A Simple Message

Every year, our church has a tent at our local county fair. At our tent, we give away walking sticks strung with rawhide and beads, as well as bead bracelets. This idea originated with Christian Farmers Outreach (http://www.christianfarmers.com/).

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Each bead is assigned a special meaning to assist us in sharing the salvation message in five easy steps.

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(information below taken from the Christian Farmers Outreach website - link above)

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Gold — Represents Heaven - Somewhere we all want to go.“ ...and the city was pure gold, like unto clear glass.” Rev 21:18b

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Black — Represents Sin - Our Problem — All Are Sinners“ For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.” Romans 3:23“ For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” Romans 6:23

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Red — Blood of Christ - God's Remedy for Sin“ But God commendeth His love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8 This is what Jesus did for us. He loved us so much that He went to the cross on our behalf that we can have eternal forgiveness for our sin and be saved.

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White— All May be Saved Now - Our Response to what Jesus did for us on the cross.“ For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” Romans 10:13“ But as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the Sons of God.” John 1:12a

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Green — Represents Growth “But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ” II Peter 3:18

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Each evening, we invite the fairgoers to come in and spend a few minutes talking with us. We spend those moments explaining the meaning of each bead, and in doing so, share the message of salvation. Such a useful tool!

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If memory serves (and it may not), this was my fourth year working at the tent. It was the same this year as it is every year - nervous as all get out as I pull into the parking lot and, no, I'm not kidding! My first year, I was nearly in tears at the thought of witnessing. I was not bold. I was not courageous. I was scared silly. But, by the grace of God, peace fell all around me as folks began to fill the folding chairs at my station. It's been the same every year since. What a privilege it is to share the good news with others!