EVANGELISM, BY ALL BELIEVERS!

The countdown is 3 weeks to our opening of the Evangelistic outreach in the city. You have the postcards to invite people you know. Remember the personal invitation, you bringing a friend, and praying for speaker and other people involved that they would be used by God, for the sake of your friend – is the first ingredient of success.

Remember that we must leave the consequences up to God. it is his work. I am reflecting again on words penned by Ellen G. White. “When your mind is brought into conformity to the will of God, to obey His commandments, think you that the Lord will not have a care for you and your temporal interests? ….God's claims are to be your first consideration. Obedience to God is your first duty. You are to leave all the consequences in His hands.” (Evangelism 243)

A church member sent me an email with a link to an article in USAtoday stating that the Southern Baptist Convention is launching a new national campaign to bring unbelievers to Jesus, and they see their major obstacle in motivating its own members to evangelize. They recognize that the only effective way to reach people is by personal witnessing. The survey was conducted and found only two ways most people said they were somewhat or very willing to "receive information" about Jesus: 63% would hear it in a "personal conversation with a family member," or with a friend or neighbor from the church (56%). Compare this with our own survey, showing that 70% of people in church today not because of what pastor did, or because of a TV effort, but because a friend or a relative invited them in. As a communicator I do my part to bring conviction, but it is part of every believer to invite their friends.

“Priesthood of all believers” is about Evangelism by all believers!”

April 4^th – two weeks to the opening weekend I expect to see all who will volunteer and help out with the program to come for the day of fasting at the south Church, as we will also offer training.

Remember, this is just a beginning of our church turning around and getting into evangeliving, into lifestyle of Evangelism. We are here with a single responsibility – to lead others to discover Jesus, the only truth, the Way, and the Life.

Come to Jesus and live. Lead others to Jesus, and let them live!

EVANGELISM, GOD’S DOING

The countdown is 4 weeks to our opening of the Evangelistic outreach in the city. As all preparations are put in place I worry, as a leader responsible for the outcome. How many people would come? How many would respond and consecrate their lives to follow Jesus? What would it mean to our churches in London? Will we start 3^rd congregation in the city? After all, investing some $12,000 into this program has to be justified by results.

As I was listening the Spirit of Prophecy narrated as I travelled this week a few statements caught my attention, penned by Ellen G. White. “When your mind is brought into conformity to the will of God, to obey His commandments, think you that the Lord will not have a care for you and your temporal interests? ….God's claims are to be your first consideration. Obedience to God is your first duty. You are to leave all the consequences in His hands.” (Evangelism 243)

I got home that evening, and start reading more. She writes in the great Controversy, p.460: “We should choose the right because it is right, and leave consequences with God. To men of principle, faith, and daring, the world is indebted for its great reforms. By such men the work of reform for this time must be carried forward.”

I am inviting you to go forward by faith, that God has people ready for His Harvest, ripe spiritually to advance to a higher level of knowing Him. Will we go forward and trust God to take care of results?

Even as we move forward to the event already unusual things are happening. Wednesday I got a phone-call from George Perez who is facilitating printing postcards and advertisement: “printers caught a mistake in spelling!” Whoa! What’s the chance that printers would care to proof-read after jpeg image has been submitted? Yet, total stranger already had been moved by God to assist toward better consequences.

Currently there is indication that some 80+ people will attended by being personally invited by our church members. Over the next two weeks 10,000 homes will receive invitational postcards by mail. Two newspapers will carry our advertisement, as well as the GraceFM radio.

As Todor began meetings this weekend in St.Thomas, pray for people attending there, and for him as a speaker. I will take a week off to prepare my script and programming. Pray for extra unction of the Spirit, and safety as I will travel to Mt.Aetna retreat in Hagerstown, Maryland. Pray for singers who are preparing to participate.

April 4^th – two weeks to the opening weekend I expect to see all who will volunteer and help out with the program come for the day of fasting at the south Church, as we will also offer training.

FIVE PURPOSES OF GOD FOR OUR CHURCH

…and every follower of Christ.

Even as we gear toward more active involvement in Evangelism, and fulfilling the Great Commission of Jesus by sharing the Gospel (not gossip) with people, we are at risk of developing busy Christians rather than fully devoted followers of Christ. I had been thinking over the last week as I visited some very busy people, who cannot add yet another thing to their “plate” – “there is more to life than doing church!” I am serious! If we are DOING church instead of BEING church, then we are doing too much.

Could it be that many a church goers just follow the rules, with their heart not in it? I wonder how many people coming to church on Sabbath are connected to the pastor, to the elders of the church? How many people really do come to hear the directions and instructions from leaders? Why do we come to church?

Let’s examine ourselves by looking at five purposes God has for us:

WORSHIP – Romans 12:1-2 à worship is not a mid-day liturgical service, but giving our lives as a living offering of service. It is not about showing up for an hour to pay duty for sake of appearances and participate in a ritual, but is about a daily life devoted to God. Are you worshipping by your living? When you come to participate in the corporate expression of worship do you bring praise and testimony?

FELLOWSHIP – are you connected in growing and healthy relationship? Are you a member of the Body of Christ, being joined by baptism to the local church Body? God does not do “common-law cohabiting.” He cares for His church, and blesses those committed to a relationship. Membership is not about “being on the books” it’s about affirming relationship and belonging to the specific family

MATURITY – are you growing “from glory to glory”? (2^nd Cor.3:16-18) Are you taking the “next step’ daily? Faith is not about memorizing list of rules, it is about looking at jesus and being transformed in His Image day by day, having more and more His Mind, His Attitude, His Love.

EVANGELISM – are continually build relationships to lead people to Christ? Are you discipling and mentoring others? It’s not about how many “pagans” you told that you are an Adventist, it’s about how many “Zaccheus” you dined with, how many people you associated with to impart Christ in you into their lives.

MINSITRY – is not about how much time you spend in church every week. N Have you discovered how God ‘wired” you? Are you making a difference in peoples’ lives? Are you serving others?

In our church we believe that every member is called to ministry, every individual who entered into spiritual relationship with Jesus receives the Spiritual Gift for the good of the Body, for edification of the whole church, for building up the Kingdom of God.

After all – it’s about your heart, not just “activities”.