Principles for Street Evangelism
By Dr. Ken
Matto
And the lord
said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to
come in, that my house may be filled.
(Luke 14:23)
One of the most
challenging ministries in evangelism is street evangelism.
This is where the people live, work, shop, and just hang out.
Understand right from the outset that street evangelism is
confrontational. The pastor of your
church hides behind the pulpit. The
media minister hides behind the microphone and/or TV camera.
Many hide behind YouTube Videos and other types of media which creates a
buffer between them and the people.
When I was a young Christian I watched D. James Kennedy who was Pastor of the
Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church (PCA) in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
He went home to be with the Lord on September 5, 2007.
I had discovered that he would go out to the streets and do street
evangelism with the members of the congregation.
As far as I know, he was the only media minister that left the protection
of the pulpit and actually went to the streets and meet with people right where
they are and evangelize.
I had done
street evangelism in my home town of Perth Amboy, New Jersey.
I also did soap box preaching in Times Square in New York City, Flea
Markets, Church Bazaars and I want to share some principles of street evangelism
to help encourage you and to help you avoid pitfalls to make your evangelism
encounters more productive and safer.
Know your Bible
It is
imperative that you know your Bible when you hit the streets because people will
have questions and especially the cults who will know their material in and out
will challenge your beliefs. Now
there will be times when you do not know an answer and be honest about it.
You should have a good working knowledge of the Bible so you can show
people the Scriptures which they are questioning.
For example, a person comes up to you and says that nowhere in the Bible
does Jesus claim to be God. How
would you answer? Here is how I
answer that objection.
First I would
take them to 1 Corinthians 2:13:
Which things also we speak, not in the
words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing
spiritual things with spiritual. (1
Corinthians 2:13) I would tell
them that you must compare Scripture with Scripture which is the way God tells
us to understand his word.
Then I would
take them to Exodus 3:14: And God said
unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children
of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you.
(Exodus 3:14) I would
tell them specifically that God revealed himself to Moses as “I Am.”
Then I would
take them to John 8:58: Jesus said unto
them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.
(John 8:58) John 8:58
confirms the teaching that the God of Sinai was the Lord Jesus Christ himself
since both are called “I AM.” So
there is the biblical proof that Christ called himself God!
Now if they don’t believe it, that is not your fault, you gave them the
truth and your job was done.
Talk to yourself
Hold a
conversation with yourself. What I
mean by this is one way to learn your Bible in a strategic way is to ask
yourself questions on specific subjects and then if you are unable to answer
them, you can research the answer before you hit the streets.
Give your answer out loud so you can hear the answer for yourself and if
it would be clear enough as a response to whatever question you are asking
yourself. I do this all the time
when I write articles and studies to see how a person would receive the writing
and how they would interpret what I am writing.
It is a very effective method to pre-answer questions you may encounter
on the street. Here are some questions and comments you may receive
because there is nothing new under the sun.
As you begin to answer these questions you will start to be very
proficient in answering the objections quickly as you will receive them.
1. Jesus never claimed to be God (We answered that one
above)
2. Muslims and Christians worship the same God, right?
3. What about the Jews, are they saved?
4. Why are all religions wrong and only Christianity is
right?
Bring a Bible which if destroyed, will
not contain all your notes and studies.
There are very
angry and violent people on the streets so make sure that you have a Bible that
you can lose if it is stolen or destroyed.
The Bible you use for personal study should not be taken to the streets
unless you have no notes in them. I
would suggest a wide margin Bible for the street so you can mark it up with
leading Scripture references. For
example, we just proved that Jesus was God according to the Scriptures.
If you started at 1 Corinthians 2:13, you could mark next to it Exodus
3:14 and then next to that verse John 8:58 and that fulfills the linking of the
verses. You can use a small
notebook and in it do the same thing.
Place it in alphabetical order and under “J” you would have “Jesus is
God>>1 Cor. 2:13>>Ex. 3:14>>John 8:58.
Using a notebook you do not have to buy the most expensive Bible and this
way your notes are separate and if your Bible gets destroyed, then your notes
will still be intact.
Get them unsaved before they can be
saved
It sounds crazy
because the people who you will be ministering to are mainly unbelievers.
So how do you get them unsaved?
You confront them with their overlooked sins because they will claim to
be good since they never robbed a bank or killed anyone but they neglect the
seriousness of small sin. For
example you can confront them with questions like this: Have you ever lied?
Have you ever taken anything that is not yours without permission such as
a pen or a paper clip? Have you
ever looked lustfully upon another person?
Have you ever taken the name of the Lord in vain, either as a swear word
or in a joke? Have you ever accused
someone falsely? So then you give
them the appropriate Scriptures showing them that they have violated the law of
God and what would they do if they stood before God today?
In James 2:10 it states if we have broken only one of God’s laws, we are
guilty before God and deserve hell.
Then you bring in the saving nature of the gospel and they will see they need a
Savior because in reality they are not good as the Scriptures teach in Romans
3:12.
Expect to be mocked and vilified
People today
have an elevated hatred for God and since you are out on the street proclaiming
the gospel, you can expect to be mocked and vilified by many people especially
young people since most of them have no morals because their parents never
taught them properly. Do not be
surprised when this happens and you must not retaliate or else your testimony is
compromised.
If the world hate you, ye know that it
hated me before it hated you. (John
15:18) It may not always happen
but be prepared if it does. If you
have a problem with anger, this is not the ministry for you!
Permits are not needed
Article 1 in
the Bill of Rights is not limited to newspapers, radio, TV but grants street
preachers the right to exercise freedom of religion and the press.
If you use a personal PA system, you may need a permit to avoid a
citation for excessive noise given by some anti-Christian police officer.
Many cities and communities have excessive noise laws which they enforce
especially against Christians.
Please go to this article on my site entitled “Passing Tracts is legal.”
https://www.scionofzion.com/passtracts.htm
It is a shame but there are many in law enforcement who have never read
the Constitution of either their state or the U.S. Constitution.
Have a copy with you. They
are paid to protect you and not to create new laws on site.
Avoid arguments
People tend to
be argumentative and they will do what they can to provoke you into an argument.
Once you start an argument or if the provoking person starts it, it could
escalate into a very bad situation which could lead to your arrest, or your
removal from the place of ministry and it may make it harder for those in the
future to do ministry.
Avoid debates because they are time
consuming
Debates are
also something you need to avoid because you may be challenged to a street
debate and that will take time away from ministry.
If they want to debate and you are strong enough in the Scriptures to
debate, then tell that person you will be glad to debate them and then give them
a place and time. 99% of the time
they will not agree to that because they are just trying to gain an audience on
the street so they can discredit you.
What you have done is disarmed them and you have shown their true colors
that they were really not interested in a debate.
If you are easily angered avoid this
type of ministry
As I stated
above, if you have a problem with anger then this ministry is definitely not for
you. If you get into a heated
argument with someone and fists start flying, what do you think the headlines
will read the next day? “STREET
PREACHER STARTS FIGHT WITH THOSE THAT DISAGREE WITH HIM.”
That paints Christianity in a bad light and makes the person who provoked
the fight into an angel. Then that
would probably end street ministry in that area.
Listen to those who oppose you so you
know what they are believing
There are many
beliefs out there and it behooves you to listen to those who are in opposition
to what you are teaching. By
listening to them, you will be better prepared on how to answer those specific
objections. If one person has
certain beliefs, then it is normal for others to have the same beliefs but you
will be prepared to answer them.
Listening is an important part of street ministry.
Don’t wait impatiently for the other person to finish what they are
saying so you can speak but listen intently so it will strengthen your defense
of the faith.
But the other of love, knowing that I am
set for the defence of the gospel.
(Philippians 1:17) What you are
doing is defending the true gospel and your answer will be much more intelligent
and surgical if you challenge specific beliefs which are given you.
Use convicting materials
Bring
convicting tracts and materials and avoid the cutesy poem type tracts like:
Roses are red
Violets are
blue
I have
salvation
How about you?
Hand out tracts
that go directly to the core beliefs of false religions such as Roman
Catholicism, Islam, Judaism, Jehovah’s Witnesses, Homosexuality, Same Sex
unions, Witchcraft, New Age, Apostate Protestantism, Evolution, etc.
You only have one time to reach them where they believe.
Giving out information which challenges their belief system is vital.
If a person goes into the hospital for an operation on their left hand
but the surgeon decides to avoid and divert to the right hand, how has that
accomplished anything? What you
must do is a surgical strike because you have one chance to do it.
Give them a
place on the tract or booklet for further information which could be a personal
website or blog. If you cannot find
materials on these subjects, you can write your own and then have them
photo-copied at Staples or some other place.
If you ask someone what religion they are then you will have the material
available to further your street ministry.
Don’t be a missionary for your church
but be one for Christ
One of the
biggest mistakes that some street preachers make is they accidentally or
intentionally tailor their preaching to make their church the focus of the
message. If you have a good church
that has not compromised, then it is fine to invite people but you are out there
to bring the message of salvation not the message of a church.
You are representing Christ, not a local church.
The fruit of the righteous is a
tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise.
(Proverbs 11:30) Our
purpose on the street is to win souls for Christ, not build the size of a local
church.
People will ask questions, silly, real,
in-depth
People will ask
questions, there will be some who will ask legitimate questions based upon what
they have been taught by their religion.
They may seem confused but have patience with them and try to discern
what they are really asking. There
are also those who will ask silly questions and when they do, just avoid them by
turning away from them and continue to minister.
Christianity is not a religion
Many people on
the street will refer to what you are doing as religion.
God hates religion and the people should know that because religion
attempts to reach God by bypassing the cross and using works.
Jesus saith unto him, I am the
way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
(John 14:6) They should
be told that Christianity is not a world religion but true Christianity is
outside religion. Christ is the
only way and that means every world religion is false and will only lead to
hell. People must come through the
cross and not around it.
Never force a “Decision”
Many churches
and media ministries are interested in numbers.
Do not get enmeshed in that “religious competition.”
It is not how many people come to know Christ under your street ministry
which is the focus but being faithful in spreading the message of Christ.
Always keep in mind that you do not save anyone, God is the one who
saves, your responsibility is to be faithful.
Moreover it is required in
stewards, that a man be found faithful.
(1 Corinthians 4:2)
Forcing a decision from a person if they are not truly convicted deceives them
into thinking they are saved when in essence they are not.
There is no such thing as a “decision” in Scripture.
All that the Father giveth me
shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.
(John 6:37) The Father
is the one who chooses who becomes saved and if a person is truly under
conviction, they will know it and it may be at a later time or they may become
saved at that very moment.
So then faith cometh by hearing, and
hearing by the word of God. (Romans
10:17) If you are preaching the
Word of God, then instant conviction is possible.
I know three people personally who became instantly saved when they heard
the gospel. I heard the true gospel
when I was 12 years old and did not get saved till I was 27.
So it is a matter of God’s timing and not ours.
Just be faithful in handing out the word of God.
You also may want to keep a few Bibles on hand in case a person does
become saved and you can give them a Bible plus appropriate information.
Use a King James Bible
If you use a
modern version like an NIV or ESV, you will have a very difficult time
witnessing to a Jehovah’s Witness or a Roman Catholic since the modern versions
are one and the same with the versions of these two false religions.
The King James Bible is the word of God and does not pander to the
individual belief systems of false religions.
Let me give an example:
Matthew 12:4
(ESV)
how he entered the house of God
and ate the
bread of the Presence, which it was not lawful for him to eat nor for
those who were with him, but only for the priests?
(KJB) How he
entered into the house of God, and did eat the shewbread, which was not
lawful for him to eat, neither for them which were with him, but only for the
priests?
In the ESV the
term “Bread of the Presence” is another wording of the Roman Catholic belief of
Transubstantiation which teaches that the priest has the authority to bring
Christ out of Heaven and once again place him in a corporeal body.
Many Christians were murdered by the Roman Catholic Church for rejecting
that false teaching. Why would any
Christian want to use a false Roman Catholic counterfeit version of the Bible?
One more example to show the unity between the New World translation of
the Jehovah’s Witnesses, the NIV and the ESV.
Luke 4:4
(KJB) And Jesus
answered him, saying, It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone,
but by every word of God.
(NIV) Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Man does not live on bread alone.
(ESV) And Jesus answered him, "It is written, 'Man shall not live by bread
alone.'"
(NWT-Jehovah’s Witnesses) But Jesus replied to him: “It is written, ‘Man must
not live by bread alone.’’
All three of
these false versions agree with each other by omitting “but by every word of
God.” Why would you want to take a
false, counterfeit version of the Bible out to the streets when you are dealing
with the eternal souls of people?
You need the right tools for street evangelism and that main tool is the King
James Bible which omits nothing!
The King James Bible is a very convicting Bible which does not go soft on any
sin.
Watch out for the talkers who will
hinder you
When I was
doing street ministry in Perth Amboy, there was one man who used to come up to
me or one of the other tract passers and would start talking.
Most of the time he would talk about himself and his Christian walk, yet
he never joined us in street ministry.
He was not a mean person nor was he intentionally uncaring but what he
did was to stop us from handing out tracts.
While he was talking, the people were passing by and we couldn’t give
them tracts because he was in the way.
So there will be those who mean no ill-will but they will hinder you so
just tell them politely that you need to hand out tracts and he is hindering
you. Have a folding chair or two
available and let him or her sit in it and you can talk with them while you are
handing out tracts. At least their
body will be out of the way and you can still talk and do ministry.
Have tracts of different languages
In America
there are many different languages spoken.
Perth Amboy had a large Spanish population so we would always have both
Spanish and English tracts on hand.
You may live where there are a lot of Hindus, Arabs, Pakistanis, Chinese, or
Japanese and you can get tracts in hundreds of languages today.
You will know which language you need by where you plan on “setting up
shop.”
Go in groups if possible minimum 2
If possible try
to go in groups to the street because you may run into someone who wants to talk
spiritual things with you and if they pull you to the side, it will take away
from your outreach. It is also much
safer to go in a group because a person who feels convicted will not hesitate to
attack one person but may feel differently about a group of 4 or 5.
It is also good to have someone with a camera on hand, one which takes
videos so if any situation arises, everything will be on video in case police
involvement is necessary. In Perth
Amboy, we had sometimes 5 of us so two of us would go across the street and hand
out tracts there. The more people
you have, the wider the outreach.
We handed out about 500 tracts in a 3 hour window.
Litter
If you hand out
a tract and people take them and then after they leave your presence throw them
on the ground, that is not your fault.
You cannot be cited for littering because you handed the people a tract
and if they discard it, then they are the ones who are littering.
It is like if I buy a cup of coffee at a convenience store and then when
I am done, I throw the cup on the ground.
It is not the store’s fault even if their name is on the cup, it would be
my fault for doing that actual littering.
Dress according to the thermometer,
especially if you will be out there for a while.
Make sure when
you go to the street that you do not over-dress in the warm weather and that you
do not under-dress in the cold weather.
If you plan on doing street ministry for a few hours, remember in the
cold weather you will feel colder because you are basically standing still plus
you may be subject to cold winds.
In the warmer weather, you may feel dehydrated or dizzy being in the sun too
long. You know your body and how
you should dress, the key is to be prepared for the weather and for how long you
plan on doing ministry that day.
Private Property is off limits unless
you get permission
Shopping Malls
are normally private property even though stores that are public (traded on the
Stock Exchanges) are renting store space in that mall.
Sometimes these malls supply kiosks for organizations to present their
material and causes to the people but it is done by permission.
There are also private properties in parks and other areas which you must
obtain permission to minister.
Sometimes in public parks, organizations may reserve a grove or a portion of the
park for their own cause and in that case unless they let you, you will not be
allowed to minister. However, they
cannot keep you from the entrance of the park or area which would be a public
area.
Find a place where there is a bathroom
If you plan on
having an all-day outreach at some location, you need to check out the area
first to see if there are any bathrooms available.
If you are on the street in a city, maybe you can find a business owner
who might let you use the facilities and you can offer him $20 for the privilege
of all day visits. You can assure
the owner that it will not be a constant flow of people but only a few people
during the course of the day. They
might be under the belief that everyone you minister to will use their bathroom
so assure the owner that only a small number of your team will use it.
If you will be out all day and there is no bathroom available, you may
want to consider buying a pack of adult diapers.
The way they are making them nowadays they are not the old bulky type
unless that is what you want. After
all, who is going to know you are wearing them and when you get home at the end
of the day, you just toss them in the garbage, used or not.
An Example of Street Preaching
One of the most uncompromising street preachers I am
subscribed to on YouTube is a Canadian man named Dorre Love.
I am including the link to his channel on YouTube
and I think it would do you good to listen to him in two areas: 1) The
questions and comments he receives, and 2) How he responds to them.
The reason for this is for you to answer the questions and comments by
the people before you go out to the street.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAWDr2F2EW8che-jv7k6jsA
Summary
Street ministry can be very rewarding and at the same time challenging. You will be meeting the people right where they are and where they are spiritually. You will be doing a defense of the gospel and at the same time you are being an ambassador for Christ. Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God. (2 Corinthians 5:20) The key to street ministry is to be faithful to the word of God and not compromise anything, even if it seems small. Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage. (Galatians 5:1)