Randy

I walked up to a guy- lets call him Randy - and asked him if he would participate in a study I am working on by answering some survey questions. He agreed and gave me permission to have his answers published in my online report (trial & error.) I started by asking him if he had ever told a lie.

Randy: Yes

Me: What does that make you?

Randy: Nothing

Me: If you told a lie, then you would be what?

Randy: Nothing

Me: Would you agree or disagree that by telling a lie you are a liar?

Randy: I am not a liar, I may have told a lie before, but that doesn't make me a liar.

Me: Have you ever stole anything before?

Randy: Yes, I'm actually a convicted felon.

(Note to self: Why again did I choose to walk up to the guy so tall his head is over all the shelves in the store?)

Me: What does that make you?

Randy: Nothing

Me: (getting a little frustrated at this point, its not going how I expected it to - big surpise) If you have stolen something wouldn't that make you a theif?

Randy: No

Me: If you have stolen, or lied wouldn't that have made you a thief or a liar at some point in your life.

Randy: Yes, but not now.

Me: (Finally, getting somewhere.. mini happy dance.) Okay have you ever used God's name in vain?

Randy: Best Buy doesn't know you are here do they?

Me: Ummm.... well... they saw me walk in the door, the guy at the door said hi.

Randy: I thought this was going to be a normal survey.

Me: It is...

Randy: (Obviously unhappy since I mentioned God.) Why are you asking me these questions?

Me: Well Randy, I'm here with some friends doing these surveys because I believe Hell is a real place and that one day you will stand before God. I believe He is going to judge you by the ten commandments and if you have broken just one of them you will be found guilty and the punishment will be Hell, I believe the only way to heaven is through Jesus Christ and I wanted to...

Randy: (Imagine the jolly green giant with a very mean voice.) Answer my question now, do you think a Jew who doesn't believe in Jesus won't go to heaven?

Me: Yes, I believe that Jesus Christ is the only way to heaven and if anyone denies his payment for their sins through his death on the cross then yes, they will not be allowed into heaven.

Randy: Shut up and walk away right now.

Me: I'm sorry I didn't mean to offend yo...

Randy: I mean it, don't say another word, not another word, walk away.


I obeyed, seriously, this guy was huge! I'm not sure where this guy is in his life, but I most certainly touched a raw nerve. I only hope that God uses our conversation to chip away at whatever is keeping him from God so that the next person that approaches him with the gospel will be allowed to say more.

"Dear God, Lord I don't know why you wanted me to talk to the tallest, biggest, meanest looking man at Best Buy. Lord I just pray that somehow, someway, you will use our conversation to bring him one step closer to you. Lord I ask now for you to prepare someone else to be the next person to water the gospel seed in his life, Lord I ask that you would let that seed take root in his heart and bloom into salvation before it is everlastingly to late. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen"

After I spoke with 'Randy' I was upset, I felt as if I had failed miserably, I hightailed it out of Best Buy and shared my experience with my husband (who by the way was worried when he saw the angry guy's head staring down at where I was - he couldn't see me, the shelves hid me from his view.) After such an experience it was hard to 'get back in the game.' But I know that no attempt at witnessing is in vain, and God can work a miracle, even through my (mis)adventure! Please, lift up Randy in prayer!

How I approach Witnessing

'Has anyone told you what Jesus did for you on the cross?'

This seemed like a really good opening to use to share my faith.

The first time I used it was at a dollar general store. The middle aged woman I approached nodded and did her best to get away from me as quickly as possible.

The second time was at wal-mart to a man stocking shelves. "Yes," he answered. This was clearly the end of the conversation for him. "I just felt like He wanted me to tell you He loves you," I called after him as he walked away.

The third time was while paying for gas at a local convenience store. This lady certainly couldn't avoid me, she was stuck behind the counter. She told me she did know and she went to church when she could. Because of other customers I really didn't have the opportunity to take the conversation any further; but honestly, I'm not sure how I would have.

I have not used this lead in question since because I found it difficult to continue witnessing. It was hard to use because it didn't give the individual an opportunity to see their need for Jesus' death.

I stumbled across a really good website that teaches you how to witness like Jesus did. You can watch some of their 'on the street' witnessing here. I have since decided to adapt this interview style witnessing technique and share the results on this website in hopes that others can learn and grow as a result. Enjoy!