Evangelism at a "Bloomin' Festival"

Today was the annual "Bloomin' Festival" in Metter, GA.

Thousands of people from all over Georgia (and elsewhere) converged on our small country town to walk the streets, look at crafts, and see the other sights. In the middle of that crowd was myself and 6 people from our Way of The Master Basic Training Course. We passed out hundreds of tracts and talked with dozens of people.

Though I have been the leader of the training course -and have been trying act like the Metter First Baptist evangelism guru- I think was probably just as scared as anyone of my "students" who went out there today. Even Ray Comfort -a real witnessing guru- said he has to fight back fear every time he hits the streets to witness or open air preach. He said he goes out dragging his feet and returns kicking up his heels. That has always been my experience too!

The reaction was mixed. Some people refused our tracts, while others took them with a smile. A few people wanted to talk, but many didn't... We didn't get any "decisions for Christ" on the street today, but we did sew LOTS of seed. And that is what's important --in light of the fact we can only "sew" and "water", but it is God who gives the increase anyway!

One thing I found quite interesting is how the people who "looked the meanest," -or looked the most likely to beat me up-- were more receptive to the message than the old men sitting on the park benches who looked like they wouldn't harm a fly! I was really surprised at how hard hearted some of the older people were, while the younger folks would listen and not put up an argument at all!

Even in our rural Georgia town I was able to witness to a young lady who was born in Africa and said she was a Hindu! She seemed to be moved (almost to tears) by the fact that she had offended a thrice Holy God and that Jesus Christ was the only hope of escaping eternal damnation.

Things got easier once we got out and got into it for a while. Time passed quickly and by the end of the "fishing trip" I was actually looking for people who looked like they would beat me up!

All in all it was a great day! Please pray that God will do a mighty work in the hearts of the people we witnessed to today.

In closing, I want to leave you with some encouragement from Charles Spurgeon:

"Save some, O Christians! By all means, save some. From yonder flames and outer darkness, and weeping, wailing, and gnashing of teeth, seek to save some! Let this, as in the case of the apostle, be your great, ruling object in life, that by all means you might save some!"