Servant evangelism

The nightlife of Cape Town introduced us to the darkness of the sinfulness in the lives of people roaming around at night time. This was the lifestyle that many of our young people would be introduced to – some innocently and others with open eyes. Many of them would cross our paths. Some we would find in filthy, smelly dens, others in former reformatories, in police cells at police stations, jails, institutions for drug and alcohol addiction, and at escort agencies. And some had to be identified in the state mortuary.

It was so peaceful in the room where we gathered to chat and pray as friends in Christ. Exchanging the peacefulness by walking into the dark unknown wasn’t easy. Deafening music was playing everywhere and fed the uncertainty and rebelliousness of friends trapped in the clubbing culture. Late at night, conscious of our own inability and clumsiness in our outreaches to these people, we felt out of place. Yes, sometimes even scared in this weird world of pumping music, the smell of drugs everywhere and the sound of cusswords in our ears.

(Taken from Met Christus op straat, written by the late Rev. Pietie Victor, founder of Straatwerk in the mid-1960s).

Night outreaches

At Straatwerk we believe we must balance the word and deed of the Gospel. During our night outreaches we create serving experiences in which believers can exercise their “spiritual muscles”. Our focus is on humble service, with no strings attached. Servant evangelism wins the heart before it confronts the mind.

• Volunteers
  Volunteers from different church denominations participate in the outreaches that last until the early hours of the morning. In this way we strengthen the relationship between Straatwerk and churches, and strive to be a true example of the Body of Christ in action.

• In-service training
  For youth groups, cell groups and church groups that join us on outreach for the first time, we focus on practical training before and during every outreach session.

   

  • Key words in night outreaches:
    • presence
    • visibility
    • practical service
    • non-confrontational

• Deeds of love + words of love + the perfect timing of God = the focus of these outreaches
  Through servant evangelism believers and the broken world can meet, or get to know each other a little better.

Special Outreaches

• Action Immanuel (special Christmas outreaches)
  From the middle of December to Christmas Day we coordinate a number of outreaches. For many people this is a lonely time and the Lord sends us to the nooks and crannies to serve them.

Easter Outreaches

During Easter we employ a number of creative ways to take the message of redemption and forgiveness to the streets.

Spontaneous Outreaches

Many different groups visit us to experience outreaches on the streets and, together with the participants, we draw up tailor-made programmes for each group.