“I was told not to talk to Christians!” – Southampton Evangelism

With it being half-term holidays, and due to a major concert taking place, the city centre of Southampton was heaving with people. It was so busy that we actually arrived late due to all the traffic! However, once we arrived, we set up, and soon conversations were taking place. 

Mike commenced the preaching by speaking on “Where Are They Now?” In this message, he asked people to consider the eternal destinies of different famous people, then he asked those listening where they themselves would go. After he had finished preaching, numerous people stopped to look at the open-air board, so multiple gospel conversations took place.

I spoke with a young couple who thought they were better than all those mentioned on the board, since they didn’t sin that much. I began to reason with them from the Ten Commandments to show that all of us are guilty, and that is why we need the Saviour. As I started to explain sin, a Roman Catholic man joined the conversation and began to interject. He commended the couple for their effort and works, then told them they weren’t too bad as sinners. It was clearly a demonic interruption, as the man really objected when I directed the young couple to the gospel. In the end, I had to tell the Roman Catholic man to leave, which thankfully he did! At the end of our conversation, the young couple took tracts and copies of John’s Gospel.

The next person I spoke with was a young mother who was loosely Roman Catholic. She had been desiring to read the Bible but didn’t have a copy. I gladly gave her a copy of the Scriptures, as well as some gospel literature.

Then the interrupting Roman Catholic man returned. This time it was just him and me speaking — there was no one for him to interrupt. As we spoke, it became clear that he was very confused. He was zealous for Papist doctrine, but he didn’t really know why. At the end of our conversation, he shook my hand and took a booklet designed for Roman Catholics.

Around this time, I decided I’d preach, but before I could get set up, a young man stopped. I offered him a tract, and he began to extol the wonders of Islam to me. The young man was a student from Saudi Arabia; he was very friendly and well-read in Islam. We had a good discussion, and in the end he took a booklet that was written for Muslims. Before he left, he said, “My father was right! I was told not to talk to Christians, as they’ll make me doubt Islam.” The young man said he would read the booklet and come back to discuss it another time.

While I was talking to the Muslim young man, I noticed a lady drawing closer to the discussion. She asked if it would be OK for her to listen. I didn’t know anything about her, but I was happy for her to listen in on the conversation. At one point, the Muslim young man had to look something up on his phone. As he did, the lady began to share with us how she had formerly been a witch and involved in all manner of dark things, but then Jesus rescued her! She shared her testimony, and it was clear the Muslim man didn’t know how to process this account of conversion. He had heard the gospel proclaimed to him, and now he was hearing how the gospel transforms lives.

While I was talking, other members of the team were busy handing out tracts and speaking with people. Then Mike preached again, this time on “Life: What’s the Point?” By the time he had finished, it was nearly time to conclude the outreach. I was going to start packing up, but I was encouraged to preach a short message to end the day.

For my open-air, I spoke on “Are You Good Enough for Heaven?” A few people sat nearby listening, but one man decided to sit on the ground right in front of me. When I offered copies of John’s Gospel, he gladly received one.

Two of those listening to the preaching weren’t as friendly. Both would have been in their early sixties, and I assume they were husband and wife. The hatred they spat out revealed their hearts. The lady told me, “I don’t believe the Bible, because of science, and because I have a brain!” The man then said, “I’m more moral than God!” I challenged their arguments, which quickly revealed that their basis for rejecting the gospel was not intellectual, but rather moral. They hated the idea of God telling them what to do. I stung them with the gospel and urged them to repent.

After they left, a young man who had been listening asked to speak with me. He shared that he was an atheist/agnostic, but he agreed with Christian morality and wanted to assure me that he wasn’t like the angry atheist couple. We ended up having a long conversation about how God has revealed Himself and the importance of seeking truth. He took a booklet designed for atheists and said he would be back to talk more another time.

It was a busy and varied day. People from all backgrounds and beliefs got to hear the gospel. Please pray that the Lord would save them.

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.SUBSCRIBE TO OUR MAGAZINE AND PRAYER NOTES