LOUDER THAN WORDS!

For two thousand years, the Church has sought to take the Gospel of Jesus Christ to those who have not heard it. The message has not changed since Paul's first missionary journeys.

However, the world to which we are called to take this message has changed considerably. With the advent of televisions, videos and computer games it sometimes seems as if late twentieth century man is incapable of understanding anything which is not presented in animated colour and accompanied by stereo sound!

For over one hundred years, Open Air Campaigners has been developing creative and effective techinques to explain Christian truth to those who would never normally enter a church building. What does it take to bring a 2,000 year-old message alive for a class of teenagers in the Czech Republic or a crowd of shoppers in Rome?

Visual aids attract and hold attention. Children tend to switch off when an adult speaks about right and wrong, but listen when a ventriloquist's puppet talks about these things!

A clear, simple message is essential. Most Europeans no longer understand biblical terms or Christian jargon. Jesus spoke about profound spiritual truths in everyday language, and so should we.

Finally, today's listener expects professional delivery. The Church must master effective communication skills if she wants people to hear and understand her message.

Europe Now is committed to passing on these skills to Christians throughout this continent, so that our generation both hears and understands the Gospel.