Last year I published the article: 7 Reasons to Attend Tulip Time Gospel Outreach in which I challenged those on the fence to come and be a part of this amazing outreach. The seven reasons to attend were:
- First-class conference teaching from experts in evangelism and creation science.
- Witnessing alongside experts in evangelism and apologetics.
- Tracts and witnessing materials provided.
- Learn to conquer your fears in a safe environment.
- Network with evangelists and ministry leaders.
- It’s fun.
- It’s life changing.
Though these seven reasons are still valid today, I wanted to explore even more reasons to come join us in 2024 and learn how to share your faith to the lost on the street. Here are seven more reasons to attend Pella Tulip Time Outreach: May 2-4, 2024!
Reason 1: The most team leaders of any prior year
In previous years at Pella Tulip Time Outreach, we have had two to four Team Leaders to teach people how to share their faith at the festival. This year we have a total of nine! This is amazing and much needed. This means we could have smaller groups with greater concentration on teaching and leading.
The focus of the team leaders is not sharing the gospel and to get into as many conversations as possible with the lost. The real focus behind team leaders is training and equipping YOU to do it. This is why I take time introducing myself, getting to know my team, and what their strengths and weaknesses are so that I can better help them. Now, we do go out and share the gospel, pass out tracts, and talk with unbelievers about what they believe. But, like the old saying goes, “Give a man a fish, and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish, and you feed him for a lifetime.” I prefer to teach you how to fish so that you can be better equipped to share the gospel in your hometown when I am not present.
Reason 2: People attending are just as nervous as you are
There are many people attending Pella Tulip Time Outreach that are just as nervous as you are. They may look like they’re cool and collected, but inside their heart races and nerves are jittery.
But this is the reason why we are here, isn’t it? It’s the perfect way to get people sharing the gospel together in a learning environment that is safe and effective. I’ll be honest, I am nervous going out and sharing my faith as well. I have weaknesses too. We all do. Even Ray Comfort has to battle fear on a contunual basis.
So, if you do not want to go because you think you will be the only one that is scared, trust me, you are not alone. Come and you will see that there are many that have the same issues you have, and together we can conquer those fears to help you share your faith.
Reason 3: Learn to be creative
God built you in His image, but He also built you for a specific purpose and to be unique in your own way. Last time I checked, there is only one Ray Comfort, one Mark Spence, and one Emeal “E.Z.” Zwayne (thank goodness). Each of them shares the gospel in their own way, and they reach different types of people. They have their own gifts and abilities. Like playing football, imagine if everyone on one team were a quarterback. It would be disastrous.
Use this time at Pella Tulip Time Outreach to find your unique abilities and ways of doing evangelism. This is what I did when I used my picture-taking talent to share the gospel. It works for me; discover what works for you.
Reason 4: Headline Speaker Mark Spence from Living Waters
Saturday, Mark Spence: Senior Vice-President of Living Waters Ministries, will be speaking on two very important topics: abortion, and atheism.
In his talk, What Is It? The Case for Pro-Life, Mark will explore how science, philosophy, and theology all support the value of the preborn from the moment of fertilization. He will also explore how to respond to the most common objections pro-life advocates face.
His other lecture, The Bankruptcy of Atheism, Mark starts off by debunking the notion that atheists exist. Next, he discusses the ‘heart of the atheist’, and their post-modern thinking, and how to refute their many foolish claims and share God’s Word with them; showing their greatest need — Jesus Christ.
So, bring lots of paper and a full pen because he has so much needed info to equip us how to share our faith. It will be amazing.
Reason 5: Plenty of opportunities for introverts
Maybe it’s not fear that you struggle with when sharing your faith, but maybe it makes you uncomfortable because of your introverted personality, or that an event like this is only for extroverts. You may think that since the festival draws in over 200,000 visitors every year that it would be wall-to-wall people and you don’t want any part of that. The truth is that there are plenty of places at this event introverts can go to share the gospel that’s not jammed full of noise or people. Here are a few:
- Molengracht Canal
- Fountain area south of The Klokkenspel
- Shelters in West Market Park
- Alley way between Broadway St. and Main St.
- Tractors on Franklin St.
As an introvert myself, I struggled deeply how to share my faith at this event. I felt uncomfortable with passing out tracts, begging people to endure a conversation, and other reasons. But, we don’t go by feelings; we are disciples of Christ. Over the years I learned how to overcome them, and where the places are most comfortable for me. I desire to have the deep meaningful one-on-one conversations with unbelievers instead of tracting as many people as possible, but I still do it with the hopes of getting into a conversation. I witness but in my own way, and you can too.
Reason 6: Exposure to diverse styles of evangelism
There are many different ways to experience evangelism at Pella Tulip Time Outreach. Here are several:
Parade evangelism
Sharing the gospel at a parade is one of the easiest forms of witnessing and tract distribution a person can do. It is safe, fun, and people are expecting something from those walking down the street like candy or beads. Why not million dollar bills too. It’s also fun and safe for the whole family.
The best part is that with Pella Tulip Time runs two parades a day — one in the afternoon, and one in the evening. Come for them all, or come for a few. The choice is yours.
Prayer Station evangelism
On the side of the church home base there will be a prayer station to welcome those coming to the event and ask if they would like any prayer. This is a great way to start conversations on a more personal level, and answer questions people may have about spiritual things. Perfect opportunity for introverts. The booth is equipped with tracts, Bibles, and chairs to rest.
Tract distribution
Standing in one spot and passing out tracts in busy areas is a great way to prime the pump and get the jitters out of sharing the gospel verbaly. You know what the hardest tract to give away is? The very first one. Use this time to get used to talking to others and reaching out to the lost.
One-on-one witnessing
Once those gitters are gone, it’s time to have those one-on-one conversations with people about spiritual things. How you get into those conversations is up to you, but it’s imperitave that we have them.
Photography evangelism
Offering a service and a helping hand is a great way to open doors to share the gospel. It is one of my favorite things to do at Pella Tulip Time. One way is to offer to take pictures of those struggling to take selfies and encorporate the background in the shot. I simply ask if they would like me to take it for them and almost instantly they are quickly giving me their phones or cameras.
Many of those who are taking pictures themselves are newbies to the event, and this is a perfect way to share your favorite things with those who are new to the area. Plus, those who do come may not be Christians themselves, and are curious about the Christian themes or the history of the town.
Open-air preaching
Last-year’s headline speaker, Dr. Anthony Silvestro, will be teaching a course on how to open-air preach the right way, and give us a demonstration how to do that. I will most likely be taking this lesson because it’s one of those things I’ve done a dozen times and need to get better at it. So, why don’t you join me and I’ll save you a seat.
Where on the planet can you experience all of this in one place throughout the day? Nowhere I know except Pella Tulip Time Outreach.
Reason 7: The Food
Ok, so I couldn’t verywell stop at thirteen reasons; I had to find something else. Don’t judge me. But there are many differnt types of food that I love that is unique to the area you can’t get anywhere else. There are many Dutch meats, cheeses, and of course pastries like Dutch Letters. The resturant: Dutch Fix, by far has the best cheeseburgers on the planet, not to mention the G.O.A.T. of all sandwiches — The Tripple Threat, which is located in the green Methodist shack of the food court.
On your lunch break you can take an opportunity to share the gospel, or take time to fellowship with each other and get to know someone over a meal.
I hope these reasons encourage you to come join us for this exciting event to conquer your fears and share your faith. Share in the comments what you would like to work on, or if you are a veteran to Pella Tulip Time Outreach, how the Lord helped you become a better evangelist. I look forward to meeting you all.
If you would like articles like this to be sent directly to your email inbox, consider subscribing below.
Pens & Wrenches 
Leave a comment