Evangelism at New Age Festivals

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April 2006

Evangelism at New Age Festivals

Jim Reiher tells of his ministry to seekers at New Age Festivals.

Our main activity was the running of a book stall from which we sold books on topics that interest New Age 'dabblers'. Most visitors to New Age festivals are not 'hard-core' New Agers, but rather curious people browsing the options. The books on offer included material on: Prayer and Meditation; World Religions; Prophecy and the Future; Angels; Biographies; and Child Raising/Parenting books. They were all Christian books, but carefully selected to reflect a non-offensive approach to New Age thinkers.

We were selling the books at very low prices, (subsidised by the local church), even giving them away. We were also running workshops at the festivals. These took a few forms. Our Children's-Church Pastor ran a workshop for kids. It was full of fun activities that emphasised the theme of individual worth in God's sight.

Another of our workshops was on Tarot Cards. (I took this one). It utilised the 22 Major Tarot cards (on overheads) to tell the gospel. The traditional Tarot pack has very biblical pictures for many of the Major Arcana cards (an Adam and Eve card; a devil card; a judgement day card; a death card; a Tower of Babel card, and more). Unfortunately, more recent Tarot decks have changed some of the pictures.

The workshop went over surprisingly well: we gave out response sheets, and of the 18 sheets handed in, 16 were very positive. Two were critical of how I used the cards (they were from actual tarot readers). But the 16 dabblers - ordinary people who came to look at the festival - enjoyed the presentation, and by the end of it heard that Jesus is the Son of the Eternal One, (the Son of God) and that He provides us with the sure way of connecting with the Eternal One.

A few months later when we ran the workshop at the next festival, we made an offer: Anyone who would like a copy of the Sacred Writings that tell us about Jesus, could take one free. Of the 12 non-Christians in the workshop that day, we gave away 10 New Testaments.

Interest in what we have been doing encouraged me to write a book that captures the essence of my workshop. It is a book for the non-Christian. It is not designed for Christians, other than for them to give away. I am trusting and praying that it will end up in the hands of people's friends or relatives who might be into the Tarot, or who visit a clairvoyant, or who participate in other New Age paths.

The harvest is ripe and the fields are plentiful! Let's use every means possible to share the wonderful news of Jesus Christ to all around us!

If you would like a copy of the book, The Message in the Tarot, send a bank cheque or money order for $13 to Jim Reiher, 108 King Road Harkaway, 3806. (This includes postage and packaging). Or email Jim to ask about internet bank transfers.

	The Anglican Church in Tasmania Search
	a healthy church...transformingLIFE
	Home About Contact us News Issues Parishes Prayer Calendar Youth Resources

				April 2006

		Evangelism at New Age Festivals Jim Reiher tells of his ministry to seekers at New Age Festivals. Our main activity was the running of a book stall from which we sold books on topics that interest New Age 'dabblers'. Most visitors to New Age festivals are not 'hard-core' New Agers, but rather curious people browsing the options. The books on offer included material on: Prayer and Meditation; World Religions; Prophecy and the Future; Angels; Biographies; and Child Raising/Parenting books. They were all Christian books, but carefully selected to reflect a non-offensive approach to New Age thinkers. We were selling the books at very low prices, (subsidised by the local church), even giving them away. We were also running workshops at the festivals. These took a few forms. Our Children's-Church Pastor ran a workshop for kids. It was full of fun activities that emphasised the theme of individual worth in God's sight. Another of our workshops was on Tarot Cards. (I took this one). It utilised the 22 Major Tarot cards (on overheads) to tell the gospel. The traditional Tarot pack has very biblical pictures for many of the Major Arcana cards (an Adam and Eve card; a devil card; a judgement day card; a death card; a Tower of Babel card, and more). Unfortunately, more recent Tarot decks have changed some of the pictures. The workshop went over surprisingly well: we gave out response sheets, and of the 18 sheets handed in, 16 were very positive. Two were critical of how I used the cards (they were from actual tarot readers). But the 16 dabblers - ordinary people who came to look at the festival - enjoyed the presentation, and by the end of it heard that Jesus is the Son of the Eternal One, (the Son of God) and that He provides us with the sure way of connecting with the Eternal One. A few months later when we ran the workshop at the next festival, we made an offer: Anyone who would like a copy of the Sacred Writings that tell us about Jesus, could take one free. Of the 12 non-Christians in the workshop that day, we gave away 10 New Testaments. Interest in what we have been doing encouraged me to write a book that captures the essence of my workshop. It is a book for the non-Christian. It is not designed for Christians, other than for them to give away. I am trusting and praying that it will end up in the hands of people's friends or relatives who might be into the Tarot, or who visit a clairvoyant, or who participate in other New Age paths. The harvest is ripe and the fields are plentiful! Let's use every means possible to share the wonderful news of Jesus Christ to all around us! If you would like a copy of the book, The Message in the Tarot, send a bank cheque or money order for $13 to Jim Reiher, 108 King Road Harkaway, 3806. (This includes postage and packaging). Or email Jim to ask about internet bank transfers.