‘I’m really excited by such openness and receptivity which I haven’t witnessed in over 25 years of evangelism.’
Those are the words of Duncan Hunter, Area Field Officer for the North, who works with the evangelistic organisation Outreach UK.
He was speaking in particular about what he says are ‘tremendous encouragements’ that churches are finding through the use of book tables in local high streets.
‘The number of people visiting tables to request literature and wanting to talk about spiritual things has increased dramatically,’ he said.
Duncan describes one man recently who came to the table and requested a Bible. When asked what his interest was, he replied that he had just got out of hospital after being seriously ill and used to attend church years ago but realised, if he died, that he wasn’t right with God. Many others ask questions and request Bibles or books who have absolutely no idea of the Christian faith. ‘Some people spoken to at the table,’ continues Duncan, ‘have come into church services on a Sunday or have joined a Zoom Christianity Explored course.’
Trevor Dickerson, National Director of the organisation, says: ‘The vision of Outreach UK is not simply to “do the work” but to excite, encourage and equip Christians (at the invitation of the church leadership) to share their faith personally in any setting, not merely “on the doors”. For most people, lack of confidence is the main reason for their reluctance. Outreach UK seeks to tackle that issue above all else, so that “the joy of the Lord” will be the motivating factor to convey this great message to a desperately needy generation – not whilst it is easy, but faithfully and passionately “in season and out of season”.
‘How wonderful it would be if there was a nationwide return to the accent on one-to-one evangelism as in bygone days, where “gossiping the gospel” was seen as every person’s responsibility!’
