Christian testimonies: Street preaching (Another day in the life of a disciple)

Greetings and Salutations

Greetings to our readers all over the world.

It is truly encouraging to see how our community has grown over the last few years. I must admit, at the beginning nothing seemed to make sense at all—yet we pressed on. All glory to the Almighty. I want to first greet all our readers and everyone who has continued to support this journey. This is not just my journey, but our journey.

A special thank you goes out to Derick Cronje for inviting me to walk with the cross alongside him. I would also like to thank a brother, Sydney, for his help and companionship. I often think of him as Timothy, walking alongside Paul on his missionary journeys. My gratitude also goes to Russell Thompson, who felt led to point out a place where we could “fish for men” in search of lost souls.

Without further ado, let us hop into the story.

Looking Back at the Week

I recall one day sitting in Russell Thompson’s Land Cruiser, reflecting on the sermon and sharing spiritual insights as we approached the final stretch of the drive. At one particular corner, Russell pointed out how busy the area was—people moving to and from Sandton, rushing through life. That corner immediately stood out to us as an opportunity to fish for men.

Fast forward to a week later, and I found myself standing on that very corner with my friend Sydney, who accompanied me on the journey. At first, it felt a bit strange. Everyone was going about their business, and only a few people stopped to see what was happening. But looking back, it was a great day—several conversations sparked here and there, each one a seed planted.

One of the highlights was taking time to ask a group of schoolchildren some biblical questions. They stumbled through most of the answers, but I believe something was learned that day. Sometimes the fruit is not immediate, but the seed is still real.

I also shared the Word with a homeless man and prayed for him. In retrospect, the gospel was reaching the streets of Sandton. Even when it seems like nothing is happening, I know that God is fully at work.

I am looking forward to returning there again.

Ready to walk with the cross

Walking with the Cross

That same weekend, I had the opportunity to accompany Derick Cronje to Honeydew, where he was taking his car in for a service. While driving, Derick mentioned that earlier that morning he had been praying and felt prompted by the Holy Spirit to stop at a McDonald’s drive-through.

As soon as we arrived, I jumped out of the car, searching—and God was faithful. A young homeless man was walking toward the bathroom area, visibly in tears. He reminded me of myself in the first chapter of Sent: Becoming a fisher of men, when I was wandering the streets of Johannesburg. In that moment, it was clear: God had sent us to him.

I greeted the young man, and moments later Derick joined us with food. We attempted to give him some reading material, which he declined due to low literacy. After sharing the gospel, we prayed for him. It was difficult to leave, not knowing what would happen next in his life—but we entrusted him to God.

Eventually, we continued to our destination, arriving at the garage around 10 a.m. From there, we decided to take a walk with the cross. Derick had brought it along, and what followed was remarkable. We walked close to 13 kilometers, reaching nearly 30 people in a single day.

The response was phenomenal. Some people stopped their cars to greet and encourage us. Others gave a small gift. A few even thought we were YouTube streamers and hoped to get some time on the small screen. But every moment was for the Kingdom of God—nothing wasted.

As we walked side by side carrying the cross, a young man named Ntlantla approached us and asked where we were going. I quickly invited him to help us carry the cross. I then asked what being born again meant to him, and he began sharing insights from John 3. It was a meaningful conversation.

Moments like these offer a glimpse into what people believe about God’s Kingdom. Some think ancestral practices will get them there. Others believe church attendance alone is enough. I wonder—what do you make of it?

Eventually, the day came to an end, and Derick and I broke bread together over a meal. I got to know him better, and I was reminded that spending a day walking with someone can be more powerful than preaching a sermon to them. I learned so much simply by being with him.

When it was finally time to part ways, it was difficult to say goodbye. I marveled at how much Derick had grown in such a short time. The last time I saw him, he was very different. Now, walking alongside him as a fellow disciple was truly humbling.

Discipleship Lessons

1. God Works in the Ordinary A busy street corner, a drive-through, a walk to a garage—God often uses ordinary moments to do extraordinary work.

2. Faithfulness Over Results Not every conversation leads to immediate transformation, but obedience plants seeds that God will grow in His time.

3. Discipleship Happens Along the Way Walking, eating, talking, and serving together forms disciples more deeply than words alone.

4. The Cross Still Speaks Carrying the cross in public opens doors for conversations that sermons alone may never reach.

5. Everyone Is on a Spiritual Journey The streets reveal what people truly believe. Our role is not to argue, but to lovingly point them to Christ.

Closing Thoughts

I pray that this article has encouraged someone reading it. The mission field is all around us—on street corners, in parking lots, at drive-throughs, and along the road as we walk together.

I have also attached a video which I hope you will enjoy.

Until next time—Grace and peace.

The street preaching series