Learn how to evangelize effectively from hugging.

The “Free hugs Campaign” is an Internet meme (an Internet phenomenon that rapidly spreads) that sheds light on the true nature of evangelism - that of blessing another person with “light”, kindness, and generally pointing to a  more excellent way.  Juan Mann (One man?) was forced through circumstances to leave London and return to his native Australia.  When he arrived, he was noticing how families greeted each other with hugs, and quite sad that he did not have anybody waiting to hug him, he took matters into his own hands and went to a busy street in Sydney, and offered “Free hugs”, holding up a sign. 

Free Hugs explodes.
People were initially hesitant and reserved but slowly they started to approach, and the thing snowballed out of control!  An elderly lady said how she needed a hug since it was one year to the day that her daughter had been killed in an accident, and how her dog had also died that week.  More and more people started to receive hugs - it reached the point where, the authorities began to fear public liability consequences, only to have people sign a 10,000 signature petition that out free hugs back on the streets!

It goes global
Using Youtube as a social medium the phenomenon has spread to other cities worldwide.  Talk about an idea spreading like wildfire!  Juan Mann has even appeared on the Oprah show, talking about this phenomenon and the impact he has had.

Leaven-like Evangelism
The Free Hugs Campaign youtube video has as of today been seen 20 million times, and has received 40,000 comments!  This is an idea that has spread virally, impressing one person, who in turns spreads the message to a few of his friends, who in turn do the same, and we witness an exponential growth and spread of an idea that few would have paid attention to.  This little video may be the closest to Kingdom-evangelism that I have ever seen. 

It is also a story of the good use of technology to impact millions!  This is the hour of the evangelist.  One man, can literally scratch a message on a piece of cardboard, walk on a busy street holding that notice up, and his message can be seen by 20 million people.

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Technorati Tags: Free hugs campaign, Evangelism, Juan Mann, Kingdom, leaven-like evangelism, hugging, hugs, blessing

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