Mall Witnessing Tips

"And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire..."

Mall Witnessing Tips

The mall can be a very interesting place to witness. There are a lot of different factors involved. How to start the conversation and mall security are probably the main two. Listed below are some tips to keep in mind:

Find a good spot and “stay and pray”
- Sit in a good spot and scan the area for people that you can approach. While sitting, pray that the Holy Spirit would provide an opportunity for you to share your faith and give you the courage to speak the truth in love.
- Wandering around the mall tends to be less effective although it does give you a good workout!
If the mall has kiosks, stand between the kiosks and talk to people. This blocks the view of security and keeps out of the main aisles.
Be a “Gideon” before you approach someone. Looking “up” and keeping watch for security is a good idea. Although they can’t tell you to exit the mall for talking to someone, it’s wise for them to not be around when you begin a conversation.
- Have your partner act as a look out to continue watching for security and praying that the Holy Spirit convicts the person your partner is witnessing to.
Approach someone individually and not as a group. Approaching someone in the mall with two or three people can seem overwhelming to the person with whom you are attempting to share the Gospel. If you are working as a team, have one person "break the ice" and then the other team mate(s) can then come over to listen in on the witnessing encounter.
Do not leave a “tract trail”. Often times when we are in the streets we will leave tracts on a sidewalk or on a table. This is not a good idea in the mall because when security picks up one of the tracts they are alerted that you are in the mall. When they see you with the same tract, they will put two and two together and figure out that you are the source of the “trail of tracts” and more than likely give you a “friendly” escort to the exit.
Keep tracts out of sight until you are ready to hand someone a tract. Typically, when on the streets, we keep tracts in our front shirt pocket for all to see. Again, not a good idea in the mall.
Never stand in the mall and hand out tracts to passers by. This will get you the “boot” in a hurry.
Consider becoming a patron of the mall. Buying a snack, soda or carrying a shopping bag will help you “blend in” to the mall traffic.
- On that note, go in and out of stores occasionally to make it look like you are shopping. There are also people who need the Gospel inside the stores as well.
When praying, pray with your eyes open. This may seem unconventional, but it won’t affect whether or not God “hears” your prayers and it doesn’t draw attention.
Don’t carry a backpack or “street witnessing bag”. This may tend to make mall security keep an eye on you because you are walking around the mall with a shoulder bag.
Try not to witness to the mall security like Jerry and John did on February 16, 2007. Listen to the audio.
NEVER go witnessing with Mark True! (Just kidding Mark. You security magnet, you!)