TOGETHER:
Make evangelism a priority in 2002
___How can we help people come to have a personal relationship, a meaningful friendship, with God? This question is at the heart of the Christian faith.
___Jesus Christ came as God's ambassador to speak to the world on God's behalf. He came as God's revelation to show the world what God is like, as God's gift to demonstrate that God is love and as God's son to be the very presence of God in human flesh.
___He came to Earth as God's invitation: "Follow me, and I will give you abundant life--a reason for living--and lead you all the way home." He came to Earth as God's sacrifice, taking our place before the judgment that each of us deserves. His death makes clear that evil is real, peo
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CHARLES WADE
Executive Director
BGCT Executive Board
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ple are sinners at the core of their being, and only the radical act of innocent suffering can bring people to their knees.
___He came to Earth because he wanted the world to know God and love him as he does. Jesus, who was himself both God and man, bridges the gap between the heart of God and us.
___Do you know someone who wants to know God? Leonard Sweet in his newest book, "Carpe Mañana," encourages churches to seize tomorrow, to rejoice in the spiritual quest that is in the hearts of the newest generation and learn to speak truth and hope to them in ways they can see and hear and feel.
___Rick Davis, director of strategic evangelism for the Baptist General Convention of Texas, led the Baptist Building staff in our first prayer meeting of the new year, and he asked us to make praying for the lost a priority in our lives. He read Matthew 9:35-38, where Jesus looked upon the people who were like "sheep without a shepherd" and his heart was filled with compassion because they were "harassed and helpless." Sounds like people who have come face-to-face with fear and helplessness, like post-9/11 Americans.
___Rick pointed out that Jesus calls us to pray that the Lord of the harvest will send laborers into the fields that are now ready for harvest. We pray for those who need God, and we pray there will be people who will be absolutely available to help bring in the harvest of folks who need God, who need to be saved and who need a shepherd of their souls.
___Begin praying for lost people you know. Effective evangelism does not begin with a program or a plan. It is begins in prayer.
___Pray that God will send effective and compassionate harvesters into the fields. In the past few weeks, I have received reports of remarkable responses to evangelistic campaigns across Texas. Thank God for our preachers who are particularly gifted in evangelism. I am praying for them with renewed vigor.
___I invite you to attend the BGCT Evangelism Conference in San Antonio Jan. 28-29. Our evangelism staff has put together a magnificent program. We will pray for the lost and for workers in the field. The speakers will inspire you. You will hear testimonies about some of the remarkable ways God is using evangelists and churches to reach people. Every church member could profit from this event. And, who knows, revival could break out.
___We are loved.
The Baptist Standard
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