Stand with the Preacher!

Went to Dean's Magnet Evangelism last night. Always a good time! Mark, Steve, Dean, Sai and myself were there. We've started to add Tony the Lawmans "Are You Ready?" Cross to the mays ways to reach people. Its already drawn several conversations, heckling and people taking bibles.

Mark peaching the Good News while Steve holds the cross.

Something I've noticed in the past is when a guy gets up to preach the other evangelists on the team tend to move away from them. I've learned that having a guy stand next to whoever is preaching to hand out bibles is a VERY helpful thing to do for several reasons:

1) Its biblical to have two or three witnesses. "After these things the Lord appointed seventy others also, and sent them two by two before His face into every city and place where He Himself was about to go." - Luk 10:1 NKJV The preacher looks "less crazy" if he has another guy with him.

2) Its good to have back-up if there is hostile opposition. To record with a camera or to be an eye witness.

3) Offering out bibles while the gospel is being preached is a great way to give people that are listeneing God's word so they can come to know the Lord. Its also an indicator that people are being effected in some way to hear more about Jesus Christ. Its good to make a small sign that says "Free Bibles". (Which I've attached below for you to print out and use.) OR for the preacher to announce, "We have free bibles if anyone wants one."

4) Having new open-air preachers stand next to and watch more seasoned street preachers helps them to learn how to interact with hecklers. Remember though; if you are standing with the the preacher and he is being heckled (its hard not to do) DO NOT HECKLE HIS HECKLER! Let the preacher handle it.

5) Also to hold each other accountable to the content of the message preached. There have been times when I forgot to tell people "Jesus rose from the dead!"... sad but true.

6) Finally its very encouraging to the guy on the box. Anyone who has open-air preached knows... it can feel very lonely on that box. Sometimes you can feel like the only person on the planet that believes in Jesus. Its encouraging to look and see a brother standing with you. And don't be afraid to throw out an "AMEN" while he is preaching... its like throwing gas on the FIRE!! :)