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 assembly in Tayport had the Bible Exhibition in their recently extended and refurbished hall at the beginning of September and it proved to be a very profitable week.
The small assembly in Stornoway on the island of Lewis must be one of the most isolated in the UK, and does not get many visitors.
4 weeks of Tent meetings on a School playing field in Bicester with Frank Sona and Marvin Derksen in August saw over 70 unsaved in attendance and one young girl professing to be saved.The children's meetings in the mornings of the first week, conducted by local brethren, saw new contacts being made.
Alan Barber writes about the Tall Ships opportunity in Hartllepool
The small assembly in Stromness again used the occasion of the annual July “shopping week” to reach out with the gospel.
Outreach and Encouragement
Here are a number of reports for Co. Antrim and also notice of some forthcoming meetings D.V.
Belmont Hall, Harrow, held its 21st Annual Holiday Bible Club for 3 hours every afternoon from 26th-30th July. The theme for the week was the “I am” sayings of Christ. About 45 attended each day. The assembly was very encouraged that over half of the children were new contacts, with some very keen to join the Sunday School and mid-week children’s meeting when they resume in September.
The assembly at Chappell Street invited Stephen Grant to conduct a series of gospel meetings in June. There was good support from other assemblies in Renfrewshire.The assembly was encouraged by the attendance of some from the town who must have been challenged by the powerful messages delivered each night. The gospel was also brought before the town in the many invitations distributed before and during the meetings. We pray that we shall yet see fruit from the seed sown.
Tent meetings began in late July. Good response in the morning children's meetings and help to preach in the evenings for Frank Sona and Marvin Derksen (Canada).
Nitish and Elen Patel write in their newsletter;
Gospel meetings with Roland Pickering.
Alan Barber reports from Hartlepool.
Various Reports from NI at end June
Various meetings to be held D.V. for your prayerful interest and support.
J Rogers was with this small assembly for the four weeks of June. 10,000 invitations were distributed. Good numbers attended, some local, others from neighbouring assemblies. M Radcliffe helped for the first 2 weeks and W Fenton for the last 2 weeks. There was help to preach and the Christians were encouraged. Prayer appreciated for this needy area.