everyone in their group/party if they were agreeable.

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On the subject of confrontation, a fervent, effectual prayer covering before going out is essential.
Confrontation will inevitably come from those who would trouble you, without an anointing.
"If I be lifted up, I will draw all unto me" is a good starting point.
Many will request prayer without you offering, and having a partner on the street is an essential asset.
We used to tell the inexperienced "pray with your eyes open" when you are out on the street.
People like to throw stuff in the Vieux Carre.

Definitely agree with keeping eyes open.

Yes sometimes it will become confrontational, just saying for me there's no need starting off on that foot.

zoidar said:

I have been out on the streets with a friend evangelizing, handing out pamphlets, praying for people etc. It's just we have different ideas how it's to be done. He is more of the kind "repent or else" and I'm more like "Jesus loves you". So I have been thinking about doing it alone (with Jesus). Anyone with experience doing it by oneself? What advice would you give me?

Christ love,
Peter

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Not so much. I remember walking in LA with my wife and this man (preaching) yelling at the people going into some movie. I asked the lord '"is he of you?" The lord said "if He is not against me he is for me". I knew its not how Christ would have done it. Its one of those "at least the gospel is being preached". I've seen over the years those "turn or burn" vs those that only spoke love. So many more were saved by the love message then "turn or burn".

Facts...... you see the field.. you look out there are not many out there. So me? I would pray for like a hour before ever going out. Asking and knowing the sweet sweet holy Spirit will speak through me. And that He use me with any gift He chooses. Knowing these signs shall follow them that believe. Peter and John.. "why look at us as if we did this by our own power. Its FAITH in that name". That NAME He gave YOU His child the right to use. That name never ever fails. Ask Him to lead and guide you. Always LISTEN.. He will always give you a peace..

zoidar said:

I have been out on the streets with a friend evangelizing, handing out pamphlets, praying for people etc. It's just we have different ideas how it's to be done. He is more of the kind "repent or else" and I'm more like "Jesus loves you". So I have been thinking about doing it alone (with Jesus). Anyone with experience doing it by oneself? What advice would you give me?

Christ love,
Peter

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I worked in Odessa, TX in the 1980’s. A lady used to go the park about four or five in the evening and preached about Jesus, then handed out burritos wrapped in foil from a cardboard box she brought with her. I can not remember her sermons.

When I lived in the city occasionally I gave food to the homeless and told them, “God loves you.” I did not stay long enough to preach the Gospel.

Some Gospel Rescue Missions allowed homeless people to stay for a week or two. They made the homeless attend a service once a day where someone preached a sermon to them.

I suppose you might try to follow a successful street preacher. Typically the Gospel of Jesus’ life and his teachings might be good.

Hello @zoidar, I've never done street preaching, but one of the outreach ministries at my church is local door to door witnessing/evangelism, with an invitation to come to church, of course. I never did it alone, and having a boy and a girl together is often advantageous (although hardly necessary).

I'm not promoting JW's or Mormons here, but we can learn from them because, unlike Christians, all of their congregants receive pretty extensive training in evangelism, and as you may have noticed, they always go out in groups of 2.

Praying for you!

--David

yes definitely have a partner

Hello Zoidar,

I have done evangelism on my own a few times: and will resume soon. I do it in a really informal way. I start a regular conversation and then slowly drift into the gospel.

Beginning with a compliment helps heaps.

I set a goal to evangelise three people a week: simple, but effective (and to whomever else I feel led to)

I don't really have any formula or strategy, just bring them the good news with all sincerity, and make it fit with the conversation: it always will if the conversation is directed towards the cross.

Nothing complex, just talk about the human condition and focus on Christ.

And having an informal conversation usually allows me to connect with that person in an emotional way and even build new friendships to further evangelise them.

I personally don't think gospel tracts are effective. For me, a sincere smile a loving demeanour and a peaceful tone is attractive enough, let the Spirit do the rest.

And it really depends on the mood of that person. If they are agitated then you would offer a peace-orientated message. If they are calm, you would talk about the universe and meaning etc...

Its about being natural, simple and unfeigned. Most importantly let Christ Jesus speak through us, not ourselves.

And sometimes simple messages can be profound.
For example a simple comment like "Isa is God of the universe" stuns Muslims and leaves them thinking... or to a young couple "Jesus loves you more"...

I hope this helps.

zoidar said:

I have been out on the streets with a friend evangelizing, handing out pamphlets, praying for people etc. It's just we have different ideas how it's to be done. He is more of the kind "repent or else" and I'm more like "Jesus loves you". So I have been thinking about doing it alone (with Jesus). Anyone with experience doing it by oneself? What advice would you give me?

Christ love,
Peter

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In my opinion, it is better to go alone than to go with a person whose doctrine you don't agree with. I am very careful when it comes to what I say to people, there is no point in unnecessarily offending a person, or giving them a harsh view of God.

I have in the past been out evangelizing by myself, and I have no trouble recommending it. As for advice, the bible says not to premeditate what you will say, for your father will speak through you. A good tract is a good idea, I use "steps to peace with God" by Billy Graham. But don't try to come up with a witnessing plan, let God individually minister to the people you encounter.

Some people don't need the gospel some do. One guy that I spoke to I felt the Holy Spirit ask me to ask him did he play in a band? He said "No", but it turns out that he told me he did play in a church band, as a guitar player. We could then briefly talk about church.

Just let the LORD direct your words. It is not so much about asking, or listening for a voice as it is just naturally talking and allowing God to take control of your thinking.

FutureAndAHope said:

In my opinion, it is better to go alone than to go with a person whose doctrine you don't agree with. I am very careful when it comes to what I say to people, there is no point in unnecessarily offending a person, or giving them a harsh view of God.

I have in the past been out evangelizing by myself, and I have no trouble recommending it. As for advice, the bible says not to premeditate what you will say, for your father will speak through you. A good tract is a good idea, I use "steps to peace with God" by Billy Graham. But don't try to come up with a witnessing plan, let God individually minister to the people you encounter.

Some people don't need the gospel some do. One guy that I spoke to I felt the Holy Spirit ask me to ask him did he play in a band? He said "No", but it turns out that he told me he did play in a church band, as a guitar player. We could then briefly talk about church.

Just let the LORD direct your words. It is not so much about asking, or listening for a voice as it is just naturally talking and allowing God to take control of your thinking.

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I second this

You'd better be ready to answer every question they ask you with wisdom and grace.

zoidar said:

I have been out on the streets with a friend evangelizing, handing out pamphlets, praying for people etc. It's just we have different ideas how it's to be done. He is more of the kind "repent or else" and I'm more like "Jesus loves you". So I have been thinking about doing it alone (with Jesus). Anyone with experience doing it by oneself? What advice would you give me?

Christ love,
Peter

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One of the powerful things about the wording in just the one verse --

John 3:16 For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that everyone who believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.

is how it both tells us that we are sinners that would perish, thus that we are in need of a savior, but also that amazingly someone loved us so much that He would suffer even unto death to redeem us!

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Another very powerful message we can weave into a conversation with someone that once attended church, and is prodigal -- is the wonderful Ephesians chapter 2, verses 1 through 10, which has much that can also help those not having yet learned the accurate gospel (with key messages we can convey, such as by changing the time tense from present to future, such as from 'has'/'have' to 'will' or 'is knocking' at your door).

1 As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, 2 in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. 3 All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. 4 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. 6 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, 7 in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. 8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
Ephesians 2 NIV

We remember that as Christ tells us in Mark chapter 4, the word is the seed, and works over time, in a time we do not ourselves know.