Young people boldly shared their faith as they took to the streets as part of The Scattering in the North East. Here are four incredible stories from that week of mission, with some updates on the follow up.
From uncertainty to baptism…
Jamie came along to The Scattering as his mates were taking part. At the beginning of the week, he told the team that he wasn’t sure about his faith. He’d grown up in a Christian home, but following Jesus wasn’t something he’d ever chosen for himself. As the week went on, and he heard his mates share the gospel over and over again, Jamie said he couldn’t help but feel the love of God every time he heard about Jesus. It was this, as well as being surrounded by people his own age who were on fire for God, that inspired Jamie to choose to live all out for Jesus.
He decided he wanted to become a Christian, and then after he prayed to accept Jesus into his life, he told the team he also wanted to be baptised! So on the last day of the mission week, the team, his pastor and his parents came together as he boldly declared his faith through baptism.
Will you share the gospel?
One of the leaders asked Bokang, ‘will you share the gospel?’ Without questioning it, he got up in the centre of town, took the mic and shared the gospel. Bokang then asked if anyone wanted to respond and Tommy, who was listening in, raised his hand. The team went over to chat with him. Tommy told them how he had found God when he was in prison but was struggling with how to live a Christian life on the other side of the prison gates. The team prayed with him as he responded to the gospel.
Update: Joe, one of the team leaders, has connected with Tommy to provide further discipleship, and Tommy said how much better he was feeling already.
‘I’ll catch up with you’
Caleb and Dan started talking to five lads who were making jokes, asking weird questions, and eventually started to walk away when the team were sharing. One of the boys, told his friends he’d catch up with them, and stayed to talk more with Caleb and Dan. As they shared the gospel and their testimonies, another lad came back to listen. Both the boys said they wanted the hope and peace that Dan had said he’d experienced. They both decided to say ‘yes’ to Jesus!
Update: As the boys were the same age as Caleb and Dan, they kept in contact. The boys wanted to know about joining church and where to start reading their Bibles!
There, that’s what I believe…
Some of the young people were a little nervous heading into the town centre, worried they’d bump into someone they knew. ‘Micheal!!!’ a voice rang out, as several lads came running up to one of our young people. ‘What are you doing?’ they asked. Micheal responded saying ‘just sit down and listen’. He got up on the microphone and began to preach the gospel and shared his testimony. His friends listened intently the whole way through and when he had finished, he went up to them saying ‘there, that’s what I believe’. In response, three of his friends chose to follow Jesus for themselves!
Please pray for all our Advance Youth who took part in this week of mission, that they’ll continue to take up the call to share Jesus’ love in all they do. And also pray that the people they met would get plugged into church and continue in their discipleship.
