Schools, street work and much more, OAC GB is the largest branch in Europe.
Population: 68 Million – Official language: English – Capital: London – Evangelicals: 8.8%
Open Air Campaigners has been working in Britain since 1968 when David Fanstone, preached at the first sketchboard open-air on the seafront in Brighton on the south coast. Steven Harris is the current National Director and is based in Wales.
The Staff
From the small beginnings in 1968, the British staff has grown. There are 16 evangelists scattered throughout the country, plus several more abroad! There are also several part time schools workers, 1 trainee, 20 associates, a General Secretary and a National Accounts Manager.
The work is supported by a faithful board of trustees who meet regularly and work hard to keep the organisation on track with legal and other matters.
The Ministry
- Churches
All evangelists are members of a local church and are often involved in preaching and teaching roles. The evangelists are trained to work within the church and are particularly effective in all-age evangelistic services. Many of our evangelists lead both adult, youth and children’s missions within churches.
- Open-Airs
This is a significant distinctive of OAC and all our evangelists are trained both to preach in the open-air and to provide training in this area. The sketchboard or illusions/escapology would be most people’s choice for this sphere of communication as a visual presentation is most likely to draw a crowd. Most of the evangelists operate an open-air ministry on a regular or semi-regular basis – as much as possible given the unpredictability of the British weather!
- Schools
In Britain it is a legal requirement that each child in school should attend a daily act of worship, and should also be taught Religious Education. We have the privilege of being able to go into state schools to take assemblies and also R.E. classes. Again the sketch board is a useful tool for telling Bible stories, supplemented by illusions to illustrate gospel messages. OAC evangelists have one of the most extensive schools ministries in the country, in terms of the number of children we reach with the gospel on a regular basis. This has a direct effect in the open-air when children and young people recognise our staff and the input can then be followed up.
Training
OAC has always been a “give away” organisation. Training and motivating Christians for evangelism is a central part of our ministry. Online training seminars are held annually in both general evangelism and children’s ministries. These are supplemented by in person training for open airs and schools ministries. We also run regional seminars and training events tailored to the needs of individual local churches. Ask for details!
Support
OAC Ministries is a faith mission, and each evangelist is responsible for raising his/her own support. We are supported by a huge variety of people and churches who give, often sacrificially so that the work can continue and pray faithfully so that the work is effective.
Contacts
OAC Ministries National Office
OAC Ministries, Wayside, Church Lane, Lower Moor, Pershore, WR10 2PJ
Tel. (+44) (0) 7779 147635website: www.oacgb.org.uk
