How Do We Overcome the Fear of Sharing Jesus?

Every week, on the streets of London, you’ll likely find Angus Robb and a small team from his church handing out Bibles to those passing by. We caught up with Angus to hear what first inspired him to take the gospel to the streets - and how he overcomes any fear of sharing Jesus with strangers.
 
Hi Angus, thanks so much for being with us!

Could you tell us a bit about how you were inspired to start sharing Bible’s on the streets?

Yes - so it all began when a friend of mine in Australia posted on Instagram about giving away Bibles outside his local train station. He mentioned they were giving out more than one Bible per minute and I was so surprised at how people were so open and how many good conversations he was having.

So I texted my mate James and we pulled together some money to buy some Bibles. Then we headed to Trafalgar Square and we did the same thing. We were out there for two hours and had some amazing conversations about Jesus. We were able to share Jesus with so many people and it was so fun and encouraging. We started doing it every week, scaled it up and just met with God in sharing the Gospel.

Can you share a story of someone whose life was changed through receiving a Bible?

One of the most incredible stories happened in Hammersmith. We were handing out Bibles outside the station, and one of them somehow ended up on a local bus. A woman got on, picked it up, and started reading it. It completely changed her life.

Inside each Bible we give out we include a small insert with an invitation to church. She started attending the 5pm service at St Paul’s in Hammersmith, kept coming week after week and eventually gave her life to Jesus. She is now baptised and very much a valued member of the church community. It’s just so amazing how God used that one small seed - a Bible left on a bus - to bring salvation and to give this lady a completely new life. And it was so amazing to see God breathe on a small act of obedience of giving out Bibles on the street.

How do people usually react when you’re giving out Bibles?

Honestly, people are way more open than you might expect. One of the biggest surprises when I first started was who was willing to take a Bible. People who maybe look a bit rough around the edges or like they’d never be interested in faith often turn out to be the most open.

How do you handle fear when you are out on the streets?

Fear is completely normal, I feel it every single time I go out. The way I overcome it is by reminding myself of the stories in Scripture – like Paul who faced all sorts of challenges to share the gospel. He did crazy things for God and stories like that just encourage me.

It also helps so much to go out with people you trust, people that know you that who can encourage you when you feel a bit discouraged or face rejection. There are days I don’t feel like going out, but every time I do, I come away feeling so encouraged. Sharing my faith can be hard to do, but you always go away feeling so much better.

What would you say to someone nervous about going out for the first time?

Feeling apprehensive and fearful is completely normally and we all feel it. But the key is not to do it alone. Get around others who feel the same, who want to share their faith but maybe don’t know how yet. Go together, encourage each other, take that first step together and keep each other accountable.

Angus Robb is currently studying theology at St Mellitus and is also a member of staff at Christ Church Spitalfields. Previously, he spent four years serving in missions with YWAM, where God deeply cultivated a heart for reaching the lost.

Find out more about the Great Gospel Giveaway and how you can get involved here.