Mall Evangelism

[David Hunter]

First for me... Mall Evangelism!

My buddy Eric likes to do mall evangelism and has invited me in the past, but was never able to make it but today was the day! We went to the mall and I was actually shocked by how many people were there. Literally, the place was packed. So packed it was overwhelming.

Anywho, he said he normally likes to walk around and see who the Spirit wants him to talk to, so around the food court we went and nothing, so we go off into another part & going up the escalator I noticed someone sitting down & told him that person there is the one! So we approach and he gets into a conversation with her (Liz), and she was open to the conversation but is not a believer but "spiritual." After about 7 minutes she said she got a text from her daughter so had to go.

So, on to the next one...

Eric told me to pick out the person. Plenty of people walking around, standing around and sitting, but I did feel any of them were the one the Lord wanted us to talk to. Then, getting to the end of one side of the mall this guy sitting on one of the massage chairs with his daughter caught my eye and I knew he was the one. So, I tell Eric he's the one he needs to talk to and we approach, guy is open to the conversation and we're off.

Probably a good 30 minute conversation. Surprisingly, Jesús was his name. He told us how he's been hurt by many churches, but does his own thing. He also mentioned he knows he's not saved and has lots of work to do. "Work"... Oh how we know Jesus did all the work for us on the cross! We shared with him all we could, and eventually his wife came back from shopping and it was time for them to go. He did appreciate the conversation, said he'd think about what we talked about and shook our hands. I asked if I could pray for him right there, but he declined, but did say I can pray for him on my own.

Please be in prayer for Liz and, especially, Jesús, that they'll come to the saving faith of Jesus Christ while God has given them time!

Also, have you ever done any type of mall evangelism? Would love to hear about it.

 

[Richard T]

It is great that you are witnessing for Christ including the malls. I was uncertain if this was always allowed but found this in case anyone is interesting. Chick.com: Is it Legal to Witness in Malls?

 

[David Hunter]

It is great that you are witnessing for Christ including the malls. I was uncertain if this was always allowed but found this in case anyone is interesting. Chick.com: Is it Legal to Witness in Malls?

Thanks for sharing, Richard! When I do mall evangelism more, I'll continue to focus on engaging in conversations with people. I've heard some people go to pass out tracts but eventually are told to stop. And, if someone doesn't want to talk will just go on to the next person (and pray for the person who's not interested).

 

[Richard T]

Thanks for sharing, Richard! When I do mall evangelism more, I'll continue to focus on engaging in conversations with people. I've heard some people go to pass out tracts but eventually are told to stop. And, if someone doesn't want to talk will just go on to the next person (and pray for the person who's not interested).

I once did street preaching in the USA and was asked to stop even though it was a government sponsored event. I was sort of down about why I bothered to do it. A year later I led a small evangelism team to a city square. I felt led to start street preaching, and there was real fruit from the whole team. The funny thing about it was that if I had not had the first experience I would have probably been too shy to try the square. Sadly, I am hoping to regain that zeal and boldness. Your actions do encourage me. It is rare to see anyone witnessing these days. I pray you never lose that fire.

 

[David Hunter]

I once did street preaching in the USA and was asked to stop even though it was a government sponsored event. I was sort of down about why I bothered to do it. A year later I led a small evangelism team to a city square. I felt led to start street preaching, and there was real fruit from the whole team. The funny thing about it was that if I had not had the first experience I would have probably been too shy to try the square. Sadly, I am hoping to regain that zeal and boldness. Your actions do encourage me. It is rare to see anyone witnessing these days. I pray you never lose that fire.

Glad you kept at it and did it again! And thanks for the encouragement to me, and I'm glad it's an encouragement to you. God is good!! I'm praying for you that you'll get back out there and share Jesus with everyone you can.

 

[Richard T]

Amen, thanks! I pray you especially learn to hear God's voice in sharing, that you can be flexible as the Holy Spirit gives you not only who to speak to and where, but what are the best words to preach. Here is an old school book on soulwinning from one of the best, T.L. Osborn. https://library.melbac.org/books/vision/Soulwinning.pdf

 

[Maori Aussie]

I once did street preaching in the USA and was asked to stop even though it was a government sponsored event. It is rare to see anyone witnessing these days. I pray you never lose that fire.

I plan to take up "city square" preaching when I retire. I live in an Australian city where legally you need a "licence to preach" (eye roll) ...
I spoke to the city bureaucrat (Politarch?) about it and he told me it was not worth applying. He said everyone else in my city just follows polite etiquette, and worse case, if asked by a retailer or Police to "move on" then keep your kit light and mobile and simply immediately relocate 100 metres / yards further on. The city bureaucrat said the common complaint was against the use of loudspeakers, but kit that can be carried by one person should be fine. My obstacle is anxiety about public speaking; but personally, I can overcome that by reading from prepared scripts / sermons / apologetics. I intend to use a very wide variety of tracts. In my city, it is the 'interesting performers' who attract attention; so, I intend to use low volume music (e.g. "Spirit in the Sky"), poetry (Corinthians Ch13 etc), readings about Jesus (from NLT), be a bit of a performer, be super approachable, and meet / talk with interested passersby. I intend to get a certificate in Systematic Theology beforehand to make sure that my content is technically sound. I intend to use a camping cart to move my kit around but being ex-Army I might see how much I can get onto webbing and in a small backpack (old habit). I intend to always have giveaways on me for small children, and something for the homeless. I intend to have a few books displayed too.

 

[1Tonne]

I once did street preaching in the USA and was asked to stop even though it was a government sponsored event. I was sort of down about why I bothered to do it. A year later I led a small evangelism team to a city square. I felt led to start street preaching, and there was real fruit from the whole team. The funny thing about it was that if I had not had the first experience I would have probably been too shy to try the square. Sadly, I am hoping to regain that zeal and boldness. Your actions do encourage me. It is rare to see anyone witnessing these days. I pray you never lose that fire.

We will be praying for you too. Even Paul asked for prayer. It can be a scary thing.
I too have had times where I am very much afraid to share the Gospel because I have had people come against me.
But never give up. People's lives are at stake and if we truly love our neighbour, then we will warn them of their condemnation.

Ephesians 6:18-20
"praying always........for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak."

Colossians 4:3-4
"Meanwhile praying also for us, that God would open to us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in chains, that I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak."

Amen, thanks! I pray you especially learn to hear God's voice in sharing, that you can be flexible as the Holy Spirit gives you not only who to speak to and where, but what are the best words to preach. Here is an old school book on soulwinning from one of the best, T.L. Osborn. https://library.melbac.org/books/vision/Soulwinning.pdf

There are various ways to share the Gospel.
Personally, I try not to be selective when sharing—I aim to tell as many people as possible because the message is for everyone. Jesus commanded us to preach the Gospel to all creation, and we are called to be ready in season and out of season.
That said, if I were at a mall, I wouldn’t approach every single person. Instead, I’d look for someone sitting alone, appearing to have time to spare. So, as I mentioned, David has his own approach.
Keep it up, David! We all have different ways of sharing, and that’s a good thing. As long as we are getting out there and doing it.

 

[Richard T]

I plan to take up "city square" preaching when I retire. I live in an Australian city where legally you need a "licence to preach" (eye roll) ...
I spoke to the city bureaucrat (Politarch?) about it and he told me it was not worth applying. He said everyone else in my city just follows polite etiquette, and worse case, if asked by a retailer or Police to "move on" then keep your kit light and mobile and simply immediately relocate 100 metres / yards further on. The city bureaucrat said the common complaint was against the use of loudspeakers, but kit that can be carried by one person should be fine. My obstacle is anxiety about public speaking; but personally, I can overcome that by reading from prepared scripts / sermons / apologetics. I intend to use a very wide variety of tracts. In my city, it is the 'interesting performers' who attract attention; so, I intend to use low volume music (e.g. "Spirit in the Sky"), poetry (Corinthians Ch13 etc), readings about Jesus (from NLT), be a bit of a performer, be super approachable, and meet / talk with interested passersby. I intend to get a certificate in Systematic Theology beforehand to make sure that my content is technically sound. I intend to use a camping cart to move my kit around but being ex-Army I might see how much I can get onto webbing and in a small backpack (old habit). I intend to always have giveaways on me for small children, and something for the homeless. I intend to have a few books displayed too.

Glad you have the boldness for that. The beautiful thing about street preaching is that it opens doors for one on one sharing. This is because you already have broken the ice and those that linger around are perhaps at least somewhat interested. The USA though offers few opportunities, unlike public squares that are in many foreign cities. In Asia, on rare occasions I have seen bus preachers where they board a bus that is waiting, speak a brief message, pass out tracts and even take up offerings. I do think we all need to be more creative and flexible in trying to share. In the end though sharing is the most important, and it is God that gives the increase.

 

[Shane R]

Unfortunately, my local mall hangs out right at the dangerous 50% occupancy mark. Much below this and the ownership group tends to close them down. Half of the stuff in there is not really stores to shop in. There is a gym, a couple of martial arts studios, a couple of tattoo and piercing places, an eyebrow threader who sells designer purses, a couple of hair salons, and a cat adoption place doubles as a coffee shop. There's only 10-12 retail stores. IF the movie theater ever moves out, I'd speculate the place is done for. So the foot traffic is pretty lacking most of the time. Even back at Christmas it was never really busy in there.

 

[Maori Aussie]

Glad you have the boldness for that. The beautiful thing about street preaching is that it opens doors for one on one sharing. This is because you already have broken the ice and those that linger around are perhaps at least somewhat interested. The USA though offers few opportunities, unlike public squares that are in many foreign cities. In Asia, on rare occasions I have seen bus preachers where they board a bus that is waiting, speak a brief message, pass out tracts and even take up offerings. I do think we all need to be more creative and flexible in trying to share. In the end though sharing is the most important, and it is God that gives the increase.

Yes. My objective is to be the approachable low-risk face of the Church, to whom interested persons might put their questions about Christianity, or express their obstacles to faith, that I might provide information and help them to reconsider and overcome. I also have access to a university.
To prepare myself for CBD professionals and university students, I am studying both historicity and apologetics.
To prepare myself to represent the Church faithfully, I will do a cert in Systematic Theology.

 

[1Tonne]

Yes. My objective is to be the approachable low-risk face of the Church, to whom interested persons might put their questions about Christianity, or express their obstacles to faith, that I might provide information and help them to reconsider and overcome. I also have access to a university.
To prepare myself for CBD professionals and university students, I am studying both historicity and apologetics.
To prepare myself to represent the Church faithfully, I will do a cert in Systematic Theology.

It's great that you are taking the time to prepare yourself. And you are honing your apologetics to the demographic. This is good because we do not need the answers to everything. For instance, where I live, there are no muslim people. So, I do not need to study this. But there are many who are simply atheists. So, I study apologetics that show how there must be a creator.
This is what we should all be doing. Preparing a defence for our faith and then passing that knowledge on to unbelievers as well as telling the Gospel.
Living Waters tend to go to universities a lot. So, they can be very good for equipping in this type of demographic. Check them out on Youtube.

 

[FutureAndAHope]

First for me... Mall Evangelism!

My buddy Eric likes to do mall evangelism and has invited me in the past, but was never able to make it but today was the day! We went to the mall and I was actually shocked by how many people were there. Literally, the place was packed. So packed it was overwhelming.

Anywho, he said he normally likes to walk around and see who the Spirit wants him to talk to, so around the food court we went and nothing, so we go off into another part & going up the escalator I noticed someone sitting down & told him that person there is the one! So we approach and he gets into a conversation with her (Liz), and she was open to the conversation but is not a believer but "spiritual." After about 7 minutes she said she got a text from her daughter so had to go.

So, on to the next one...

Eric told me to pick out the person. Plenty of people walking around, standing around and sitting, but I did feel any of them were the one the Lord wanted us to talk to. Then, getting to the end of one side of the mall this guy sitting on one of the massage chairs with his daughter caught my eye and I knew he was the one. So, I tell Eric he's the one he needs to talk to and we approach, guy is open to the conversation and we're off.

Probably a good 30 minute conversation. Surprisingly, Jesús was his name. He told us how he's been hurt by many churches, but does his own thing. He also mentioned he knows he's not saved and has lots of work to do. "Work"... Oh how we know Jesus did all the work for us on the cross! We shared with him all we could, and eventually his wife came back from shopping and it was time for them to go. He did appreciate the conversation, said he'd think about what we talked about and shook our hands. I asked if I could pray for him right there, but he declined, but did say I can pray for him on my own.

Please be in prayer for Liz and, especially, Jesús, that they'll come to the saving faith of Jesus Christ while God has given them time!

Also, have you ever done any type of mall evangelism? Would love to hear about it.

My experiences in Mall Evangelism are similar to yours. However, we call it Shopping Center Evangelism here in Australia.

I would often just walk around the Shopping Center until I found someone doing nothing and see if I felt led to have a chat. If I saw someone sick, I would offer to pray for them.

It has been a while since I have done it. Just get so busy with work and family life, that it can be hard to get down there.

 

[1Tonne]

It has been a while since I have done it. Just get so busy with work and family life, that it can be hard to get down there.

It is hard to get out there. I get annoyed because I have big house that takes up a lot of my time. I have to spend at least 1 month every year painting it. Frustrating.
But there are several verses that emphasize the importance of prioritizing the Gospel over the distractions and cares of life. Here are a few key ones:

2 Timothy 2:4 – "No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in civilian affairs, but rather tries to please his commanding officer."
-Paul uses the analogy of a soldier to show that believers should not let the affairs of this life distract them from their mission—pleasing Christ and sharing the Gospel.

Luke 9:59-60 – "He said to another man, 'Follow me.' But he replied, 'Lord, first let me go and bury my father.' Jesus said to him, 'Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and proclaim the kingdom of God.'”
-Here, Jesus emphasizes that proclaiming the Kingdom of God must take precedence over even important personal responsibilities.

Luke 9:62 – "Jesus replied, 'No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.'”
-This verse warns against allowing distractions or second thoughts to interfere with serving Christ.

Matthew 6:33 – "But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."
-Jesus teaches that our priority should be God’s kingdom, and everything else will fall into place.

1 Corinthians 9:16 – "For when I preach the gospel, I cannot boast, since I am compelled to preach. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel!"
-Paul expresses an urgency in preaching the Gospel, as though it is a duty that must not be neglected.

These verses collectively teach that nothing in life—whether responsibilities, personal concerns, or worldly distractions—should hinder the mission of sharing the Gospel. But yes, even I let things get in the way of sharing. (Frustrated)