My First Time Ever Open-Air Street Preaching!

[zoidar]

It's official... I open-air street preached for the first time ever!!

I was at the NCAA March Madness Men's Basketball tournament in Columbus, Ohio on Sunday, March 19th, 2023 just outside the Nationwide Arena with a great group of God-honoring men and woman! I'll introduce the video, then show you the 5-6 minutes of me open-air street preaching and then I'll share some thoughts and tips that I learned to encourage you to get out there and open-air street preach and pass out Gospel tracts. Just remember, the harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. All to the glory of God for the advancement of His kingdom!

Please let me know your thoughts, tips, etc.!​

Impressed by your courage! I wouldn't do it the way you did (maybe I should try it?). I like to listen to people and share the gospel individually. I do hand out Bibles and tracts (and coffee ) to people who pass by.

 

[Akita Suggagaki]

Not everyone has heard it. I have spoken to many people in the parks and many of them barely know anything about Jesus.

I guess that is what happens in "Post Christian" culture. We are in an age where even the rudiments are no longer passed on within families. But even with all the info an awakening needs to happen. A spark needs to light. And somehow the Holy Spirit can use things we didn't even know we were saying. It is amazing what touches people. For 7 years I belonged to the Order of Friars Minor. The Franciscans, an 800 year old order of mendicant itinerant preachers. Of course they are not so mendicant nor itinerant any more. But they provided some guidance and training and feedback on our preaching. That was so helpful.

To those who dare to try open air preaching I say go for it. But bring "glad tidings". And do your own inner work first so that you are nearly exploding with joy at it.

 

[1Tonne]

But even with all the info an awakening needs to happen. A spark needs to light. And somehow the Holy Spirit can use things we didn't even know we were saying.

I agree. There does need to be an awakening. We are Christ's voice on earth. So we need to warn people. Romans 10:14 How then are they to call on Him in whom they have not believed? How are they to believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how are they to hear without a preacher?

For those believers that do not share the Gospel because of fear, first pray for more love. So, more love for the Father and more love for our neighbour. Also, write down the Gospel in a simple form and memorise it. This means if you do struggle, you will have something to fall back on. Even great preachers memorize what they are going to say. It takes practise and effort. Your love for the lost will give you the desire to practise and the courage to overcome fear.

Also, one last thing. Going back to a previous post of mine (post no.12). I spoke about Jeremiah and how the blood of those that he did not warn would be on him. I believe that this is the same for us today. We are to warn as many people as possible because we love them, and Jesus commanded us to. It would be wrong for us not to do so.
Last night I was reading Acts 20:25-27 and it seems as though Paul understood and believed this himself. It says, "And now behold, I know that all of you, among whom I went about preaching the kingdom, will no longer see my face. Therefore, I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all people. For I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole purpose of God."
This to me is amazing. Many professing believers will have blood on their hands. So, we need to encourage them to have more love and courage.
NOTE: Sharing the Gospel will not earn your way into heaven. It is by grace alone. We preach because we want to honour God and also because of the love we have for others. It is evidence that you have had a heart change. James 2:24 says, "For you are justified by works and not by faith alone." Faith without works is dead.

God Bless

 

[Akita Suggagaki]

And for those who have never preached, a great place to start is volunteering for Sunday service at nursing homes. They will be grateful and it is good experience, good practice.

 

[David Hunter]

David, I hear joy and excitement in your preaching.

Thank you, Akita!

 

[David Hunter]

I have been doing it for only about 6 months now. I try to go to the parks a couple of times a week. I do not preach out aloud like David does. Instead, I do one to one (often I am speaking to a group though). But what David is doing takes a lot of love God and for the lost and a lot of courage.

Unfortunately, I have been a Christian for 29 years, but I never bothered to learn how to share the Gospel. I did it like everyone else. I was everybody's friend and hoped that they would see Christ in me when I said nice things or done good deeds. But I never told the Good News.
Then, a year ago, God gave me a wakeup call. He showed me my sin for what it really was. Ever since then, I have had a much stronger love for God. Afterall, why would I not love him with all of my heart. He gave His son for my sin.
The greatest commandment is to love the Lord your God with all you heart, soul and mind. So, since I love Him, I will do as He wishes. As He has commanded.
The second greatest commandment is to love your neighbour as you love yourself. Now, we love ourselves so much that we would not want to be condemned. And if we truly love our neighbour, then we should be warning them of this condemnation too.
I don't think that everyone needs to be a street preacher or a park preacher, but I do believe that those who love God with all of their heart will have more of a desire to do so. Also, a love for your neighbour will drive you to learn how to share and maybe, one day, you may go to the park and preach. Love overcomes fear. Love gives you boldness.

I am sorry Akita if this feels like an attack. I do not mean it that way. I do however not like it when people will discourage other believers from doing the good they ought to do. We know that we are to tell as many people as possible. That is the right thing to do. It is what Jesus commanded. James 4:17 says, "So for one who knows the good they ought to do and does not do it, for him it is sin." So, we are sinning by not obeying the command He gave us to share the Gospel.
Jesus also said, "Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter." So, what is Gods will? That "none should perish" 2 Peter 3:9

Keep at it!! The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few!

 

[David Hunter]

I appreciate the feedback and dialogue from all of you!

I always thought everyone has heard the Gospel before, but like 1Tonne said, people know "of" Jesus but they really don't know Him. They take Him lightly and don't see the sin in their lives.

1Tonne, it seems like you follow Ray Comfort... especially when you mentioned the 10 commandments and go through that with people. It just makes so much sense... when you get people to go through them it really opens up their eyes and hearts, and that's why I wanted to base my first time open-air preaching on it! I really need to start going through and writing down what to say and practice-Practice-PRACTICE.

If you ever get the opportunity to open-air, I highly recommend it, even if you just do it once.

We're one body and many parts! Open-air made me think about that scripture since you'll have some open-air and others their for support and passing out tracts. Whatever we do, we should be out there evangelizing!

One thing I'm not a fan of with the relationship evangelism is that they want you to build a relationship with someone first before sharing the Gospel. But how long does that take?? The person could go home after you first meet them and die.

1Tonne, thanks for sharing about Jeremiah! Reminds me in Ezekiel about the trumpet blower... If he sees the enemy coming and blows the trumpet and people ignore him, then their blood is on their own heads, but if the trumpet blower doesn't blow his trumpet when he sees the enemy and they come and kill everyone, then the blood is on the trumpet blower's head.

Keep at it, y'all!

 

[1Tonne]

1Tonne, it seems like you follow Ray Comfort... especially when you mentioned the 10 commandments and go through that with people. It just makes so much sense... when you get people to go through them it really opens up their eyes and hearts, and that's why I wanted to base my first time open-air preaching on it! I really need to start going through and writing down what to say and practice-Practice-PRACTICE.

Yes, I am a Ray Comfort watcher. Big fan. He is a very wise person.
Practise is important and also memorizing verses.
Here is what I do. You might like it because 90% of people in the parks will want to talk to you.

The Great Chocolate Evangelizing trick - This works.

I have been trying to find easy ways to approach non-believers and then tell them the Gospel. I personally find going up to a stranger and saying the full Gospel very scary. I read on this forum about a challenge where the stranger must name all the 10 Commandments in 60 seconds. If they get...

www.christianforums.com

If you ever get the opportunity to open-air, I highly recommend it, even if you just do it once.

I do plan on doing it one day. I have already written out what I will be saying already. In a couple of weeks, I am going to an event with many non-believers, and I will be doing the Ray Comfort flipchart. This will be a first time doing this but I have another friend who is very good with it and so I can learn off him.

One thing I'm not a fan of with the relationship evangelism is that they want you to build a relationship with someone first before sharing the Gospel. But how long does that take?? The person could go home after you first meet them and die.

I agree there. It is a very slow way of evangelising, and it is putting more faith in the friendship than it does in the Gospel. In fact, there is not one biblical president where Jesus did it. That is, there is not one time where Jesus got alongside someone and befriended them, and waited until He thought that they were ready to hear about the things of God. Now, he did hang out with sinners and tax collectors, but it does not say that he didn't talk about the things of God.
It frustrates me so much that churches have taken this approach over speaking the Gospel.
I do believe that we are to do friendship evangelism though. That should just be natural. We all want friends and as we make friends, we should be looking for opportunities to share the Gospel. But first and foremost, we should obay what Jesus said. Preach the Gospel.

1Tonne, thanks for sharing about Jeremiah! Reminds me in Ezekiel about the trumpet blower... If he sees the enemy coming and blows the trumpet and people ignore him, then their blood is on their own heads, but if the trumpet blower doesn't blow his trumpet when he sees the enemy and they come and kill everyone, then the blood is on the trumpet blower's head.

Yes. We are all watchmen. I know a lot of believers will say that that was just Old Testament and that it is not for today. So that is why I show using New Testament verses that we also have the same charge put to us. Because we love and honour God, and we love our neighbour, we will share the Gospel. Those that do not will be guilty of other peoples blood. To them it is sin.
In saying this, I think it is impossible to warn everyone we see. The thief on the cross was saved but did not share the Gospel with anyone. Jesus judges the hearts and minds. If we have the desire within our hearts for people to be saved, then I believe we are on the right track. We do need to act on that desire when possible, though. This is where our works substantiate our faith.

Keep up the preaching and make a thread on this forum about the Living Waters course you do. I would love to know what it is like.

 

[Akita Suggagaki]

It's official... I open-air street preached for the first time ever!!

I was at the NCAA March Madness Men's Basketball tournament in Columbus, Ohio on Sunday, March 19th, 2023 just outside the Nationwide Arena with a great group of God-honoring men and woman! I'll introduce the video, then show you the 5-6 minutes of me open-air street preaching and then I'll share some thoughts and tips that I learned to encourage you to get out there and open-air street preach and pass out Gospel tracts. Just remember, the harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. All to the glory of God for the advancement of His kingdom!

Please let me know your thoughts, tips, etc.!​

I grew up in Warren, Ohio and lived in Columbus a few years.

 

[David Hunter]

Yes, I am a Ray Comfort watcher. Big fan. He is a very wise person.
Practise is important and also memorizing verses.
Here is what I do. You might like it because 90% of people in the parks will want to talk to you.

The Great Chocolate Evangelizing trick - This works.

I have been trying to find easy ways to approach non-believers and then tell them the Gospel. I personally find going up to a stranger and saying the full Gospel very scary. I read on this forum about a challenge where the stranger must name all the 10 Commandments in 60 seconds. If they get...

www.christianforums.com

I do plan on doing it one day. I have already written out what I will be saying already. In a couple of weeks, I am going to an event with many non-believers, and I will be doing the Ray Comfort flipchart. This will be a first time doing this but I have another friend who is very good with it and so I can learn off him.


I agree there. It is a very slow way of evangelising, and it is putting more faith in the friendship than it does in the Gospel. In fact, there is not one biblical president where Jesus did it. That is, there is not one time where Jesus got alongside someone and befriended them, and waited until He thought that they were ready to hear about the things of God. Now, he did hang out with sinners and tax collectors, but it does not say that he didn't talk about the things of God.
It frustrates me so much that churches have taken this approach over speaking the Gospel.
I do believe that we are to do friendship evangelism though. That should just be natural. We all want friends and as we make friends, we should be looking for opportunities to share the Gospel. But first and foremost, we should obay what Jesus said. Preach the Gospel.


Yes. We are all watchmen. I know a lot of believers will say that that was just Old Testament and that it is not for today. So that is why I show using New Testament verses that we also have the same charge put to us. Because we love and honour God, and we love our neighbour, we will share the Gospel. Those that do not will be guilty of other peoples blood. To them it is sin.
In saying this, I think it is impossible to warn everyone we see. The thief on the cross was saved but did not share the Gospel with anyone. Jesus judges the hearts and minds. If we have the desire within our hearts for people to be saved, then I believe we are on the right track. We do need to act on that desire when possible, though. This is where our works substantiate our faith.

Keep up the preaching and make a thread on this forum about the Living Waters course you do. I would love to know what it is like.

Ahh, I just put two-and-two together and realized you commented on the video on YT and mentioned about Ray! Love the Chocolate idea and I remember you posting about this! Great idea to put the 10 commandments on the one side and then circle what they get right.

I'm praying for you for the opportunities that come your way, and for the event in a few weeks and for open-air preaching! Will you be filming any of this or your interactions?

I can't tell you how many times I've failed at not acting on the desire. It reminds me of James when he says that if we know the good we should do and don't do it then it's sin. I keep praying for more love and courage when the opportunities come my way.

And thanks again for the encouragement! I will absolutely give an update on the Living Waters course. Oh, and I may go to Indy 500 in May to open-air preach!

 

[1Tonne]

Not sure if I will video it. Maybe. Will post it up on these forums if I do. (Don't like listening to my own voice. Lol)

Just for interest's sake, since you have shared your first time doing open air, I will tell you about my first time I tried to share the Gospel 1 on 1. It was a total stuff up.
I went to the park and saw a person sitting by himself. I went up to him and asked him if he could name the 10 Commandments in 60 seconds. At first, he said he did not want to do it but then he changed his mind. So, I took him through the 10 Commandments, and then I said to him, "I am not judging you, but by your own admission, you are a lying thieving blaspheming adulterer at heart. So, if God were to judge you on Judgement Day according to those standards, would you be found innocent or guilty?" He said "Guilty." I then said, "Heaven or Hell?" He said "Hell." I then had a big memory blank and began to stumble. Really stumble. But then, he continued for me. And he ended up explaining the Gospel to me. So in the end, the person I was witnessing to, witnessed to me.
It was a total stuff up and I realised that I needed to memorize my script properly instead of just winging it.
Anyway, we got talking and he was a believer already and he recognised the Ray Comfort style. After talking for about 10 minutes, he invited me to a bible study that was happening the following day that he ran. He told me where the bible study was, and I was shocked. I had already been invited to this study a few days earlier and I was already planning to go. So out of a town of 10,000 people, I went up to the person who was running a bible study that I was planning to go to and told him the Gospel. But really, he told me the Gospel because I froze.

I spoke to him a few months later about how I shared the Gospel and he said that he did not like it. He said he felt judged by how I said it. (I know the Gospel can be offensive). I did it more like Ray Comfort and not in my own way. Ray, after he has taken them through the 10 Commandments says, "I am not judging you but by your own admission, you are a lying thieving blaspheming adulterer at heart." If I say it this way, a lot of people get really offended by this because they do feel as though I am judging them. Even though I am not. Well, at least they do in New Zealand (Maybe we are extra soft here). So, I have changed this to be less offensive but still gives the same conviction to the person. After the 10 Commandments I say, "I asked myself these questions, and I was guilty of them all. This makes me, a lying, thieving, blaspheming, adulterer at heart. You said yes to these as well. So, if you were to face God on judgement day and he was to judge you by these standards, would you be found innocent or guilty?"
So, it gives the same understanding, that God will judge them, and it makes it seem as though I am not judging them. So, a softer approach with the same impact.
When you are at the Living Waters course, you may be able to ask them what they think of this approach. Is it OK or does it take away from the impact that the 10 Commandments have.

 

[Akita Suggagaki]

Not sure if I will video it. Maybe. Will post it up on these forums if I do. (Don't like listening to my own voice. Lol)

Just for interest's sake, since you have shared your first time doing open air, I will tell you about my first time I tried to share the Gospel 1 on 1. It was a total stuff up.
I went to the park and saw a person sitting by himself. I went up to him and asked him if he could name the 10 Commandments in 60 seconds. At first, he said he did not want to do it but then he changed his mind. So, I took him through the 10 Commandments, and then I said to him, "I am not judging you, but by your own admission, you are a lying thieving blaspheming adulterer at heart. So, if God were to judge you on Judgement Day according to those standards, would you be found innocent or guilty?" He said "Guilty." I then said, "Heaven or Hell?" He said "Hell." I then had a big memory blank and began to stumble. Really stumble. But then, he continued for me. And he ended up explaining the Gospel to me. So in the end, the person I was witnessing to, witnessed to me.
It was a total stuff up and I realised that I needed to memorize my script properly instead of just winging it.
Anyway, we got talking and he was a believer already and he recognised the Ray Comfort style. After talking for about 10 minutes, he invited me to a bible study that was happening the following day that he ran. He told me where the bible study was, and I was shocked. I had already been invited to this study a few days earlier and I was already planning to go. So out of a town of 10,000 people, I went up to the person who was running a bible study that I was planning to go to and told him the Gospel. But really, he told me the Gospel because I froze.

I spoke to him a few months later about how I shared the Gospel and he said that he did not like it. He said he felt judged by how I said it. (I know the Gospel can be offensive). I did it more like Ray Comfort and not in my own way. Ray, after he has taken them through the 10 Commandments says, "I am not judging you but by your own admission, you are a lying thieving blaspheming adulterer at heart." If I say it this way, a lot of people get really offended by this because they do feel as though I am judging them. Even though I am not. Well, at least they do in New Zealand (Maybe we are extra soft here). So, I have changed this to be less offensive but still gives the same conviction to the person. After the 10 Commandments I say, "I asked myself these questions, and I was guilty of them all. This makes me, a lying, thieving, blaspheming, adulterer at heart. You said yes to these as well. So, if you were to face God on judgement day and he was to judge you by these standards, would you be found innocent or guilty?"
So, it gives the same understanding, that God will judge them, and it makes it seem as though I am not judging them. So, a softer approach with the same impact.
When you are at the Living Waters course, you may be able to ask them what they think of this approach. Is it OK or does it take away from the impact that the 10 Commandments have.

Kind of Jonathan Edwards and George Whitefield style?

On another note I recognize that when I even think of preaching, any doubts, or anxieties, fears or depression just from dealing with life seem to get flushed away and replaced by joy, excitement and enthusiasm.

 

[Merrill]

David:

are you a preacher in a local church?

 

[David Hunter]

Not sure if I will video it. Maybe. Will post it up on these forums if I do. (Don't like listening to my own voice. Lol)

Just for interest's sake, since you have shared your first time doing open air, I will tell you about my first time I tried to share the Gospel 1 on 1. It was a total stuff up.
I went to the park and saw a person sitting by himself. I went up to him and asked him if he could name the 10 Commandments in 60 seconds. At first, he said he did not want to do it but then he changed his mind. So, I took him through the 10 Commandments, and then I said to him, "I am not judging you, but by your own admission, you are a lying thieving blaspheming adulterer at heart. So, if God were to judge you on Judgement Day according to those standards, would you be found innocent or guilty?" He said "Guilty." I then said, "Heaven or Hell?" He said "Hell." I then had a big memory blank and began to stumble. Really stumble. But then, he continued for me. And he ended up explaining the Gospel to me. So in the end, the person I was witnessing to, witnessed to me.
It was a total stuff up and I realised that I needed to memorize my script properly instead of just winging it.
Anyway, we got talking and he was a believer already and he recognised the Ray Comfort style. After talking for about 10 minutes, he invited me to a bible study that was happening the following day that he ran. He told me where the bible study was, and I was shocked. I had already been invited to this study a few days earlier and I was already planning to go. So out of a town of 10,000 people, I went up to the person who was running a bible study that I was planning to go to and told him the Gospel. But really, he told me the Gospel because I froze.

I spoke to him a few months later about how I shared the Gospel and he said that he did not like it. He said he felt judged by how I said it. (I know the Gospel can be offensive). I did it more like Ray Comfort and not in my own way. Ray, after he has taken them through the 10 Commandments says, "I am not judging you but by your own admission, you are a lying thieving blaspheming adulterer at heart." If I say it this way, a lot of people get really offended by this because they do feel as though I am judging them. Even though I am not. Well, at least they do in New Zealand (Maybe we are extra soft here). So, I have changed this to be less offensive but still gives the same conviction to the person. After the 10 Commandments I say, "I asked myself these questions, and I was guilty of them all. This makes me, a lying, thieving, blaspheming, adulterer at heart. You said yes to these as well. So, if you were to face God on judgement day and he was to judge you by these standards, would you be found innocent or guilty?"
So, it gives the same understanding, that God will judge them, and it makes it seem as though I am not judging them. So, a softer approach with the same impact.
When you are at the Living Waters course, you may be able to ask them what they think of this approach. Is it OK or does it take away from the impact that the 10 Commandments have.

Hahaha, I totally understand about not like listening to your own voice! I rarely watch my videos, and if I hear someone watching them like a family/friend then I have to leave since it does sound weird. haha

Wow, that's an awesome story and great first time!!! You never know who God is going to lead into your life. And I can't believe you were invited to a Bible study that you were already going to go to. That's just incredible.

As for the judging, everyone judges, but that just goes to show people feel convicted of their sin since they're trying to justify and turn the subject to something else. I know in some of Ray's videos he mentions that they are like the rest of us (including him), but he keeps it on the person he's talking with. Probably so they do feel convicted, rather than putting it on the preacher. But it will be a great question to ask them! I'm going to have to write this down and take it with me when I go and I'll let you know what they say (Hopefully I just remember to take it and ask it!! haha).

 

[David Hunter]

David:

are you a preacher in a local church?

Hi Merrill,

I am not. This was my first time ever preaching.

 

[littleangelone]

i'm glad you are shareing the Gospel don't give up even if you are hated or perscuated for it

 

[1Tonne]

Sometimes, being hated or persecuted can drive you to share the Gospel more.
I had many people (from within church) give me grief. They told me that when people go out evangelising, that it just scares non-believers away (they believe friendship evangelism is what we are meant to do now). I was also told that I was scaring my kids away from God by practicing at home and that I should stop it, the Holy Spirit was not with me, I had a person ring me and yell at me and I had a number of other instances where people were against me going out. But this all drove me more. I realised that many believers will not go out because they will make up all sorts of excuses. If these other church members were not going to share the Good News, then who would? How would the non-believer hear? So, I look at it as my responsibility. Which it is. I realised it was just Satan trying to discourage me. And if Satan was doing that, then what I am doing must be right.
Luckily, I did find some other men from other churches around my town (men of courage), who encouraged and built me up. Now when I am with these men, it feels like we are a real band of brothers who have each other's back. Often, we go into battle together.

NOTE: I did stay with this church even though they were heavily against me going out. My thinking is that I have a mission field within the church. I know that many of them love God, but they have been taught that since we are in a post Christian era, that we should not be going out preaching. They believe we should be doing friendship evangelism to bring non-believers into church.
So, if I continue with what I was doing, going to the parks regularly and doing a BBQ in town while sharing the Gospel, then the fruit of the evangelism will eventually get back to the church and they will then change their thinking. It will just be a long process.
Just the other week I was speaking to one of the members of the church who was against evangelism, and he said that he was thinking about going out with us when we do the BBQ. A lady that comes regularly to the BBQ said some really encouraging things about the BBQ to him. So, his viewpoint was beginning to change.

 

[Merrill]

Sometimes, being hated or persecuted can drive you to share the Gospel more.
I had many people (from within church) give me grief. They told me that when people go out evangelising, that it just scares non-believers away (they believe friendship evangelism is what we are meant to do now). I was also told that I was scaring my kids away from God by practicing at home and that I should stop it, the Holy Spirit was not with me, I had a person ring me and yell at me and I had a number of other instances where people were against me going out. But this all drove me more. I realised that many believers will not go out because they will make up all sorts of excuses. If these other church members were not going to share the Good News, then who would? How would the non-believer hear? So, I look at it as my responsibility. Which it is. I realised it was just Satan trying to discourage me. And if Satan was doing that, then what I am doing must be right.
Luckily, I did find some other men from other churches around my town (men of courage), who encouraged and built me up. Now when I am with these men, it feels like we are a real band of brothers who have each other's back. Often, we go into battle together.

NOTE: I did stay with this church even though they were heavily against me going out. My thinking is that I have a mission field within the church. I know that many of them love God, but they have been taught that since we are in a post Christian era, that we should not be going out preaching. They believe we should be doing friendship evangelism to bring non-believers into church.
So, if I continue with what I was doing, going to the parks regularly and doing a BBQ in town while sharing the Gospel, then the fruit of the evangelism will eventually get back to the church and they will then change their thinking. It will just be a long process.
Just the other week I was speaking to one of the members of the church who was against evangelism, and he said that he was thinking about going out with us when we do the BBQ. A lady that comes regularly to the BBQ said some really encouraging things about the BBQ to him. So, his viewpoint was beginning to change.

Your description of the events illustrates some problems we have in the church.

Christians are afraid to profess their faith--even in private. They are afraid to reveal themselves as Christians at work, or in college.

My church (EFCA) is pretty supportive of evangelizing. We have an Indian guy who went out to a large festival (India Fest) and handed out bibles while preaching. He was thrown out! But he went back the next day and did the same thing 10 feet outside the entrance. I admired his courage.

Your church should not be telling you evangelizing scares non-believers. What denomination is it?

 

[peacefulseeker]

It's official... I open-air street preached for the first time ever!!

I was at the NCAA March Madness Men's Basketball tournament in Columbus, Ohio on Sunday, March 19th, 2023 just outside the Nationwide Arena with a great group of God-honoring men and woman! I'll introduce the video, then show you the 5-6 minutes of me open-air street preaching and then I'll share some thoughts and tips that I learned to encourage you to get out there and open-air street preach and pass out Gospel tracts. Just remember, the harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. All to the glory of God for the advancement of His kingdom!

Please let me know your thoughts, tips, etc.!​

To.each their own in spreading the gospel. I could hear the message too more often as I am down of late. God Bless you.

 

[1Tonne]

Your description of the events illustrates some problems we have in the church.

Christians are afraid to profess their faith--even in private. They are afraid to reveal themselves as Christians at work, or in college.

It is the issue with a lot of churches. They believe that friendship evangelism is the way to go. I believe we are to do friendship evangelism but that should just come naturally. It is not really going out of your way. Through life we will make friends as that is what happens. Then if we get the chance to say the Gospel, we do.
My pastor did a sermon on evangelism. At the very start he made a point of saying my name as I was encouraging people to speak the Gospel in public. He then when on to say that many years ago he done evangelism on the streets and that in the 3 years he did it, he never saw one person come to Christ. So therefore, his conclusion was that it did not work and that we needed to try another way. He even said that he saw a study online that had a graph where it showed that friendship evangelism was the best way to bring people to Christ. I then went online to find the graph and there was only one graph that I could find that measured the effectiveness of each form of evangelism. The title of the graph is "What Works". This makes it sound like in the study they were able to measure the effectiveness of the evangelism style. But when I read the notes, the notes said, "I’ve seen it work effectively in the last couple of years". So, the graph was not about what works best but more what churches have tried in the last couple of years. And naturally, since most believers are afraid to speak out the Gospel, they will do friendship evangelism. Friendship evangelism was at the top. This made it look like it is the most effective way of evangelism. Here is the graph: https://www.eauk.org/church/resourc...nfidently-sharing-the-gospel-final-report.pdf

In reality, I do not believe it is the most effective form of evangelism. Afterall, the Gospel is the power of God unto salvation. So, we need to say it to as many people as possible. I class friendship evangelism as very inefficient. Normally it can take organising of events so that us believers can get alongside non-believers. This organising sucks a lot of time and energy out of people who could be very effective for God. In our church we run a Day Care, After School Kids Care, A Cafe and Music For Kids, as well as a number of other events (and the Gospel is not always said). These things are great, but I do question the value we get for our time we invest.
The other issue is, when someone comes to church because of friendship evangelism, are they coming because they have truly seen their sin for what it is and so they have fallen at the foot of the cross or are they coming because they want friendship. I believe that we have filled our churches with many people who just want friendship. They confess that they believe but if you ask them how often they read their bible, most would say on the rear occasion. So, they do not have a passion for Christ.
We need to obey Christ. Speak out the Gospel to as many people as possible.

Also note that there is not one biblical president in the bible where Jesus does friendship evangelism. That is to become friends with someone and wait until he felt that they were ready to hear the things of God. He did make friends, but it does not say that he waited until they were ready. Infact, Jesus spoke of the things of the Kingdom of God even with people who were not his friends. So to everyone.

Sorry, I can't give out the name of the Church. Hopefully, they will repent and honour what Christ commanded us to do.