National & International Newsletters
To view a copy of the latest National Newsletter just click here!
To view a copy of the latest International Newsletter just click here!
Some evangelists personal prayer letter's can be found on the locations page.
Following the success of the Reach the Vale mission in July 2011 OAC Wales are running a similar mission from the 30th June to the 8th July 2012.
Reach out will be a week of training and evangelism in South Wales. The teams will be based for most of the mission in the Hebron Hall Christian Centre just outside Cardiff. Each morning all participants will receive training in evangelism before heading out to do open airs in Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan. The teams will then head to work with local churchs in the evening to help and support them with their evangelism.
If you are interested in being part of the mission download the application form here or email Steve Harris for more information.
Schools Training Seminar Dates for 2012 announced
This year's primary school training seminar will run from the 18th - 22nd June. For more information see the events page, contact Dawn or download the application form here.
What makes a man who serves on local Boards of Governors take to the streets? ‘We go out on the streets to help people who otherwise wouldn’t hear about Jesus,’ comments Geoff Beckingham of Manchester, who serves on two Boards of Governors for schools in the area. He does this outreach in his role as Training Director for OAC Ministries (Open Air Campaigners).
‘Whenever we go out into a busy shopping area, we get large numbers of people stopping to listen,’ he says. ‘Those who stay to the end are interested and team members are then able to have in-depth conversations, usually about 15-20 conversations every time.
‘These are all people who would never hear unless we go out and tell them. A lot of people have a negative attitude about Christianity. Our brief messages aim to get them to think about Jesus, who He is and the Good News He has for them.’
This week several students from Manchester Grammar School stopped. Often these students have an indifferent or even scoffing attitude. Yet this time, a group of five lads remained attentive throughout the Gospel presentation. Afterward, team members, including a retired teacher, spoke with them. The students all took evangelistic leaflets, and two of them also took Gospels of John.
Geoff’s wife Doreen serves on the outreach team. This week she spoke with an Indian man, who related his story – when he came over from India, he knew no one and had no job. He was very lonely and got to such a low ebb that he decided to commit suicide. He put up a rope in his room to hang himself with but wanted some drink to take with some tablets.
Then he realised the local shop was about to close and so ran out and towards it. On his way, he almost knocked an old lady over. He apologised and she said, ‘That’s alright, but do you know that Jesus loves you?’ That stopped him in his tracks. They spoke and she put him in touch with a couple who could help him. He received Christ but has now moved to Manchester, so wasn’t attending church. Doreen gave him details of a church and a contact person who lives in his area.
Team work is basic to the success of street outreach. Although team members vary in age, work background and denominations, all are involved with local churches as OAC partners together with such churches. OAC professional training equips them to effectively reach those who need to hear about Jesus. Geoff Beckingham has specialised in training others. His effectiveness in communicating with students has led to his position on Boards of Governors. Yet he values the experience he enjoys of going directly into schools to share with the younger generation. ‘It is a great privilege to go into schools and tell the wonderful truths of God. It is great to see the children sit before me so attentively – such a responsibility.
In the wake of Britain erupting with deadly violence this summer, everyone looks at possible solutions for the way forward. Resources are being poured into examining the root problems and ensuring future protection. Yet some insist that real issues were dealt with years ago, with most people failing to act on the guidelines provided.
One such insistent group is OAC Ministries (Open Air Campaigners). Their work is based on the premise that the issue behind community breakdown and destruction is a spiritual void that only the Lord Jesus can fill.
‘Community members and leaders alike give many explanations for the cause of our increasingly violent society. Yet God dealt with all such problems in one simple way: love,’ notes OAC Director Peter Kennelly. ‘It’s the Lord’s overwhelming love for the lost that we proclaim through Christ. That is why our Evangelists’ Conference in November is Passionate Proclamation Evangelism. We are passionate about telling others that the Lord’s guidelines to move beyond hurt and destruction are as relevant today as when the Bible was written.’
This conference takes place from Monday the 7th – Friday the 11th of November at Hebron Hall, Cardiff. Yet it encompasses a two day ‘Conference within a Conference’ from Wednesday to Thursday, the 9th – the 10th of November. ‘Love for the Lord and the Lost’ provides a fitting tagline for this stimulating exchange provided by well known leaders in evangelism. Speakers include evangelist and author Roger Carswell, Director of the Forty Three Trust Mark Greenwood, Andy Hawthorne, OBE, Director of the Message Trust, and Revd Jon Turner who heads Saltmine’s community outreach.
All who are interested in proclamation evangelism are welcome to attend, either the entire week or for the two day ‘Conference within a Conference’. Throughout the week, there will be times of sharing ideas for more effective proclamation, specialised areas of outreach such as children’s work and panel discussions. Hands-on advice about techniques will benefit everyone from people who may just be starting their church outreach to professional evangelists.
This conference offers ample times of worship and fellowship. The communal worship will prove a reminder that the Lord’s love for the lost still has power to overcome society’s evil with eternal good.
Streetwise 2012 - London Dates Confirmed
In 2012 the Streetwise course running in London will start on the 28th January. Click here to download the application form. Check the events page or contact Peter Kennelly for more details.
In the light of the widespread violence and devastation spread across England in August, this question is incredibly relevant. However, it was actually posed by a man from Kuwait during the Tell-a-Tourist outreach campaign in London which ran 25-30 July. This man explained that he appreciated the rich heritage of the UK, yet his searching question recognised a moral vacuum present in our society.
This example was just one of many conversations the Tell-a-Tourist team had this summer. Across six days they spent 250 man hours in the capital’s tourist hotspots engaging people with the good news of Jesus Christ. This led the team to Trafalgar Square, Leicester Square, the Tower of London, and Covent Garden. Other areas included Hounslow and Ealing, as the team worked alongside local churches there.
Painting on sketchboards accompanied brief evangelistic messages. This approach not only attracts crowds and reinforces the spoken message but is also especially helpful for those for whom English is not their mother tongue. The team met people from 54 countries, had dozens of meaningful conversations and distributed hundreds of gospel tracts over the week.
There were several very encouraging stories that came out of the week. One of the team members had this experience: ‘There was one young woman from Pakistan, who has a Muslim mother but also a sister who came to faith eight years ago, who showed a lot of interest, especially in the Bible. I suggested she go to a local church in the area that Sunday. The following Monday the minister rang me to say that not only had she come to the morning service, but that evening she brought three other ladies whom she’d seen standing outside a church which was not open, and invited them to go with her to the evening service! Please pray for her.’
Tell-a-Tourist is a partnership between London City Mission (LCM) and Open Air Campaigners (OAC). Training is provided by seasoned evangelists. This enables team members to give creative gospel presentations and engage in one-to-one conversations with people of diverse backgrounds.
‘Through Tell-a-Tourist, we can speak to the whole world from the London pavement,’ said Peter Kennelly, OAC Director
Comedian Takes Humour Seriously
Having performed in secular comedy arenas as well as Christian, Mark Greenwood insists he takes comedy seriously. ‘Yes, it’s about laughing at life,’ explains comedian Mark. ‘But it’s also drawing people into the challenges of life and how God can be part of their own life.’
As an OAC Ministries (Open Air Campaigners) Associate Evangelist, his comedy routines were part of ‘Reach the Vale’. This evangelistic campaign from the 2nd to the 10th of July aimed to reach people throughout the Vale of Glamorgan in Wales. OAC helped to organise this far reaching initiative, providing leadership help both during the campaign and with follow-up. It was very much a localised effort as professional evangelists working together with churches engaged with residents in the surrounding communities.
Mark’s participation showed how well he is able to adapt his comedy routine and message according to the type of audience and the venue. One night, he spoke in a pub on the outskirts of Llantwit Major. This event started with a curry dinner and concluded with a live band, with Mark’s comedy routine in the middle.
One of his funny stories is about going through a door and finding something totally unexpected on the other side. He then explains the application that life is full of doors, choices we make, yet we are not quite sure what is on the other side. ‘One choice I never regret is the day I opened the door to God and stepped through in friendship.’ Mark says, ‘It’s about giving people a really good time, making connections and changing perceptions.’ The evening ended with in-depth conversations as people came to enquire and take Gospel literature.
On another evening during the campaign, Mark spoke at Mount Pleasant Baptist Church Hall in Barry following a buffet dinner. His theme was ‘Comedy and Christianity’. That night ten people responded to the Gospel invitation.
His entertainment commitments take Mark to comedy clubs, multi-media events, cabarets and charity dinners. But he takes humour so seriously that he lectures about the use of humour at the London School of Theology. Although others label Mark Greenwood as a comedian, he still insists, ‘I see comedy as a vehicle for the Gospel. At heart, I’m an evangelist.’
STREETWISE comes to South Wales
The 2011 STREETWISE course in Barry starts on 8th October. Click here to download the application form. Or contact Steve Harris for more details.
Gospel Cards again supporting OAC Ministries
Once again this year we shall benefit from the sale of Christmas cards and the other cards and gifts available from Gospel Cards, etc.
20% of their Christmas card sales and 5% of the sale of other items will be given to 33 Christian missions including OAC Ministries. (To date, we and other socities have received over £250,000 in this way.)
Produced to a very high standard, the calendars, books, etc. make excellent gifts for children, families and adults; while the cards are perfect for sending to Christians and non-Christian family and friends.
Full details of the cards, etc. are on their website or ask them for a catalogue - Tel. 01656 647551, or write to Gospel Cards, etc., 15 Brackla Street Centre, Bridgend, CF31 1BZ
Cornwall Commissioning and Outreach
The renowned Royal Cornwall Show actually begins for many with a commissioning service and prayers. Behind the scenes of this popular event, held from the 6th to the 11th of June this year, was a special service. Local Christians as well as show participants attended it on the evening of the 5th of June. The Bishop of Truro officiated with prayer and music drawing everyone together.
Evangelists Marten Holmes and Alan Offord of OAC Ministries (Open Air Campaigners) appreciated this initial time of commissioning and group worship. They then conducted outreach when the show began.
Marten particularly focussed on storytelling. He explains what telling a Bible story for the benefit of non-Christians means. ‘It’s bringing out a spiritual truth and its application. That theme then runs throughout and it’s weaving it into the story. As I bring the story to a conclusion, I raise the point of how the person in the story responds. Then I consider how we can respond and the personal application of the Bible account for us today.’
With his storytelling, Marten uses a variety of visual aids. He tends to paint words and pictures on a sketchboard as he gives the verbal account. Also, he uses creative object lessons and illusions. With his professional training and experience, he is able to gear the story to the various groups that gather. This may range from young children to entire families and adults.
Team work characterises the show outreach as Marten and Alan both work alongside team members from different churches. They are involved with face painting and balloon sculpting. Alan’s wife Sue and a youth worker with some of the local youth also joined in. Alan uses power wrist bands which are bead wrist bands based on presenting the Gospel message. As he makes them for individuals and tells how they serve as spiritual reminders, these colourful wrist bands prove popular for all ages. While youngsters and parents alike waited their turn, they were among those who listened to the Bible stories.
‘Giving out literature as well as the power wrist bands provides an ongoing witness,’ explains Alan. ‘As a team, we were able to distribute a number of leaflets and New Testaments as well as the Gospel in comic form. Some people say they still don’t believe in God. Then I tell them, “Well, don’t keep the door shut. Just because you haven’t met Him, doesn’t mean that He’s not there.”’
Judging from the family groups reached through these creative means, the outreach commissioned at the Royal Cornwall Show is effectively communicating the Gospel.
Stratford Christians Aim For Ultimate Gold
As fans enthusiastically follow sporting events ranging from World Cup Soccer to the Olympics, Stratford Christians are striving to achieve ultimate gold. Evangelist Roger Murphy of Through Faith Missions (TFM) will lead a dynamic mission from the 7th to the 10th of July.
‘Live music, choirs, street entertainment and prayer ministry will all be on offer. That’s because we use creative ways to communicate with people in our area to enable them to come to know Jesus.’ said Roger.
‘The mission involves 18 Stratford churches from a wide denominational range. We benefit from the experience gained in a similar mission last year themed around the World Cup called “The Ultimate Goal”. This year serves a forerunner to the Olympics mission in 2012 as we will be creating many open air events which we propose to repeat next year.’
Presentations with painting will also help attract an audience as Evangelist Steve Gurnett of OAC Ministries (Open Air Campaigners) explains. ‘I give a simple gospel message and paint on a large sketchboard. Painting the key words helps reinforce the message. Then too, the pictures create interest. People gather and listen to spiritual matters and discuss them afterwards.’
The extensive grounds of St. John’s Church Stratford provide the large outdoor venue. Music, escapology and creative object lessons will be used to draw crowds. Some team members will offer light refreshments, others will engage with individuals in one-to-one conversation and distribute literature following gospel messages.
Trained team members from local churches and from all over the UK as well as professional evangelists will make up the outreach teams. In addition to the outdoor events to reach the community, indoor events are scheduled throughout Stratford. Participating churches will be holding smaller activities with members conducting local outreach.
Last year, people filled out more than 200 response cards indicating that they had made a commitment of faith, a re-commitment or received prayer ministry. These results encourage local Christians as they aim for their ultimate goal that others also will know Jesus.
Both TFM and OAC work together with churches throughout the UK, facilitating their outreach to the local community.
Presenting Christ By Creative Means
Music and drama, puppetry and imaginative object lessons all serve to communicate the Gospel effectively. Some opportunities prove seasonal, others are ongoing. OAC Ministries (Open Air Campaigners) evangelists use creative means that draw crowds in a variety of settings.
‘In Whitby, a Royal Wedding Celebration enabled some of us to take part,’ explains Associate Evangelist Dave Glover. ‘Whether in a Christian or community setting, it is important to use different skills and styles to reach people with the true message of Christ.
‘One exciting development for our Community Church in Newcastle has been involvement with a CAP (Christians Against Poverty) centre. Preaching the Gospel in a creative manner allows me to introduce fun, using imaginative object lessons. These may range from rope tricks to illusion. The programme as a whole appeals to CAP clients and their families in a relaxed setting. As a result, some have started coming to church.’
Getting across the biblical message in a non-threatening way also motivates Associate Evangelist Jon Bonner to use different tools. As a professional actor, he uses his own background in drama as well as music. Leading all age sessions at Spring Harvest, he notes his basic approach for both evangelism and Christian events. ‘To begin with, you ask how you can appeal to both adults and children. It’s important that everything must be very well presented. Children are familiar with good music within a commercial setting. So I write in the styles that they already listen to.
‘But everyone needs to get something out of the presentation. That includes not only music, but also humour which may be witty and geared to adults. A good Gospel message may be very simple yet appeal on different levels to families of three or more generations. It’s a lot of hard work and preparation and you need a good team working together.’
A creative means that enjoys popularity among young and old – as evident in the West End theatre scene of London – is puppetry. Evangelist Dawn Getley of Plymouth uses her ventriloquist skills in both church and outdoor evangelism settings. She notes that sometimes adults have been known to pose spiritual questions aimed at the puppet rather than her.
In particular, she regularly uses her puppetry skills for messy church. Because the audience tends to include non-church goers with a wide age range, she tries to make the message helpful on different levels. A Facebook comment informed her about one very active six year old girl, whom Dawn assumed was not paying attention. She went home and used her own teddy bear puppet to enact the presentation for her grandfather. It seems that creative means enable the Gospel to reach all ages.
OAC have partnered with 10ofthose.com to provide an online bookshop with a great selection of books and evangelistic resources. A percentage of the profits of all books bought through this special section of 10ofthose.com will go to support OAC.
To visit the online bookshop go to www.10ofthose.com/partners/oac.
New Evangelist Spent Years on the Street
OAC Ministries (Open Air Campaigners) has welcomed a new evangelist who spent years on the streets – professionally as an evangelist. Gareth Owen trained with London City Mission (LCM) during his gap year and went on to work with them. Over the years, he acquired experience in door to door work and open air preaching. More recently, being based at one of the LCM Mission Halls, he has gained experience with children, youth and adults.
Since leaving LCM, Gareth has continued outreach with Christian teams locally and abroad. As he had worked with OAC evangelists in London on a voluntary basis for years, it seemed a natural progression to join the society. Now Gareth has begun a year as an OAC trainee evangelist with a view to becoming a Staff Evangelist.
‘We welcome Gareth to OAC acknowledging his considerable experience with London City Mission and what he can share with us from that,’ said OAC Training Director Geoff Beckingham. ‘However, he recognizes that he has a lot to learn from us about the ministry he is embarking on. Therefore, he will be undergoing the training with tailoring to take account of his experience.’
Like others, he will embark on a programme of various modules ranging from theology to practical subjects like preaching and using creative object lessons. ‘I’m looking forward to the constructive help when my preaching is critiqued,’ notes Gareth. ‘Also, what I like is the opportunity to refresh my skills in taking school assemblies and improving my technique with sketchboard painting. Although I have painted to accompany my Gospel messages in the past, it’s a skill that can be developed more.’
In his home area of East London, Gareth has been involved with school work and evangelism. For ten years, he also participated in Hyde Park outreach. Since 2007, his ministry has taken him to Zambia as part of a mission team each year. ‘I fell in love with the country of Zambia and the people. There is such openness to the Gospel. We go into the villages and work with the church leaders. The teaching is very basic. We try to encourage and equip the leaders.’
Summing up his coming year of training, Gareth said he anticipates learning new methods and moving forward in his ministry.
2011 OAC National & International Newsletters Available Now
The 2011 OAC National & International newsletters are now available to download.
The national newsletter contains news from OAC evangelists across the UK. To download it click here.
The international newsletter contains news from OAC evangelists across the world. To download it click here.
Thanks to Deborah Steiner (our publicity officer) OAC now has its own BLOG! What is a Blog you might ask? Blog is short for 'Web Log'. Think of it as an online diary / forum. You will be able to hear the very latest news and also be able to add your own comments and experiences. During 'Shine your light' for instance we will be updating each evening wth a brief report to which participants can add their own testimonies and you can feed back your encouragements and answers to your prayers. Log in at www.oacgbblog.org.uk.
New building projects in Romania!
Paul & Julie Wakefield have been doing a remarkable work in Romania. A Team of 22 are now based in their main centre of operations in Alba Iulia. They have also developed the 'Bethany' summer retreat centre at Cluj were each summer camps are held and many young people come to faith in Christ. A recent fact finding trip by Korky Davey from Bristol identified some important needs. As a result an action plan and budget has been formulated and an appeal launched. The roof on the house at Alba Iulia needs to be replaced and the Barn at Cluj that has been used for accommodation is unsafe and needs to be replaced. Total budget for the project is in the region of £45,000. Please pray, and if you are able to help financially then contact Korky Davey (Korky.davey@oaci.org).
OAC Ministries National Office
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