Lots of Work for a Few Labourers – Portsmouth Evangelism
The workers were few in Portsmouth today, with just three of us on the team. Due to summer holidays and health issues, several of our team members couldn’t make it, but it was encouraging to know they were praying for us.
Our day began with a conversation with a man who had formerly attended church. His theology and views had shifted to the point where he now believes there is a ‘divine spark’ in all of us. As he spoke, he emphasised that the most important truth we need to discover is to be accountable to ourselves. I decided this was a good point to challenge, so I explained that the problem is we often bend the rules to justify our behaviour. The man agreed, so I pointed out that we need an unbending and truthful God to hold us accountable. He said this gave him something to consider, then listened as I shared the gospel. He took a tract, and before leaving he mentioned he had heard me preach previously. We never know who is listening to the preaching!
Over at the literature table, two young ladies with Seventh-day Adventist backgrounds stopped to look at the material. They said they wanted to understand more about the biblical Jesus, so we gladly gave them booklets and a Gospel of John.
When it came time to preach, I spoke on “God is Love.” A few people made their way over to the literature table while I preached, where Chris spoke with them. Others sat around listening to the message. At the end, when I offered John’s Gospel to those listening, five of them requested a copy.
Around this time, a couple of Christians from the Isle of Wight stopped to encourage us. They were excited by the gospel being spread, so they asked if they could pray for us. We gladly joined them in seeking the Lord’s blessing upon the outreach.
Back at the literature table, I had a good conversation with a man involved in New Age beliefs. He had a gnostic perspective, saying we had to uncover the secret information contained in biblical symbols, and that the central message must be love and unity. I pointed out that we need love and unity in the truth of Jesus, which then allowed me an opening to present the gospel. The man was intrigued, so he took several booklets.
A young man had been listening to our conversation, and he engaged me after the New Age man left. This young man is on parole for things he has done in the past, and he has many questions. We had a good discussion about his queries, and I was able to share the good news with him. He took a copy of Ultimate Questions and the Gospel of John. Afterwards, he went to listen to Chris preach.
Chris (Pastor – Eastney Evangelical Church) preached from John 3:16. He explained that we are here to spread a message of good news. A few young lads stopped to listen, with three of them receiving John’s Gospels at the end of the message.
It was a busy outreach, and we rejoice that the Lord allowed His message to spread. The labourers were few, but the workload was great! Please pray for all those who heard the good news.
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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