Takin' it to the Street

I just wanted to share some pictures of Street Ministry this week. We had an amazing time, and the Lord gave us many opportunities to have one-to-one conversations. I had a wonderful chance to give the entire gospel message to to guys, Castro & Max. Pray for these guys! Someone tried to interrupt and Dan J intervened and ended up witnessing to him for about 20 minutes. Dave R knelt by a man who has lost his wife, kids, job, health, and home to alcohol and shared with him the good news. Rich W preached an excellent sermon about finding peace with God and had some engaged listeners. Alex S was witnessing with an open Bible sharing scriptures. Andy H was home watching his kids, but I had this picture from the week before, so I thought I'd throw it up.

Out of the Box, Into the Market

Ok… I need some help again…criticism, suggestions, ideas all welcome. I just want to lay this idea out to see if it makes any sense to anyone else.

If you are familiar with the public market you know that it is the crossroads of our entire area. From the rural areas to the inner city those who live within driving distance come to shop at the public market.

I have been up there a few times to try and see what types of evangelism can be done. Passing tracts out one time I really noticed some coldness. My guess is that I was not the first to think of that and people are sick of it. Preaching could work, but then I started thinking of something Missionary Jim Tag had said that they did in Spain. He set up a book table and used it to generate conversations. So here’s the idea… how to do it, well I have no clue about that yet.

What if you got a booth at the public market to sell books? There are many books that would by nature generate questions or conversation. I think of “God Does Not Believe In Atheists”, or any of the Creation vs. Evolution books. Any books that would get people to ask questions or engage in debate could be used. Perhaps you could sell some books, but what about taking the conversations and turning them into witnessing opportunities? Do you think that could work? What about also having surveys and just offering a small gift for taking a survey, then using that to begin a spiritual conversation? My father-in-law uses surveys going door to door every Saturday. Do you think that could work?

Here are the main obstacles if it could work.

How much is it to get a booth?
How do you get enough books to sell, or decide what to sell? – Could you cooperate with another bookstore?
Who is going to man it?

Let me know any thoughts you may have

Acts 17:17 - Therefore disputed he in the synagogue with the Jews, and with the devout persons, and in the market daily with them that met with him.

Habakkuk 2:13,14

Behold, is it not of the LORD of hosts that the people shall labour in the very fire, and the people shall weary themselves for very vanity? For the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea.