An easy-to-try but often overlooked type of evangelism is the book table. Find a busy public location (e.g. a street corner, a town square), set up a table (or if you’re ambitious, a display stand) and lay out some tracts, booklets, Bibles and Christian books (e.g. copies of Have You Ever Wondered?). Then simply wait for people to stop by and start conversations.
We spoke to Imtiaz Khan from London City Mission—an organisation that use book tables a lot in their evangelism. Imtiaz has been personally involved in this kind of outreach for years and said when he started, it was nerve-wracking, but he quickly discovered what a wonderfully easy form of outreach this was: many people are intrigued and stop to talk.
Imtiaz shared a story of an occasion when an Afghan man came up and just hung around, looking at books, but not talking. Finally he said: “Can I have a word?” He then opened up about his life and told how as a child in Afghanistan he’d been traumatised when he’d seen someone murdered. Imtiaz was able to pray and start a friendship with him.
Another time, Imtiaz was talking to a man who had stopped and asked what they were doing. Imtiaz explained: “We are Christians and we’re giving out free literature”. The man replied: “Do you know, I’m a Muslim—but the other day I was on a bus and saw a sign outside a church that said “Jesus is Alive”. And I thought: if he’s alive, why can’t he appear to me? Then a few nights later, I had a vision of Jesus!” As you can imagine, that opened the door to an incredible conversation!
Not all encounters are that dramatic. And not all involve Muslims—many different types of people are willing to stop and talk. Furthermore, book tables also raise the visual presence of Christians and locally: people realise their the local church is alive too!
So give it a go. Identify a good location; ask the local council if you need permission; get a foldable table and a range of books, tracts, and Bibles (including in multiple languages, if you live in a multicultural area). Don’t forget to pray. And remember: it doesn’t matter if you only speak to two people all morning, if those are the right two people!
Pray: Lord, give us the boldness to try a book table!
Previously: Launch Pad #44 Get Creative – Use the Arts
