While the sun still shines we’re trying out a new location for our street outreach in Brighton. The Clock Tower is right in the heart of the city. So on Thursday we arrived to preach and chat to folk around a book table. But before we’d even set up the table a few remarkable things happened.

Firstly, a lady came up to us and shared that God had told her to come to this part of the city and hand over a gift. She pressed £100 into my hands, prayed for the outreach and moved on. That’s never happened before! (and a huge encouragement to the team leading our little church plant).

Secondly, a young lady, about the same age as one of my daughters, approached explaining that she really needed to find out about Jesus. She left with a Bible and is now connected to our student ministry.

Thirdly, another young woman was so glad to see us. She was visiting from Germany and had only been a Christian for a couple of months and really lacked assurance that she would continue in her faith. I encouraged her and explained the gospel again – how God see’s us through the finished work – and especially the righteousness – of his Son, Jesus. As I did so, she began to weep – it seemed out of joy and relief. I was able to encourage her with a paraphrase of these words of Jesus:

‘My sheep hear my voice, I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all. No one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. I and the Father are one.’ (John 10:27-30)

We did try some preaching, but after Julian Rebera and I had had a go, the microphone broke! So the rest of the time was spent with people near the book table.

All this time Julian Sheppard from Grace Church Guildford was engaging passers by with his interactive white board. He is quietly a very effective personal evangelist!

All but one of our Bibles apart were taken plus many gospels and pieces of literature. Young people were especially interested to talk.

Lessons I learned.

• I was preparing to preach, but God wanted personal conversations that day. I need to be ready to minister and evangelise from the get go – even before everything gets set up. This always takes me by surprise!
• Sometimes the ministry is to new or straying sheep as well as the lost sheep. The book table at times felt like a doctor’s surgery. Again, I need to be prepared spiritually for anything to happen.

Next week we’ll try preaching again but remembering to be ready for whatever weather or people the Lord provides.

Please continue to pray for the outreach from Grace Church Brighton in the city