A Good Place to Handout Message Books

Hayley, STL’s Bible Worker, has found that some locations are better to share message books than others. She finds that when she knocks on a door, people can be quite resistant but when she approaches them when they are relaxed in a public place, they are much more willing to talk. We have shared some of her experiences and locations from the CBD of Melbourne and when she is travelling on public transport, in our reports so far.

Close to where she lives is a Post Office on the main street where many weekend tourists walk past as they browse the shops. The Post Office is closed on Sabbath afternoon and on Sunday. She uses this location to set up her display. It attracts visiting passers-by to come and chat and browse her message books. They are relaxed. They have time to talk and are relaxed. And many of them are happy to accept a free message book or two.

In the pictures you can see Hayley and a friend, Glen, who helps her, with their book display stand in front of the Post Office.

Another friend, who shares the Bible Worker book sharing passion with Hayley, is Francis Branagan. Hayley asked Francis if he could provide another testimony story of book sharing, that would encourage us all to use the opportunities we have to share end time message books in appropriate ways. So, here’s Francis’s experience of a couple of months back, in Melbourne.

Going back a few months I received a flyer in the mail about an upcoming seminar featuring Martyn Iles. Martyn Iles being the former head of the Australian Christian Lobby, who now works in America as CEO of Creationist ministry 'Answers in Genesis'. In Australia he is famous for defending a professional rugby player who was stood down for faith-based comments on Twitter. The seminar was titled 'Living in Babylon' which caught my interest immediately. I started praying if I should go.

Two weeks before, God convicted me to go, to try supply some literature to other searching Christians. I arranged to go with one other friend.

It was a 38 degree Melbourne day. So it felt like paradise inside the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, We made the decision to hand out the small booklet 'Darkness Before Dawn' to people as they went in (making it clear we were not part of the event). This booklet packs in all the key points of 'The Great Controversy'. I wasn't too sure how it would be received, but God blessed our efforts and we were able to give out 120 booklets.

After the seminar, we were milling around the exit, when my friend spotted Martyn Iles. In the afternoon I had been praying God would give me a chance to give a book to Martyn. God had answered my prayer. But still, I had to check if I had any left. I opened my bag and found the last 'Darkness Before Dawn'.

Waiting my turn to talk to Martyn, I was praying. Finally, I had a chance to say hello. I told him I had something for him, and gave him the booklet. He smiled, took the booklet and asked my name. We spoke briefly, then I shook his hand and bade him God bless.

Who knows if Martyn could become a defender of the Sabbath truth?

Only time will tell.

Please keep Hayley in your prayers as she develops the role of Steps to Life funded Bible Worker.

We hope to gain Bible Study contacts for her to follow through with. She can do this via Zoom with people anywhere in Australia (Or even people who want to Bible Study from overseas countries.).

STL has committed to fund the costs associated with Hayley’s Bible Worker role. The weekly cost of the books Hayley shares varies, but averages out at about $250 per week.

If you would like to help us meet these expenses, please phone Cherryl on 03 9739 4093/0411 481 930. Other weekly expenses include her travel.

If you would like to invite people to join Hayley for a Bible study by using our invitation card below, please phone Cherryl at Steps to Life, on 03 97394093 or email her at admin@steps.org.au