Chris Joslin, a member of First Baptist Church Owensboro, Kentucky, has found a unique approach to street evangelism through a tool called the Prayer Stand — a pop-up tent that facilitates conversations about faith and offers prayer in public spaces.
Unlike more confrontational street evangelists, Joslin’s method is gentle and conversational, beginning with a simple question: “Do you have any needs I can pray for?”
Deeper conversations
This approach often leads to deeper conversations about faith and the gospel. Even those who decline prayer are offered gospel tracts, which Joslin sees as a win in itself. For three years, he has used the Prayer Stand and eventually acquired the rights to manufacture and sell it. He assembles the stands himself.
“I see it as a witnessing tool,” Joslin said. “Even people who aren’t believers are not offended by prayer, and who doesn’t have a struggle somewhere? It’s an opportunity to engage them. I’ll walk with them as they come by and ask if I can pray for them about anything.”
With lots of festivals and outdoor events that have heavy foot traffic, Joslin has found the Prayer Stand has given him opportunities to share the gospel.
During one event in Owensboro, he noted, he handed out 40 gospel tracts, prayed with 18 people and shared the gospel three times over a two-hour period.
“That’s high-percentage play,” he said. “It’s exciting, as a Christian, to be able to pursue people on their faith journey.”
EDITOR’S NOTE — This story was written by Mark Maynard and originally published by Kentucky Today.
