Jesus did it. The apostle Paul did it. Stephen did it. Peter did it. Wesley did it. Whitefield did it. Spurgeon did it. Many great preachers of the gospel of today do it. Did what? Open Air preach, that’s what! It has been one of our great joys at MGKM to learn how and then to be involved in preaching the gospel out doors where many unchurched hang out. After all, Jesus did say to GO out where the people are. One highly respected evangelist makes the point in one good open-air preaching session, more lost people can be reached with the gospel than many pastors reach in a year.
Last Saturday, we had the joy of open-air preaching in Baltimore’s Inner Harbor. God graciously brought a small crowd to us, who attentively listened to the entire gospel. One of our team, Bethany Naus, observed the following:
The first time I got to see an open-air preaching session, there was one response that especially stood out to me. After Mr. Peeler was done the open-air, I went up to a woman and asked what she thought about what was said. She said that she had recommitted her life to the Lord the day before. She said she came to the Inner Harbor that day, praying that God would help her return to following Him. She said she had spent the day there, crying her eyes out, pleading with God to speak to her and to bring her some encouragement or confirmation that he was with her and still loved her. And as she was listening to the message, she was encouraged. God spoke to her through the preaching and gave her the confirmation she needed. Thank you Lord!
Bethany’s “chance enounter” with this dear woman displays the importance of us boldy proclaiming the gospel in the market place, whether it is preaching to a group or one-to-one witnessing.
May Jesus Christ grant all of us boldness to go forth and joyfully proclaim the law, judgment, repentance, and the glorious gospel that He has come into this world to rescue sinners!