People pay to hear the gospel from the Rev Richard James. Known as the “wedding minister” at St Thomas’, North Sydney, Richard’s ministry has grown so large it is now entirely funded through the weddings he conducts. 

And there are no signs of it slowing. By the end of the year, Richard will have married roughly 200 couples over his three years as wedding minister. He preaches at each ceremony to groups of more than 100 people – that’s about 20,000 guests who will have heard the gospel by the end of 2012.

“The goal is to reach non-Christians who want to get married in churches and share the gospel with them,” he says. “The way I do that with them is that I provide the best possible wedding service they could hope for. What ministry is self-funding from the people who it’s evangelising?”

Richard has so far led 172 couples through marriage preparation and 118 couples through a Christianity course. He and his wife Judy have between 15 and 22 couples in their home each week. “The entire thing is evangelism. I have these people in my home at least 11 times, often more,” Richard explains. “Bottom line is they feel loved and cared for. They’re blown away, not because of the service, but because of the love.” 

Even though none of the couples are attending churches, and up to 80 per cent already live together, the response to Christianity is always positive. 

“Most of my couples would never think of going to church unless for a wedding or funeral,” Richard says. “Almost always they will indicate that they are closer to God [when finishing the course]. Some will even say they are Christians. They all get a Bible, they can ask any questions, and I do Two Ways to Live twice as part of the lessons. They’re getting the gospel really clearly.”

A ministry of this nature comes with incredible challenges. “The single biggest problem is that while sharing the gospel is positive, trying to transfer them to go to a church is a massive step,” Richard says. “My hope is to start a church plant where I can filter couples into an environment designed for people who have never had a church experience. I can’t be chasing up everyone. I do believe in God’s word being alive and active, I do believe he is the one who causes growth, so I keep on doing what I can do.”