By the Rev. John Thackway, Vice-Chairman of the General Committee

In this article, the Rev. John Thackway, Vice-Chairman of the General Committee of the Trinitarian Bible Society, explains how a literature table in a public place can easily be used as a distribution channel for Bibles.

Each Saturday morning two members of Holywell Evangelical Church, North Wales, sit at a table in Holywell High Street. On this table are Trinitarian Bible Society Classic Reference Bibles and copies of the Gospel Standard Trust Publications children’s books by B. A. Ramsbottom. A sign on the front of the table makes clear that these items are free and not for sale.

Our friends have been doing this work for many months now. It started from our regular monthly church witness in the high street. A number of us give out Gospel tracts (including TBS Bible verse leaflets) and at the close Pastor John Thackway preaches the Gospel. Before and after this we meet for prayer to ask the Lord for strength and wisdom and for His saving blessing upon our endeavours.

Burden

These two brethren felt led of the Lord to sow His written Word, and sought the church’s permission to augment the witness by having a book table. We were very happy to give it our blessing and to support this work by our prayers and financial help. It thrills us to know that our town is experiencing the light of God’s Word, and we can even share in the noble accusation, ‘ye have filled Jerusalem [or in our case Holywell] with your doctrine’ (Acts 5.28).

Holywell has a population of around 8,000 and by now the Bible book table is something of an institution. They often find that people approach the table and will talk. Not always friendly, but in most cases the Gospel is shared and where appropriate a Bible is offered—or in the case of younger ones, one of the children’s books. Some who have not taken up the offer of a Bible have nonetheless taken God’s Word in the form of tracts.

TBS Poster

The table is in a disused shop doorway, so that if it rains there is some shelter. Prominently displayed behind is a TBS poster. Evie, the Labrador puppy belonging to one of the men, is also a talking-point which often leads to a witness for the Gospel and the offer of a Bible.

Just a few yards away is a notorious public house where men spend the day drinking and, in some cases, getting high on drugs. Some who come out for a smoke come to the table. At first their banter was bawdy and blasphemous. However, nowadays, following patient attempts to show Christian love and concern, the interaction is more respectful and friendly. Some have taken Bibles and listened to the Gospel message.

Feature

An interesting feature of the witness has been the number of children and young people who have come up to talk. In some cases these youngsters have attended our Sabbath School in the past, or listened to Pastor Thackway when he spoke at their school assembly. Thus one thing leads to another, and we trust and pray that, under God, the cumulative effect of this witness will be crowned with saving results.

Permission

We heartily recommend this form of witness to other churches. Before beginning such a work, it is wise to obtain permission from the local authority. It should be stressed that the Bibles and other materials will not be for sale but will be given away. Normally there will be no objection, but in these anti-Christian days request for permission should be covered by much prayer. The Lord who moved King Cyrus to decree the return of the Jews from captivity and other kings to furnish the remnant with what they needed, can open the way similarly in our situation (the king’s heart, as well as that of your local authority, are in the Lord’s hand— Proverbs 21.1).

We continue to pray that the Lord will mightily own this work and witness in Holywell—a Roman Catholic town known more for St Winefride’s Well than for the truth of God’s Word. May it please God to make this town (and many others) known for the glorious Gospel of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ

Next Steps

If you are interested in pursuing the idea of setting up a free literature table for your local area, consider working through the following steps.

1. Commit the idea to the Lord in prayer.
2. Share this article with the leader(s) of your church, chapel, or assembly.
3. Establish who would take responsibility for the work.
4. Agree which items would be offered and arrange for their purchase.
5. Obtain permission from your local authority, stressing that the Bibles and other literature would not be for sale but free of charge.
6. Commence the work in dependence on the Lord.
7. Provide regular reports to the church so that the members can join the work through prayer.