THE CHRISTIAN IS A SOUL WINNER
1. For the past several years this congregation has had a regular event each fall.
2. One or more speakers has been brought in to help conduct an evangelistic effort.
3. This year a different activity is planned.
4. During the week of October 19th of this year we will have a campaign for Christ.
APPROXIMATELY
12 STUDENTS FROM THE
A. This effort is scheduled for approximately 8 months from today.
B. This morning’s lesson is designed to help us help us start preparing for this effort.
2. Most who are here know about the Great Commission.
3. Before Jesus left the earth He provides instructions for the disciples.
4. He spoke of a message which He described as the gospel.
5. One of the scripture readings was Mk. 16:15.
6. Jesus said the gospel (literally the good news) is to be taken to every corner of the world.
7. Each person is supposed to be exposed to the information in the New Testament.
8. The goal in presenting this material, according to Mt. 28, is to “make disciples.
A. At the present time we are using a variety of methods to reach the unsaved.
B. For over a year we have mailed out House-to-House/Heart-to-Heart.
C. We have an abundance of tracts for distribution.
D. We have had yearly gospel meetings, advertised in the newspaper, and used the radio.
E. We have knocked on some area doors.
F. Each Sunday we air a t.v. program: Truth for the World.
9. We have invested in Bible videos which members of this congregation can use.
10. We are on the internet.
11. Within the next 30 days we will be advertising some free CD’s with Bible teaching.
12. We have an on-going work with the local jail.
13. One of our deacons heads up a visitation program.
14. One of our elders is preparing to spearhead an effort to teach English to non-Christians.
15. Jesus said His disciples are to be
fishers of men (Mt.
16. At the present time we have a lot of hooks in the water.
17. We are getting ready for a major fishing expedition.
18. WHAT
WE HAVE PLANNED FOR LATER THIS YEAR WILL REQUIRE HELP.
A. Beginning in January of this year we began contacting 19 other congregations in IN and MI.
B. Some of the sister congregations are 3 hours away.
C. We have asked brethren from 19 congregations to assist us during the week of October 19th.
D. We have asked members in other congregations, who work full time jobs, to take off time from work.
E. We have asked for God’s people to take vacation time.
F.
We have asked fellow Christians to make sacrifices for
the cause of Christ in
19. A sign up sheet for helpers has been sent to almost 20 area congregations.
20. We have asked for at least 10 people from each congregation to help for at least one day.
21. It is now time for sign up sheets
to be put into use at
22. During the week of October 19th we need help from every family of this congregation.
A. To help us start thinking about what needs to be done, I have put some things in today’s bulletin.
B. Some have already asked about what the strange list on the right side of the page is.
C. These are anticipated needs for our upcoming campaign.
D. The first item is places to stay.
E. We are expecting at least 12 students to come and work with us during the campaign.
F. These men will need a place to sleep.
G. Some of the men may have their spouses with them.
H. I am projecting we will need homes for single men as well as couples.
23. We have also invited Christians from out of town to come and work with us.
24. We should have a complete list of all the workers by July or August.
25. Those who are coming from surrounding congregations may need to spend at least a night in town.
26. We will need to house several people, and the accommodations do not need to be deluxe.
27. For every person we provide a home for, we save approximately $60 per night.
28. If there is a Notre Dame game that weekend, the cost will be about $100 per night.
A. The Bible speaks of a willing spirit in the area of hospitality.
B.
In Rom.
C. A little later this year we will have an opportunity to practice what this verse teaches.
D. In the process we may form some new friendships.
E. This coming fall is both an opportunity to serve and have a new and good experience.
29. A second item we will need is food.
30. Campaign workers usually like to eat.
A. The current plan for the campaign is this.
B.
Those going into the community will meet at
approximately
C. There will be a devotional, announcements, and whatever else needs done.
D. Workers
will leave at
E. When each worker leaves, he or she will be provided with a sack lunch and drink.
F. This approach is being used because it allows helpers to make the best use of their time.
31. Instead of going to a fast food restaurant or coming back to the building for lunch,
32. Workers can stay where they are, eat a quick lunch, and continue evangelizing.
33. The work day will end about
34. At this time the current plan is to bring everyone together for a community meal in the basement.
35. Depending upon the participation from other congregations, we may need to feed 50 people a day.
36. We will need to provide sack lunches, drinks, and an evening meal Monday-Friday.
37. The elders have set aside funds for the campaign—approximately $5,000.
38. This is a lot of money and we want to use it as wisely as possible and make it stretch.
A. With some help and planning, we can feed God’s people good meals and conserve funds.
B. If you like to work with food, we will have a need for kitchen helpers.
39. Another important area is transportation.
40. We want enough vehicles so every 2 people can have an automobile.
41. This will allow workers to immediately go to where they need to be.
42. Transportation for every two workers is another way we can make the most of this week.
43. It is another way to be a good steward of this opportunity.
44. If necessary, we can use funds to rent vehicles so our transportation needs are met.
45. Workers from here and other places can hopefully help come with their car or loan a car.
46. Related to transportation is cell phones.
47. It is our hope to have every two person team equipped with a cell phone.
A. During campaigns issues arise which need attention.
B. We want workers to have the ability to instantly communicate with designated contact persons.
C. Cell phones also allow people to stay in the field instead of returning to the building.
D. If you have a cell phone you can do without for a day or the entire week, we would like to borrow it.
48. The next need in the bulletin is fairly obvious.
49. During the campaign we need workers to go into the surrounding area.
A. Before you say to yourself “Oh no, not me,” let me explain.
B. Those who go into the community will be in two person teams.
C. These workers will knock on doors.
D. The approach will be something like this:
E. “We are in your neighborhood on behalf of the Goshen Christ of Christ.”
F. “Have you seen our House-to-House brochure?”
G. “In addition to the brochure, we are offering some other things.”
H. “There is a 5 lesson series of Bible videos we are showing; would you like to see them?”
I. “Do you have some Bible questions? Are you looking for a place to worship?”
J. “Would you like to study the Bible?”
50. If any of these items are a point of interest, a time for a second visit is scheduled.
51. If there is no interest we are going to leave each person who opens their door one of our tracts.
52. I would like to see us distribute 6,000 tracts during this campaign.
53. We recognize that not everyone is comfortable talking to a complete stranger.
54. Thus, each two person team will be divided into 2 parts.
A. One member will do the talking.
B. The other will write down anything that needs to be recorded and hand over a tract.
C. Whether you like to talk or not, we can use you and we need you.
D. We can use you for as many hours as you can work.
E. If you can come from 8-5 Monday-Friday I will personally guarantee you a job.
F. If you can come for 2 hours on one of the campaign days and no more, come.
G. Every door we knock on counts.
55. A few years ago I was in NZ for a campaign.
56. We knocked thousands of doors and converted two people.
57. The second lady who was brought to the Lord almost didn’t make it.
58. The members of the team were tired. We were worn out.
59. The last house we came to was high on a steep hill.
60. None of us were enthused about making the climb. After all, no one might be home.
61. A man finally spoke up and said, “We need to go to this house.” He then offered a reason.
62. He said on a previous campaign they chose to knock on one final door.
63. At this last house the person became a Christian.
64. Two men climbed the hill and they were gone a long time. They returned for another study the next day.
65. Before the end of the week this woman became a Christian, and she is still faithful.
66. Even if you can came for 30 minutes during the campaign you can help knock on that extra door.
67. We are asking for an all out effort during the week of October 19th.
68. The final point is suggestions.
69. I have worked in over a dozen campaigns in different parts of the world but never directed one.
70. If you have some suggestions or questions, let me know.
71. I and or the elders may not accept every idea but we will listen.
72. We want this campaign to be a good experience and we want to have it be one of the best ever done in IN.
73. In the near future sign up sheets will be posted. Please help in every way you can.
74. Our goal is to spread the gospel to every person in this county and as many others in the world as possible.
75. If you are a Christian we always need help in this endeavor, but especially this October.
76. Will we commit to helping?
77. Some who are present may not be a Christian. We would like to speak with you.