Kettering Church Ministers at the Mall
Kettering Baptist Church, Upper Marlboro, had a fruitful Black Friday evangelism outreach at St. Charles Towne Center Mall in Waldorf. Below is a report from the mission team written by Corrin Brown.
Our time at the mall was like a scene right out of the Bible when Jesus said, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” (Matthew 4:19)
Under the leadership of Minister Mack Harrell, we gathered for prayer and preparation. With a simple code of conduct to:
- Be led by the Holy Spirit and not your feelings about whom to approach
- Don’t follow people into stores; stay in the corridors and public spaces
- Share that Jesus is the reason for the season, and last but not least
- Know the ABC’s of salvation (admit, believe, and confess — Romans 10:9)
Off we went to the mall. Our team of 11, in groups of twos and threes, prayed for the young and the old, all nationalities, able-bodied and wheel-chair bound, Muslim, Seventh-Day Adventist, believers, and non-believers. You name it.
Here’s a little of what we saw God do:
(1) A passerby approached one of our teams and said, “I see you praying for people; can you pray for me too?”
(2) Sylvester, in his mid-60s, asked for healing from a stroke. As he stuttered, he wanted us to know that he couldn’t even talk two years ago and has trouble stringing his words together. We told him we would pray in the name of Jesus and wanted to know if he had a relationship with Jesus. He wasn’t sure, although he occasionally attends church — but he wanted to be sure! Brother Sylvester decided to give his life to Christ.
(3) Countless mall goers thanked our young people for being bold and willing to pray.
(4) Several were looking for a church home; one lady, who moved to Maryland a month ago, said she’s been looking, to which we replied, “We know a church and would love for you to join us at Kettering!”
(5) Other believers prayed for our strength to stay obedient to share the gospel and there were many more stories and divine appointments that happened at the Mall.
Of course, many didn’t want prayer, but we thank God for the opportunity to share Him with others, give away Bibles and bookmarks, and plant spiritual seeds. May we remember to keep in prayer all those whose path the Lord allowed us to cross.
To God be the glory!
Bucas Sterling III is the senior pastor of Kettering Baptist Church.