“I Want to Be in Hell Right Now!” – Southampton Evangelism

It was gently raining as we arrived in Southampton, yet despite the rain, there were still a few people about. Since the rain wasn’t heavy, we set up the open-air board and decided to preach. At this stage, we kept the literature table under cover, praying that we’d be able to set it up later if the Lord allowed the weather to clear.

I commenced the preaching by speaking on “God and Man.” In this message, I sought to show that God is the Creator, but so many people don’t like to hear about it. My case was proven, because as soon as I said “God,” a French atheist came rushing over to address me and those listening. He declared that I was a liar, and that people shouldn’t listen to me. So, I asked, “What lie am I telling?” The Frenchman replied, “You know!” I told him I didn’t know, and neither did those listening, so could he please tell everyone what I had said that wasn’t true? The man wouldn’t engage, but interestingly, those listening were on my side. One Irishman who was watching called out that the Frenchman was wrong and that he was doing the work of the Devil. Others could see the folly of atheism in that it seeks to make claims but cannot and will not support its assertions. People listened as I proclaimed the gospel, and at the end, when I offered a copy of John’s Gospel to those who wanted to find out more, a young lady stepped forward to receive one. 

By this time, the Lord had moved the rain away, so we set up the literature table. As we were putting out the material, three Chinese university students stopped to ask for a Bible. They told us they had only been in Southampton for a week and were interested in reading the Bible. Coming from China, the Bible is a book they were unfamiliar with, as the Communist government seeks to suppress the truth. We were able to give each of the students a copy of the New Testament, along with cards linking to the gospel in their language.

Next to preach was Ben, who spoke on “All is Discovered.” Using a quote from Conan Doyle, he showed that one day all our sins will be revealed and that we’ll need to give an account. With that, he urged people to flee to Jesus.

After handing out a few tracts, I decided to preach again. This time, I preached on “Your Life!” I explained the shortness of life and explored why we have death in the world. As I explained the gospel to those listening, I asked, “Will you trust in Jesus?” Three people, independent of each other, called out, “Yes!” These three people weren’t mocking; two of them took copies of John’s Gospel, but the other walked away before anyone could speak with her. I don’t know what was happening in their hearts, but I pray the Lord would genuinely convert them.

We also had an opportunity to be greatly encouraged today by a young man who was recently converted. He was excited by the open-air, so he wanted to share his testimony with us. It is always good to hear someone tell their story of how the Lord saved them. We were able to give him some resources to help equip him for evangelism. 

By now it was getting near the end of the outreach, so Richard preached the final message. He spoke on “Life: What’s the Point?” One older man who listened went over to a team member to speak with him, then he spoke with me. It was a heartbreaking encounter. 

The older man would have been in his eighties and nearing the end of his life. He told me he had previously had spiritual experiences, so he knows there is something after death, but then he said, “I don’t believe in Jesus, and I won’t believe in Him. I will go to Hell, and I want to be in Hell right now!” With that, he began to list his objections to biblical Christianity. I answered his objections, and he admitted I had answered, but he continued to spew out his hatred of Christ. I pleaded with him to repent and believe, and warned him that Hell does await. The man boasted of the idea of Hell, so I said, “Sir, you won’t last five seconds in Hell before you beg for mercy, but no mercy will be shown. Today, you can have mercy if you turn to Jesus.” The man walked off, saying, “I want to be in Hell right now!”

It was a sad way to finish the outreach. Here was an elderly man who doesn’t have much longer to go, yet he openly rebelled against the God who gives him life. May the Lord soften his heart to the gospel, but if not, I know the Judge of all the earth will do right (Genesis 18:25).

Please pray for all those who heard the good news today; may the Lord save them all.

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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