On Thursday, I joined the Arise team in Croydon to encourage them. They had been doing door-to-door evangelism for three days, but on that day they had planned to do street evangelism. We headed towards the busy Tesco, set up a table with various gospel tracts, and began by singing worship songs. After that, we split into pairs and spread out to share the gospel.
Since I regularly participate in Saturday evangelism in central London, I felt quite comfortable. Surprisingly, however, people in the local community were much more open to conversations than the tourists I usually meet in central London. What impressed me most was how receptive the teenagers were. As we stood holding signs with thought-provoking questions, many young people approached us and started a conversation. We discussed topics they were curious about, such as LGBT issues and evolution, and that naturally opened the door to sharing the gospel.
We also met many Muslims and Hindus, and it was a joy to explain how the gospel of Jesus Christ is different and to share Jesus’ grace. Two teenagers accepted Christ that day. One of the girls exchanged phone numbers with a local pastor and said she would attend the church’s youth gathering on Saturday. After the outreach, we shared a meal with the pastor and talked about our journeys of faith. Later, I visited where the Arise team was staying and reflected on the day’s ministry together.
As I made my way home after 9 p.m., my heart was overflowing with joy. It reminded me of the joy I experienced during my mission trip to India two weeks earlier. Evangelism can easily feel intimidating or feel like work, but I find it remarkable that every time I finish sharing the gospel, my heart is filled with an indescribable joy. Even during our regular Saturday outreaches, I often feel nervous beforehand and while speaking with people. Yet I consistently experience a deep sense of fulfilment, peace, and renewed courage afterwards, as though God delights in the work and refreshes my soul.
After spending the day with the Arise team, I was reminded once again that true joy in life does not come from having more free time or escaping the demands of daily life through Netflix, the news, or endless celebrity stories. Those things may give rest to our bodies, but they often leave our hearts even drier and more empty. Spending time with close friends over a good meal can be enjoyable in the moment, but can leave us returning home with a sense of emptiness. We are spiritual beings. Real joy is found in drawing near to God – in worship, in serving where He delights to work, and in sharing with brothers and sisters in Christ. Our bodies may become tired, but our spirits are strengthened, and the joy that comes from God overflows.
Jesus said, “Apart from Me you can do nothing.” When life feels dry and empty, and even personal rest fails to satisfy, the problem may be spiritual weakness. Return to the place of worship where God’s presence dwells and to the work of proclaiming the gospel. The weaker we feel spiritually, the more we need to draw near to Christ’s body, the church.
