On February 11-13, 2014 in Tulare, California, USA, the World Agricultural Expo was held. Our local church in Visalia is only 12 miles from Tulare, so it was a great chance for us to share literature and answer questions about our faith. Over 3,000 books were distributed, along with 700 planet earth “God So Loved the World” stress balls, 1,250 laminated Ten Commandments posters in English and another 625 of them in Spanish. A total of 26 visitors signed up for cooking classes and 5 were interested in Bible studies.
Working in the booth at the convention over three days, with God's help, our enthusiastic volunteers could reach a greater number and variety of people than we perhaps would have been able to at any other time. At this expo, our display of health banners and stress balls with the scripture John 3:16 attracted the people—and this proved to be an outstanding entering wedge for many. The health literature and recipe magazines went the fastest.
This event was also an opportunity for us to fine-tune our witnessing skills. People today are interested in truth, yet with all the confusion of religious ideas, they don’t understand many of the essential topics in the Bible. Many desire salvation and long for a closer walk with Christ, but they do not know how to find it. We would encourage all our churches to be a blessing by utilizing places available where people gather—places like swap meets, farmers’ markets, and health conventions. May the Lord be glorified in all our missionary outreach!
Remember, “in these days of travel, the opportunities for coming in contact with men and women of all classes and of many nationalities, are much greater than in the days of Israel. The thoroughfares of travel have multiplied a thousandfold. God has wonderfully prepared the way. The agency of the printing press, with its manifold facilities, is at our command. Bibles and publications in many languages setting forth the truth for this time, are at our hand, and can be swiftly carried to every part of the world.
“We are to give the last warning of God to men, and what should be our earnestness in studying the Bible, and our zeal in spreading the light! Let every soul who has received the divine illumination, seek to impart it. Let the workers go from house to house, opening the Bible to the people, circulating the publications, telling others of the light that has blessed their own souls. Let literature be distributed judiciously on the trains, in the street, on the great ships that ply the seas, and through the mails.
“Christians who are living in the great centers of commerce and travel have special opportunities. The believers in these cities can work for God in the neighborhood of their homes. They are to labor quietly and in humility, carrying with them wherever they go the atmosphere of heaven. If they keep self out of sight, pointing always to Christ, their influence will be felt.
“The truth is not to be hidden in the corners of the earth. It must be made known.” The Review and Herald, January 25, 1906. Amen!