CH Spurgeon (1834-1892) ended his lecture, entitled Open-air preaching – A Sketch of its History, with this appeal to the students at his Pastors’ College:

Not only must something be done to evangelise the millions, but everything must be done, and perhaps amid variety of effort the best thing would be discovered. “If by any means I many save some” must be our motto, and this must urge us onward to go forth into the highways and hedges and compel them to come in. Brethren, I speak as unto wise men, consider what I say.

Someone recently mentioned to me that evangelists are like entrepreneurs – they are not afraid to try many different ideas. Obviously, we have Biblical principles to guide us and an unchanging message of Good News to share, but he has a point. And it looks like Spurgeon would agree. Open air outreach needs a ‘variety of effort.’