By Rev Tom Penman
Glasgow recently hosted the Commonwealth Games with athletes and tourists coming from around the world. It was too good an opportunity to miss. So, the Glasgow and Argyll Presbytery worked with our mission partner, Operation Mobilisation, to share the gospel during the Games.
The outreach was held on the streets of Glasgow with a stall. We shared the gospel one-to-one and distributed tracts and other literature. We had different ways of engaging with passers-by. We gave out free bottles of water with Jesus’ words from John 4 on them, along with a flyer with more information. We offered to pray with people and asked them what they would most want from God. We also had a continuous line art challenge. This is a type of art where you do not lift your pen or pencil off the page until the picture is complete. The aim of each of these activities was to provide opportunities for spiritual conversations where the gospel could be shared. For example, offers to pray could easily lead into a discussion of the good news God was offering them. We gave out copies of the gospel and provided information on where to find a local church.
Operation Mobilisation had a team with members from England, Australia, Germany, the Netherlands, and Singapore. They were hosted by members of different Free Churches in Glasgow. Each day began with devotionals at Crow Road Free Church, who gave the mission team the use of their hall. Members of local churches came out each day for the mission as well. One of the encouragements of the week was young adults from Glasgow churches joining us who had never been on a mission or street outreach before. They all said they enjoyed the mission and found it less scary than expected. Seeing them grow in their confidence and faith gave a boost to the rest of the team.
It was a great week. Glasgow’s greatest need is to know Christ and we shared the gospel with people from all different backgrounds. Missions like this show what is possible when we work together.
