Christchurch (NZ) Team
Weekly outreaches:
Tue 3:30pm - 5:30pm - Riccarton (corner of Riccarton Rd and Rotherham St)
Fri 1:30pm - 3:30pm - City (Bridge of Remembrance)
Sat 11am - 1pm - Riccarton (corner of Riccarton Rd and Rotherham St)
Sun 1:30pm - 3:30pm - City (corner of Colombo St and Cashel St).
Contact Glen Richards or Andy Barlow for more information.
It’s been an encouraging month. I actually have a few details to talk about for this report (rather than general memories and pointing to the pictures).
So, I took 2 weeks leave, which was refreshing. I watched a lot of cricket (because it’s free to air on TV in NZ at the moment) - which I find very relaxing. I even went to a local game to sit on the bank and chill.
But, we are back to work again. It was wonderful to have Carole from the UK join us for a couple of outreaches in Riccarton this month - I hope you got home safely!
I want to start with the biggest encouragement. It occurred 2 days ago, during our Friday afternoon in the city. Roger was with me. Due to the loudness of the Buskers Festival event happening at the Bridge of Remembrance, we moved down to the other end, corner of Cashel and Colombo.
I ended up in a long conversation right at the end of the outreach. So I was blessed with an extra 30 minutes of gospel ministry. A young guy went past whom I stopped with the polite but deep question: “can I ask you, what do you think happens after life?” He was keen to engage. We were in the hot sun, and so we moved back into the shade - he was leaning against a shop window for the whole chat.
He was resistant, yet open. He was trying to play the Atheist card, and so a lot of the conversation was spent reasoning with him on that. But he also hated the idea of punishment (understandable because we love our sin). Instead he thinks people should be given therapy (amazingly, there is mercy available instead!). I didn’t let these issues distract from the meat and potatoes: the law and the gospel.
Near the end of this conversation I heard someone say, “Glen, is that you?”. I turned and looked at a couple of guys. One of them said, “It’s me, Byron, do you remember me?”. Initially I didn’t, but then slowly my memory came back. It must have been about 2 years ago. Byron had been in Cathedral Square listening to the preaching (of other ministers, not us) and had made a profession of faith. Later (or was it the next week?), he was at the Bridge of Remembrance and I was able to have a gospel conversation. I was able to use our standard check questions to make sure he was really understanding the gospel. Things were clicking for him. He even came to my local churches gathering the following Sunday. I remember my Pastor and I were encouraging him to join a new believers small group. But sadly he moved to Ashburton (I think it was) and we lost touch.
Anyway, he said to me, “We were talking about you this morning. I want to let you know, I just got baptised, I’m going to Grace” (I assume he means Grace Vineyard, a local church). I was overjoyed! He introduced me to his friend, and he wanted to talk more, but he could see I was in the middle of a gospel conversation with someone else and decided to leave me to that. But he said he would catch up with me again and wanted to know what my street schedule was.
Glory to God! One person ploughs, another sows, another waters, but God brings the increase! We can rest in our labour and leave God to His. I hope to see Byron again soon and learn more about his journey.
Going back to the young man that I was talking to, he had watched this whole exchange. I think it impacted him too. He ended up by saying, “actually, I’ve really appreciated this conversation”. And then he said something that surprised me, “I’m thinking of joining a youth group” I was very surprised by this change of heart! Even in the face of resistance, we just don’t know what’s going inside of a person.
Another very encouraging conversation this month was with a young lady at the Riccarton bus stops. She watched me approach a guy and listened to our brief exchange, so she knew what I was about. When I approached her, she was polite but hostile. I wasn’t put off, and she was happy to talk, so I sat down next to her (you often spend time sitting on the pavement when you do street outreach).
She tried to shock me, by saying she was a Satanist. I didn’t flinch, I just asked her, what kind of satanist she was, a philosophical one, or a spiritual one. From there we had a decent chat. She was still hostile, and I had to do a lot of listening. But slowly I was able, with God’s help, to help her think through some of the things she was saying. By the end of the chat, she was calm (glory to God), and yet challenged. It turns out she is also ‘gay’, and using Psychedelics (a very deceptive sin). I rejoiced over this chat, because she also came to understand the serious nature of her sin and the amazing mercy of Jesus.
Of course, there were many other wonderful chats over the month. Just one more that I want to mention. I think it occurred on the same day as the previous chat I mentioned. I was talking to 2 bright University students (they were girls). One was studying communications, and the other biology. Their world views were of their own creation (idolatry), but they were a mix of atheism with eastern influence (reincarnation, etc). The conversation centered on how we know God exists. They came at me hard, but I stuck to my guns. At multiple times I would say, “fault the logic”, and they would go silent as they could see I had already addressed their arguments (all glory to God). I was able to touch on the law and the gospel, but they weren’t open to it at all. Eventually one of the girls said to the other, “hey, we have an appointment at five thirty, right?”. The other girl looked at her strangely and said, “No”. She didn’t get the hint, she wanted out of this chat. I understood and so I gave her the out, I think my job was done for the time being, they had plenty to consider.
Anyway, I’ll leave it at that. We are still very busy with online outreach: responding to an endless stream of conversations via Instagram and TikTok Messenger (and other social media platforms), training people for online evangelism, and having online video chats of our own. This is all via needGod.net, led by Ryan. I leave one TikTok comment (as a picture) I captured during the month, for your encouragement.
Next month we have 2 special outreaches coming up: a week of outreach in Dunedin in conjunction with OAC and Cornerstone International Bible Church, and then a week or so in the Philippines. PLEASE pray: 1) that we would be a blessing to the church, 2) for favour with authorities, 3) that the lost would understand the gospel, and finally 4) that God would be glorified. Please also pray for the interactions between Christians in organising and conducting these outreaches, that there would be understanding and love in spite of disagreement on secondary issues and methods.
Okay, this report was supposed to come out on Sunday the 5th of Jan. But at the last minute I decided to take some R&R to recover a bit from the spring of special outreaches. I’m back on deck now and so let me update you with how the outreaches for Dec 2024 went.
But first, I just want to take a moment to remember Stephen Ripley, who sadly passed from this earth on the 16th of December. Stephen and his wife Margaret regularly joined us for the abortion/gospel outreach we used to run outside the hospital. It was an honour to be able to serve next to Stephen, and am looking forward to seeing him again when I join him in graduation to heaven! My condolences to Margaret & family at this time.
So, I can’t really remember the details of my gospel conversations during December. So, I’m going to let the pictures I dredged up do most of the talking instead.
We had one special outreach. It was the boxing day gospel tract outreach. It was great to have Martin from Hamilton with me again. He is usually in Christchurch for holidays around this time of year. Between us we were able to hand out about 3 to 4 hundred Christmas tracts in 2 x 2 hour outreaches: Riccarton in the morning, and in the city in the afternoon. It was pouring with rain in the afternoon, but that didn’t stop the people out bargain hunting - and getting a bargain they didn’t expect too: the gospel! Even though the focus was on distributing tracts, I still had many gospel conversations too.
Well, I’ll leave it at that. No special outreaches for the rest of January. Instead I’ll enjoy getting back into my regular routine of street and online outreach. Please continue to keep the Christchurch outreach team in prayer!
When I wrote my last report (a month ago), we were a few days into a week of outreach with Phil and his church in Whangārei. So, this report will cover the rest of that outreach, plus everything we’ve been doing since then. This includes the big Canterbury A&P Show outreach, plus the regular street and online outreach we have been doing.
I’ve just finished going through the photos I’ve taken for the last month. I’m going to let them do most of the talking for this report. They bring back very good memories for me.
Going back to the outreach in Whangārei. It was a wonderful week of outreach! The highlight for me would be a conversation I had with an older gentleman. I encountered him twice - on different days. I first talked to him on Saturday, across the road from the World Mission Society Church of God (WMSCoG, a cult) Zion (meeting place). He had become a member of this cult, and so in his conversation he was vehemently defending their doctrines. I decided not to take a direct stand against this, but instead took the tactic of side stepping his emotional attacks and politely asking questions and responding in such a way that the important issues would be touched on: the law and the gospel. After a robust conversation, we parted ways on good terms.
Well, a few days later, I saw him again, in a different part of town. I approached him with a friendly greeting, and was able to sit down to start another conversation. Glory to God, he had obviously considered some of the things I said, and he was in a much better position to reason with. He opened up about wanting to become a JW. But when he had asked to be baptised, they resisted. And so, when the WMSCoG came to his door and offered to baptise him on the spot he was elated! And so, I was able to spend a lot more time with him labouring on the law and the true Gospel of Jesus’ mercy (and not working for salvation). I remember it still being a difficult conversation, but the gospel is simple, and it is the power of God for salvation.
Not only did we do outreach in the town centre, but we also spent a day up at Kamo and the last day of the outreach included a bit of a road trip: we spent some time in outreach at Kerikeri & Paihia before heading back to Whangārei to catch our flight home. So many wonderful conversations from that week are passing through my mind, but I don’t have the time to write about them. Thanks so much to Phil and Emma for hosting us (Roger, Andy and myself), and for Maungakaramea Reformed Church and Clark Road Chapel for allowing us to serve alongside you for the week. It was so encouraging having so many members coming out to be involved with us.
The next big outreach, starting only a week after we got back from Whangārei was the Canterbury A&P Show. A 3 day event for the farming community with many stalls and entertainment. The weather was mixed - on the last day we had to suffer some interrupting rain. But generally, the outreach was a massive success. We ended up having just the right amount of labourers for each part of the outreach - so God answered that prayer! He also answered a prayer in regards to some loud music from the first day - it didn’t end up being an issue for the following days - glory to God!
The 2nd day of the outreach was the busiest. I ended up going till 2 pm without a break. We have 5 flip charts running, and there were times where they were all busy, and we even had people queuing to come and try it out!
My four prayers were: God would be glorified, favour with authorities, Christians would be encouraged, and the lost would hear the gospel. I feel like those prayers were well and truly answered! I esp. enjoyed having many conversations with Christians. One of them even joined Andy and I on the streets a week later (pictured). God is so good.
We are still active in Christchurch city and in the Riccarton area. Cashel Mall is now ramping up for Christmas, and so I’ve cracked out the Christmas gospel tracts. I’m handing them out with a cherry “Merry Christmas!” and any who stop I ask: “what do you think Christmas’ greatest gift is?” and then get into a gospel conversation from there.
On the Tuesday just gone, Roger and I tried a new spot for outreach in Riccarton. We moved up a block to be closer to the bus exchange. It worked well. We had a very busy outreach, that even went a bit longer than usual.
Please keep the Christchurch Operation 513 outreach team in prayer. For the upcoming month it will be mainly regular outreach, with the only planned special outreach being a gospel tract give-away on Boxing Day - the streets are flooded with bargain hunters - pray that they get a bargain they didn’t expect! Thanks so much.
It’s been a month since my last report. I’ve decided to move to monthly reports - I’ll aim for the first Sunday of the month. This will mean I’ll have more time for evangelism, but for the few of you that read these reports, you’ll still have fuel for prayer (which is so vital!), and knowing that we are still active out there! Thanks so much for your support, it’s very much appreciated.
In the last month, the usual weekly street outreaches have been happening: Tues & Sat in Riccarton, and Fri & Sun in the City. We have also had a few special events: I ran a Saturday morning training session in Christchurch, and then the following Saturday we were at the Ellesmere A&P Show. And as I write Roger, Andy, and myself are in Whangārei with Phil & Emma Tunstall and their church: Maungakaramea Reformed Church for a week of street outreach. Today I ran the training session in the afternoon, after the usual morning gathering.
It’s been a wonderful month - with all the special outreach opportunities - and yet, it was a difficult month as well - having a major setback in regards to a future planned special outreach. I know God uses all things for his glory and our good, and so I’m going to rest in that truth, and continue to bring our future plans to him in prayer.
There is one conversation that has been burning in my mind all month. It occurred on the 18th of October during our Friday afternoon outreach in the city. It was with a Filipino man. He was sitting on a bench near the Bridge of Remembrance. I politely approached him with a tract and an offer to chat about the deeper things of life. He was welcoming, and so I sat next to him to have a conversation. It turned into a long conversation. He had a Christian background, but he was very unclear on what the gospel is. He pointed to keeping the commandments and asking for forgiveness as the reasons he would get to heaven. And so, starting from there I proceed to labour with him coming to understand the law and the gospel. I had to go over it many times, but it was wonderful to see the truth dawning in his eyes and thinking. He seemed very grateful, and if my memory serves me right, I gave him a gospel of John and a church contact card. I haven’t heard from him - but that’s okay. He is in God’s hands. Please pray for this man, that the Holy Spirit will bring conviction and conversation in his life, and that he will be knitted into a good local church somewhere.
The Ellesmere A&P Show was wonderful. A nice hot spring day. Andy & I were very busy all day, scattering seeds with the farmers passing by our hired site and flipcharts.
And the first outreach in Whangārei (2 hours in the morning) was off the charts good! I had four wonderful conversations with people who seemed deeply impacted. One young lad, who had obviously already been thinking about the deep things of life, even made a profession of faith! But what was even more encouraging is that the young Christian who was paired with me was being encouraged in evangelism! He seemed deeply impacted, and motivated to get into the harvest field, which is ripe! Glory to God alone.
A good week this week. It felt more normal than the previous weeks. I think this is the first week of the school holidays. As a result, Tuesday’s outreach was busier than normal - very busy actually. I went for about an hour and a half just rolling from 1 conversation to another. There was engagement, and even openness from those I was talking to.
As I was talking, I noticed a young man walk past with a really dirty look on his face. He obviously knew what I was doing and didn’t like it. Soon after, I became aware of a raised voice across the road. He was engaged in a conversation with Roger.
Well, I had just finished a chat and next thing I know he was with me. He’d finished with Roger, been and bought something to eat, and then had come back to have a chat with me.
I knew I was up for a battle, but I felt like taking it on. Apparently I’d talked to him before. He was very intellectual, but he was using his God given intellect to suppress God. Even though his arguments were unreasonable, he was at least polite enough to allow it to be a 2 way discussion - which was great. But, the reason I say his arguments were unreasonable, is because he would deny absolute truth - which is a contradiction (to deny absolute truth is an absolute). He would make absurd statements, but I held him to account, I didn’t let him hold on to that absurdity. Not only that, I explained why he was doing it: He wants to deny the absolute God who brings moral accountability for sin.
It was a long chat, but I ran out of patience. Without losing my cool, I told him there was no point in continuing the conversation - he accepted that. I think he was a bit disappointed; I think he enjoyed the conversation for the sake of it. But, I was tired, and I wanted to share the gospel with others, maybe others who would be open to it. I had been able to touch on the law and the gospel with him.
Roger was busy on the other side of the street too. He finished up with a conversation with a young man whose mother went to Rogers church and had been praying for her son! I got to hear the very end of the chat, and the young man seemed so appreciative of the gospel conversation.
On Friday I was with Roger and Andy in the city: Bridge of Remembrance. One of the streeties I see regularly came over to talk with me (his eyes seemed clear for a change, which is good). As we were talking, a guy came over and gave him a pie - which was really generous. I brought him into the conversation, and then, eventually, the streetie moved on and I was left talking with the pie giver. He is from the US, and works down in Antarctica. Eventually I was able to swing the conversation to deep things. He said he normally wouldn’t have cared about the subject, but he had been doing a philosophy / ethics paper in his undergraduate degree which had made him interested.
Sadly, he became very resistant early in the chat. I used the analogy of a builder requiring a builder to show how we know God is real. But he came back with the “where did God come from” question. Sadly, he wasn’t interested in answers and he would cut me off before I could finish. He shifted the conversation to the source of morals. He said there are no morals, ultimately. And when I explained that God’s nature is the source of morals, he tried to say “but what’s the basis for God’s morals”. Interestingly, the answer for both questions is very similar: God must be unmade, and God himself is the ultimate standard for morals. In both cases, the alternative is an infinite regress, which is a logical fallacy and so can’t be true.
I decided to disengage. Otherwise the conversation could potentially have turned nasty. I let him talk from then on, just listening to him talk. It was interesting that he opened up about his sister, who he said had been in a similar position as the streetie I had been talking to. What was even more interesting is that his sister had managed to turn her life around, through a faith based program. She was even now running this program, and helping others. He left with a tract.
I had a great time in Riccarton on Saturday. Lot’s of opportunities to talk with people. I talked with 2 young ladies, one of whom was drunk. I was a bit surprised that someone would be drunk at lunch time on a Saturday! But the highlight would have been a chat with 2 young high school students with Christian backgrounds. They were stoked that I was out preaching about Jesus. I was able to work with them to bring some precision in their understanding of the gospel.
I also had a chat with a lady who had seen me on a bus, and had hopped off to come talk to me. She had just been over to the World Mission Society Church of God - a cult. They are currently aggressively ‘evangelising’ in my city. She was very confused, and so I spent my time with her to try to bring some clarity on the simplicity of the law and the gospel.
On Sunday, Mike joined me in the city in the afternoon. I decided to bring my flip chart, and I had a busy outreach. The WMSCoG were out in force, but I was too busy to engage them.
There is a guy that works in the city, and we see him often and so are having a long term gospel chat with him. I was able to continue that today, but sadly, I’m so very aware of how blind he is to basic truths. I’m totally failing to get through to him. I decided to leave him with Mike. But I’ve decided to add him to my prayer list, and ask God to open his eyes to see the truth. Apart from the grace of God, I’m him.
So, I know I missed last week's report. A couple of reasons for that: 1) I didn’t end up doing any street outreach that week, mainly because 2) my daughter got married! Congratulations!
Also, since the Wellington trip, I’ve been feeling usually tired. It’s like I’m recovering from a cold, but I never actually had a cold?
Anyway, by God’s grace, I was able to make it to all 4 street outreaches this week. This report will cover those outreaches.
So, going back to Tuesday afternoon, in Riccarton with Roger. I was feeling flat, and it must have come across to those passing by, I didn’t get many bites. Things were going the opposite way for Roger. All he needed to do was blink and he was into a good gospel conversation! I rejoiced at the good chats he seemed to be having!
I didn’t bring my flip chart, concerned about the wind, and so I decided to go for a wander up to the bus stops. In the midst of the many rejections, I encountered a lady who, as soon as she saw me coming to her, said, “I’ve got no time for God”. I crouched down next to her and asked why, and she started to list all the loved ones in her life that had died. It was certainly tragic listening to the list! I decided not to try to take an intellectual approach to addressing this. Instead, I empathised, agreeing that death is a tragedy. She started to tear up. She was wallowing in bitterness toward God for allowing evil - which is not the right response. Sadly, I didn’t get to continue the conversation, because she took a phone call, and then her bus came. I can’t remember if she accepted a tract.
But, what is the right response? We rightly grieve death, but we have the sure hope that God is going to bring perfect justice upon all those that do evil, and the hope that that justice won’t fall on us in hell, because of the mercy of Jesus. There will be resurrection and the hope of the new heavens and the new earth, with no more mar of sin or death. Knowing God’s mercy allows us to respond to trials and suffering in our life with forgiveness, rather than bitterness. We need to be patient for justice, grateful that God’s patience with us has led to us knowing his mercy!
Maybe my empathy surprised her? Maybe the fact that I didn’t flinch at her bitterness will open the door for her discussing this deeper, grieving her losses appropriately, and hearing the gospel - from someone else? Who knows. What I know is, God delights to show his strength through our weakness. I take much assurance from that, and am emboldened to persevere in my feeble efforts to proclaim the gospel. May you be encouraged to do the same.
I found Friday’s afternoon’s outreach difficult as well. I was with Andy and Roger. My prayer was that I would be able to engage with people who really wanted to talk about the difficult questions of life. I didn’t have the energy for battles. God answered my prayer in a sense. I had a couple of interesting conversations with young ladies, they were short chats, because they were honest about the fact that they were suppressing the reality of God because, basically, they wanted to be their own god. They enjoyed life on their own terms and were happy to be ignorant of the consequences. So, I didn’t end up having any battles, I just let them move on when the time was right. One of them did take a tract, the other refused.
Saturday’s outreach was different. I had a handful of wonderful conversations. It never ceases to amaze me that what seems so foolish (standing on the street corner with a flip chart) can lead to something so powerful (someone grasping the wonder of the gospel of Jesus).
The first was with a young Chinese lady. What was interesting was that she was getting baptised the next day, and yet, she still wasn’t clear on the fundamentals of the gospel. Our short conversation cleared that up, I could tell, because she started nailing the check questions perfectly. We fell into natural conversation about other things, in light of the gospel, and at one point she even teared up. She wanted my contact number and later she sent me a text to thank me for the chat.
The second one was with a young Chinese guy. A local pastor had actually contacted me about him earlier in the week, and we had been talking via Messenger. A face to face chat would be easier, so I encouraged him to meet me during my Saturday outreach - so he did. We were able to sit down and start chewing the Bible together. It was a long chat. Part way through, a couple of young guys took interest in my flipchart, and so I was able to share the gospel with them while this young Chinese guy watched. You see, he is wrestling with complicated questions, and in turn seems to be missing the obvious stuff - I wanted him to see the simplicity of the gospel through the conversation with the other 2 guys.
He ended up walking with me to my car, and then I ended up giving him a ride home. Although he is understanding key concepts, I don’t think he’s really got it yet. I’ll be praying for him! And I hope I get to talk more.
I spent an hour in the city on Sunday afternoon. I handed out some tracts, but not many takers. I had a brief chat with a Christian guy, and then an even briefer chat with a young Sikh lad. May God prosper our feeble efforts!
Oh, I forgot to mention the protest at the Bridge of Remembrance on Friday. It was an interesting mix of: climate change, racial rights, sexual ‘rights’, anti-government rhetoric. But under it all seemed to be a root of ‘rage against God’. I had an interesting conversation later with a pro Palestinian protester. He was very quick to try to drag the conversation into a ‘fight’. But I wouldn’t let him, wanting to go deeper to the root of why we ‘fight’ in the first place (sin), and the ultimate solution (Jesus). Amazingly I was able to share the law and the gospel with him, and I was encouraged by that. May God save him, and change him. SDG!!!
Glory to God, the week in Wellington, working with the Church: Calvary Wellington, seemed to go well. A lot went on, so I won’t be able to write about it all, instead I’ll hit the high (& low) points that come to mind until the hour I have for this report is up.
So, from Monday to Friday, we were on the streets in the Wellington region for 6 hours a day. Monday morning we were at Naenae (pronounced “Ni Ni”), then in the afternoon we went over to Wainuiomata. On Tuesday we were in Upper Hutt all day. On Wednesday we were in Wellington city: outside Massey University in the morning, and then in Cuba Street in the afternoon. On Thursday we were in Lower Hutt: outside Queensgate Mall in the morning, and then in Petone in the afternoon. Finally, on Friday we were back in Wellington city: Lambton Quay in the morning, and on the waterfront in the afternoon.
Not counting Craig, I don’t think there was a single outreach where we didn’t have local church members with us - except when we were outside Massey Uni. So it was so great to serve alongside them for the week.
Also, on Sunday afternoon, I ran our regular Christchurch city outreach between church gatherings.
I have to admit I’m feeling sleepy now! I’ve been sleeping really well since I got back (not that I slept badly while I was away – thank you so much Royce for letting us use your home for the week, that was super appreciated!). I’m certainly looking forward to my day off tomorrow!
A big shout out to Roger, Andy and Craig - who were real troopers through the week! Thanks for hosting us in your area Craig and Jan. And Craig, thanks for all your organisation and coordination.
Okay, now for some details.
In Naenae I remember a lot of resistance, although I remember a receptive chat too. It was with a young couple who had just jumped into their car. The highlight chat among the resistant ones was the final one of the outreach. I approached an older man who was walking towards the shops. He thought I was going to beg from him! Haha, I must fit in as a streetie! Anyway, we got into a good chat. It turns out he is an Atheist - although he went to a church for about 3 years, up until recently. The reason he stopped, he considered himself a fraud, being there just for the fellowship, and even enjoying the songs, but still an Atheist. He really liked to talk! But I was fascinated by his story. I was curious, how can an Atheist spend 3 years in a church community and not be challenged? When the opportunity was right, I was able to gently challenge him, starting with the building / builder analogy. He gently resisted, but I held my ground, not letting him distract himself from reality. Sadly, he flared up, and he revealed the real reason for his Atheism: his hatred for God: “Why would he let all this death occur?”. He moved on, not letting me respond. So sad.
In Wainuiomata I was paired up with June. There were not a lot of people around, but we moved down the street and walked into what felt like a ‘divine appointment’. 2 young people were sitting outside a shop enjoying a drink. It turns out they are brother and sister. June and I had a long chat with them, working through the law, the gospel, and all the check questions. We then answered questions, and even shared our testimonies (they asked). They were very open. She seemed to have a few ‘click’ moments during the chat, and even made a profession of faith. He wasn’t ready to commit, saying he needed to “tick some boxes” - what he meant is that he needed to work it all through in his thinking. It turns out that the Mormons had been talking to them. It was an awesome chat. What was really cool was when I bumped into this young man again on Thursday in Lower Hutt! We hugged, and then I popped him a check question. He got it right! So he remembered what was important. I asked if he had “ticked all your boxes yet”. He said he had, last night! I pointed him to the Bible (June gave them a copy of the gospel of John each), and the local church.
I’m running out of time to write and I’m only on day 1 of 5!
In Upper Hutt I had a great chat with a young man who had been heavily influenced by the cult: World Mission Society Church of God. The gospel really clicked for him. In the afternoon I had a good chat with some Mormon Missionaries.
Outside Massey was great. A really busy time. The highlight chat was with a young agnostic: Tim. He resisted all the way through the conversation, and yet I could tell he was challenged. He asked all the hard questions he could.
On Cuba street there was much resistance. I vaguely remember a chat with a young Chinese guy. I say that, because I saw him again on Friday (2 days later) on Lambton Quay - he acknowledged me but didn’t stop. But then on Friday evening, Craig, Jan, Andy & I went to a Chinese restaurant for fellowship before heading to the airport. The guy at the counter was the same young Chinese guy! He remembered me, although I only barely remembered him. Later, he came to our table and said he really appreciated the way we worked while on the street. He took another gospel tract. May God convict him and convert him!
What a great trip, but it’s so good to be home. I had a great time on the street with Elijah from my church this afternoon. I gave Elijah room to have his own gospel conversations. He had 2 opportunities to put his apologetics study into practice. He was able to share the gospel with his 2nd chat. Well done Elijah! Keep it up bro!
Glory to God for allowing us to do what we do. Please continue to pray for our feeble efforts. May God use them to show his strength in saving many.
I’m out of routine, so this report is late. It’s currently Wednesday, and we are in windy Wellington. We are: Roger, Andy and I. And we are serving alongside the church: Calvary Wellington for outreach this week.
But, this report is about last week. God willing, I’ll write about this week's activities in this coming Sunday’s report.
Last week we had 3 street outreaches. Roger was with me in Riccarton on Tuesday. Andy & John were with me in the city on Friday. And then Friday evening, the 3 of us flew to Wellington. Saturday morning we ran a couple of evangelism training sessions in the morning, mainly with members of Calvary Wellington. And then on Saturday afternoon, some of them joined us for a street outreach in Lower Hutt to put what we had been learning into practice.
So, going back to Tuesday. I’m going to have to look at my photos to see if I can remember any of the details! Ah, that’s right, it was dry and cloudy when we started the outreach, but by the end of the outreach, it was pouring with rain. I remember having 2 long chats. The first was with a young student, he had a very long beard! He is studying brewing at Lincoln University, he is involved with the Christian Fellowship group there, and yet he is agnostic. I spent my time in conversation reasoning with him on why he is actually suppressing what he knows about God, the law, and the gospel. He wasn’t convinced. I leave him in God’s hands. The law brings knowledge of sin, and the gospel is the power of God for salvation. I can’t remember the other conversation now.
On Friday, with Andy, in the city, the outreach started with a conversation with 2 overseas English students. One was a Muslim, I forget which country. The other was Japanese, and pretty much an Atheist. Andy started the conversation and I was with him. The Muslim became engaged, and the Atheist became disinterested. I ended up moving out of the conversation to engage others (I later re-engaged the Japanese student who had backed out of the conversation with Andy – it didn’t help, he made it clear he didn’t want to talk, and so I respected that). Andy ended up having a wonderful chat with the Muslim. Later, at the end of the outreach, Andy had a conversation with a couple that left him, in his own words, “buzzing”. It was with a young man who had a Catholic / Orthodox influence in his life, and his Mother (who joined later in the chat) who understood salvation was by grace alone, through faith alone, in Jesus' sacrifice alone. He came to grasp the gospel, and was challenged to forsake his works, she was stoked that the conversation occurred!
The training on Saturday seemed to go well. I was encouraged by the turn out, considering that I had run the training the previous year. This year I structured it differently, and tried to go deeper on some of the points.
The outreach in the afternoon went really well, in spite of the wind! There were many opportunities to plough and sow. I’m sifting through those memories now: I’ll report the glimpses that I remember.
An older man went past. When he realised I was religious, he made it clear he wasn’t interested and moved on. Then he turned, and mentioned that his father had been religious: exclusive brethren. This had caused much division in his family, so he wanted nothing to do with religion in his life. He was friendly, and I did my best to hold him, but he moved on. But then, about 5 minutes later, he was walking past again, and we sparked into light conversation again. This time he stayed, and he opened up to going deeper in the conversation. He still believed in God, heaven and hell. Yet, he thought you had to be good to get to heaven. I was able to take him through the law, and challenge him on that. I seemed to be making progress, before he had to move on. I can’t remember if he took a tract or not, but I was grateful for the opportunity.
Another memory is of talking to a young man with a Catholic background. A standard law & gospel chat ensued. But soon after, 3 of his friends came along. I was able to engage all of them. 1 didn’t believe in God, but the building / builder analogy clicked for him. He opened up to the gospel conversation, even though his 2 friends disengaged (1 became a bit silly). It was a great chat.
I spoke to some people at the bus stops. The final chat was with an elderly man who was very Catholic. Sadly, he didn’t engage in my attempts to share the gospel. I ended up listening and dropping seeds as best I could. He seemed a bit lonely and appreciated the opportunity to chat.
Okay, I think that covers it. Please keep us in prayer as we continue to labour with Calvary Wellington in many locations across the Wellington region this week. Glory to God alone!
God has given us another week of his patience. Another week of street outreach is complete. It was a more difficult week. I had less chats than I usually do. I was encouraged this morning, in my local church gathering, by the corporate reading of the Bible. We are tracking through Acts:
- Acts 16:14 esv
One who heard us was a woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira, a seller of purple goods, who was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to pay attention to what was said by Paul.
It encouraged me, because it's God who opens hearts to receive the gospel seed. It doesn’t depend on me. Yes, we have a responsibility to preach the gospel, but God is in control of salvation. We can rest in that. Even when things don’t seem to be going well, we can just put our heads down and continue to plough and sow. God may bring no increase - that’s up to him - his justice will still be magnified. If he does bring increase - his mercy will be magnified. Either way, we will praise the Lord. The work he does in us to obey, and persist - that also brings him glory. We can be satisfied in him alone.
Roger was sick on Tuesday. So it was only John and I out. I didn’t bring my flip chart, deciding to work at the bus stops.
I had a very large group of high school boys come to me. They wanted to make fun of the preacher. It grieves me to think about it. Because there will be a day, when they are alone, facing God. There will be no jokes then. I wasn’t put off, I did my best to engage them anyway. When they got bored, they moved on. Some wanted tracts, I said I’d give them one as long as they didn’t throw them. I think I gave out about 5. Soon after, one of them came back, and gave me back a tract - he said his friend had thrown it. Who knows, maybe one of them will keep it. Maybe in the future they will read it? The gospel is the power of God for salvation.
Later, a young man at a bus stop gladly took a tract and wanted to chat. There was an openness about him as I shared the law and the gospel. He was talking about some of the struggles in his life. Late in the chat, he revealed he had talked to me before. I think he said it was a year ago. He wanted my contact details. So I gave him my number. I haven’t heard from him as of yet. May God open his heart and save him.
I talked to a young lady who was on a break from her job in the mall. I talked to a young high school student, who went to church but wasn’t clear on the gospel - he thanked me.
Paired with John, I was able to talk to a couple of guys: 1 was adventist, and the other catholic. Later, John shared with 3 young students.
It’s funny, reflecting on that outreach now, I was able to talk to more people than I remembered. God is good.
On Friday, Roger and Andy were with me in the city. A windy day. Andy seemed to have a particularly good chat with two men from China (pictured). We also met a new open air preacher. He spoke for a long time, I listened for a bit, and he rotated over scripture and gospel truth. I was encouraged.
On Saturday, I was only out for 30 minutes. I had 1 short chat, and handed out some tracts, but it was so slow, I decided to head home and do some online outreach instead.
Sunday (today), I had Joseph and Elijah with me. First day of spring and a lovely day! Lots of people were out and about. But it was slow from an outreach perspective. At the start of the outreach, the few opportunities we had met with opposition.
Yet, we persisted, and by the end of the outreach, we had had some good opportunities to share about Jesus.
I’m looking forward to a day off now. God willing, we will have another week of his patience to be salt and light. I will also, God willing, be in preparation for the evangelism training this coming Saturday, up in Wellington. Thank you for keeping us in prayer.
All this week’s street outreaches went ahead. The weather is getting warmer, which is great!
A team of 4 in Riccarton on Tuesday. Some mixed theological positions among us, and so we had some robust conversation over coffee afterwards, yet we all agree on the essentials. We had a great time in evangelism.
I had set up my flip chart and I was straight into a gospel conversation with 3 young people. My memory of that chat is getting a bit dim now, but I remember it to be a good one: they came to grasp the gospel, which is the power of God for salvation.
Roger had a good sit down chat with a lady (pictured). And I remember having a great opportunity at the end of the outreach, with a young Korean guy. He had a Christian background. I was able to bring some gospel precision into his thinking. He seemed blessed, which was encouraging!
On Friday, there was a team of 3. For me, I remember it being a difficult outreach. I had 2 chats where the people I was talking to insisted that they were good and had done nothing wrong.
But, one encouraging thing happened. In the morning I had been praying for a man I’ve talked to a lot on the streets. I was praying for his salvation. I haven’t seen him for a long time, maybe a year, or more? I began to wonder why I continued to pray for him. Well, in the afternoon, I saw him again! Although we have vastly different worldviews (Atheist vs Christian), we have a mutual respect and friendship. We were able to catch up briefly. Sadly, the reason he is back in town is because of family health issues: sickness and death. He teared up about it and had to move on, but he came back later and introduced me to some of his other family members. I’m now encouraged to keep praying for him! God’s timing is perfect. Lord, save him, and his family.
Saturday’s weather was really nice. I was in Riccarton. I set up my flip chart, and prayed, and then I was straight into my first chat. It was with a streetie (homeless). He claimed to be a Chrisitan, and even talked about the church he attended. Yet, he clearly didn’t understand the gospel. I had to gently slow him down a bit, and start engaging him on and bringing precision about the law and the gospel with him. Slowly, some light seemed to shine into his thinking - I could tell by his responses to my check questions. I knew I needed to labour more, but he decided to move on at that point. He had a gospel tract.
About a minute later, I looked down and noticed a bit of gospel tract on the ground in front of me. I was a bit confused and picked it up. There was some wind. Slowly I put 2 and 2 together. I went down Riccarton Road a little bit. Sure enough, I found little bits of gospel tract down the footpath. He had torn up the tract and thrown it away (pictured). His reaction to the light was to scurry for the darkness. He is currently rejecting the gospel. What can we learn? 1) Sometimes we don’t know what someone's response will be - yet that is out of our control. Focus on what you can do, and leave the rest with God. We share the gospel, God regenerates hearts. He may have rejected, but someone else may accept. 2) It’s not too late. He may be rejecting now, but soil has been ploughed, and seeds sown. While he has breath, there is still hope.
I had some other good opportunities during this outreach (although it was slow). The one that sticks in my mind the most was with 2 young teens. 1 was interested, the other was not. They came to hear the gospel, and I was able to run through a few checks before the one who was not interested managed to pull her friend away.
In contrast, Sunday’s outreach was very busy. Really nice weather and lots of people out and about. There were various groups out. There was an animal rights group and some JW’s.
When Thomas and I turned up, Andy was already in a chat (pictured). It went long. Andy said it was a really good one and reckons he’ll be in touch with the guy again.
I hadn’t even finished setting up my flip chart, when 3 young guys were there interacting. Apparently I had talked to 2 of them before - but I don’t remember them. They wanted me to share the gospel with their friend. But I wanted to recheck where they were at. All 3 of them were in different places. And I couldn’t get a flow rolling with any of them. It was a bit’s and pieces chat. My checks revealed that they weren’t 100% clear on the gospel. Yet, there is much interest in them. I was able to invite them to church, which is now running a foundations Bible study (for new believers, or those investigating).
I had lots of interest in the flip chart for the rest of the afternoon. One chat would roll into another. I had a particularly great chat with a young Catholic guy.
Later, Thomas was with the flip chart, while I was freestyling. 3 young teens went past. 1 believed in heaven, one didn’t believe in God at all. I was able to show him how we know God exists, which he conceded to. And so I addressed all 3 of them on how you can get to heaven. 1 of them surprised me by giving me a really good answer: “believe that Jesus died on the cross for your sins”. I asked him what church he went to: he didn’t. So? Where did you learn that? His answer: TikTok! I was shocked. So, I moved into checks. He wasn’t 100% clear in his understanding of the gospel, and so I was able to labour with all 3 on this, with the time they gave me. They all accepted tracts and thanked me. I pointed them, not to TikTok, but to the Bible. Specifically, John’s gospel. That kid gratefully accepted a copy, and said he would read it.
Thank you for continuing to uphold this ministry in prayer!
We will be in Wellington in 2 weeks, for a week of outreach. We will be running some training on Saturday morning, 7th September. For more details, and to register, go here.
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