Copyright © 2011 The Open-Air Mission
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)
CROWD TROUBLE
When we go out into the open-air there are many things to be encouraged about. We still enjoy freedom in this country to do the work of public evangelism. We are sharing the greatest message in the world of a crucified, but risen and exalted Saviour. We also have the great assurance that God is with us. He has promised to be with His people when they go in His name to tell others about the way of salvation. How glad we are that we can claim that promise.
In Lincoln recently a lady who claimed to have been an evangelical in the past but has since renounced it, came and laid into me. I suggested to her that she probably never really knew the Lord as her Saviour. This was like a red rag to a bull! She started to be aggressive and to my amazement a very large crowd gathered to listen. There must have been around 50, mainly young people. One young man gave me a right tirade of abuse just as this lady had. As it continued I have to say I was shaking a bit. The atmosphere seemed very volatile. I was then conscious that the Lord was sustaining me. I prayed and asked the Lord for wisdom.
The police then turned up at the back of the meeting and just kept an eye on what was happening. I felt prompted to try and move things on positively, so I announced to the crowd saying, ‘I’d like to share with you what the Lord Jesus has done for me’. And with that I proceeded to share my story of how the Lord saved me.
To my joy and amazement, there was a hush. It was as if the Lord had stepped in. The crowd just stood listening without any further interruption. As I concluded, I offered John’s gospels and 5 people stepped forward and received them. The entire crowd had heard the gospel, as had the police, including a lady CID officer in plain clothes, who went over and spoke with Carol, the lady who had started things off. She was warned about her aggressive attitude and told that I had every right to be there. This was very encouraging to hear. Carol came back as I was packing up later and was much calmer. I told Carol I would pray for her.