At that time two things particularly troubled me. The first was my seeming inability to reach folks with the gospel in the normal, long established activities. Often it seemed my preaching was predominantly to saints and empty seats yet we lived in a country which allowed the free and public preaching of the gospel in the open streets. Secondly was the frustration that even when opportunity arose it seemed as though the people who were hearing were failing to properly comprehend the message. Coupled with this was a study of the life of the Lord Jesus and His ways of reaching and touching the population around Him and a growing craving to be like Him in every way especially in the way I reached souls with the gospel. By God’s grace He brought me in contact with a brother who laboured late at night amongst the homeless population of one of our nation’s largest cities. That single late night on the streets changed my life. It was a most wonderful experience to see the radiance of Christ displayed in the evidence of good works as a precursor to pouring the good news of the gospel into weary and yet receptive ears and hearts. From then till now the Lord by His grace has patiently borne with us as we seek in a very stumbling way to bring the gospel to the homeless, addiction ridden, strand of society here in our part of the world.
Beginning with late night trawling though the streets with flasks and tracts the Lord graciously gave us many contacts that began to trust us enough to talk about their situation and listen with respect to the gospel. From this we developed a “Soup Kitchen” work which means that we reach lots more people in a much more efficient way. On a Sunday evening immediately after gospel meeting I am privileged to have the fellowship of a few local Christians as we take up our pitch in the street in a car park in the centre of the city. We base our “open air kitchen” around a small “Good News Van” which the Lord has recently provided for us. During our time we are able to feed between 40 and 80 people every night with a warm main meal, some dessert and tea and coffee. From the van we are able to provide some basic necessities of life by way of sleeping bags and blankets, toiletries and some basic clothing to relieve immediate hardship. Over the years these things buy us wonderful opportunities to not only show the love of Christ in action but share the gospel in word and by way of suitable literature. The most important factor that we need to keep in mind is “FOCUS”. It is so easy when dealing with these people to become so engrossed in the depths of their misery because of addiction and the accompanying social, financial mental and various other problems that we loose sight of the real reason why we are there. We are there PRIMARILY to share the gospel and use the material help only to open the door and the hearts to receive the word of the Lord. So we employ a variety of means to keep the gospel in the forefront of the work even if we are not able to engage in personal conversation with each one. The van we use is covered with the message and texts, we have a book table to provide good testimony books that are easy to read and free to take, stands hanging on the doors which contains suitable tracts, gospel CD’s and DVD’s and invitations to the meetings. Each one of these aspects of the work allows us innumerable easy opportunities to engage in conversation and bring the gospel to my friends with urgency and compassion. We strive constantly in prayer and in our heart to keep from being distracted into the material aspects of the work and remember constantly that many of our contacts could easily lose their life through addiction or violence at any time. Through this work the Lord opened the door for me to make a weekly visit to the local prison for Bible Class and visitation in the cells. This has continued for twelve years and provides a very privileged and personal access to many contacts when they are more receptive to the gospel. More recently through this work the Lord has allowed me unparalleled access to local bail hostels and in the last few weeks we have been able to begin regular bible study with the men there.
The work at times is hard but over the years the Lord has encouraged us greatly. Likewise there is a growing awareness of the importance of this type of work all over the country and many believers whom we know do this and similar work without ever being heard of or written about. Please pray for all who are launching out into the deep with the gospel in this way.
For I was an hungered, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.
(Matthew 25:35-36)
Reports
The Culloden Assembly held a weekend of special meetings in November on the subject of the Bible, taking advantage of the 400th anniversary of the King James Version. Tom Wilson was the speaker, and the assembly was encouraged to see excellent attendance at all the meetings and several unconverted present over the weekend. The subject was of interest to believers from other places, and a number spoke of being blessed. We continue to pray that the Lord will use the Word presented to awaken and save
Meeting at Christmastime.
Nitish Patel reports; After seeing a few Hindu men saved, we were praying that the Lord would save some ladies too. The Lord answered that prayer and sent a Hindu lady to us in October. Her name is Bena and she told us that she started reading the Bible in 2006 after glancing over to see a Bible someone was reading on the bus next to her. She bought a Bible for herself and had been looking for a Bible study. The Lord led her to Wembley Gospel Hall and she has been regularly attending our Monday meeting. She was in tears when she told us of the joy she had within, at finding a place where she can have her questions answered. She told us that she had stopped worshipping idols after she read the book of Judges and saw it was wrong. She is very close to the kingdom of God and we value prayer that she will be saved soon. Recently a young Gujarati lady named Anu joined the Bible class. She is from India and seeking the Lord. We pray that she will continue to attend and find salvation in our Lord Jesus Christ.
Jim McMaster reports that they have seen a steady stream of people from the soup kitchen work, come into the gospel hall to hear the gospel preached. Several are showing a deepening concern for their soul and one man who is blinded by modern philosophy has been earnestly seeking the truth. 2011 has seen 10 of those who regularly attended, losing their lives as a result of addiction or violence on the street! The Good News van continues to be the focus of the work and is recognized all over the city. The Jail work goes on with visitation to the cells on the wings and the Bible Class continues to give encouragement. An urgent need for prayer would be the appointment of a new chaplain. Please pray that he will be sympathetic to the gospel and that this needy work will not be hindered.
Here is a recent summary from Wesley Downs year end report.
Graeme Patterson was with the assembly here for a week’s children’s meetings in the hall. The number of children present was in the mid 20’s each evening with a couple of parents also coming in. Also during the week Graeme went into local schools to take assemblies and spoke to just under 1000 children, each receiving a gospel calendar. It was good to see the continued interest of the children in attending the meetings and of the schools to give access for assemblies.
The assembly put on a Bible Exhibition in October. It was advertised to commemorate 400 years of the KJV Bible. Around 50 adults and 300 school children came. Stephen Baker was with the assembly all week, and stayed for a second week during which children's meetings were held with up to 30 children coming daily, including some new ones.
The assembly at Auchinleck was greatly encouraged during nine weeks of gospel meetings with Ian Robertson. Many local people attended the meetings and some professed salvation. They also had the joy of four people being baptized on the last Friday of the year when good numbers from the district also attended the meeting.
Gospel Meetings in Buckie (October/November) with Joe Baxter and Martin Hunter.
Two weeks of gospel meetings in Clifton Gospel Hall, South Norwood saw good numbers of folk brought under the sound of the gospel. Night by night Jonathan Black faithfully preached the message of salvation.
Two weeks of tent meetings in Bicester during August with Terry Topley and Dan Gillies saw a good interest from the locality. Over 70 adults and children filled the tent on the last evening of the first week, and numerous new contacts have been integrated into the regular weekly meetings since then. In Wallingford during October a week of the Bible Exhibition was followed by a week of children’s meetings with Stephen Baker.
J Rogers concluded gospel meetings on 8 September. Local believers covered a large area around the hall prior to the commencement of the meetings with approximately 4500 homes being visited. Some came and heard the Gospel. Opportunity arose which enabled the privilege of presenting the gospel in many homes. Quite a few new contacts were made which the local saints will follow up with a view to having them attend their weekly gospel meeting. God was pleased to bless in salvation. Neighbouring assemblies gave great support which was very much appreciated.
Reports and forthcoming meetings in N.I. as at the beginning of October.
David Morgan has had a number of gospel tent campaigns over the summer. Although the numbers have been small the gospel has been faithfully preached. At Aberystwith about 12 souls came in but no real interest was seen which was disappointing for the little assembly. Although few in number they have a great interest in the district which they regularly visit with tracts and they have a great desire to maintain the principles of gathering. David found it a real joy to be among them to encourage their faithfulness. Four days were spent as well standing outside the Royal Welsh Show at Builth Wells. In previous years as many as 40,000 people passed by but with coach transportation from the car park into the show, this is now reduced to around 7,000. However the majority of people were still able to hear the gospel over the amplifier as they returned to their cars in the evenings.
Gospel work in Wembley.
Reaching children with the word of God in Aberdeen and Inverurie.
Gordon McCracken has been busy with various holiday clubs for children, in his own assembly at Maryhill, Glasgow then at Grangemouth and Whitburn. Good numbers of children once again heard the gospel message presented. Gordon for some time now has been putting together a mobile Bible Exhibition and was recently in the goodness of God, able to purchase a 7.5t box van for the purpose of transporting and storing the exhibition. Prayer would be valued regarding a suitable place to park the vehicle within reasonable proximity of Glasgow.
Following their annual conference at the end of September, the assembly at St Monans had a week of gospel meetings with Blair Martin as the preacher.
Elim Hall The assembly held their annual holiday club for the children at the end of July. Gordon McCracken was again responsible and large numbers of children attended. A great interest was shown by the children and a number of parents came along for the prize giving on the Friday evening.
Letter from Ian Rees requesting prayer and support for this event D.V.