13 free full English Bibles taken :: Southampton outreach

Today, we had many requests for free full English Bibles, as well as new testaments and Gospels of John. Here is a report from our two hours on the street:

Despite a weather warning for heavy rain in Southampton, the outreach team went ahead, and to our encouragement the city centre turned out to be busy and mostly sunny.

(an Open Air Mission outreach, headed up by Josh Williamson.)

As we began setting up, a couple of teenagers came over straight away and took Bibles.

After everything was in place and we had prayed together, Richard preached on “Life: What’s the Point?” which drew a number of listeners who then went over to the literature table to find out more.

Did you know, with the free Gospel flyers we give away, each one has an offer print on them of free full English Bibles? (uk only) Click here to find out more.

I spoke with two girls who said they had read the Bible. I asked if they were born again, to which one replied, “I was baptised”—a very common response from Roman Catholics. I then briefly explained what Jesus actually meant by being born again, and both of them took tracts on the subject.

Josh then preached “Wages or Gift?” from Romans 6:23, and he engaged a group of young women. Several of them accepted John’s Gospels.

During his preaching, I was distracted by a man who accused us of doing all of this for money. I tried to reason with him, pointing out that the table clearly displayed that everything was free. I asked if he had read the Bible, and explained that its entire message is about God’s free gift to mankind. But he would not be reasoned with, and in the end I rebuked him for slandering the preacher by claiming he was only doing it for money.

Ben followed with a message on humanity’s greatest problem: sin.

A local pastor encouraged

Soon afterwards, the pastor of a local church stopped at the table. I spoke with him about where he could find Bibles, as he mentioned he needed some for an upcoming outreach in London. I directed him to the ministry Tenofthose. I also told him about the free Gospel tracts I can provide—something I try to share with every professing Christian, as it gives them an extra reason to take a tract and often stirs them up to be more active in spreading the Gospel. He also took details of Open Air Mission, and requested my personal contact information, which I gladly gave him.

A visiting preacher

We were delighted to have Colin join us this week. I have in the past given Colin some Gospel tracts when we met at the Answers In Genesis conference (I had a table there to give tracts away). Colin mentioned how he has a target to give away a certain number of Gospel tracts- on a walk he does regularly. I spoke with him about the power of putting them through letterboxes. Click here to read our article on this subject.

After handing out tracts, Colin preached. He engaged with a man who had only recently been released from prison. He shared the Gospel with him and connected him to a local church.

Later, Josh preached on “Warning: Six Deadly Lies”—several people stopped to listen and six more accepted John’s Gospels.

In between the preaching, I was able to have conversations with a number of different people.

One bizarre incident happened right at the start, when I went into Greggs to buy something. A man came in, helped himself to a large amount of food, and simply walked out without paying. Sadly, the staff could do nothing. I looked around for him afterwards but couldn’t find him. Later on, however, he came up to me and began talking about spiritual things. It was very difficult to communicate with him, as he was clearly under the influence of drink and/or drugs. I repeatedly challenged him to repent of his theft and to put his trust in Jesus alone for salvation. He then wandered off and, unbelievably, stole a load more from Greggs! It’s such a sad reflection on our society today that these things happen, and the police seem entirely unconcerned. Please pray for this man.

A hug of appreciation

A far more encouraging encounter came soon afterwards. A young couple with a child stopped and took information about local churches (including one not far from where they live), along with tracts and a booklet. The mother told me she was born again but admitted she was struggling at the moment. I asked if she was connected with a local church, pointing out that God has made us to be part of His body, and one of the main ways He blesses His people is through fellowship in a church. Sadly, she said she wasn’t. I spoke with her about how each part of the body of Christ needs the others. I also encouraged her to be in the word regularly, as man can not live by bread alone. She was very appreciative of our time, and she even gave me a hug!

An encouraged South African

Towards the end of our outreach, a South African man approached me and, to my delight, he actually questioned me directly about what I believed (making sure I was not a fake). He expressed his despair at the state of Christianity in this country, saying he found it hard to locate a good church. He also explained that he would soon be moving away. I gave him my contact details and encouraged him to reach out once he knows where he will be living, so I can point him towards some faithful churches in that area that have not compromised or allowed the world to influence their practice.

The outreach concluded with much gratitude to the Lord, as many people heard God’s Word and took literature to learn more.

Given away today:

13 Full English Bibles, 9 New Testaments, 13 Gospels of John and many more items.

Please take a moment to pray for all who were blessed to hear and / or read of the Gospel today.

To find out more about what went on while we were in Southampton today, you can read another report from Josh Williamson by clicking here.

For His Glory,

-Nigel, Printing Evangelism