WOMEN'S DAY MISSIONS IN THE MALL
Despite initial opposition and resistance, we were permitted to conduct outreaches in four shopping malls in Cape Town. The children were delighted to be handed colourful balloons and many people were plainly grateful for the Gospel literature we were handing out. There was much interest in our Spiritual Well-Being Survey, which took shoppers through The Way of the Master and Evangelism Explosion questions to confront them with the Law of God and the reality of Eternity.
"Wisdom calls aloud outside; she raises her voice in open squares. She cries out in the chief concourses, at the openings of the gates in the city she speaks her words." Proverbs 1:20-21
Bible Distribution
On our display tables we had a pile of ESV New Testaments with a sign offering a Free Gift of a New Testament to anyone who completed the Spiritual Well-Being Survey. We were able to counsel over 70 people as a result.
Where Do People Go When They Die?
To this question: Most said Heaven, less than half said heaven or hell (not sure which), a quarter said they did not know, or mentioned a waiting place for Jesus to return.
What is God Like?
To this question: The majority mentioned the attributes of God such as: good, righteous, Just, kind, loving, caring, forgiving, Holy etc. Many mentioned God as Father, Creator, a Spiritual being, awesome or a human like us who answers prayer and "out of this world". Others said that God is Love, and Spirit. Others said He helps with finance, is friendly, compassionate, perfect. A few said that they did not know.
If You Could Ask God for One Thing What Would That Be?
Most asked questions such as: Why does satan exist and why do others go to hell? Why did God allow the Fall? Marriages need strengthening. What is an example of a good Christian? Some said: Salvation, peace, forgiveness, grace and mercy. A few mentioned: that we would be one, with peace. Others said happiness, to know His will, health, wisdom and less poverty.
Should God Punish Murderers and Rapists? And if so How?
The majority said: Yes, and they should be severely punished as per His Word. Some said that criminals should go to hell. Less than a quarter said: No, if they repent. Others said everyone deserves a second chance.
What Does a Person Have To Do to Go to Heaven?
What do you think a person has to do to go to Heaven? Most said: accept Christ as your Lord and Saviour, i.e. Be Born Again or Saved. Others said that we should live righteously, do good deeds by serving others and obey God � s Commands. A few responded that we should repent and trust in Christ who died for our sins.
Are You a Good Person?
Most responded to this question with a definite "Yes!" Several said they try to be "very good" people. Some admitted that they were not good people. Others said nobody is good except God. One said she was "100% perfect"!
How Many of The Ten Commandments Can You Name?
Half could only name 7 or less. Some could name all. Four could name none.
Have You Always Obeyed The Ten Commandments?
The majority said No. The balance believed that they had obeyed to some extent, and some were not sure.
If You Were to Die Today - Where Would You Go?
When asked this question: More than half said Heaven. Some said they hoped they were going to go to Heaven. Five admitted that they would go straight to hell. The rest did not know, or did not answer the question directly.
Do You Believe that Hell is Real?
The overwhelming majority believe that hell is real. The rest don't know or are not sure and would be interested if there was a way to avoid death.
Do You Believe What the Bible Teaches About Eternal Life?
Almost everyone agreed that what the Bible teaches about everlasting life is true. Several did not agree.
Who Do You Think Jesus Is?
The majority answered the Son of God. Others said Son of Man and God in the flesh. Few said that He was a prophet and others said Saviour and Messiah.
What is Stopping You from Surrendering to Christ?
When it came to the last question, the majority said that they were already saved. Or that nothing was stopping them at all, and were eager to receive a New Testament and further guidance on how they could be right with God. Many were happy to be prayed with.
Sowing Gospel Seed
Over 17 000 Gospel tracts, pro-life and pro-family leaflets and Scripture booklets were distributed to shoppers in the biggest shopping centre in Cape Town, Canal Walk, and at Tableview and Kenilworth Centre and at a shopping centre in Khayelitsha. Boxes of World Missionary Press Gospel booklets in Xhosa and English were distributed, along with boxes of Frontline Fellowship, Africa Christian and Way of the Master tracts. Over 2 000 balloons with Scripture messages were distributed at the outreaches.
A generous donation of 63 posies from Christian Action supporter Monica Sandri, were distributed at Canal Walk to women who were plainly delighted to receive these beautiful bunches of flowers.
Evangelistic Opportunities
The literature distribution went fast and furiously, particularly in Khayelitsha, where people queued up to collect literature from the table. Many people stopped to read the leaflets there and then in the shopping centres. Within a few hours the teams at Khayelitsha and Canal Walk ran out of balloons and Gospel literature. Many meaningful conversations developed and the Gospel seed was sown in much fertile soil. Evangelistic discussions ensued with Muslims, people with a Mormon background, Jehovah's Witnesses, backsliders, secular humanists and some involved in the occult.
Sixteen Years of Mall Missions
This was the sixteenth year that Africa Christian Action (ACA) has conducted outreaches on National Women's Day. Since 1995, ACA has mobilised Christian Action Groups throughout the country to use this public holiday as an opportunity for outreaches in shopping centres. Tens of thousands of leaflets and Gospel tracts were printed and three thousand balloons with Scriptures and pro-family messages were produced for the event. Seventy six volunteers took part in various outreaches in Cape Town. The outreaches at Kenilworth and Tableview lasted eight hours and at Canal Walk for twelve hours. There was great interest and many positive responses to our literature tables and displays from passers-by. Some of the people that we spoke to mentioned how much they appreciated the Christian Action Magazine and the articles in JOY! Magazine. Many were regular listeners of the ACA Salt and Light radio programme on Radio Tygerberg every Tuesday night.
Balloon Evangelism
Soon the shopping centres were filled with children carrying balloons which declared: A woman who fears the Lord shall be praised; A family that prays together stays together; The Bible is the Greatest Book ever written; Read the Bible every day; Say No to porn; Whom the Son sets free is free indeed and similar messages in other languages. It is very hard, even for an irate atheist adult, to take a balloon away from a child!
Being Salt and Light
After a full day of outreach, many conversations, discussions, witnessing and counselling opportunities, many of the volunteers had aching legs and swirling heads. All of us who took part in these outreaches rejoiced at the privilege of sowing Gospel seed and taking a stand in busy shopping centres, being salt and light in our communities. It was encouraging to receive many positive and enthusiastic responses from Christians who passed by.
Thank You
Thank you very much to each one of you who had a part in organising, sponsoring, praying for, or conducting these outreaches. Let us continue to pray that the Lord will mercifully and graciously work in the hearts and lives of each one that has been touched through the literature distribution, witnessing, conversations and counselling, and through the simple Scriptures and pro-family messages on the balloons.
You Can Start an Action Group
Should you be interested in starting, or joining, an Action Group, or Reformation Society in your area, please contact Africa Christian Action, request a copy of the Christian Action Starter Pack (info@christianaction.org.za) and ask for the: How to Start a Reformation Society in Your Area, article.
"You are the salt of the earth, but if salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled by men. You are the light of the world...in the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in Heaven." Mathew 5:13-16
Resources Available
Many of our tracts, articles, questionnaires, and surveys are also available for free downloading online: www.christianaction.org.za; www.livingstonefellowship.co.za and www.ReformationSA.org
Africa Christian Action
PO Box 23632
Claremont
7735 Cape Town
South Africa
Tel: 021-689 4481
E-mail: info@christianaction.org.za
Web: www.christianaction.org.za
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