Wednesday Evangelism

Yesterday was a difficult day, although there were many positives.

I gave out some tracts and then began to preach. A crowd began to develop quickly - several of these were Muslims. I began explaining about certain myths that do the rounds - religion causes all the trouble in the world and that all religions are the same.

That gives me the launch into Jesus and His claims and work.

After a while things were going in a fairly familiar fashion. I set out the law, our breach of it and need before a holy God. Then I explain that Jesus kept the law and paid the fine we owe. Some asked questions and I tried to answer them as best I could.

There were some pretty hostile observers - I mean by the way they made their points - but that is par for the course.

Let, however, several schoolchildren (mostly if not all Muslim) came along and started taking 'offence' at what I said - the main point of contention was from John 14.6 and that Christ is the only way. I made it clear that Christ is the only way to have peace with God and that all other ways of trying to earn salvation will not bring forgiveness.

I was, naturally, called names I shall not repeat and I was falsely accused of fear-mongering etc.

But the youngsters were getting pretty rowdy. Two of them lifted up another and barged into me knocking me off my stand. I landed safely on my feet but I asked for assistance from the City Centre Ambassadors as well as a police officer.

I turned to the Ambassador behind me and to my right. He was casually lounging against a seat and said, "It was an accident."

This brought out a cheer from a dozen or so of the schoolchildren. It turned out to be a green light to them to continue in their misbehaviour (as I could foresee).

Two adults, acting as if they were at a football match, began chanting loudly towards me, 'Off! Off! Off!' - they didn't like the answers I gave to the questions they asked..

I was bumped off my stool twice more, one boy grabbed my Bible and threw it on the floor.

Eventually a police officer came up to me and said, 'I want you to move on. we have had complaints.'

'What law have I broken?' I asked.

'People are offended.'

Again I asked what law I had broken. She admitted I had not broken the law. At whcih point a young man who had been shouting a few inches from my face said, 'I'm offended.'

'There you go,' said the officer.

"But I haven't broken the law.'

'Are you refusing to do as I tell you?'

Now that question was, to my mind, a threat of arrest. After further discussion she began to say that she wanted to move me on for my own safety. I wanted to clarify this matter because I did not want the crowd to understand that I was being moved on for something I had done wrong.

I decided that it was best to comply (since there was so much hostility and I had spent a lot of time there anyway). The crowd heard that I was moving on for my own safety and not for breaking the law. I didn't want those who had caused the disturbance to feel that their actions were being rewarded (although they were to an extent - my readers will judge that as they will)

Afterwards in private they suggested I let them know when I would be speaking and they could offer protection.

Several Christians supported me who I had not met before. One man shook my hand and applauded me afterwards. One Christian girl took details of our church - several others expressed their support. All these were encouragement in the face of great hostility.

I need to reflect upon this experience. I don't want it to happen again.

There is a group of people (mostly nominal Muslims) who have no arguments to bring and have no interest in rational debate. They see me as sport and wish to shout down the truths they hate.

I need to stop preaching when it gets too rowdy, invite the really interested to follow me, pick a new spot, and ask the police and/or Ambassadors to keep certain people who are only bent on causing trouble to stay away.

Most of the Ambassadors and police are reasonable and believe in free speech and the rule of law. Please pray that we can cooperate together in this situation so that they do indeed provide the promised protection. It was not offered yesterday and instead of nipping the problem in the bud, the rowdy elements were giving free reign to indulge their folly and illegal behaviour. By the time the police came, their desire to solve the problem meant I was removed from the scene. A sad day for free speech in Sheffield.

Pray for the officers and Ambassadors involved who do have a difficult job to do balancing free speech and preserving the peace.

Again, many heard the gospel - pray that many respond to the gift of God's grace in Jesus Christ our Lord, the Son of God and only saviour of all who believe.