Regional Synod of Canada - Reformed Church in America

Pioneer Christian Monthly

Date - Jan/83

Contributor - Bill VandenBerg

Title - Evangelism Explosion??

Topic - Evangelism

This is your average Reformed Church! Nothing exciting! Most things rather steady! A little "flak" once in a while, but no great "waves" that rock the boat, no one really getting wet or seasick! No reaction to the preaching of the Word, other than an occasional "Nice sermon, Pastor"! How come? When our Lord Jesus spoke, He caused people to see their sinful way and they repented. Well, that is to say, some repented. And what does any Reformed preacher think he is, anyway? And well, we are doing pretty good! So, what's the big deal? No big deal. Just the difference between victory and defeat! Just a matter of living in joy and a deep, full peace instead of pushing on rather aimlessly! Just a knowing where-you-are-going, instead of merely hoping.

What am I talking about? A training experience of six people in our congregation with the Evangelism Explosion training program of Dr. James Kennedy, pastor of the Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church of Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

For four months last year, six people met with their pastor weekly for a few hours to get hold of a method of reaching others with the Gospel of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Did they all have a real zeal for evangelism? No, most of them did not, they just wanted to find out a little more. They found out alright!

Every person coming to this training commits himself or herself to attend every session, faithfully read the Bible daily and pray. The program is made up of a three-part presentation: 1) ne Introduction which includes the personal testimony of the individual; 2) The Five-point Gospel Presentation with these headings - Grace, Man, God, Christ, Faith; and 3) The Conclusion when the person visited agrees with all that has been presented, the visit ends with a prayer of confession and commitment.

The Introductory part includes 'two questions: Have you come to a place in your spiritual life where you know for sure that if you were to die today that you would go to heaven?; and Suppose that you were to die tonight and stand before God and He were to say to you "Why should I let you into My heaven?" What would you say?

The entire presentation lasts no longer than 30 minutes and before leaving the visitors help their new friend to get firmly established in some part of the program and activities of the local congregation.

This is, more or less, the technical aspect of the training program. What I am really excited about at this point (by the way, at the time of writing this we nave not yet made any visits), is that all six trainees, soon after their training started, found themselves discovering a new relationship with the Lord, or reestablishing their already new-found relationship. As one said: "I have discovered the difference between the knowledge of God and knowing Him! This also means that now I want to share Him with others!". Wow! How this thrills my pastor heart. But more importantly - how this pleases our Lord! Tremendous, what a beauty and benefit for the church of our Lord Jesus when such maturity in faith is the result of individuals applying themselves to the Word of God. A living testimony to John 8:3 1, "Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in him, 'If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth and the truth will make you free'.".

Another rich blessing results from each trainee having to find two prayer partners in the congregation. Weekly contact will keep these prayer-partners informed of progress and eventually of contacts and visits being made. In the avenue of prayer, the bond of love is firmly established and maintained. Do I need to explain what this is already doing in our congregation?

With great joy and thankfulness to Almighty God our Heavenly Father, I heartily encourage all our congregations to try this approach. You will not regret it ever! (Even though this is only ONE method among many others!) Over a hundred men saw this presentation portrayed at the Mens' Fall Conference 1982 at Camp Shalom. A special workshop will be held this Spring. Announcements will follow soon!

Bless the Lord, 0 my soul, and all that

is within me, bless His Holy Name!

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