Sometimes, you must expect the unexpected on the high street sharing the good news of Jesus Christ with strangers.

I was out one day with the LCM team and a few volunteers from the local church. We were playing Christian music and sharing the gospel when a man stormed over with his pitbull off the leash.

The man, visibly angry, yanked the plug out of our speakers and started shouting, "You're disturbing everyone!"

I initially felt antagonistic and thought, "But you're the one that's creating the disturbance right now." But I quickly caught myself and changed my approach.

I gently pointed out to the man, "Let's be honest. You're not angry with us. There's something deeper here that is coming out in your anger."

His attitude changed immediately. I could see my words hit true. I sat down next to the man, began stroking his dog, and shared the gospel with him.

It was then the man admitted he was a broken person. I couldn’t help but respond, "Yeah, we all are, friend."

By the end of our conversation, the man apologised, hugged me, and left with a New Testament and an invitation to church.

It’s remarkable what grace can do in a world hostile to the gospel. By responding with grace and seeing where the man was coming from, God's intervention turned a potentially violent situation into a moment of understanding.

Street evangelism can be daunting, but stepping out in faith to share Jesus with strangers is a journey filled with unexpected moments, powerful encounters, and opportunities for growth.

Here are some key points to keep in mind:

1. Expect the Unexpected

You don’t know what the day will hold. You may encounter strong opposition, but you might also find an opportunity to connect deeply with someone. I went out with a team member recently to reach people with the gospel at their homes. I remember a woman opening her door.

“I can’t talk. I’ve got a lot going on...” she said frantically, ready to close the door.

I asked gently if she wanted us to pray for her. And she said yes. This woman teared up as she revealed her nervousness about an upcoming call, and we prayed together.

The conversation soon got to the gospel, and we offered to return the following week with a Bible. She gladly accepted, and she’s since expressed interest in visiting the church.

Sometimes, through prayer, what looks like a closed door can unexpectedly turn into an open one. We can't predict how people will react, but we can trust that every encounter has a purpose.

2. It’s not about us

When sharing the gospel, it's essential to remember that it's not our clever words that convict people. It’s the work of the Holy Spirit.

When that angry man came up, my immediate reaction was to retaliate. Then, as clear as day, this verse from Galatians 3:16 came into my heart, encouraging me to walk by the Spirit and not gratify the desires of the flesh.

If we look at Galatians 5:13-16, it says: