Taking Street Preaching Back

What do you immediately think of when you hear the term "street preaching"? Is what you thought of a positive image? I can understand if its not. Before getting involved in Gods call to evangelism and watching great open air preachers such as Tony Miano, Ray Comfort, Dustin Segers, and more, I did not have a high esteem for this type of evangelism. My memories went back to college when once or twice a year a guy in an awful plaid jacket stood in front of our library at Morehead State University screaming, yelling, and basically calling people names. He called the girls "whores and sluts" and the guys "drunkards and spawn of Satan". He did not engage anyone in conversation, but only told them they were going to hell. I do not recall him using the law to bring about the knowledge of sin, and I definitely do not remember any talk of Jesus and the cross. Large crowds would gather just to watch the spectacle and mock him. That's my memory of street preachers. 

Just as their are many denominations of Christians, there are many types of street or open air preachers. Even today they are those that go out with signs and shirts with quotes like "turn or burn" yelling at people with bullhorns. I fail to see ANY of this reflected in scripture. Jesus, Paul, Peter, Stephen, did go out in the streets and public square to spread the gospel, but they raised up their voice not in anger, but to be heard. They talked about sin, righteousness, and judgement. They used the law of God to convict people of their sin SO THAT they would see their need of the savior. And they also spoke of mercy, love, and forgiveness that is available through the cross of Jesus Christ. Look back at our great preachers of old that routinely preached in the open air such as Charles Spurgeon, George Whitefield, and John Wesley. This is our model of obedience to preach the gospel to every creature on the earth (Mark 16:15). Even today there are great servants of Christ who go out everyday to herald the gospel such as my brother in Christ Tony Miano. 

Tony has recently been very active working with CARM.org in creating a great resource for new and seasoned street preachers. You see the many articles and videos on this page here. If you are considering broadening your evangelism to preaching in the open air this is a great place to start. Tony also has a sermon audio page called Pulpit and Streets with many of his open air sermons as well as a Youtube Channel. 

Maybe you are thinking there is no way I could get up on a box and preach in public. That is OK, it is not for every Christian. If one to one witnessing conversations is more your speed then do that for the glory of God. If handing out tracts if as far as your comfort level will allow right now, then do that for the glory of God. But please DO SOMETHING! Volunteering at the mission, feeding the hungry, getting involved with a community project through your church are all great and biblically supported activities to be involved with, however if we are not giving these people the verbal or written gospel of salvation at the same time then we have failed. Do not give them a full belly or a warm coat and send them on their way to hell. Harsh? Maybe. True? Definitely! The Gospel is a spoken or written message. Do not wait until they "ask about the hope that lies within you" because they may not have tomorrow. Let love and compassion swallow your fears and pride, then share the Good News with them!

If you happen to live in the central Kentucky area and would like to go out witnessing one to one, handing out tracts, or open air street preaching please contact me.