My Grief, His Grace
How loss can draw us to the Lord and His Grace

Nobody Knows
A host expresses how she prays for passersby

Seeing "Christian" in a New Light
Realizing a "Christian" can push people closer to or further from Christ

Letting Their Fingers Do the Talking
Sound is not needed to communicate faith

Net Results
Discovering ping pong as outreach

When Nothing Mattered Anymore
Walking by, he saw two people praying

Sharing Christ Across Cultures
We can reach a part of the world through the mall

My Journey
A host tell how his work at the Ministry has reached beyond to his family

Inviting God to Work
A host shares how God guides her conversation

In "The Zone" with God
Learn how the desire for prayer initiated a program and transformed the decor of a room

Divine Connections
When we're open to God's working in our life, get ready for some surprises

Is it Worth it?
Different perspectives on the definition of success

Why Am I Here?
A host shares her experience at the Ministry

My Grief, His Grace

Meet program leader Janice Leeds and learn how God led her to the Mall Ministry.

My husband died July 9, 2001.  Eleven years of dealing with his complicated illness had led me into more and more responsibility.  I took over the complete running of the home and Mel’s care.

Doing all this, I thought that I would be prepared for his death.  In many ways I was, but when the shock of his death wore off, I was starting to wonder “Who am I?”  I had lost the role of wife and caregiver.  Then 9/11 hit, and the national grief intensified my own grief.

My errands often take me past the Burlington Center Mall.  One day I noticed a grief seminar on the billboard.  Normally I didn’t even read the sign, but each time I went by my eyes were drawn to it.  I felt the Lord prompting me to go.

The seminar at the Burlington Center Mall Ministry was on traumatic grief—as experienced by those who lost loved ones on 9/11.  Yet the information was helpful.  I learned that a “Coping with Grief” recovery program was also in progress.  After promising to read and catch up on the homework, I was allowed to enter mid-course.  The group helped me understand the dynamics of grief.  Gathered with others who had experienced deep loss, I was able to share my feelings and be understood.  It meant a lot since I am a shy person.  It was a huge thing for me to enter a room full of people—let alone strangers—and talk.

Shortly after that program ended, I was invited to attend GriefShare.  This video series includes speakers who have experienced deep loss, a weekly workbook assignment and a time of sharing.

The Burlington Center Mall Ministry has been a special blessing in my life by meeting a deep need after my husband died.  I am now leading the discussion for the GriefShare series for the fourth time!  I feel privileged to be able to share the things I have learned with others who have experienced loss in their lives. 

A few years ago, I would not have believed anyone who had said I would now be leading GriefShare.  Now I see that through Mel’s illness, God was preparing me.  I had to trust Him beyond what I could see.  He drew me more into His Word and proved that His grace is sufficient—even through the valley of the shadow of death. 

Over the years, my husband and I had taken all sorts of evangelism courses.  Since I don’t want to push people, I felt like a failure with other courses.  The style of evangelism training at the Mall Ministry was different; I am able to share what God has done in my life.  And God has been bringing hurting people my way!  Recently I mentored a girlfriend as she went through the process of her husband dying.  God also has opened the way for me to facilitate a Bible study at the Mall Ministry.  Seeking to submit to God’s authority has led me to Breaking Free:  Making Liberty in Christ a Reality in Life.

Back To The Top

Meet host and poet Elizabeth Carter who shares how she uses time at the Burlington Center Mall Ministry.

I prayed for you…

The one whose children lag behind because you “dragged them out”

The young couple who want to embrace on the steps

I prayed for you…

The two elderly ladies with canes:  pleasant faces gave me a nod with a smile

The man with packages who paused to rest upon the bench

I prayed for you…

Grandmother caring for three grandchildren, wishing to overcome seven months silence with their mother

Oh yes, I prayed for you…

Students taking pictures of the window display for their school project

Tweens counting money to see if they have enough to buy snacks

Elderly man with a six-year-old granddaughter

Sears employees

Post mistress

Janitor

I prayed for you.

Some stopped to talk.

Some walked on by.

Nobody knows I prayed for you…

One person that has been ministered to by the Burlington Center Mall Ministry told her story to Elsie Nicolette.  For her safety, her name is omitted.

January 2005, due to domestic violence from my “Christian” husband, I packed up my children and whatever could fit in my car and drove from the West Coast to New Jersey.  This was a big step.  Not only was I leaving my husband, but also my college studies and the rest of my belongings.  Fighting feelings that I couldn’t survive on my own or care for my two preschool children, I headed east.

I moved in with a relative who calls herself a “Christian.”  Though I was totally exhausted from the five-day cross country trip, she insisted that I unpack the car, wash all our clothes, get settled and then come to church with her the next morning.  Her rigid insistence that I attend church—something I had already been doing—made me want to avoid it.  Her attempts to boss me around and her lack of love or understanding did not make me feel very positive about Christians. 

A friend of the family is a host at the Mall Ministry.  In February we came to visit—not sure what we would find at this “Christian” place.  We were pleasantly surprised.  My four and five year olds got to play ping pong.  I found people I could talk to and confide in without being judged or condemned.

Truly, the Burlington Center Mall Ministry has been a blessing for my kids and myself.  Every day my kids ask, “Are we going to the mall?”  They love coming to see Miss Kara and others.

I know this is a place where I can come and chill out, where I won’t be pressured but people will support my emotional recovery and my relationship with Jesus Christ.  Volunteers and staff have listened to my fears, prayed for and with me, shown me encouraging Scripture and given me a Quiet Time Bible.  I have also received practical help: an explanation of how the social service system works, someone to sit beside me in court, referral to a support group and teaching on setting boundaries in my life. 

I know that there is still much to learn.  I am thankful for the Mall Ministry being here when my children and I needed it.  I have met people who, having walked through their own pain, know how to be an encouragement.  Through their sharing of Scripture and support, I have had the rare opportunity to reflect on my past, present and future and God’s plan for my life.  As I am preparing to move again, I go away stronger and more aware of God’s love.  This experience has taught me that Christians are like a bushel of apples: they are a mixed lot…they are not all rotten.

Imagine: you’re surrounded by people, but you have no way to communicate with them. What isolation, what frustration!  Teresa Killingsworth saw a deaf, partially blind man attending her church, separated in silence from those around him. Her heart ached. She thought of taking a summer course to learn sign language.  Instead, she found that, like any foreign language, signing is complex.

A whole new world—and ministry—opened up as Teresa enrolled in a college ASL interpreter’s program.  Fourteen years and many courses later, Teresa is an interpreter at a high school and volunteers her time to teach signing to students at Patriots Academy, a private Christian school in Wrightstown.  Desiring that her hearing students interact with the deaf and improve their skills, she remembered how with some of her classes she was required to attend silent dinners at a mall. Wanting to create such an event and encourage faith, Teresa thought of the Burlington Center Mall Ministry.

August 2004 we met to discuss the idea of a Christian Deaf Fellowship.  To make it more visible and inclusive, we decided it would be best if the group met in the Food Court area.  October 2004 Teresa and some students started coming to the mall each Monday night for three hours.  At first, it was just students practicing their signs.  Then a deaf gentleman saw the students signing and started “talking” with them.  He then told some of his friends and their friends told other friends.

By December, with holiday activities and Teresa’s hour commute, it was decided to schedule the Fellowship 7-8 pm the third Monday of the month so that all those interested would come the same time the same week and truly get to fellowship. 

God has been growing the group, both in numbers and depth of relationship.  Attendees range in age from 14 to 65 or older.  About equal number of deaf and hearing are involved, and both Signed English and American Sign Language are used.  A dozen were present in April.

Hardships, joys and experiences of everyday life are shared.  At the last meeting, a woman told what God had done in her life.  A new couple was very interested in learning more about God and attending church.  She was able to direct them to a church close to their home in Landisville, NJ and they are going.

“A bond has developed among those attending.  It has been great to see the new friendships started,” says Teresa.  “They keep in touch during the month through faxing and TTY (text telephone).” 

When asked what this gathering means to her, Mary who is hearing and travels 90 minutes with two deaf friends to attend says, “It has encouraged me as an interpreter to share ideas, thoughts and experiences with other interpreters.  It also blesses me to see the Christian deaf people so happy to be with others, especially those who speak their same language.  I can truly say God has been in our fellowship at the Mall in an awesome way!”

Nearly every weekend since the Mall Ministry opened in 1998, we have had the ping pong table up and available.  Its use has been sporadic so it was a step of faith when we decided to host a March Madness ping pong tournament. 

Administrative Assistant Kara Edwards planned and organized the event.  She enlisted advice from kiosk owner Gary who often helps set up the table and plays regularly.  Prizes* were solicited, judges recruited.  Uniform rules were established.  Flyers, certificates, a playoff tree and a room layout were designed. 

Excitement was building.  An “under 9” age category was added when a highly motivated six-year-old wanted to play.  He came to practice at least five times. 

Twenty-nine signed up ahead of time.  When a mother saw the roster, she said, “Wow, this is a serious tournament.”  The event was taking on a life of its own!

On Friday night, people showed up early and stayed until the mall closed.  Each age group brought spectators.  Four-year-old twins brought their birthday party to BCMM.  The four-year-olds could barely see over the table, let alone get the ball over the net.  In the middle of her game, one little girl decided that getting a snack was more important than playing.  We did have lots of munchies, including cookies shaped like ping pong paddles, balls and hands.  While not everyone who signed up showed up, others took their places—including a high school ping pong team. 

On Saturday, some players stayed for the day.  When one adult kept winning, spectators grew bored.  But then a Chinese couple new to the area came to this mall for the first time and decided to play.  The woman, one of eight females who played, was so good that competition and excitement picked up. 

What we thought would be a teen event wound up attracting a real mix of people that eventually included more adults than teens.  A man who had represented China for soccer in the ’64 Olympics brought his own paddle and played well.  A young adult played who had gotten out of jail earlier in the week.  A Christian teen whose father is Indian reached out to Gary who is a Sikh from India.  Several mall employees came to play on their breaks.

As soon as the winners were announced, people began asking when the next tournament would be.  Each weekend since, we have had a number of people come back to play ping pong—or checkers or chess if they need to wait their turn.  People also are sharing some of themselves and revealing an openness to God.  A woman who brought her kids to play has told of her fears of domestic violence.  We’ve connected with members of the Chinese community.  A family who weren’t sure they’d be welcome (they were!) are discussing their Jehovah’s Witness beliefs.  And sensing our openness to his ideas for the tournament, Gary has felt free to tell us what he thinks of “church people” and why he was hesitant to come in to the Ministry for so long.  He even let us know that other store employees are watching.  Best of all, he has been reading the gospel of John and has questions for us. 

The net results:  God is stretching all of us in more different forms of service (puns intended) than we expected.  Anyone ready to coordinate a checkers or chess tournament?

By Mike

For about a year, I had been feeling anxious and unhappy.  Both my personal and professional life were in turmoil.  Although I loved my girlfriend deeply, our relationship was not going well.   To compound matters, I was totally unfulfilled in the business that I began with my cousin three years earlier and knew I needed to make a career transition.  We agreed to begin negotiations for the sale of the business, leaving me both relieved and frightened.  I called my girlfriend to tell her that I finally made the move toward a more stable career, expecting a supportive response.  To my surprise, she told me that the strain of the past year had taken its toll and that she was ending our relationship of almost four years. 

I was numb and could not process any emotions.  I just felt this heavy cold creeping into my soul.  I tried desperately to avoid it, but I could not escape.  After a week or so, it hit me with full force.  It was so bad at times that I would have done anything to stop the pain and the loneliness.  I was ashamed of what I thought were failures, and I was deeply afraid of the uncertainty of my future.  I felt alone, without purpose.

Friends and family did their best to support me.  My sister drove down from Rhode Island to be with me.  We went to lunch, tried to remain active.  I asked if it would be okay if we walked around the mall for awhile.  She agreed, so we spent a couple hours walking and talking.  A few days later I was feeling desperate.  As I retraced steps taken with my sister in the mall, I noticed two people sitting on a couch, holding hands and praying.  At a breaking point, I felt like prayer was the only thing that would help me. 

I waited until the host was free, introduced myself and began telling my story.  The host encouraged me to continue through numerous breakdowns.  Then the host held my hands, and we prayed.  It had been a great while since I prayed with someone so closely.  I felt like I was taking my first steps towards becoming whole again.  After prayer, I noticed for the first time that there was an organization behind the prayer–the Burlington Center Mall Ministry.  In my moment of need, I was drawn to the prayer, to people living their faith.  And the Mall Ministry also was able to direct me to community resources to assist my healing journey. 

Since my initial contact with the Mall Ministry, I have returned often—to visit, to help out or simply to find a moment of peace.  My time there has given me strength and hope.  During the difficult journey since my career transition began and my relationship ended, I have been blessed with many gifts:  I have reconnected with my faith, my relationships with my family have grown deeply and I have decided to get my teaching certificate.  The Mall Ministry has been an integral part of my healing process.  The staff and volunteers have made a profound impact upon my life, and I will always be grateful to them.

Most people don’t consider the local shopping mall an international destination, let alone a place for foreign mission work!  But at the Burlington Center Mall, we have opportunity to interact with people from Mexico, Nicaragua, India, Pakistan, Israel, Ghana, Russia, China, Korea, and Japan—and that’s just mall employees!  A diverse population also shops in the Burlington Center Mall.  Many of these people have never heard about Jesus Christ or their information is inaccurate.  Our goal with each person we meet is to build friendship and to share the truth of God’s love at his or her point of need.

Last summer, for instance, three Chinese and two Japanese children were in the mall all day, every day, while their parents worked in the Food Court.  They would come to the Ministry often looking for something to do.  They were open to anything we had to offer—games, food, even Bible stories.  Three of the children have since moved away, but they left with a knowledge of Jesus.

A young man from Liberia has been stopping by the Ministry and gradually sharing memories of the pain of having to carry a gun and fight in the war as a twelve-year-old and the guilt of walking over dead bodies.  He keeps coming back to visit. Over time, God’s love is being shared with him.

A gentleman from India came by to play ping pong.  As we volleyed the ball, we also bounced a wide variety of information back and forth.  A Hindu, he had grown up with Christians next door.  He said he would not want to become a Christian because he did not want to change his name.  In repeat visits, we have been able to assure him both that God wants to work in his life and that a name change is not required.  He has prayed to ask Jesus into his life—and we still call him Roger!

Just today a young woman came by and said, “I am a Muslim.  What do you believe about Jesus?”  After hearing the host’s response and testimony, she asked for something to read.  She was excited to receive Christian literature and hear about Alpha where she can learn the basics of the faith and ask questions.

Back To The Top

My Journey

By Frank Calderone

Frank Calderone is a host at the Burlington Center Mall Ministry.  The story of God’s work in his life is still being written, but here’s a start:

Since the mid-80’s my brothers, friends and I couldn’t wait to get together on the weekends to get high and get drunk.  But weekends turned into weeks, and finally we had to have drugs and alcohol every day and every night.

Before my mother died in 1991, she told me that she wanted all her children to be saved.  My wife and I did not go to church but sent our daughters.  When the person who was taking them to church died in 1994, we started taking them ourselves.  We made friends with the people, but church was more a chore than something that excited me.  I would go to church with the smell of alcohol on my breath.  I only lived for the highs.  My relationship with my wife was getting bad.  I had lost all hope and meaning for my life.

Then May 1997, God got my attention.  I had car trouble.  While pushing the car, I felt breathless and a heavy weight on my chest but ignored it.  Two weeks later, after dinner I felt it again.  The pressure kept increasing.  By 10 pm, I could barely breathe and asked my wife to take me to the hospital. 

Actually, the congestive heart failure was a blessing.  If I had waited another hour to get help, the doctor said I would have died.  I saw that God had spared my life.  I knew I had to stop drinking or die, but I could not stop myself.  I would leave an AA meeting and go get a drink.  In 1998 I asked God to help me.  He took away my desire for alcohol, drugs and cigarettes and gave me a desire for Him and reading the Bible daily.  Truly, God saved me!

About the same time, I found out about computer school, surprised myself by not being fearful of the unknown and started going.  I learned that I really like working on the computer.

When the Mall Ministry opened [1998], I would come out of Sears and purposely walk on the arcade side to avoid any confrontation with fanatics.  But my church discovered the Ministry and, month after month, would read aloud what was happening there.  When I heard about a computer class, outreach to those who do not speak English (my first language is Spanish), and a website, I got interested.  So fall 2003, I finally got the courage to stop and talk to a host.  He was so encouraging!  I wanted to start helping right away…so I volunteered to do gift wrap.

January 2004, I took evangelism training.  The first day I hosted, two homeless men stopped in.  Because of my background, I could understand how someone who is addicted or hopeless felt.  I was able to listen and share my story.

I see God using me—not only at the Mall Ministry but also with my younger brother Ralph.  This was something I never expected!  Ralph has been drinking from a very early age, and he has been a challenge.  He will not take advice—especially from his brother.  Yet, he “happened” to come by my house the last day of my computer school and wanted to go along with me.  He saw how much my life had changed.

God broke through barriers between us, and Ralph became open to my helping him get into a rehab shelter.  We were sent from office to office.  There was lots of paperwork, waiting and prayer.  Through it all, God gave me faith that He was going to work it all out.  After three very long days of camping out in offices, a place was found for Ralph!  The best thing of all was when he said, “I want to be like you, Frank.”  He saw my dependence upon God—and God’s faithfulness.

I gave Ralph a children’s Bible story book because he said the Bible would be too hard for him to understand.  He started reading and telling me about the stories.  He read all 300-plus pages of the book and wanted more.  I gave him a Spanish New Testament and my Bible to read.  I know this will be a long journey but a rewarding one.  I have learned that no matter how impossible a situation seems, through faith in God, hope, and lots of prayer, our wonderful God gets us through and above any obstacle that comes our way. 

The Mall Ministry has helped me feel comfortable praying out loud and for others.  I’ve learned a lot about dealing with people and sharing my faith.  God is using my past to help others’ futures.  I keep seeing answers to prayer.  And my mother’s prayer for her ten children is slowly being answered—three of us already have become Christians.

God, as I sit here today, quicken me with the presence
   of something grand. Jesus, as I bear your image, invite me to listen carefully;
   that hearts would be melted, beginning with mine.
Remind me to open myself as an invitation for others
   to open themselves to you.
Holy Spirit, dignify your people with an awareness of
   their beauty given from above.
And as they grasp that beauty, move them out
   as your workmanship, created to enjoy you!

This prayer was introduced to hosts at a training to illustrate our continuing desire to invite God's presence in and through each conversation at the Burlington Center Mall Ministry. Believing that the prayer is an awesome tool God has given that has helped her interactions at the mall, host Aylce O'Rourke shared of her experiences with a man who stopped by several times. Excerpts are included here.

"As we talked, I periodically invited the man to sit down. He refused each time.
When he said he was Muslim, then I understood the distance he was keeping.
It was remarkable that he was even talking to me, a woman.

"In our interactions, we shared from our differing faith perspectives.
Mohammed did not understand how a Christian could live a good, moral life without being punished if rules are broken. He said that in Afghanistan, where his father is from, if you steal they cut off your hand. Seeing people on the street with a missing hand makes others think twice before acting wrongly. Perhaps I thought it was extreme, he said, but they now use local anesthesia before amputating. He suggested that people in our predominantly Christian country would live more moral lives if we had that kind of punishment.

"I talked about how Christians do have rules to live by, but they are inspired
by love, not fear. I told him how Jesus taught that his coming did not remove
'one jot or one tittle' (Matthew 5:18) of the law and that God does not change.
God did not change the requirements for human behavior, but with the sacrifice
of Jesus, God exchanged the punishment of our sin with grace and forgiveness.

"This idea of grace appalled Mohammed. He refused to acknowledge that a
righteous, just and holy God could pay for our sins by His Son Jesus' death
on a cross. As far as I could tell, he felt that each person must make his own
restitution to God for his sins.

"I realized that as hosts, we may be the only people that passers-by encounter to investigate Christianity and ask questions. Thinking about my interactions has reinforced to me that it isn't my hosting opportunity; it is God's.

"After Mohammed's first visit, I had worried and wondered what I would say if this man came back, fretting over my own inadequacies. What if he asked a question I couldn't answer? Would I blow the opportunity that
God set up? I prayed about it often. The truth is that when we did speak
again, I was surprised to find I had all the words I needed to answer his
questions--and then some. Quite a few on-lookers stopped on their way past
the Ministry just to listen in on our conversation. When God is involved,
people want to listen."

It began with a boss promoting a New Age agenda for employees. As a faithful follower of Jesus Christ, Edrie Williams felt the need to get out of the office at lunchtime to spend some time with God. Where to go? The mall was nearby. At first she sat on the bench across from the Burlington Center Mall Ministry. Then she moved to our sofa and talked and prayed with hosts at the ministry. When she talked to me, we discovered that God was giving both of us a vision for a lunch hour spiritual refreshment offering. So a weekly half-hour Prayer & Praise time began in December 1999.

Many people have come since then… a woman whose husband wanted a divorce just as they were adopting a child; someone in the midst of a panic attack; a mall employee with relationship problems who asked his boss if he could come down for prayer; someone with cancer; two people grieving the loss of a father; another concerned for a spouse so depressed about being laid off from work that she attempted suicide several times; and many others desiring to pray or praise God.

Lives are being touched at a result.... Some return to tell of answered prayer including, gaining new coping skills, overcoming panic attacks, healing of cancer without any treatments, God’s lifting of depression through the provision of a job and so much more.

Some return regularly to pray. "I can get so mired down in the office," commented a social worker, "that even when I’ve had quiet time in the morning, by noon there’s been so much stress that I need more time with God. Coming here is a chance to refocus and praise God. I come here to have hope."

"In today’s secular world," says another participant, "I’ve always found it difficult to let my faith show. I credit Prayer & Praise with helping me express my faith. I’m making great strides in this area."

Thirty minutes a week of prayer and praise already have made an eternal difference. But we don’t want to stop here. Because our mission is to help people begin or deepen a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, we want to provide as many opportunities for divine encounters as possible.

We have transformed one of our rooms into "The Prayer Zone" to supplement the structured Prayer & Praise time. Weekdays from 10 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. you can enter a soothing atmosphere for self-directed time with God. Soft lighting, inspirational decor, a kneeler as well as various instrumental worship music and devotional materials all seek to strip away distractions so the spirit can focus on relating to the living God.

You are invited to "The Prayer Zone"—whether it’s our room at the Burlington Center Mall, a place in your home or another special place where you can draw close to God. Time spent with God is time well spent!

"Everything you need is to be found in me," God declares in Hosea 14:8. God knows our needs. He knows the needs of each person. He could meet them any way He chooses. The amazing thing is that frequently He wants to use us to meet the needs of others--and in the process of our doing His work He meets our needs! Let me share a few stories of how God has been building connections in and through volunteers at Burlington Center Mall Ministry.

Having just moved to the area, Tina was feeling very alone. She stopped by the ministry to find a church. She also asked how she could get involved in the mall ministry. She began attending a local church, took the evangelism training offered at BCMM and then began hosting.

"During my first shift," Tina says, "a woman was looking at the literature. She asked about the Bible study and then started crying. When I asked if I could help, she said, ‘I’m just so lonely. I just moved to the area and I don’t know anybody.’ I could totally relate to her feelings. We exchanged phone numbers. It turns out we both had lived in New York, only 10 minutes apart. God led me to where I needed to be!"

Though Paul had known about the mall ministry for some time through his church, he did not know about the training offered to volunteers.

"Recently I stopped by and saw that the ministry was offering Evangelism Training. I figured I could use all the training I could get since I have been trying to share my faith since the beginning of the year," he said. "I enjoyed the sessions. The Lord convicted me to volunteer as a host, though I had not originally planned to be one. My first time hosting, even before my orientation, a young man came by. We started talking. Instead of going to my trainer for help, I sensed the Holy Spirit telling me to sit and listen to the visitor. We talked about so much in forty-five minutes--I even learned that he had been healed of a condition that I am dealing with."

Not all interactions wind up taking place at the Burlington Center Mall. Mark had signed up for Evangelism Training but things kept coming up, making it hard for him to attend. When he finally did, the very next day a co-worker said, "You go to church, don’t you?" and a wonderful opportunity to use the skills he had just learned opened up.

On my day off, I was shopping at another mall (the only way to make it a day off!), and the mall ministry came up in conversation with several store employees. One employee Nina seemed particularly interested. She asked about the kinds of things volunteers do. Whispering a quick prayer for guidance, I thought of our needs and said, "Window displays."

Her eyes lit up. "I love doing window displays," she said.

The next day Nina came and filled out a volunteer application. Smiling, she also shared, "In the past couple months, I have just been drawing closer to God and asking Him to show me what He wants me to do."

Tina and Paul looked at the host list at the same time and each picked a spot. Only God knew the connections that they would make. As Mark and I were open to being used by God, He used us. How about you? Are there divine appointments that God may be waiting for you to step out and meet?

Evangelism Training is offered at the Burlington Center Mall Ministry in two parts, 150 minutes each.  If you are interested in attending, call the ministry at 609.239.9300 for upcoming dates.

Being a visible Christian presence…that's what the Mall Ministry is all about. We talk about counting conversations as a measure of our success, but there are times when very few people are in the mall or are willing to stop by. I asked those on the front lines-hosts-whether there time is worthwhile, even if they do not get to interact with anyone. Highlights of their responses follow.

"Most of the time I respond 'Yes.' I believe the presence of BCMM is a positive in this very negative, hard world. I enjoy my work at BCMM mostly because it always takes me out of my comfort zone." Diane

"I try to make eye contact with people as they pass by. Some return the smile, others do not. However, I have noticed after they pass by, if they use the stairs, many will look back down and smile, as if delayed action. I think our friendly presence does make a difference. We are non-aggressive, not pushing anything, however still making ourselves visible and available." Carol

"I have often asked myself if it is worth it. I still don't have an answer. I see that many of the Mall Ministry programs bear much fruit, but I am not sure if round-the-clock hosting is effective or even necessary for the ministry to continue its other work." Mario

"It's worth it. You never know what God is doing through you." Judy

"Our main focus should be reaching out to those who are passing by. Some minister with a smile, some with a hello, some silently praying, some out there with the people. We all have a different way of ministering. I have to believe that God has already chosen who he wants to use for that day and who will receive the message." Nancy

"God uses 'silent presence' as well as activity to fulfill His will. Surrendering this time to God is what counts!" Rickie

"When we host, there are always two present, us and the Holy Spirit. Our ability to relate to others in hosting is not by our power, but by the Holy Spirit. I pray before each session for the Holy Spirit to be with me and help me with the words. And yes, he is there with me. My faith has been strengthened by my hosting." Elaine

"Sometimes I spend time praying for people as they walk by. Other times I am reflecting on my own life-this is the only time in the week when I sit still for 2.5 hours-it is very refreshing. I'd like to have more quality conversations, but I am thankful for what I get. It is time well spent for me, despite the sometimes sparse conversations." Danny

"When people go by, I try to read their thoughts and moods. Innocent little children, fast-paced adults, wandering teenagers, older tired seniors. Do they know God? Do they have troubles? Mine look so small when I view a wheelchair. This is a wonderful place to gather your thoughts and prayerfully thank God for all I have!!!" Becky

"You never know when the Lord will call upon you to do his work through you, so I am not discouraged by lack of activity. I am here because He led me here. He has a reason for me to be here. Whether I have contact with others on behalf of the ministry or not on a particular shift, I always leave here feeling closer to the Lord and that feels so good!" Phil

We would appreciate prayer for the health of the mall, for bringing a tenant in to the large space next to us and for God's Spirit to continue to draw those He wants. Our present window display includes words from Ecclesiastes 3. "There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven:" This includes "a time to be silent and a time to speak." May each of God's faithful ones be sensitive to His timing!

Why Am I Here?
Dr. Jeanette Purdy

Most of us who are committed Christians want to be engaged in some significant work for Christ.  But after serving just two months as a Mall Ministry host, I began to wonder whether this was the kind of significant work that Lord had in mind for me. 

As an educator, I had led an active and productive life--10-hour days, six days a week, sometimes more.  Then--a year ago--I retired.  Reconciling to a slower paced lifestyle has not been easy.  Had I committed to the Mall Ministry without fully understanding that this would not be my former life in the fast lane?  What was missing?  Were my expectations unrealistic?  Surely in 2 ½ hours I would lead at least a dozen people to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ….Perhaps I should smile more at shoppers who passed by.  Or be careful to “dress down” and look more approachable.  I began to have doubts about the effectiveness of bringing Jesus to the marketplace.  Is this what He meant when He said, “Go into the hedges and highways and compel them?”  Where were the lost souls?  Why weren’t they lining up to inquire about “Jesus at the Center?”

One Wednesday morning I called the woman who had introduced me to the Mall Ministry.  “Mae,” I said, “I’m not sure that volunteering as a host is really for me.  Where is the action?  After two months, surely I would have had the joy of leading someone to accept Christ.” 

Mae responded, “What do you think the Lord wants you to do?” 

“I’m not sure,” I replied.  Perhaps He wants me to discipline myself by learning to just sit still and wait patiently for Him which has never been easy for me to do for long--surely not for 2 ½ hours.  After reflecting on our conversation, I felt as though God had given me an answer to the question.

When I arrived at the mall later that day, a young woman was speaking with the host on duty.  They spent a few minutes praying together.  When the host left, the woman stayed to look over the literature.  I introduced myself and asked her name.  She began to share some of her life with me.  As a single parent of a six-year old son who was mentally impaired, she had just placed him in a new care facility in Pennsylvania.  Anna (not her birth name) worked as a prison guard.  She did go to church and to Bible study but said, “I haven’t accepted Christ yet because I feel rather awkward going to the front of a crowded church on Sunday mornings.”

I told Anna that she could ask Christ to be her savior right now, if she were willing.  She was excited and did not hesitate to confirm her desire.  There was no mistake about her fervor and readiness to pray for salvation.

After she left, I took a moment to reflect again on my conversation earlier with Mae.  God is so awesome.  He made clear to me at least three things:  The Mall Ministry is an extension of His love; there is no greater undertaking than standing in the gap to lead others to Christ; and, on a personal level, I believe He is continuing to work out the plan that he has for my life.