July 29, 2002
WMU LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE:
'Make prayer a pair with evangelism'
___By Ken Camp
___Texas Baptist Communications
___WACO--Prayer and evangelism are inseparable, a seminar leader told Baptist women at the Texas Leadership Conference.
___Phyllis Jenkins, a Women Reaching Texas leader from Allen Community Baptist Church in Collin Baptist Association, led a session on lifestyle evangelism at the July 18-20 training event, sponsored by Woman's Missionary Union of Texas.
___Jenkins challenged the Baptist women to pray, "Lord, use me from the top of my head to the soles of my feet." She then listed specific actions a woman might take to enter a lifestyle of evangelism, beginning with the mind and working down to the footsteps.
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___An evangelistic lifestyle begins with an evangelistic mindset, she said. Particularly, that means seeking the mind of Christ.
___"It's been said that right thoughts lead to right actions," Jenkins noted. "Jesus thought of others with love, humility and compassion."
___Once a believer begins seeking the mind of Christ, it impacts her vision, she explained. "We must open our eyes and see the harvest of souls that God has put before us, see others as Christ sees them, and look daily for opportunities to share our faith."
___The mind of Christ also leads a believer to listen more attentively, both to God's direction and to the needs of spiritually lost people, she said.
___"Learn to listen to the Holy Spirit as he guides you, and be obedient to what he is telling you to do--even if it doesn't make sense to you. And learn to listen attentively to what others are saying, and listen for opportunities to share your faith."
___Sharing a verbal witness can be intimidating, but believers must recognize Satan is the source of the fear, Jenkins told the women. She encouraged them to conquer their fears by praying.
___"There are only two places you can pray--anywhere and everywhere," she said.
___The Christian life should be joyous, and the joy in a Christian woman's heart should be reflected in her countenance, Jenkins said. "A happy and delightful heart is contagious. Let your face show what is in your heart."
___Jenkins suggested that Christian women use their hands to distribute tracts or Scripture, to decorate their homes in ways that present a Christian witness and to do acts of kindness in Jesus' name.
___Finally, she told the women to allow the Holy Spirit to direct their footsteps to those who need the gospel.
___"As you walk into the lives of those around you, be a bearer of good news, bringing encouragement and inspiration."
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