Invitation for Street Evangelism

A number of years ago, a story came out of England about a woman who was walking next to a river with her young daughter. The child got too close to the edge and slid into the water. The mother who could not swim watched in dread as her daughter drowned right before her very eyes. During the subsequent investigation, it was found that the water was only two feet deep. We are like that woman! The fear of man keeps us from wading into the will of God. The waters are not treacherous! God has encouraged us to plunge in.

II Corinthians 5:18-21 states

All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men's sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God. God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

With some fear, but taking to heart the message of reconciliation, Emissary has taken to the streets of Columbus. During a recent outing, we started at the topiary gardens behind the Columbus Metropolitan Library, moved to the area around Franklin University and concluded our time in the Bottoms. We encountered blue collar, white collar, black power, rainbow power and a myriad of other people groups.

While at the Donatos Pizza next to Franklin University, Rob talked to an extremely handsome, British man. He listened to Rob until he came to the issue of lust. When Rob asked, “Have you ever lusted in your heart after someone of the opposite sex?” the gentlemen replied that he looked at the “other tree.” Predictably, he did not believe that his lifestyle was sinful. He was merely pursuing his natural instincts. Rob addressed the nature of sin and encouraged the man to consider the sacrifice of Christ. We parted amicably, and upon watching the man leave, we noted the advertisement on the side of his truck; English Elegaynce Landscaping, German Village.

It is a great tragedy if someone misses an eternity with Christ because we never witnessed. But the tragedy grows far deeper for you if you do not witness. Philemon 6 states this, “I pray that you may be active in sharing your faith, so that you will have a full understanding of every good thing we have in Christ.” Do you know that if you are not sharing your faith, you are missing a “full understanding of every good thing we have in Christ?” This knowledge cannot be found in the next life since we cannot witness in heaven.

Here are a few opportunities to reach a fuller understanding of God through evangelism:

Short North, August 11, 2006 from 9:00 pm to 12:00 pm

The Bottoms, August 19, 2006 (Time TBA)

If you are interested in either opportunity, please contact me via emissary@wowway.com for additional details.