Open air Evangel – Location Hyde Market Square, Saturday 7th September

The location is not new to us as far as open-air witness goes and we have preached there on many occasions in the past the last time being just a few weeks ago.  

Times are – Arrive 11.45 – Depart 13.15

(these times allow for setting up, for preaching from 12.00 until 13.00 and, for decamping)

Open-air report – the day went well again at Hyde.  A traders-market was taking place among the usual market stalls and it was not possible to stand in the usual place.  After some consideration we (TFCC) were able to pitch up not far from there and this turned out to be a good spot too.

We arrived early at 11.20 and set up before handing out gospel tracts.  We sang (Psalm 111:1-6) and spoke twice during the time allotted 12.00 – 13.00 before packing up and leaving at 13.30.  Bibles and Gospels were available but sadly none taken.  Many people heard the word preached and TBS tracts were handed out to people passing.

Only two conversations were had – the first with a youngish man [S] who was grieved with the LORD because of the loss of his wife and his son of an early age.  He was angry and showed it and this made it difficult to speak to him.  After leaving he returned again and left his name with some more examples, briefly written on a scrap of paper, as to why he thought our message was “bunkum” (my word not his). I saw him a little later talking with a lady and waited for an opportunity to ask him if he could return to talk.  He replied that he might before moving off again. By 13.30 he had not returned.

The second conversation was with Rev. Brendon who I found was standing at the other end of the market place. Two ladies were with him and they were testifying? That ‘Jesus loves you’ and that we should ‘open our hearts to him.’ Brendon was interjecting with the ladies as they spoke with words and song but stopped and told me that he was an ordained minister and that the church he was representing was in Hattersley and meets there on Sunday afternoons. A card he gave with details of time and place and so on confirmed the impression their witness made on me with its message – ‘Join us for Faith Healing Prayer, Deliverance, Counselling’ above a question asking – Have you got your passport to heaven? – before declaring ‘JESUS LOVES YOU!’ None of which is true of a Gospel Church which the card claimed it to be – rather it is ‘another gospel’ as Paul the apostle says.

I was reminded just how far we, as a nation, have gone from the LORD; – angry, hurting men (women too without doubt) wanting answers and churches without a right(-eous) answer to give.  May the LORD enable us to continue his witness here in Tameside.