MIA: (Ministry in Action) Open Air Edition

Open Air Evangelism (OAE) is the crucible of the year at the Word of Life Bible Institute. Definition of a crucible is this intense trial by fire which can only be survived by the grace of God.  Four weeks into the school year, staff and students alike, pack up and move to Toronto for four days, living in a church's sanctuary and Sunday School rooms and preaching the gospel on the streets of Toronto and Hamilton.

This is the crucible.

This is Open Air Evangelism.


When Jesus gave the Great Commission in Matthew 28, He did not just command the twelve disciples with this amazing directive, it was for all of Christ's followers then and now. At the Bible Institute, the students are provided many opportunities to obey this command and OAE is just one of these.

The students began this crucible with Personal Evangelism Training with Sam Frey, a missionnary with Word of Life for Open Air Evangelism. Sam Frey comes to the BI to train the students in street evangelism and then accompanies them to Toronto, leading a team each of the four days. Robert Strong and Hannah Heynen, interns with Mr. Frey, also participated with the training and the ministry. The students were trained on the "how to" of street evangelism and specifically on the method they would be using during OAE. The method employed during the week was the use of paintboards in Hamilton and buskers in Toronto. In the use of paintboards, one of the male students would make a presentation on the street using the board both to illustrate the gospel but also to attract attention.

Sam Frey teaches on how to use the painterboard.

 In Toronto, in order to be allowed to draw a crowd, one needs a busker license, therefore, several of the students attained licenses a few weeks prior to OAE. These buskers were trained to do a rope trick that presented the gospel as well as a tool known as the evangecube. Both the paintboards and the buskers were used to attract crowds and then the students would pull aside individuals in order to  talk with them one on one.  After a full day of training on Saturday, the students got ready to go on Sunday and after supper Sunday night they were on their way.

The students and staff stayed at Long Branch Baptist Church during the week. Their appreciation for the church staff and members could not be fully expressed for the use of their facilities.

Monday morning the students were assigned to the vans and headed to the various locations in Toronto and Hamilton. Commissioned by the Son of God, they were focused on the task at hand and yet were not without their fears. The Monday of OAE is always an eye-opener to what street evangelism is like and also more importantly how lost people really are. Forever etched in the minds of these students will be the images and stories that became the topic of the day, including the woman who claimed to be Jesus, the man who drank hand sanitizer, and the continuous onslaught of persons walking past the answer to all their questions and the relief to all their pain.


                                                                                                                                                                      

Some of the students share the gospel in Hamilton.

On the one hand, many of the students were wondering if they would last the week, and on the other, some were thinking that the day was too short. The experiences of the students were different from person to person. Even though some were having a difficult time, the over-all feeling on Monday night was enthusiasm for sharing the gospel especially when the news came out that one person accepted Jesus Christ as their personal Saviour.

On Tuesday most of the students moved to a different location and some had the chance to go to the Norfolk County Fair with Child Evangelism Fellowship (CEF) and work with them to share the gospel to children through drama and face-painting. The following is what one of the students said about this unique opportunity to tell kids about the love of Jesus Christ:

"Having the oppurtunity to go to the Simcoe Fair was such a great experience. I believe the Lord used me and those around me to clearly present the gospel message to the kids that came through. It is an experience I won't forget."

- Sarah, Alberta

On Wednesday, the students assisted Long Branch Baptist Church with getting some information about the church and a Gospel of John into the homes in the area by going door-to-door in and around the neighbourhood. They also took time on Tuesday to participate in a prayer meeting at the church and one of their ministries as well, Conversational English with Chinese Exchange students.

Two of the students perform the rope trick for some pedestrians.

Thursday came quickly and for the last time for OAE the students hit the streets of Toronto and Hamilton and another group went to the fair as well. The day ended with the students leaving to go home for Thanksgiving weekend.

The experience was as varied as those participating. Some students absolutely love it. Others learn that they could not do it on a day by day basis. The following comments express the students thoughts on OAE:

"OAE was an amazing experience! It has taught that we need to have a passion to share God's Word with the people we pass by everyday on the street."
- Tyler, Waterloo

"OAE challenged me to get real with this world, to step out of my comfort zone, to overcome my fears and share the gospel. I ended up learning about God and where others without Christ are coming from as I shared."
- Ryan, Wyoming


Open Air Evangelism has an enormous effect on the student body as whole. Afterwards, the students are more unified, because of a joint purpose  and the sharing of the emotional rollercoaster. The students share this memory for the rest of  the year and they have now learned to work together. Most importantly, as a group, they have learned to rely upon God for strength and wisdom.

Looking back, the students survived the first month of the BI. Now, they have been tried by fire and have survived the crucible, Open Air Evangelism. Looking forward at a year of ministry, the class of 2012 is ready for serving the Lord in every way He calls them to.

- OAE by the Numbers -

1100 - Children heard the gospel

1000 - Gospel Tracts handed out to people on the streets

900 - Times the gospel was preached publicly

30 - People that walked away with a New Testament in their hands

14 - New brothers and sisters in the Lord

Numbers don't mean anything... but changed lives do!

 BW

<><>