By James and Deborah Skelton

This is the third article in our occasional series in which ideas for circulating the Holy Scriptures are discussed. The first article was How to Offer Free Bibles on Your Website, and the second article, How to Offer Free Bibles on Your High Street. This article, written by James and Deborah Skelton of Hope Chapel, Redhill, explains one approach to using a Bible stall in an open-air market to distribute the Scriptures. 

How the idea was formed

Our pastor preached from Acts 17 on Paul’s ministry in the marketplace in Athens. We had been thinking about the outreach of the church and this gave the idea of having a stall in the market. Following prayerful consideration, we held the first stall in the autumn of 2007 and then started monthly in December 2007. We began the work with much nervousness and trepidation but were encouraged on the very first occasion when someone purchased a book as we were setting up. It was a small thing but meant a lot to us at the time.

Practicalities of the work

We are provided with a ‘pitch’—a space with a gazebo—and we bring everything else: tables and coverings, boxes of stock, chairs, and clear gazebo sides with clips— particularly useful to protect stock from the weather. A pitch costs £42 per day, but as a registered charity we currently qualify for six free pitches per year. We have signs and leaflets stating who we are, as we want to be very clear that we are Christians from a local church.

Our pitch must be organised officially with the company who run the market. We rely heavily on our good relationships with the market staff and are expected to be in town for the full day: 7.30 a.m. to 4.00 p.m. or 5.00 p.m., depending on the season. We have two people manning the stall at any one time working in shifts of two hours. 

Stock and pricing 

Our stock comprises Bibles, New Testaments, and Gospels; evangelistic booklets; children’s books—these are particularly popular—Creation literature and resources such as magazines, books, and DVDs; text cards and calendars; and special items such as commemorative Bibles on the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee weekend. All our stock is free or heavily subsidised. Cheaper items such as Gospels, calendars, and colouring books are free, booklets cost 50p, and Bibles are priced from £1 for paperbacks up to £3 for larger hardbacks. We feel it is important that items such as Bibles have a token cost as this discourages those who would take something simply because it is free. Our prices are flexible though, and sometimes we will give away a Bible if someone seems genuinely unable to afford it. 

Challenges and encouragements 

In some months the stall is very busy, whilst in other months it is quiet. We have proved that the most important ingredient of a successful market stall is prayer. Those months when we make the stall a real focus of prayer are the months when we feel it to be most worthwhile. Our presence in the town is of no benefit unless the Lord is with us adding His blessing, guiding people to pass the stall, and preparing their hearts to stop for a chat or buy something. We can bear testimony to the fact that these prayers are answered. Over four thousand items have been bought or taken since 2007. Adults have come to our church services and children to our Sunday School because of conversations on the stall. Also, through contacts made in the town we have distributed Bibles and books to several countries around the world. We have never faced active opposition, although we do encounter people who are unfriendly, critical, or sceptical. Many have stopped to ask difficult questions and debate with us, and it can be challenging to know how to answer such people on the spot. Sadly, perhaps the biggest obstacle we face is apathy. 

Tips 

The following tips are based on our experiences of running the market stall over many years.  

• Have a regular slot if possible, to make it easier for people to return if they wish.  
• Find out if you are eligible for free or reduced rate pitches, especially if you are a registered charity.  
• Use racks, posters, and stands to add height to your display and make it more eye-catching.  
  

If you would like any further information about our experiences of running a market stall, please feel free to get in touch with us via the TBS London office. 

Next Steps 

If you are interested in pursuing the idea of setting up a Bible stall in your local market, consider working through these steps.  

1. Commit the idea to the Lord in prayer. 
   
2. Consider whether this would be a church work or an individual project.  
3. If a church work, share this article with the leader(s) of your church, chapel, or assembly.  
4. Understand the legal regulations, such as obtaining a market stall licence and insurance.  
   
5. Understand the initial and recurring costs which would be incurred.  
6. Establish who would take responsibility for the work, ensuring they understand the commitment involved.  
7. Make the necessary applications, registrations, and payments.  
8. Agree which items to stock, and purchase them.  
9. Commence the work in dependence upon the Lord.  
10. Provide regular reports to the church or interested friends so that they can pray for the work.