It has been my priviledge to be around soul-winning Christians in the past. In Davenport, IA from January 1973 through July of 1975 over 200 were baptized. Twelve individuals, for the most part, did the evangelizing although there were many more behind the scenes supporting the effort. At River City Ministry in 2008 there were 76 baptized and in 2009 there have been 86 to date.
If there are going to be consistent conversions where you worship there will have to be a plan to do it. It must be intentional. On purpose. How? First you must "seek." Jesus came to "Seek and save the lost." (Luke 19:10) You need someone to lead this PRIMARY ministry in your church. A person with passion for the lost. A person who is willing to lead by example. For the purpose of this brief article this person will be called the Evangelism Ministry Leader (EML).
Following is an outline that might give you a plan to start:
A PLAN FOR REACHING OUT TO THE LOST
I. Evangelism Ministry Leader (EML)
1. A person who is actively seeking the lost.
2. A person who has proven they can equip others to share the gospel.
3. A collector of contacts
All those that seek benevolent help
Non-members contacted by the hospitality/visitation group
Non-members who are married to members
Special event visitors
Names submitted by members of the congregation
Names submitted by the Office of persons interested in Bible Study.
4. Place each contact in a category
For immediate Bible Study
To be invited to a Growth Group
To be asked into someone’s home are taken out to eat
5. Make sure the office gets information on each contact that is baptized into Christ so effective after-care (discipling) can take place.
II. Team Member(s)
1. A person who is actively seeking the lost.
2. A person who is willing to study with a non-Christian
3. A person who is willing to follow-up after the study when a person is converted to Christ.
III. Congregation
1. Should be urged to “search for the lost.”
2. Will help provide the EML and Local Evangelism Group with contacts for conversion to Christ. 3. Willing to be a “silent partner” in Bible study sessions.
4. Willing to “practice hospitality” with non-Christians.
If you would like a FREE outline of a great Bible Study go to http://www.westcoastwitness.com/ and check out the Romans Approach.
Monday, September 7, 2009
Saturday, May 16, 2009
Quote from Larry West in the Christian Chronicle
"We will not convert unless we confront..." "We cannot just be friends with someone...and expect him to come to know what to do to be saved. He doesn't learn the gospel through osmosis." (CC May 2009, page 26)
What a challenge; What an adventure! Living for Christ.
From Oswald Chambers: My Utmost For His Highest. May 15
"That ye may know what is the hope of his calling..." Eph. 1:18
Remember what you are saved for - that the Son of God might be manifested in your mortal flesh. Bend the whole energy of your powers to realize your election as a child of God; rise to the occasion every time.
You cannot do anything for your salvation, but you must do something to manifest it, you must work out what God has worked in. Are you working it out with your tongue, and your brain and your nerves? If you are still the same miserable crosspatch, set on your own way, then it is a lie to say that God has saved and sanctified you.
God is the Master Engineer, He allows the difficulties to come in order to see if you can vault over them properly - "By my God have I leaped over a wall." God will never shield you from any of the requirements of a son or daughter of His. Peter says - "Think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you." Rise to the occasion; do the thing. It does not matter how it hurts as long as it gives God the chance to manifest Himself in your mortal flesh.
May God not find the whine in us any more, but may He find us full of spiritual pluck and athleticism, ready to face anything He brings. We have to exercise ourselves in order that the Son of God may be manifested in our mortal flesh. God never has museusms. The only aim of the life is that the Son of God may be manifested, and all dictation to God vanishes. Our Lord never dictated to His Father, and we are not here to dictate to God; we are here to submit to His will so that He may work through us what He wants. When we realize this, He will make us broken bread and poured-out wine to feed and nourish others."
"That ye may know what is the hope of his calling..." Eph. 1:18
Remember what you are saved for - that the Son of God might be manifested in your mortal flesh. Bend the whole energy of your powers to realize your election as a child of God; rise to the occasion every time.
You cannot do anything for your salvation, but you must do something to manifest it, you must work out what God has worked in. Are you working it out with your tongue, and your brain and your nerves? If you are still the same miserable crosspatch, set on your own way, then it is a lie to say that God has saved and sanctified you.
God is the Master Engineer, He allows the difficulties to come in order to see if you can vault over them properly - "By my God have I leaped over a wall." God will never shield you from any of the requirements of a son or daughter of His. Peter says - "Think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you." Rise to the occasion; do the thing. It does not matter how it hurts as long as it gives God the chance to manifest Himself in your mortal flesh.
May God not find the whine in us any more, but may He find us full of spiritual pluck and athleticism, ready to face anything He brings. We have to exercise ourselves in order that the Son of God may be manifested in our mortal flesh. God never has museusms. The only aim of the life is that the Son of God may be manifested, and all dictation to God vanishes. Our Lord never dictated to His Father, and we are not here to dictate to God; we are here to submit to His will so that He may work through us what He wants. When we realize this, He will make us broken bread and poured-out wine to feed and nourish others."
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Check out the following video
If you want to understand THE REALITY OF ISLAM and how it is spreading around the world, YOU SHOULD WATCH THIS VIDEO!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6-3X5hIFXYU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6-3X5hIFXYU
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Revival
I am writing this to sort out my thoughts and feelings about my role in the Kingdom of God. First, I want to be clear with myself: Living for Christ is not about me, it IS about doing God’s will (Matt. 7:21-23). Paul’s assessment of himself and his role before God was apparent to him (Gal. 2:20; Acts 26:16-18). He knew he was an apostle to the gentiles (Gal. 1:1).
My calling is clear to me: I am an evangelist. I was called of God to preach to the lost and bring them to salvation. Whether I am used to share the message or God uses someone else, it thrills me, like nothing else, to see a lost person baptized into Christ. On the other hand, it disheartens me to see many opportunities to share the gospel pass Christians by. This is not a recent “urge,” or a passing emotion – this is in my DNA as a child of God. Everywhere I have ministered God has blessed with many baptisms. In Cabot, AR in 1972 there were sixteen baptisms in a six week period as I caught the vision and burden Paul wrote about in Romans 9:1-4a and Romans 10:1. In Davenport, IA over 200 were baptized in two and one-half years; in Tavares, FL 28 were baptized in four months; in Little Rock there was an average of 40 per year baptized, and now at River City Ministry this year 30 have been baptized; last year over 70. In almost ALL of the many conversions I note here, someone besides me studied with and baptized the folks. Again, this is not about me!
For several years (1982-2003), my evangelistic spirit was numb (dead). I attribute this to several things: the difficulty of working with a divided church, the pressure placed on our family as my youngest son began to use drugs and a daughter chose to worship at a congregation other than the one we were with, and finally my resignation from preaching. All of these things were major distractions. Of course the real source of discouragement was Satan (Eph. 6:12).
Then, my youngest son’s conversion at age 22 was a tremendous source of revival to my spirit. If I died today I would do so praising God for what he has done in my family, with my children and their walk with Him. I say, “Amen,” to John’s statement in 3 John 4, “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.”
When Wes decided to come to Harding and attend the HSBS Program I was encouraged even more. To find out that he was going to join a team of students and go to California (taking him far away from his mom and dad) I could only praise God! I know there will be other obstacles along lifes way, but right now I am excited about trying to live up to my calling by equipping others to share Jesus while I do the same.
My calling is clear to me: I am an evangelist. I was called of God to preach to the lost and bring them to salvation. Whether I am used to share the message or God uses someone else, it thrills me, like nothing else, to see a lost person baptized into Christ. On the other hand, it disheartens me to see many opportunities to share the gospel pass Christians by. This is not a recent “urge,” or a passing emotion – this is in my DNA as a child of God. Everywhere I have ministered God has blessed with many baptisms. In Cabot, AR in 1972 there were sixteen baptisms in a six week period as I caught the vision and burden Paul wrote about in Romans 9:1-4a and Romans 10:1. In Davenport, IA over 200 were baptized in two and one-half years; in Tavares, FL 28 were baptized in four months; in Little Rock there was an average of 40 per year baptized, and now at River City Ministry this year 30 have been baptized; last year over 70. In almost ALL of the many conversions I note here, someone besides me studied with and baptized the folks. Again, this is not about me!
For several years (1982-2003), my evangelistic spirit was numb (dead). I attribute this to several things: the difficulty of working with a divided church, the pressure placed on our family as my youngest son began to use drugs and a daughter chose to worship at a congregation other than the one we were with, and finally my resignation from preaching. All of these things were major distractions. Of course the real source of discouragement was Satan (Eph. 6:12).
Then, my youngest son’s conversion at age 22 was a tremendous source of revival to my spirit. If I died today I would do so praising God for what he has done in my family, with my children and their walk with Him. I say, “Amen,” to John’s statement in 3 John 4, “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.”
When Wes decided to come to Harding and attend the HSBS Program I was encouraged even more. To find out that he was going to join a team of students and go to California (taking him far away from his mom and dad) I could only praise God! I know there will be other obstacles along lifes way, but right now I am excited about trying to live up to my calling by equipping others to share Jesus while I do the same.
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Friday, April 24, 2009
Just Ask!
It has happened again! and again! Wednesday night Anthony Wood met with some folks at the Remmel Church of Christ that were interested in discussing what it meant to become a Christian. Four were baptized. On Thursday at River City Ministry the 30th person was baptized in 2009. On Thursday night Mimi, a New Yorker who is making her home in Searcy, was baptized. The common denominator for each of these is that the gospel was presented to them and they were asked if they had a desire to respond to it. They did!
It still "pleases GOD to save people through the foolishness of preaching."
It still "pleases GOD to save people through the foolishness of preaching."
Monday, April 6, 2009
Tulsa Soulwinning Workshop 2009
The TSWW was well attended this year in spite of having numbers that seemed to be lower than previous years. I would rate the content of the 2009 Workshop very high. The speaker's were challenging in what they shared. The group I was with attended Memorial Drive Church on Wednesday night (heard good singing by several groups, and a good, challenging lesson by Rick Atchley) and again on our way out of Tulsa on Sunday morning.
With that said I also observed a heavy emphasis on social work, that is reaching out to the underserved of society. Since that is an area that I find my ministry with (http://www.rivercityministry.org/) I was in full agreement with us meeting the homeless, near homeless and poor where they are and welcoming them into our fellowship. Having spent a lot of time in an environment where social needs are met (food, clothing, medical needs, shelter, transportation, etc.) I know how easy it is for this ministry to become a substitute for meeting the greatest need of every person, salvation that is found only in Christ!
For several years RCM served thousands of meals, gave away tons of clothing, distributed thousands of dollars in medical supplies and saw few converted to Christ. In the past four years over 200 have been baptized into Christ. What is the difference? RCM brought evangelist in who were intentional about sharing the gospel with the lost. First it was Gerald White, a retiree who was spending his time working with "We Care Campaigns." In his two years at RCM about 60 were baptized. Then Anthony Wood was invited to RCM in the spring of 2007 to be the Evangelist for RCM. Since his arrival over 150 have been brought to the cross and salvation in Christ. His method is to intersect with those that come to RCM much like Jesus did with the woman at the well (John 4).
These conversions came about by simply asking those who come to RCM if they have a spiritual need they would like prayers for. A spiritual discussion follows and the "power of the gospel" does it's work.
My counsel is to 'ask." Just ask. See if those you know have a spiritual need that will lead to you sharing the most powerful message in the world, the message of the cross. (Do you know for sure, no doubt, that if you died today you would go to heaven?) We have that message of assurance, and we can share it.
With that said I also observed a heavy emphasis on social work, that is reaching out to the underserved of society. Since that is an area that I find my ministry with (http://www.rivercityministry.org/) I was in full agreement with us meeting the homeless, near homeless and poor where they are and welcoming them into our fellowship. Having spent a lot of time in an environment where social needs are met (food, clothing, medical needs, shelter, transportation, etc.) I know how easy it is for this ministry to become a substitute for meeting the greatest need of every person, salvation that is found only in Christ!
For several years RCM served thousands of meals, gave away tons of clothing, distributed thousands of dollars in medical supplies and saw few converted to Christ. In the past four years over 200 have been baptized into Christ. What is the difference? RCM brought evangelist in who were intentional about sharing the gospel with the lost. First it was Gerald White, a retiree who was spending his time working with "We Care Campaigns." In his two years at RCM about 60 were baptized. Then Anthony Wood was invited to RCM in the spring of 2007 to be the Evangelist for RCM. Since his arrival over 150 have been brought to the cross and salvation in Christ. His method is to intersect with those that come to RCM much like Jesus did with the woman at the well (John 4).
These conversions came about by simply asking those who come to RCM if they have a spiritual need they would like prayers for. A spiritual discussion follows and the "power of the gospel" does it's work.
My counsel is to 'ask." Just ask. See if those you know have a spiritual need that will lead to you sharing the most powerful message in the world, the message of the cross. (Do you know for sure, no doubt, that if you died today you would go to heaven?) We have that message of assurance, and we can share it.
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Staying Fresh and Green (My wife's blogspot)
DO NOT TRESPASS!No one I know actually wears a sign around their neck with that proclamation printed on it in big, bold letters, but many effectively spell it out with their eyes and body language if you dare mention anything about spiritual matters. Their visage can become stone-cold as the lights go out - nobody home here! Must be Mt Rushmore! How and when did broaching the subject of Christianity become an almost punishable offense?The people of the beautiful Caribbean island of Antigua do not feel this way (they didn't in the '70s anyway). How very different those brown-skinned men and women were from our country of driven Americans. It was as though the air dripping with sun, the mellow breezes and every rippling blue-green sea was part of their souls - making them bright, open, courteous, and as friendly as if they'd loved you forever. Their eyes sparkled with delight when approached even on the street about the Lord. Their "signs" read: "I'm open; I'm interested; I'm available for discussion!"When offered tracts or any other written materials, almost every man and woman received them with what approached reverence - indeed, obvious appreciation. One lovely single mom struggling to support her children as a maid at our motel, declined my offer of sodas, foodstuffs and toiletries as our group prepared to leave the island, instead asking, "Do you have any books or pamphlets, or anything else about the Lord?"
It's not quite like that here in the U. S. Even when dealing with family the "signs" sometimes loom as big as a billboard on the interstate. I knew my aunt was not a part of any church, so I asked her one day about her faith. Whoa! She blew up at me. She didn't scream, but I could tell she wanted to. After a few minutes of red-faced huffing, she let me know the bottom line: her beliefs were private, locked behind the door of her life, and how impertinent of me to inquire. I - also red in the face but huff-less - slunk home.That, and other similar experiences made me very cautious over the years.
Since I'm not an extrovert and fairly cowardly, it would take me some time to regroup from such encounters. My tendency was, for awhile, to see those "signs" hanging around the necks of all, heed them, and keep my mouth shut. Eventually, however, the days rolled on by and dulled the unpleasant memories; I would stick a toe back out into the shallows, test the water, and move on out slowly.
Did you notice how many times I used the words, "I, me, and my" in the above paragraph?The problem with looking at yourself, other than the fact that you're not looking to the Lord, is that a lot of precious time is lost not only in being afraid of lost people, but also in explaining your hang-ups, failings, and expounding on the psychology of why you're a coward. O, Lord, have patience!
What if the early church family had reacted in the same way when they tried to talk to their aunts?! Can you imagine Paul running out the door and keeping still about Jesus just because a cantankerous old relative spewed on him? Paul did not walk in the light, power, and at the bidding of Paul. He was lost in the Son of God - but supremely found at the same time, carrying the death of Christ around in his body, yet moving in and speaking to a dark world by the Life of Christ in his body. As a result, he knew exactly who and where he was, Whom he was serving, and how he was able to do so - he knew full well and rejoiced that it was not because of his ... anything.
How do we as ambassadors for Jesus Christ break through those forbidding "signs"?"[Not in your own strength] for it is God Who is all the while effectually at work in you [energizing and creating in you the power and desire] both to will and to work for His good pleasure and satisfaction and delight" (Phil. 2:13). Amplified Bible
Lynn Stringfellow, campus minister in Tampa, shares these guidelines:
1. Desire - to do God's will (not just the part I like).
2. Pray - God will send someone into your life who needs Him (this is a pouring out of the heart for God to work in your life, not just a simple prayer).
3. Watch - For the answer to that prayer (be on the look-out for the person God is sending. Watching is Faith in Action).
4. Identify - Who the person is God has sent into your life.
5. Pray - For an open heart in him or her, and the opportunity to connect.
6. Watch - For an answer to that prayer (again, this is the action of your faith.)
7. Pray - A prayer of thankfulness and dependence.
8. Share - The Good News.
See the dependency upon the Lord? Not that I sit home on the couch watching an old movie and wonder why God isn't sending someone my way, but KNOWING this is God's work and He will lead.
"That with the utmost freedom of speech and unfailing courage, now as always ... Christ (the Messiah) will be magnified and get glory and praise in this body of mine and be boldly exalted in my person, whether through life or through death" (Phil. 1:20b). Amplified Bible
Posted by Geraldine at 6:33 PM
It's not quite like that here in the U. S. Even when dealing with family the "signs" sometimes loom as big as a billboard on the interstate. I knew my aunt was not a part of any church, so I asked her one day about her faith. Whoa! She blew up at me. She didn't scream, but I could tell she wanted to. After a few minutes of red-faced huffing, she let me know the bottom line: her beliefs were private, locked behind the door of her life, and how impertinent of me to inquire. I - also red in the face but huff-less - slunk home.That, and other similar experiences made me very cautious over the years.
Since I'm not an extrovert and fairly cowardly, it would take me some time to regroup from such encounters. My tendency was, for awhile, to see those "signs" hanging around the necks of all, heed them, and keep my mouth shut. Eventually, however, the days rolled on by and dulled the unpleasant memories; I would stick a toe back out into the shallows, test the water, and move on out slowly.
Did you notice how many times I used the words, "I, me, and my" in the above paragraph?The problem with looking at yourself, other than the fact that you're not looking to the Lord, is that a lot of precious time is lost not only in being afraid of lost people, but also in explaining your hang-ups, failings, and expounding on the psychology of why you're a coward. O, Lord, have patience!
What if the early church family had reacted in the same way when they tried to talk to their aunts?! Can you imagine Paul running out the door and keeping still about Jesus just because a cantankerous old relative spewed on him? Paul did not walk in the light, power, and at the bidding of Paul. He was lost in the Son of God - but supremely found at the same time, carrying the death of Christ around in his body, yet moving in and speaking to a dark world by the Life of Christ in his body. As a result, he knew exactly who and where he was, Whom he was serving, and how he was able to do so - he knew full well and rejoiced that it was not because of his ... anything.
How do we as ambassadors for Jesus Christ break through those forbidding "signs"?"[Not in your own strength] for it is God Who is all the while effectually at work in you [energizing and creating in you the power and desire] both to will and to work for His good pleasure and satisfaction and delight" (Phil. 2:13). Amplified Bible
Lynn Stringfellow, campus minister in Tampa, shares these guidelines:
1. Desire - to do God's will (not just the part I like).
2. Pray - God will send someone into your life who needs Him (this is a pouring out of the heart for God to work in your life, not just a simple prayer).
3. Watch - For the answer to that prayer (be on the look-out for the person God is sending. Watching is Faith in Action).
4. Identify - Who the person is God has sent into your life.
5. Pray - For an open heart in him or her, and the opportunity to connect.
6. Watch - For an answer to that prayer (again, this is the action of your faith.)
7. Pray - A prayer of thankfulness and dependence.
8. Share - The Good News.
See the dependency upon the Lord? Not that I sit home on the couch watching an old movie and wonder why God isn't sending someone my way, but KNOWING this is God's work and He will lead.
"That with the utmost freedom of speech and unfailing courage, now as always ... Christ (the Messiah) will be magnified and get glory and praise in this body of mine and be boldly exalted in my person, whether through life or through death" (Phil. 1:20b). Amplified Bible
Posted by Geraldine at 6:33 PM
Sunday, January 4, 2009
Having a Plan for Sharing the Gospel
Years ago I was introduced to an acrostic that I have used hundreds of times and passed on to others who have used it with success. The acrostic is F O R M. If you follow this you can be into a discussion with a new aquaintance in minutes, so here it is:
F for family. Ask about their family. How many brothers and sisters do you have? Children? grandchildren, etc.
O for occupation. What kind of work do you do? (listen!) Ask other questions about their work: What got you into this line of work? etc.
R for religion. How long have you identified with this denomination? When did you join? etc.
M for message. Here is where you will need to have though out beforehand what you will share. Do you have a messge to share?
Most often I use the book of Romans to share the gospel. Others have used the book of Mark or the gospel of John. I like Romans because you can share enough with a person in one study for that lost person to know what they need to do to be saved.
The important point is to have the message of the gospel in your heart and mind and be prepared to present the gospel when the opportunity presents itself!
F for family. Ask about their family. How many brothers and sisters do you have? Children? grandchildren, etc.
O for occupation. What kind of work do you do? (listen!) Ask other questions about their work: What got you into this line of work? etc.
R for religion. How long have you identified with this denomination? When did you join? etc.
M for message. Here is where you will need to have though out beforehand what you will share. Do you have a messge to share?
Most often I use the book of Romans to share the gospel. Others have used the book of Mark or the gospel of John. I like Romans because you can share enough with a person in one study for that lost person to know what they need to do to be saved.
The important point is to have the message of the gospel in your heart and mind and be prepared to present the gospel when the opportunity presents itself!
Saturday, January 3, 2009
Implementing a Plan for Evangelism
With Jesus commissioning the church to preach the gospel to "every creature" (Mark 16:15), you would expect every congregation to have a plan in place to get it done. With fewer than 50% of almost any community attending any assembly of Christians for worship we know that many are lost, so what is our plan? Does your congregation have a plan? Is your congregation working on a plan?
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