The first time I heard about Open Air Campaigners (OAC) was at the Tulip Time Outreach two years ago. My friends Steve and Connie Johnson were regulars at the event and had been group leaders in the past. I had never known what they were a part of, and to be honest were so flexible, I assumed they were more like myself: just doing evangelism by helping those in other ministries. Even though that was true, they were part of a much bigger picture, and a ministry that frankly is severely underrated.
At that particular Tulip Time Outreach, we had gotten dumped on with rain, and found it impossible to go out and share the gospel to those in the festival. So, group leaders who had particular niches and talks, stepped up to teach breakout classes. As Steve was preparing his canvas to do his painting evangelism, I can imagine those watching him on the street would be equally interested in what he was about to do. From the moment he started, my wife and I were glued to every word he said, and watched intensely as he visually made the gospel come alive right before us.
Now that I have whet your appetite, let’s take a look at this long-standing ministry that has unimaginable potential to reach tens of thousands in the biblically illiterate world we live in today.
What Does OAC Do?
Open Air Campaigners is an evangelistic ministry focused on preaching the Gospel to lost people and mobilizing the body of Christ to do the same, primarily through effective open-air outreach that spans various communities and cultures. It accomplishes this through the use of painted sketch board story outlines and vinyl flip charts, which serve as tools to engage the audience visually and emotionally. Here, evangelists preach the Gospel verbally while painting a picture to provide a visual aid to what they are learning, ensuring that the message resonates on multiple levels.
This multi-sensory approach not only enhances understanding but also fosters a deeper connection with the audience. This is a very eye-catching, unique way to share the Gospel and keep the attention of those who are listening, often drawing in passersby who might not otherwise engage with religious teachings. By creating an inviting atmosphere for discussion and interaction, Open Air Campaigners hopes to inspire conversations that lead to personal transformation and a stronger faith in Christ.
Rich History
OAC has a rich history which began in Australia in 1892, when a lawyer named E.P. Field began preaching the Gospel in Sydney. He was concerned that the majority of Australians did not attend church. If someone did not take the Gospel to them, how would they ever hear. OAC later came to the United States in 1956.
Today, OAC is an international and interdenominational mission which has been taking the good news of Jesus Christ to those outside the church. The evangelists go wherever non-Christians can be reached effectively with the Gospel. City-centre open-air meetings are an important part of the work in many countries, but we also work in schools, on beaches, in factories, on ships, in hospitals, and retirement homes.
Their mission is to take the Gospel of Christ out from the church and into the public arena. You will find them preaching on busy city sidewalks, marketplaces, parks, on college campuses, and in neighborhoods. They also provide training and service opportunities in evangelistic ministry for individuals, churches, and organizations.
Be Uniquely You
Some of you might be thinking—I can’t paint. Others may feel—I can’t preach. But that’s completely fine! I bet if you were to ask those who graduated from the course they couldn’t either. But God isn’t looking for the most talented, smart, funny, or gifted individuals. He seeks those who are faithful (Matthew 25:21), available (Isaiah 6:8), and teachable (2 Timothy 2:2). He welcomes those who may feel weak, for it’s through their lives that His glory shines the brightest!
For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God. And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, so that, as it is written, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.”
1 Cor 1:26-31 ESV
God’s grace is sufficient for you to do whatever He has called you in (2 Corinthians 12:9-10). Maybe this is what you’ve been searching for. Consider this unique ministry today, and shine bright for His kingdom.
Pens & Wrenches 
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