A Warm Spring Outreach in Reading

Due to being unwell, my doctor has advised me to take each day at a time and see if I feel OK for outreaches. Today, I felt that I was well enough to go to Reading, although, by the time I got home this evening, I was wiped out. But despite how I presently feel, I have to say that today’s outreach was worth it. The Lord was very kind in allowing His Word to spread.

The preaching commenced with me speaking on the subject of “Your Life.” A few people listened, including a young man who spoke with Richard afterward and then took a copy of John’s Gospel. A lady also listened to a bit of the preaching but then walked away. A team member engaged her, but she dismissed the preaching as being too ‘heavy’ as humanity is just stardust. She did, however, take a tract.

Next to preach was Jamie, who spoke on “Why Should You Bother with Jesus”, followed by Jack who shared a message on “How God Reveals Himself to Humanity.” While they preached, people listened, and others paused at the literature table. All around the location, people were engaged in gospel conversations.

I spoke with a Slovak man who is learning English. He asked for a Bible to help him understand the English language further. I was able to share with him and give him a Bible, and a card with the gospel in Slovakian.

Shortly after this, an older gentleman from London stopped at the literature table. He told me he delights in visiting old churches to hear traditional messages. He then listed a few famous churches he had visited. This man was very much religious but not saved. When I tried to share the gospel, walls would go up. He liked the form of religion but not Christ. Since this man loved history, I was able to use the life and ministry of Charles Spurgeon to share the good news. I told him about Spurgeon’s work in London and how his church was very famous. The man was intrigued. Then, I encouraged him to visit the Metropolitan Tabernacle on Sunday evening, as he would love the building, and hear a traditional gospel message. The man promised to attend and took a tract.

While this was taking place, Bill was preaching on “Are You a Good Person?” In this message, he challenged people to consider their sins in the light of God’s Law, and then he pointed them to Jesus. People listened as the gospel was explained.

I hadn’t planned to preach again, but I felt I should speak one more time. This time, I spoke on “Are You Sure You’ll Go to Heaven?” People stopped to listen, including a man from Eastern Europe who told me he hoped to go to Heaven. I asked him why he had that hope, and he replied that he had confessed his sins. There was no gospel in his answer, just the idea of confession, so I began to address his claim. I showed him that we needed Jesus to pay the penalty of sin, and that only through trusting in Him can we be sure of Heaven.

The man listened but said he wasn’t sure if he’d make it, so I turned to 1 John 5:13 to show from Scripture that we can know with certainty that we have eternal life. While this was going on, others stopped to listen. I explained the gospel to them and offered copies of John’s Gospel.

One of those listening, who took a copy of the Gospel, asked a very good question. He said to me, “If I trust in Jesus, all my past sins are forgiven. But what if I keep sinning; will Jesus forgive those sins also?” We had a great chat about the nature of true repentance, and how Christ changes our lives and desires. After listening, he said, “That makes sense!” He promised to read John’s Gospel.

It was an enjoyable day. Team members reported sharing the good news with open people and with those who were looking to argue. Atheists, Hindus, Muslims, and cultural Christians have all heard of God’s amazing grace. Please pray for all those who listened to 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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