Pastor Peter Simpson was proclaiming the Lord Jesus Christ as the only means of salvation in the centre of Aylesbury on May 20th, along with Mrs Lesley Pilkington, who handed out tracts and engaged passers-by by in conversation wherever this was possible.
A young man stopped to talk, when Mrs Pilkington offered him a tract. He was very open, as he had been thinking about God for some time. He admitted to his life being in a mess. During a longish discussion the gospel was presented, and the young man readily acknowledged his sin. He said that he agreed with what had just been said to him. He wanted to talk more, but had an urgent dental appointment. May this meeting, however, be a truly meaningful encounter for him.
A very polite young man and his girlfriend also stopped to talk. He explained how he used to believe in the Lord Jesus, but no longer did, citing as his reason that both his grandparents had suddenly died, and this had left him grief-stricken. So Mrs Pilkington spoke on the subject of death. We are all frail, mortal beings who will all die sooner or later. This is a reality very closely linked to the Christian gospel, because death only first came into the world because of man’s sin. The young man was asked if his grandparents had been believers in Christ, and he said that they were. Therefore, he was reassured that they were now in a joyous state in the presence of the Lord in heavenly glory.
The witnessing sister went on to explain that he should trust God to help to grieve. After all, God the Father sent His Son into the world knowing that He would be cruelly treated and put to death. Also, we are told of the Lord Jesus Christ :
“We have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin” (Hebrews 4:15). The eternal Son of God became a man and personally experienced the trials and griefs which the rest of mankind go through.
Mrs Pilkington prayed on the spot that the young man and his girlfriend would turn to the Saviour. He thankfully received a copy of John’s Gospel, along with a leaflet giving the testimony of Canon Andrew White, who is in a wheelchair with Parkinson’s disease, and who knows much about personal suffering, and maintaining his solid faith in the Lord in the midst of these trials. May the Lord speak powerfully to the hearts of these two people.
Another young man walked by looking rather anxious on reading the posters on display. He was cautious about talking, but said that he did not like the posters, especially the one commenting on the social ills which inevitably arise, when a nation turns its back on God, ills such as the practice of abortion and the promotion of the LGBT agenda in schools and national institutions generally.
The young man said that he did not know anything about Jesus Christ, and Mrs Pilkington carefully explained who the Lord is. He replied that this was the first time that he had ever heard such teaching. Very sadly, he would not take any literature, but may this conversation be a vital sowing of seed in his heart.
Another man passing by said that he was a Hindu, but was interested to know about the Lord Jesus. He was given a basic gospel message, focusing on man’s primary of problem of sin and on the need to ne reconciled to one’s Maker through faith in Christ. He acknowledged that he had done wrong things. He listened politely and asked questions, and was also willing to take literature. May the Lord use these and this conversation to bring this Hindu gentleman to the one true God, and His Son, the only Saviour of sinners. Indeed, may this also be the case with many others who heard the gospel in Aylesbury upon this day.