The Ark in Gospel Outreach Summer of 2014

4^th of July Parade – Arlington, WA

We had a good turnout of coworkers from the Assembly for both the parade and the Street Fair.

For the parade, there were 7 or 8 people walking down the street on each side of the ark handling out approximately 1200 seed sower packets to the crowd. The packets were well received. The younger children had fun handing out candy along the route.

The judges were very impressed giving us 1^st prize in the float division.

Street Fair

The street fair was also a great opportunity to share the gospel with the many people that visited the ark. We had a 10 X 30 space which gave us room for a gospel table with seed sower packets, gospel tracts, booklets and magnets on it and another table for doing crafts with the children. The crafts were in conjunction with the ark.

The ark is certainly a great tool to draw people in, providing opportunities for conversations and giving out literature. It is also an encouragement to other fellow Christians who are excited and happy to see the gospel available to the community.

Because the ark is a new addition to our summer outreach activities, we assist the Christians in the ordering of suitable tracts, Seed Sower packets and any special printing requirements tailored to the needs of each Assembly, etc. We prepare most of the kids’ packets for the craft table and have people from the Assembly do the Seed Sower packets.

A special thanks to Dave Smith, Deep Cove, BC and those who helped him build the ark. It is very easy to transport and equally easy to set up. We get many compliments on the workmanship from both saved and unsaved alike.

We plan to have the ark at the Lynden WA Fair in Aug. for one week in connection with the Lynden Assembly. Then in the first week of Sept. we will be at the Okanogan WA Fair working with the Assembly there. The following week we will be at Rock Creek B.C. working with the West Bank Assembly.

Submitted (as requested) by: Bryon Meyers  

GOSPEL OUTREACH AT FAIRS

Perhaps you have been thinking about hosting a Gospel Outreach Booth at your local fair or exhibition. Lorne Langfeld has had many years of experience at this type of work in the public eye. In addition to his report below you may wish to contact him if you have questions or are wanting some advice from a voice of experience. Click on his name to email Mr. Langfeld.

Reaching out to people with the gospel message is hard work.  We will learn that fact quickly when we make that effort.  We will have to face awkward conversations, criticism from saint and sinner alike as well as poor weather conditions.  We will face discouragements!  Why would we bother?  Why not just stay in our comfortable little cocoon of familiarity?  There are 3 blunt reasons that I will note, but not discuss at this time.  Please do consider the following:

• Our Lord Jesus Christ and His work deserve a response of effort from us (1 Cor. 6:19-20)
• Every person in the world is loved by God (John 3:16, 1 John 4:9-10)
• Every person entering eternity without the Saviour is locked into an existence of anguish in the Lake of Fire (Rev. 20:11-15)

Please read over the 'Bible Bite':  Why Don’t People Ask Me? dated March 1, 2012 at www.heaven4sure.com 

My wife, Ruth, and I began going to fairs with the gospel in 1975.  After we were commended to the Lord’s work in 1977, we increased the number of events where we set up a gospel booth.  The activity of meeting people in public places for the sake of the gospel is really nothing new.  Paul used this method in Athens years ago (Acts 17:16-34) with good results.  Paul was stirred in his spirit when he saw the crowds of people living in deceptive idolatry without God.   

Over the years, we have changed by choice or been forced to change some events.  Some years we did up to 20 events in a short period of time.  This was too concentrated and the long hours can take a toll.  We now go with the gospel to 12 events of differing nature.  We use agricultural fairs, car shows, home show and a wood-workers exhibition.  Each booth requires a display that relates to the event itself.  Sometimes printed material is needed in languages other than English.  Seed Sower’s and International Bible House are a very helpful source of resources. 

Some of the events have been small, single day fairs.  I have encouraged assemblies to make an effort in their area and then helped them get started.  When they continue on their own, I move on to another area.  For 20 years we had a gospel booth at the Royal Winter Fair in Toronto, Ontario.   It is a large event, some years it went for 12 days, but now it is 10 days.  That is still many long hours.  There used to be a lot of manual work required to keep the large supply of texts that were needed on the site.  Due to building changes we have not been there for a number of years, but are looking at arrangements for 2012.  Most of the events range from 3 to 5 days in length.  There must be a commitment of time and energy to organize and arrange for all of the contracts and supplies.  Sometimes a new display needs to be built.

There is a lot of work in the background before the front of a gospel booth shows up at an event.  When we arrange a booth, we need to realize that we are competing with businesses and advertisers for the attention of people as they walk by.  A booth needs to be attractive.  A display that is crowded and cluttered discourages a person selecting material.  People at the booth should be friendly and helpful, but be careful of being pushy.

      

On the bright side of things, there is encouragement from time to time, for which we give God the glory.  Often, non-assembly believers comment on how glad they are to see a gospel testimony out in the open.  We hear of the salvation of souls, sometimes years later, as well as believers who are encouraged and sometimes come to assembly fellowship.  

The only thing sure in society today, humanly speaking, is change.  In the future there may be some events where the gospel will not be allowed.  There may also be new events for us to consider.  In Britain, there are a number of Bible Exhibitions that have been in use for years.  We have seen some in operation and recognise some potential for use in Canada and the US, though in a modified format.  This is under consideration.

This work is, of course, not for everyone.  Brothers and sisters, NO believer can truly say, “I can do nothing for our Lord.”  No believer can do everything.  Let us all do what we can (Mark 14:8) for our Lord Jesus Christ!

BIBLE EXHIBITIONS FOR SCHOOLS

The Assembly at Spencer Bridge Road, Northampton, UK hosted the biennial visit of the Ayrshire Bible Exhibition again between the 14th and 25th March, 2011.  This is the seventh time the event has been held here.  As in previous years the outreach was focused on 10 - 12 year olds (Grades 5-6). In addition to the schools, invitations were also sent to other 'churches' in the town as well as other assemblies requesting prayer for the event.

Schools had been notified of the exhibition dates as far back as November last year and again in January, 2011 to ask them to make firm bookings for their group visits.  A big factor in their ability to attend is the fact that the Assembly provides free transportation. Without this, attendance would be very difficult. Schools have commented positively on the fact that people are willing to pay for children to come and learn about the Bible.  There has been a waiting list of schools wanting to attend on the last 2 visits.

Some 1200 children from 29 schools attended along with their teachers.  They were divided into groups and shown around the exhibition by guides from the Assembly using a worksheet with twenty-one questions to be answered.  During the tour there were six or seven occasions, through the questions, where a simple but clear gospel message could be given. e.g. 'Why did God send His Son'? or 'What are the two ways on the Wayside Pulpit poster'?  In the displays there were topics such as the origins of the Bible, its history, etc. where links could be made to school curriculum. 

The tour was followed by a 'fun' quiz to reinforce what they had been told in the tour. The children were given a 'goody bag' when they left containing various items such as a Gospel of John booklet, text bookmark, leaflet on the Dead Sea Scroll, a pencil and if appropriate - invitations to Sunday Schools/Children's meetings in the local Assemblies.  

Just think how many weeks it would take your Assembly to see 1200+ people through the doors to hear the Gospel, the majority having never heard anything of it before?

Although the exhibition is open to the general public we do not see a great response. Those who do come in are impressed by what they see.

The exhibition has been used as a means of accessing schools in the county through presenting prizes to children who have neat, all correct worksheets.  We currently have access to forty nine schools that participate in the exhibition. Each school will be visited at least once in the term.

The schools are already anticipating the return of the exhibition in 2013, Lord willing, but please pray for the seed sown and Graeme Paterson who 'runs' the exhibition. 

For more information email Aelwyn Williams

More information on the exhibition and pictures can be found at http://www.bibleexhibition.co.uk 

FEEDBACK FROM SCHOOLS:

A great afternoon, so welcoming and engaging.  The children learnt loads & thoroughly enjoyed it, thank you very much.   

Towcester CE Primary, Year 6

A fantastic, well organised afternoon.  The children were focussed, enthused and excited by the learning.  Thank you. 
Wootton Primary, Year 6

The children had a fantastic time.  It’s amazing how much they took in, super staff and thank you very much. 

St. Luke’s CEVA Primary, Year 5

Wonderful! So organised, exciting and fun – thank you.

Milton Parochial Primary, Years 5/6

Children found it fascinating and were fully engaged throughout.  Many thanks.

 St. Mary’s CE Primary, Burton Latimer, Year 5

Thank you for a fantastic hour of information and great fun, from all children and adults. 

Kingsthorpe Grove Primary, Year 5

Amazing amount of information and the kids (and me) found it a great time.  Very innovative quiz.

Delapre Primary, Year 6

Thank you, the children were fascinated and had so many more questions.

 Woodland View Primary, Year 5

Lots of information for the children to take in but all engrossed! Learnt far more than they do in an hour in school (as did the adults).  

Delapre Primary, Year 5