Sharing Jesus with a Variety of People in Southampton

One of the advantages of being in the same outreach location each week is that we get to know the locals. Over time, as people see us in the area, they eventually come to talk with us about the spiritual questions they have. Today, we saw this happen, as several people we’ve ministered to recently returned to chat further.

The preaching began today with Mike speaking on “Where Are They Now?” As he preached, a man listened attentively, but as the message ended, he started to walk away. I offered him a tract and asked what he thought of the preaching.

The gentleman told me that he was very interested and had only recently begun seriously to investigate religion. He had been brought up Roman Catholic, but he was now doubting and questioning. As he searched, he found himself being drawn towards Islam. We had a great chat about the gospel and the Lord Jesus. The man was amazed to hear that God loves sinful people, and that Christ is more than a prophet. He took several booklets and asked for details of a local church.

While I was talking with the man, Ben began to preach. His message was on “Our Greatest Problem.” Using the letter P, he spoke about pollution, politics, and propaganda. He mentioned these were all problems people worried about, but they were not the greatest problem – the fourth P was perishing. Ben explained that sin is the root of the problem, but that Christ can forgive. Two of those who had listened took copies of John’s Gospel.

Richard preached next; he spoke on “Life: What’s the Point?” A lady from Liverpool listened to nearly the entire message before speaking with Richard afterwards. She was in Southampton for a cruise and was very open to hearing the good news.

Around this time, I spoke with a local lady known for being drunk and homeless. So often, we can look through and past such people, forgetting they are precious souls made in the image of God. As I shared the gospel with her, she agreed with everything I was saying, then became very emotional because I was kind towards her and treated her as human. Overcome with emotion, she began to hug me, saying, “Thank you.” As I continued to share the gospel, she admitted that it was all true, but said she was enslaved by alcohol. I explained that Christ could set her free if she trusted in Him. She took a tract, once again expressing her gratitude.

It was now my turn to preach; today, I spoke on “The Way to Heaven.” As I began, a professional busker started to play very loud music, drowning out much of what I said, though some still listened. One man who heard spoke with Mike. He is in Southampton with the cruise ships and was open to listening. He took a copy of John’s Gospel.

Meanwhile, Tolu spoke with a young man who was very open to the gospel. As he listened, he said he believed it all, then bowed his head and prayed for Jesus to rescue him.

Jeremy preached the final open-air message of the day, this time on “The Message of the Cross.” He did a good job expounding God’s love for sinners.

As I mentioned at the start, being in the same location weekly gives us the privilege of ministering to people repeatedly. One man whom we’ve seen before returned to chat with Ben. The man isn’t in good health, and spiritually, we aren’t sure where he stands. He is religious, but we don’t know if he is truly converted. Ben was able to share with him again. Please pray that the man will truly come to know Jesus.

Thank you for all your prayers. We sow the seed, and you labour with us by praying for all who hear. Please keep praying for Southampton.

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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