While in Ukraine, we had the opportunity to do street evangelism. One Sunday afternoon, we took to the streets to share the gospel and pray for people. Although this is something I’ve done in the States, it’s still out of my comfort zone. However, every time I’ve done it, it’s proved fruitful and confirmed the importance of this type of ministry… And, this time was no different…
As we walked down the streets, we prayed that God would show us who needed to hear from Him or feel His touch. We each took turns sharing through our translator.
When it was my turn, I shared with an elderly woman. After asking, she said she already knew Christ and went to church, but was grateful that we asked. So, the conversation was short and we moved along.
Once we got to the end of the street, we turned around. We ended up walking past this same woman on the way back. After passing her, I began to sense that we should ask her if we could pray for her. I ignored this little voice for nearly a block… Then I brought it up to my team…
So, we walked back and asked her what we could pray for her. She said she had both back and leg paint that hurt often. So, we prayed. As soon as we lifted our heads from prayer, we noticed an elderly man on the outside of our circle. He began talking with our translator and saying that he would like some prayer and that he was hungry.
We had some money, so we went to a little convenience store and he chose some food. Afterwards, we prayed for him and his health. Apparently, he had recently been released from prison and although he knew the scriptures, he had had negative experiences with the Church and various denominations.
Our translator talked with him for quite a while about faith and Christ. After he finished the conversation, our translator told me, “I believe it was God’s purpose for me to meet that man…” He then explained that he invited the man to come to his house for a shower, a hot meal and to chat further. They exchanged contact information and the man said he might come.
This experience taught me several things….
First – listen to that “still small voice” – if I hadn’t of listened, would we have run across that old man otherwise? Would he have ever found us? Would he have been fed? Would he have gone hungry?
Second – there is a need and place for street evangelism and prayer – if we hadn’t of been on the street, who would have prayed for these people? Who would have fed them? Who would have reached out to show that someone cares? Most people walk by them… And whether or not it’s their own fault for being on the street, they have needs… they need love… If we hadn’t of been there, who would have given them this love and care?
Third – those who know their need will flock to those who are available and willing to meet that need – We did not need to seek out the man needing a meal… He found us… He knew his need and saw us as people who would be able to help him.
And so, while I know that street evangelism is controversial at home, there is a need for it… Because it is more than simply “preaching the gospel” to people… it’s meeting people in their everyday life, meeting a practical need, and ultimately meeting their spiritual need… to begin by meeting a physical need… feeding someone… clothing someone… trading contact information to connect someone with a potential employer or social resource…
As my favorite pastor (Greg Laurie) has said, “God never said for the whole world to go to church, but He did say for the church to go to the whole world.” And so by being on the streets, engaging people in conversation, offering to pray for people, offering to buy a meal for people, we are being Jesus to the world. And there is a NEED… There are people who wander the streets, aimless, hopeless, careless, lonely, forgotten… in need…
It is my prayer to incorporate this activity in to my daily life at home… To take time to walk the streets, to engage with people and offer a prayer or a sandwich or a place to shower…
We may never know the full impact of such an innocent, simple act of kindness, but in the dark moments, it’s value is beyond any amount of money that could be handed out!
