Category: Key West Evangelism Training
This article was originally posted on opc.org. by Trish Duggan Fun (and evangelizing) in the sun? It almost seems impossible with all that’s going on these days, but it may still be. This year is certainly different for OPC Short-Term Missions. We may be down, but we’re not out. If you were thinking of a missions’ trip, but it was
Andy and Beth said, “We had a great time with the project….So happy to be able to serve the Lord in this way…”
The evangelism training my team and I received in Key West inspired me to be “bold and courageous,” and to have peace in my heart knowing that the God who is the God of my life is also the God of the lives of the people I’m witnessing to . . .
The Sunset Celebration takes place every evening, and there are a number of different vendors and acts that are there to attract the locals and tourists who show up. This means that there are a lot of “distractions” from Bill’s message, but as he says, there is no real competition . . .
Come to Keys Evangelistic Ministries (KEM) to receive classroom training and practical experience in evangelism, and,”embark on a short-term mission in which you will grow in your ability to speak with boldness about the eternal hope that is in you . . .”
I found our mission trip to Key West extremely encouraging. I really enjoyed going to Mallory Square and helping Bill Welzien witness to people. Also, our afternoon snorkeling was one of the highlights of the trip . . . . It was a great time of learning and fellowship . . .
As the minutes ticked by and the time was getting closer for me to stand up and open-air preach, my throat grew parched and my palms sweaty. Bill had prepared me for this, and yet, I still had knees knocking, with an anxiety about being ready . . .
August 2016 marked 30 years since OP Pastor Bill Welzien began doing open air easel evangelism at Mallory Square in Key West, Florida! His article, “Glancing Back and Forward,” gives a quick overview of the years that have sped by for him . . .
Pete Onink and his daughter Jessica drove down from Illinois…Mark and Patti Palmer from Alabama joined them…David and Donna Taylor from Bradenton were vacationing nearby and came to pitch in…
NEW HORIZONS, October 2015: Energy and resources we would normally use to serve only ourselves, instead are called to be used in service of others, both those we came to minister to and our fellow team members . . .
We are very thankful that you took the time each day to talk in depth with us as a group. Your explanation of why we witness and evangelize was refreshing. You showed us how to use God’s authority for reaching people with truth and love . . .
I found it very interesting seeing how all those different people on the pier reacted to God’s word. In our sometimes protected world we never see the effects of God’s word on unbelievers, and seeing the wide variety of responses people had was very eye-opening . . .
I was struck when I witnessed Pastor Bill Welzien’s gospel presentation in Mallory Square the first night. I had seen various methods in my time as a Christian but none so captivating, so clear . . .
I learned a lot about evangelizing, and I also learned some things about myself; areas where I am lacking and areas where I have strengths I wasn’t even aware of. It was a fantastic trip overall . . .
The experience I had there was incredible and I definitely grew closer to God over the week. I also grew much closer to the guys I went with and am very thankful for their friendship . . .
The specific technique taught by Bill was called “word painting.” This involves shapes that are pre-drawn on paper, which are subsequently filled in to reveal block letters of his message. It was a good way of captivating an audience at Mallory Square in Key West . . .
We attended and assisted in six public gospel presentations at Mallory Square sunset celebration where we spoke to listeners and handed out literature . . .
We had such a great experience spending time with Bill and learning from him. We came home wanting to know God’s word better and with a renewed desire to tell others about the good news of Jesus Christ . . .