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Open-Air Mission
‘Holding fast the faithful word...’
(Titus 1:9)
(Titus 1:9)
Registered as a Charity: No. 215409
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‘Holding forth the word of life...’
(Philippians 2:16)
(Philippians 2:16)
Edwin Baker
& Sandy
Edwin has now retired from
full-time service with the Mission, yet he continues as an Associate
Click here to read Edwin’s Testimony
Half a Century of Open-Work
What a privilege it has been to proclaim the gospel to so many people over these last 50 years. There have often been those who have said that such a form of evangelism as this is not appropriate for our times. My answer is that there has never been such a time when it is more appropriate. The vast majority of people do not go to church and have little or no knowledge of what the Christian message is all about. We must get out to where the people are and it was this conviction that first led me to proclaim the gospel during my lunch break in the centre of Nottingham for some 16 years, during which time I had the joy of seeing a number of people trust the Lord.
During this time I spent my holidays with the United Beach Missions where I came to appreciate the opportunity on the beach with the families during the day and open-air meetings on the promenade in the evenings. Once again I had the huge encouragement of seeing folk come to faith in Christ, cementing the growing conviction that more must be done to reach out to the people of our land.
It was in the late 70’s, having already been involved with Young Life in an honorary capacity for a number of years, that I joined up with them as one of their Evangelists. Three years later I approached The Open-Air Mission and shared with them the particular burden I felt for open-air work. For almost the last 30 years of being with OAM, I have endeavoured to take every opportunity to share the gospel with the people where they are, as well as being involved in training and encouraging others in this vital ministry.
There are many stories I could tell of those who, as a result of listening to the openair witness have come to faith in Christ. Each one is a miracle of His saving grace. The promise of God’s Word has come true over and over, “Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God” (Romans 10:17). Who knows how many more miracles are yet to happen up and down our land. If only more of God’s people would be willing to take this glorious gospel to where the people are. It is, after all, the greatest news that could ever fall on human ears.
Although I have now retired from the Mission having reached my 70th birthday, I still intend to keep preaching out of doors on a very regular basis for as long as the Lord gives me the strength to do so. How can we not be busy proclaiming this wonderful message, of One who came into the world to save sinners.
During this time I spent my holidays with the United Beach Missions where I came to appreciate the opportunity on the beach with the families during the day and open-air meetings on the promenade in the evenings. Once again I had the huge encouragement of seeing folk come to faith in Christ, cementing the growing conviction that more must be done to reach out to the people of our land.
It was in the late 70’s, having already been involved with Young Life in an honorary capacity for a number of years, that I joined up with them as one of their Evangelists. Three years later I approached The Open-Air Mission and shared with them the particular burden I felt for open-air work. For almost the last 30 years of being with OAM, I have endeavoured to take every opportunity to share the gospel with the people where they are, as well as being involved in training and encouraging others in this vital ministry.
There are many stories I could tell of those who, as a result of listening to the openair witness have come to faith in Christ. Each one is a miracle of His saving grace. The promise of God’s Word has come true over and over, “Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God” (Romans 10:17). Who knows how many more miracles are yet to happen up and down our land. If only more of God’s people would be willing to take this glorious gospel to where the people are. It is, after all, the greatest news that could ever fall on human ears.
Although I have now retired from the Mission having reached my 70th birthday, I still intend to keep preaching out of doors on a very regular basis for as long as the Lord gives me the strength to do so. How can we not be busy proclaiming this wonderful message, of One who came into the world to save sinners.