A Shorter Outreach in Newbury
It was good to get back out onto the streets of Newbury. As I arrived in the car park, I noticed there were fewer spaces than usual, so I suspected that the Christmas shopping season would make things a little busier. However, the weather was grey, damp, and cold, which would prove to make things a little more challenging. Furthermore, a busker was near our usual location, so we had to move. But God is sovereign! He is in control of all things, so we would serve wherever He placed us. Even though today’s outreach was about thirty minutes shorter than usual, we rejoice that people heard the good news.
Fergus was the first to preach today; he spoke on the topic of “What Is Your Response to the Unique Birth of Jesus Christ?” He did a good job of outlining six different truths about the incarnation.
As he preached, several people went to the table. A few took literature or requested copies of God’s Word.
Next to preach was Bill, who carried on the theme of the day by speaking on “Why Did God Become a Man?” Giving several points, Bill explained the different works that Christ came to perform.
By this stage, the weather was becoming increasingly wet. As I got up to speak, I wondered if anyone would listen, but the Lord was kind. I spoke on “Christmas Signs.” As I shared how the world is dark because of sin, a young couple stood nodding their heads in agreement. They also listened as I explained that Jesus is ‘God with us’, who came down to enter our darkness.
The last preacher of the day was Trevor, who did a good job of explaining the good tidings of great joy. Using the gospel, he pointed to Jesus and explained why He came to this earth.
By now, the weather was making it harder to minister, so we decided to pack down early and then have lunch as a team. After loading the car, we began to walk back for a meal when we noticed two Orthodox Jewish men walking towards us. I greeted them and instantly noticed that they tensed up. I apologised for all the antisemitism they are currently facing in the UK and assured them that they should not face physical harm for being Jewish. As we spoke, the men became more relaxed. We spoke about the evil of the Bondi Beach terrorist attack and how it was wrong for them to suffer. I knew they would not take a tract, so I hoped that our kindness and love as Christians would help to break down some of the barriers they had.
As we finished talking, I said, “I know you don’t celebrate it, but as a Christian, let me wish you a Happy Christmas.” They smiled and replied, “We wish you a Happy New Year!” We all shook hands and parted on good terms. I would have loved for a full gospel conversation to develop, but that was not happening, so the best I could do was to show love and kindness. Maybe, in time, they will be more open to hearing the gospel because of the kindness they experienced today.
I’m reminded of the following quote by Charles Spurgeon,
“A Christian is the last person who ought to ever speak disrespectfully or unkindly of the Jews. We remember that our Lord belonged to that race and that His first Apostles were also of that nation. And we regard that ancient people as the very aristocracy of mankind, tracing back their pedigree to those before whom the mightiest kings might well veil their faces, and bow in lowliest homage, for I reckon that to be descended from Abraham, ‘the friend of God,’ and, ‘the father of the faithful,’ is to have a lineage higher than that of any of the princes of the earth!” (Sermon: Walking the Light of the Lord).
Please join us in praying for all those who heard the good news today. May the Lord show grace and save many.
SDG!
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Josh Williamson is a full-time evangelist with The Open-Air Mission. Since 1853, OAM has been sharing the good news on the streets of the United Kingdom. To stay updated about the work of the Mission, please sign up for the free quarterly magazine and monthly prayer notes.
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