Street Preaching... Is it effective?

[KeptByTheWord]

Yes, of course, Jesus must have had to raise his voice, and Paul too... if you are speaking to a crowd of 5000+ people, it is hard to imagine how all of them could have heard him, if he didn't.

But, it is not so much the decibel level of the voice, I guess... as what is being said.

[justlookin]

Originally Posted by FlamingZword

The bible does mention Jesus sometimes screaming his message.

Where?

[Luke]

Ask all of the apostles Jesus and the prophets all practiced street preaching.

[KeptByTheWord]

Yes, there is no doubt that Jesus and the apostles preached as they walked through villages, towns, and cities.

However.... do you really think that setting up a megaphone outside public businesses, and disturbing the public peace (as in the video I posted), is one that is going to garner souls being saved to the kingdom?

[Sister Alvear]

In Brazil it is custom to have street service but in the American culture I cannot see it working in most places...

[KeptByTheWord]

Relationship is the best way to introduce salvation to a soul. Very few will first attempt to walk into a church building or home meeting without having first been invited by a friend, or someone who they've become acquainted with, and who they know.

I think you'd have far better success reaching a lost soul while sitting in a coffee shop, and even buying a cup of coffee for someone, and striking up a conversation with them, rather then setting up outside the coffee shop with a megaphone, blasting the ears off people, telling them to "repent"....

[Luke]

I think that we should witness to our friends and family but Jesus did not tell the disciples to go make friends then be a witness rather He commanded them to go out and preach repentance. Is there one illustration in the Bible where someone first befriended a person then witnessed to them? (not knocking the method just questioning it Biblically)

[pilgram]

Originally Posted by Michael The Disciple

At work last night I was witnessing to a 19 year old girl. It just so happened a young man came into the picture and said "I see you preaching up on North 27". He went on to say he had parked at the Burger King parking lot and listened to me preach before. I was really amazed and blessed.

I personally was very much impressed by street ministry I encountered as a young person. When I first saw "Jesus Freaks" witnessing and passing out free food in Athens Ohio it stuck with me.

The best I can tell the street ministry has allowed me to at the least present the name of Jesus and the need for salvation to thousands of people. It requires death to self and gives one a sense of being obedient to the great commission.

I highly recommend it for anyone who finds the Christian Faith "boring".

God bless you and your efforts.
I'm a firm believer that God uses many different ways to reach the hearts of his creation.
For example, I was raised by parents who were both atheists and grew up in a small village in New England (the least religious area of America) and remember going down to Vinyl Square to get groceries and cigs for my Mom and sometimes hearing the one church bell ring at the top of the hour and one time thinking "is God calling people thru that bell?"
It wasn't until I was saved 15 years later when I was 22 that God reminded me of that thought and brought me back to that walk by the church that winter day in my mind's eye while in prayer just a few days after I received the Holy Ghost letting me know He was in fact not just calling people He was calling me that day. I broke down weeping realizing how much God loved me when I was just a 7 year old sinner boy that knew nothing about God but He cared enough to deal with me using that church bell.

[KeptByTheWord]

Originally Posted by Luke

I think that we should witness to our friends and family but Jesus did not tell the disciples to go make friends then be a witness rather He commanded them to go out and preach repentance. Is there one illustration in the Bible where someone first befriended a person then witnessed to them? (not knocking the method just questioning it Biblically)

Acts 18:25-27
This man had been instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in spirit, he was speaking and teaching accurately the things concerning Jesus, being acquainted only with the baptism of John; 26 and he began to speak out boldly in the synagogue. But when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately. 27 And when he wanted to go across to Achaia, the brethren encouraged him and wrote to the disciples to welcome him; and when he had arrived, he greatly helped those who had believed through grace,

[KeptByTheWord]

Originally Posted by pilgram

God bless you and your efforts.
I'm a firm believer that God uses many different ways to reach the hearts of his creation.
For example, I was raised by parents who were both atheists and grew up in a small village in New England (the least religious area of America) and remember going down to Vinyl Square to get groceries and cigs for my Mom and sometimes hearing the one church bell ring at the top of the hour and one time thinking "is God calling people thru that bell?"
It wasn't until I was saved 15 years later when I was 22 that God reminded me of that thought and brought me back to that walk by the church that winter day in my mind's eye while in prayer just a few days after I received the Holy Ghost letting me know He was in fact not just calling people He was calling me that day. I broke down weeping realizing how much God loved me when I was just a 7 year old sinner boy that knew nothing about God but He cared enough to deal with me using that church bell.

Isn't it wonderful to know how far reaching, loving, and compassionate our Lord is! What a great testimony of how the Lord was reaching for you in spite of your circumstances!