Mar 16:15 ISV Then he told them, "As you go into all the world, proclaim the gospel to everyone.
Mat 28:19 ISV Therefore, as you go, disciple people in all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit,
Last week was truly remarkable as we supported Pastor Jorge Benavides, a local pastor, in training his congregation for personal evangelism. This session marked the beginning of a series that will continue monthly throughout the year. Pastor Benavides stands out as one of the few pastors who has successfully navigated the challenges brought on by the pandemic. While reaching out to members at home to highlight the value of attending services in person is important, there comes a point when it’s necessary to shift focus. The primary emphasis now is on returning to fundamental growth strategies, a concept I refer to as “Church Growth 101.”
At times, the significance of personal evangelism may be underestimated, yet reflecting on the church’s earliest evangelist, Apostle Peter, offers a profound perspective. His inaugural sermon wasn’t delivered within the confines of a church but out in the open streets, and it resonated so deeply that 3,000 individuals committed to following Christ. It’s noteworthy that Peter, who once vowed never to disown Jesus, ended up denying him thrice in one night, just as Jesus had foretold. While I say the following in jest, imagine citing such a conversion rate on a resume! However, this represents a dramatic transformation for Peter, who was among Jesus’s closest confidants. His story is a testament to the possibility of redemption and serves as a reminder that we, too, have opportunities for atonement when we falter. When you get knocked down you have confidence that you can rise up again.
The essence of personal evangelism has been, and continues to be, God’s strategy for expanding His church. It’s not about the modern mega-church events or the latest church growth strategies that seem to have emerged as substitutes for the Holy Spirit’s role in recent times. To clarify, I’m not dismissing the contemporary approaches to church practices; however, I believe they should not overshadow the foundational methods of church growth. They should serve as supplementary tools, utilized judiciously in specific situations. After all, God’s wisdom surpasses ours, and the arrival of the Holy Spirit in the Acts of the Apostles is a testament to the true secret behind the church’s remarkable growth. The Word, the Spirit, and the pursuit of God should always be at the forefront, never relegated to the sidelines. They should be celebrated openly, not treated as something to be hidden or ashamed of.
This leads me to my concluding reflection on this matter, encapsulated by the following scriptural passages:
Act 19:20 KJV So mightily grew the word of God and prevailed.
Co 5:19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.
2Co 5:20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.
Act 9:31 ISV So the church throughout Judea, Galilee, and Samaria enjoyed peace. As it continued to be built up and to live in the fear of the Lord, it kept increasing in numbers through the encouragement of the Holy Spirit.
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