Are YOU born again? :: Gospel Outreach Report: PORTSMOUTH

Today (Tuesday) a small team of us (three to begin with) ventured to do Gospel outreach in Portsmouth. Note:this is an Open Air Mission outreach, headed up by Josh Williamson.

"And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not." Galations 6:9

It was a beautiful day, and as we headed toward our usual spot, we discovered it was occupied by buskers. So, we decided to set up in a new location that didn’t seem very promising at first — but we were completely wrong!

It was the first time we decided to greatly increase the numbers of Bibles we had. This was because we could not meet demand last week. This week we took a trolley full of 20 Bibles (pictured below). Before we finished setting up the table, people were asking for Bibles and three were taken. This included a very young toddler who was encouraged by his father to ask for one!

There was no doubt that taking the trolley full of Bibles was the right thing to do. We certainly gave away more Bibles than we usually do.

Normally we include 2 Bibles on our literature table. This week we gave away 15 of them!

A keen Portsmouth resident was drawn to our Gospel outreach

Just before Josh preached his first message "God is love!", a lady approached the table called J (the first initial of her name). J spoke of how she had a personal and private faith. (J is pictured below)

Sometimes it is tempting to say "God bless you" and presume that person is saved and is walking with the Lord. But I think we need to be more careful and caring for the soul of each individual. That is why I took the opportunity to ask some questions to see where she is in her walk of faith,

Are you born again?

I asked J if she was born again. To which she answered an over all "No." I asked her what she thought being born again is. It was clear that she could not convey what that was. So I used the opportunity to share the Gospel with her. She understood that she was in a dilemma with God because of her personal sin. She did not understand how this could be made right - the legal transaction for her sins found only in Jesus.

I was able to pour out some of the beautiful truth of the Gospel to her. Especially explaining the agonies of Calvary, offered as a free gift to whosoever calls upon the Name of the Lord.

The evangelism connect to family devotions and the gathering of Saints

On Sunday, my pastor taught on the prodigal son. I personally take that teaching into my home on a week day to have as a family time of devotions. From this I brought out much from these times in the conversation I had with J.

Giving her an overall picture of humanity and the Gospel I spoke about The prodigal - a picture of the majority of people today. From Luke 15, verse 11 to the end of the chapter. Oh that folks would come to themselves and return to the Father who longs for rebels to humble themselves and be saved!

J was very touch by my explaining of the Lord's agony at Calvary and the fact the it was so bad, that there was darkness - that people could not see His great agonies on the cross.

I also explained that God wants to be a part of our lives in the good times and the bad - that He is one that is closer than a brother. She was very touched by this.

At the end of our conversation, she took a Bible and other literature. She also took details of a a church I know in Portsmouth. I explained how important it was to be connected to a church. We finished in prayer too.

Please check out an important message on the matter of not presuming people are right with God - by Josh Williamson called "The danger of presumed Gospel"

Our free Gospel tract "Are you born again?" by J.C. Ryle.

One Gospel tract I always try to carry around with me is aimed at those who profess to be a Christian. This is taking the mindset found in the article linked to above by Josh WIlliamson. Not to presume on anyone that they are saved, but to be winsom and encourage them to examine themselves, as per 2 Corinthians 13:5. This tract I gave to J and I pray it will be a great blessing to her.

You can find out more about that free Gospel flyer by clicking here.

Will you pray me that J, will be like the prodigal son? - "he came to himself" Luke 15:17.

Visiting the area - two Roman Catholic girls and a church elder.

Our outreach seeks to reach and minister to all sorts of people. Believer and unbeliever alike. It never ceases to amaze me the different ways the table can be of help to others.

There were many opportunities throughout our two hours in Portsmouth. One of which - two roman catholics visiting from Guildford (around 43 miles north). They both were very interested and took a Bible each. I also gave them one our "What every Roman Catholic needs to know" tract. You can order these for free by clicking here, (subject to stock).

Another opportunity was a church elder from about 7 miles away. He stopped and I asked him if he was born again. He was confident of his faith in Jesus. He was really encouraged by some of the stories I told him and I gave him some flyers about open air mission.

By the end of the outreach, we had around six people altogether doing the work. Praise the Lord!

Much more went on while we were there. You can read another report from Josh Williamson by clicking here.

-Nigel, Printing Evangelism