Jesus is love. A myth. A man who became a God. Not for me. Our Lord and saviour. A historical figure.
As the Forestville team has taken to the streets of Sydney’s Northern Beaches, these are a handful among the barrel of opinions offered up by locals in response to the ‘Jesus is_____.’ campaign.
Fuelled by the encouragement of a full Sunday establishing fellowship with our partner churches St David’s Forestville and Christ Church Northern Beaches, Monday was spent in preparation for the week and flying the ‘Jesus is_____.’ flag among the locals. Carrying boxes of water bottles labelled with advertising for the Wednesday night evangelistic event at the RSL, we made our way across the road to Forestville shops.
After not once but twice declining to be filmed for a ‘Jesus is_____.’ vox pop, two year twelve boys from the local high school circled back to our stall.
“I just wanted to ask, if it’s not too personal, what does it mean to you to be religious?”
What a gift of a conversation! No plucking up courage or enticing with a freebie was needed to get this discussion started, only the providence of God through a teenager’s curiosity.
After a few more minutes of conversation about how we came to be believers and what they think of God’s existence, the boys went away having heard what Jesus has done for them compared the need in other religions to do good for God’s favour. An invitation to Christianity Explored at St David’s was also extended to them both, so please pray that this offer would be taken up.
As much as I would love to tell you that all of our walk-up over Monday and Tuesday has seen such positive engagement, the reality is that we have still been received with anything from disinterest through to disdain. But praise God for the good conversations He has provided and pray that the team’s presence might get some locals thinking about Jesus.
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