Battle Log

Saturday, 29 August, 2020

Posted 30 August 2020, 5:35 PM by Glen Richards. Permalink

Saturday - Tell Me Conference day!  This was the seventh yearly iteration.  It’s partly because of this conference that I ultimately started working for Operation 513.

Just over six years ago, Andy came up with the idea of running an evangelism conference.  I thought he was crazy!  Who would want to come to an evangelism conference?  It came together and happened (this is where the name “Tell Me” came from)… and it was good!  Some great connections occurred.  So we decided to do it again the next year.  But who to speak?  I’d heard of Josh Williamson, and after discussions we decided to get him over.  This was our introduction to Operation 513.  And it went from there.  I look back and am amazed at what God has done with “Tell Me” - the ministry and the conference - now folded into Operation 513.  If we are humble, and continue to trust in God, then I can’t wait to see what the future brings.  May God get all the glory!

After the teaching part of the conference, most of the attendees came out on the streets to get a taste of real street evangelism!

We started with one of the speakers at the conference, Matthew Johnston (himself coming to Christ through open air ministry, now a Pastor at Riverbend Bible Church in the Hawke’s Bay), open air preaching in Cathedral Square.  It was great learning from his style.  He spoke loudly and clearly, and yet worked hard to not come across as angry or yelling.  And he engaged with people as they walked past, even getting one guy to stop and interact - but ultimately listen.  Matthew is pictured with a passerby stopped and listening.  Soon after, the other speaker at the conference (Roger Spicer) had started engaging the very same passerby in gospel conversation - also pictured.

After the preaching, we split up into smaller groups and spread out within the central city to engage people with tracts, and in conversation.

It was so wonderful seeing so many Christians out giving it a go, and observing and learning from those that had more experience.

I ended up getting engrossed in my own gospel conversations, but from time to time I would notice that other Christians around me were getting into their own conversations - some for the first time!

The flip chart really helped.  People would walk up to it and want to give it a go, making it easy for those that were a bit rusty to get going, or for newbies to get involved.

Personally, I had four stand out conversations.  All follow ups!

The first was with a guy who said he needed evidence before he would believe in God.  I asked what evidence he required.  He said, if God walked up to him and shook his hand he would believe (he wouldn’t).  I said he didn’t need that to happen, that he already knew that God existed - and then used the building analogy to explain why.  Surprisingly he opened up and I was able to share the gospel with him.  He then had another apologetical question - he was surprised I was able to answer it.  I challenged him to respond to the gospel - God willing I will see him again soon and be able to continue to follow up with him.

The third one was with a guy I’ve been talking to for about a year now.  The last time was the previous day carrying a box of beer.  Today he was hung over, but both times he was happy to chat - he still had the tract I’d given him the previous day, I gave him two more today.  I just continued to labour with him.  He knows, yet his heart hasn’t been changed.  Oh, God, have mercy!

It was a tiring, but wonderful day.

Sunday I was in catch up mode (e.g., these Battle Logs).  But I was able to spend two hours online with the Aussie team.  I was paired up with the Pink Angel - Matthew Andersen - I learnt so much from listening to his gospel conversation.  The guy he was talking to came to understand the clear logic of the gospel, but suppressed the truth - even admitting that he was denying the truth because he loved his sin!  And yet he was open, and indicated that he would consider the discussion.  He needs God to change his heart - that is his only hope.  The gospel is the power of God to salvation!