“Jesus, I’ve sinned. Please forgive me!” – Salisbury Evangelism
It was bitterly cold in Salisbury, with not only the weather proving to be a challenge. In the narrow streets of this ancient city, a loud busker had also set up. Thankfully, despite the noise and cold, eight of us were still able to share the good news.
As we set up, a young atheist heckled as he walked past. I challenged his heckle by asking, “Why are you an atheist?” His answer was very much lacking, so I challenged him again. It seemed that atheism was the default position for him, but he had no real reason for his unbelief. He took a booklet written for atheists, saying he would make sure to read it.
From the beginning, the literature table proved to be an effective form of witness. People would stop to chat, browse the material, and take booklets or Scripture.
At one point, the busker took a short break between songs, so I started to preach. The man playing music very kindly held off singing again until the message was finished. As a thank you, one of the team members put a few coins in his tin.
My message for the day was “The Three S’s”. Playing off the season of Lent, and with yesterday being Ash Wednesday, I spoke about what the cross really means. Several people stopped to listen, and it was one of the better crowds we have had in Salisbury.
I spoke with one man who had listened afterwards. He received a Gospel of John, and as he took it, I asked, “What did you think about the message?” The man told me he agreed with everything I had said, so I followed up with a few more questions. When asked if he believed he had sinned, and that Jesus died and rose again, the man nodded in agreement. He believed all the facts about Christ and could see his need for Jesus, so I asked, “Are you trusting in Jesus?” The man shook his head, saying, “No.”
This allowed me to ask a direct question: “Why not?” The man could not explain why he had not trusted in Jesus, especially since he believed it all to be true. After hearing this, I said, “Would you like to trust in Jesus right now?” The man said, “Yes!” Then, in the middle of a cold street in Salisbury, he bowed his head and prayed in his own words, “Jesus, I’ve sinned. Please forgive me!”
I prayed for the man afterwards and gave him a couple of gospel booklets and a book for new Christians. I was also able to refer him to an evangelical church near where he lives. Please pray for him.
By now, the busker was playing music again, so it was difficult to preach, and the team focused on handing out tracts and chatting with people. At the literature table, I spoke with three Spanish ladies who were here on holiday. They were very open, and each received gospel material in English and Spanish.
Next up to preach was Alex, who did a good job explaining the gospel. As he preached, a lady walked past saying that when she dies, she will stand before God. Then she said, “But I’m not ready.” A team member was able to engage with her and give her a gospel tract.
Paul preached next; he spoke on “What’s on your bucket list?” After listing several things people often hope to achieve, he asked, “But is getting right with God on your list?” He did a great job explaining the simple gospel.
As the outreach began to draw to a close, Tony preached on John 3:16–20. He explained the gospel clearly and called on people to come to Christ. Then, as we packed down, Alex preached once again.
It was a cold, yet busy and joyous day in Salisbury. 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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