If our generation had a soundtrack, what would it sound like? 

Recently, I've spent a lot of time walking around cities, encapsulated by the sounds of familiar songs sung on the street. Buskers with guitars in hand and a microphone stood in front of them sing songs of praise in the middle of a high street. 'You're a good good Father' graces the ears of passing shoppers and an atmosphere of busyness is quickly changed by an undertone of worship. And it's happening in cities all over the UK. 

In the next couple of blogs, you'll meet Tim and Katie, from 2 different cities, with the same heart to see cities changed through worship. 

Hi! Who are you?

I'm Tim. I'm 21 years old and a 2nd-year Business Economics student at Sheffield Hallam University.

You've started leading worship on the street. What prompted you to do that?

I realised that my worship of God didn't always have to just be a private thing or something that was confined to the walls of a church building. I love worshipping God alone in my bedroom and I love worshipping God in church. But, I sometimes wish that the world could see what really takes place on a Sunday morning or in the bedroom of someone who is madly in love with Jesus. I think the presumption that some people have that being a Christian is a restricting, miserable life full of religion would come crashing down.

About 3 months ago I had the idea to go out into the world and worship God in public areas. I thought that since I already worship God that this wouldn't really be much different. The only difference would be that it would be in a public setting.

I began by doing it in my home town of Harrogate over the Christmas holidays and then when I returned to Sheffield in the new year I began to do it in the city centre of Sheffield.

I love reading about the events that took place in Acts 16 where through Paul and Silas' prayer and worship, the prisoners' chains are broken and the prison doors come flying open. This excites me and makes me want to discover the full power of how our worship of God has the ability to break strongholds and bring freedom.

How does leading worship in public feel?

It was quite scary at first but then it became something which I really loved doing. Whenever I go out I have to remind myself that I'm not doing this to perform or even to minister to people, but simply to worship and bless God.

As someone who has always struggled with the fear of man, this has challenged me to care less about what other people think of me and to walk in my identity as a child of God. Reflecting on how loved I am by God has helped me to get over the fear of man and step out in obedience into the things he's calling me to do.     

'There is no fear in love, but perfect love drives out fear.'

1 John 4:19

 

Do you think worship and evangelism are linked? If so, how?

Yes.

The response I've had from people has generally been very positive. It's encouraging when someone tells you that they love what you're doing and they appreciate hearing you sing songs about God. But it's even more encouraging when you see people who walk past or sit on a nearby bench, perhaps trying to understand what's going on.

Maybe they have no idea what worshipping Jesus looks like. Maybe they've had limited exposure to Christianity but haven't seen anything quite like this before. Maybe they've already made up their mind about God and have decided they want nothing to do with him. Whatever experience they've had with Jesus, they're now seeing someone worship Him. They're seeing someone with no real agenda other than to bless God.

This must surely raise questions in peoples minds. I pray and trust that the Holy Spirit will reveal the heart of the Father to those around me as I worship him. We sometimes forget that anything that reveals the heart of the Father to the people around us is a form of evangelism.

Simply declaring the name of Jesus, who He is, and what He's done can bring the hope, life, and restoration which we long to see. Occasionally I'll end up getting into great conversations with people while I'm out worshipping. Only once have I had a hostile response, but even then I was able to share the person of Jesus with that individual in conversation. People don't feel like they're having something imposed on them and they don't feel threatened.      

What would you say to someone who wanted to do a similar thing?

Go for it. If you worship in church or by yourself then you can worship God in public. The only difference is the place where you're doing it. There is no need to approach it any differently. Ask God to help you make it all about him. Go out with the mindset of just wanting to bring him glory.

3 years ago I had no relationship with Jesus. I couldn't sing. I had never picked up a guitar before. I would never have thought I would be doing this 3 years later. You don't need to be qualified to do the things that God calls you to do but you just need to be willing to trust him.