Missouri State Fair seed sowing draws near
SEDALIA – Think of it as a state-wide block party.
That’s the type of witnessing opportunity Gary Taylor, director of evangelism for the Missouri Baptist Convention (MBC), sees in the Missouri State Fair.
“We’ve got it all right there,” he said. “What better place and time to share Christ? We could never reach that many people with our block party trailers traveling across the state.”
More than 300,000 people attended the Fair in 2006, and at least that many are expected to brave the heat Aug. 9-19 and pass by the MBC’s tent. Each year the MBC provides the tent, and associations and churches from around the state provide entertainment and people to hand out tracts and a cup of cold water.
“Obviously it’s going to be unbearably hot so having a nice, shady place to sit and drink some water will allow us a relaxed place to share Christ,” Taylor said.
Taylor, who will be at the tent during the run of the fair, said this offers a unique opportunity to be obedient to Jesus’ command.
“In the New Testament, you’ll never find people saying ‘come to church,’” he said. “They were always about ‘going.’ Go out to where the people are with the message of Christ, not just invite them to come on their own. We want to say to the state, ‘Hey, we’re coming to you!’”
Taylor said he believes the “going” will be rewarded as “sowing.”
“One of the strongest principles to me in the Bible is the principle of sowing and reaping (Gal. 6:7),” he said. “That’s what we’re doing: scattering the seed of the Gospel.”
Taylor said slots for entertainment and handing out tracts – especially on the two Sundays – are still open and churches and associations are encouraged to volunteer. Although the fair is open from 7:30 a.m. to 10 p.m., the MBC tent only needs to be manned for 2-hour slots from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. For more information or to volunteer, contact Taylor at 1-800-736-6227, ext. 650.