The 500th anniversary of the Tyndale New Testament inspired an outreach project in London during Pentecost weekend called Word on the Street.
On Saturday May 23 hundreds of Christians from different backgrounds lined Trafalgar Square reading the New Testament, ready to give their copy away to anyone who asks. GNA reporter Peter Wooding was there and brought this report.
VIDEO SCRIPT
To mark the 500th anniversary of the Tyndale New Testament hundreds of Christians lined Trafalgar Square on Saturday May 23 reading from the scriptures and distributing New Testaments to passers by.
The Pentecost weekend outreach event called the Word on the Street was organised by the ministry K180. Their director Martin Durham explains why it was important to mobilise a younger generation out on the streets:
To have young adults on the streets along with others handing out the word of God, sends a powerful message. We’ve got people lining up, reach the scriptures and then as someone approaches them, or they see someone show interest and engaging with them and then give them the New Testament as a gift explaining why we’re doing it.
And this participant Nesu explained why he was involved:
I’m inspired by the work on William Tyndale, so enamored by his vision of spreading the Bible that ordinary people would be able to access the word of God. So I’m here to honor that and to share the Bible, because I believe it’s the word of God and it’s the most significant message the world could ever hear.
Several key organisations also partnered with Word on the Street including Street Pastors. One of their leaders Bejoy Pal is director of development at the Ascension Trust:
The work of the kingdom is about one united body coming together with different gifts, with different skills. We at Street Pastors are more than delighted and honored to be a part of this as we represent Jesus as the good news.
Pastor Germa Bishaw is co-director of the London Project. He shared why is was so vital so show a public display of unity:
That togetherness is a witness that Jesus is able to break barriers and bring people from diverse communities to become one family. And so in this divided times in society to have that unity being demonstrated in this way is absolutely powerful. It communicates the power of the Gospel.
Another partner ministry with the Word on the Street is the National day of Prayer and Worship. Their convener is Pastor Jonathan Oloyede:
We are believing for a repeat of history in our days that the word of the Lord would be on the streets, in every home, in every sector of society and this nation will become a Bible society again.
And it’s hoped the Word on the Street outreach will be a catalyst in making that a reality in the UK.
People Interviewed and their Titles
Martin Durham – K180 Director
Nesu
Bejoy Pal – Director of Development at the Ascension Trust
Pastor Germa Bishaw – Co-director of the London Project
Pastor Jonathan Oloyede – National Day of Prayer and Worship Convener
Recording Location
London, England
Organization featured in this Story
K180 – www.k180.org
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