Posted: 1/23/04
No excuses for failing to witness, Hill says
By John Hall
Texas Baptist Communications
RICHARDSONGod is calling all Texas Baptists to evangelize non-Christians around the world, according to vocational evangelist Ronnie Hill of Fort Worth.
There are no excuses for not sharing the gospel with non-believers because God uses Christians to advance his will, Hill told the Texas Evangelism and Missions Conference.
| Terry Gooding of El Paso Baptist Association leads Suzy Wall from Frio Baptist Church of Hereford through a prayer exercise for children. "Go Pray" was one of more than 30 workshops offered at the Texas Evangelism and Missions Conference. (John Hall Photo) |
God uses individuals who are poor, weak or have little social status, Hill added. Likewise, he uses smaller churches with limited resources.
The Apostle Paul noted he was not an eloquent speaker, but God used him to spread the gospel beyond Israel, Hill said. God calls those whom society discounts because their work clearly can glorify him.
Christians simply need to offer non-believers the gospel, Hill preached. Too often pastors speak about topics without referencing the Bible or Christ's message of hope.
In some cases, they offer no invitations to make a commitment to Christ.
“You are not called to be a pop psychologist,” he said. “You are not called to be Dr. Phil or Oprah. You are called to be proclaimers of the gospel. So start proclaiming.”
| EVANGELISM & MISSIONS CONFERENCE • No excuses for failing to witness, Hill says • Share Christ daily, evangelists urge • Deacon: Sharing faith most important responsibility • Language of love needs no interpreter • Understand Hispanic culture before evangelizing • Relationships rule now, Miller tells Texas Baptists • Prayer lays foundation for sharing the gospel Sign up for our weekly edition and get all our headlines in your inbox on Thursdays• Build relationships with lost, Ray says |
The church's work should stretch far beyond its facilities, Hill said. Ministers should serve in positions that interact with the community, such as football chaplains and substitute teachers. Members should visit houses in their neighborhoods and share the gospel. Overseas mission trips should be strongly urged.
Inside the church, Hill encouraged leaders to use “God-anointed” evangelists for crusades and revivals.
Youth programs need more emphasis, Hill continued. Most conversions are made before people turn 18, so efforts to reach them should be bolstered financially. Youth ministers also need freedom to eat lunch with students and spend time with them.
He also pushed ministers to move baptisms toward the end of the worship service, because many non-Christians come to see their friends baptized.
However, they tend to leave immediately after the ordinance.
If the baptism happens after the sermon, those non-believers will hear the gospel and have a chance to respond.
“Put the baptism at the end,” he said. “Let people hear the gospel.”
God will bless and work through these kinds of efforts, Hill insisted.
“Don't tell me it doesn't work. I've seen it work,” he said.
He has seen vocational evangelists lead hundreds of people to God in one evening. Cowboy church Bible studies have brought some of the toughest men to faith. The Lord worked to transform Hill's father from an alcoholic to a minister.
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