God in Christ, reconciling the world to Himself. 2 Corinthians 5:19

Transcription

1 God in Christ, reconciling the world to Himself. 2 Corinthians 5:19

2 Mission Ukraine Preparation for Evangelism Within a Local Community The Lord spoke, do not be silent Acts 18:9 - Mission Ukraine Theme Evangelistic Outreach: a catalyst for discipleship training and community transformation through the indigenous church.

3 contents Introduction and Background to Mission Ukraine Letters of Endorsement The Biblical Basis for Mission Ukraine Objectives of Mission Ukraine Mission Ukraine Schedule Mission Ukraine National Leadership Section I Missions A. Introduction to Community-wide Stratified Missions B. Guidelines for Effective Evangelism C. Principles of Funding D. Preparation Overview 1. Spiritual Preparation a. Prayer b. Friend-to-Friend c. Training d. Program e. Follow-up 2. Physical Preparation a. Volunteers and Special Interest Groups b. Aid and Compassion c. Communications d. Funding e. Venues 3. Leadership E. Timeline Overview Section II Preparation, Mission and Follow-up Training for Church Members A. Introduction to Preparation and Follow-up Training B. Leadership and Organization C. Participants D. Finances E. Training Program Section IV University Students and Evangelism A. Introduction to University Missions B. Leadership and Organization C. Participants D. General Guidelines E. Finances F. Program Section V Evangelists Forums A. Purpose and Objective B. Leadership and Organization C. General Guidelines D. Participants E. Finances F. The Development and Message of the Evangelist G. Suggested Program Section VI Evangelism Training Conferences for Church Leadership A. Purpose and Objective B. Leadership and Organization C. Participants D. General Guidelines E. Finances F. Program G. Sample Topics H. Sample Program Resources and Notes Section III Children and Evangelism A. Introduction to Children s Evangelism B. Leadership and Organization C. Participants D. General Guidelines E. Finances F. Program Samples 2 3

4 introduction God in Christ, reconciling the world to Himself (II Corinthians 5:19). This scripture was chosen as the theme for Cape Town 2010: The Third Lausanne Congress on World Evangelization, because it is the heart of the gospel. The goal of the Congress was to bring a fresh challenge to the global church to bear witness to Jesus Christ and all his teaching. The Cape Town Commitment is one of the fruits of this endeavor. It is a document in two parts Part 1 sets out the biblical convictions passed down to us in scripture, and Part 2 sounds the call for action. One of the many references to proclamation evangelism in the Call to Action reminds us that evangelism does not stand alone, apart from living out the message of Christ. We must proclaim the truth. Spoken proclamation of the truth of the gospel remains paramount in our mission. This cannot be separated from living out the truth. Works and words must go together. The Cape Town Commitment IIA.1.a2 Mission Ukraine provides hands to the Cape Town Commitment s Call to Action for proclamation evangelism. Mission Ukraine is a collaborative (local and international) evangelistic initiative to mobilize the energy and vision of the Church (of all denominations) toward the goal of transforming Ukraine through the power of Gospel Proclamation. It is an outworking of Cape Town 2010: The Third Lausanne Congress on World Evangelization and the Cape Town Commitment, and in response to the Ukrainian leadership s vision to implement evangelistic witness in the country at this time. It is organized by the local church and invites international evangelists to partner in public witness. partnership evangelism in their own countries. Thus the second phase of Mission Africa was launched Mission World. Now is the time for Mission Ukraine. It is with this foundation in mind, that this material is presented. It covers six complementary components of evangelism in the context of local communities. MISSIONS Stratified evangelistic outreach geared to reach an entire community through the involvement of local church members PREPARATION, MISSION AND FOLLOW-UP TRAINING Mobilizing the whole church to be involved in all three stages of Mission EVANGELISTS FORUM Training and mentoring evangelists in their calling and in Mission CHILDREN S EVANGELISM Training people to reach Children with the Gospel through Mission and Follow-up EVANGELISM TRAINING FOR CHURCH LEADERSHIP Training pastors and church leaders in evangelism UNIVERSITY EVANGELISM Mission Outreach and follow up for University Students The purpose of this manual is to help plan and prepare evangelistic outreaches. It contains practical advice built up from the experience of many Missions around the world. This booklet will provide a framework to help local communities as they work together in evangelistic outreach. The six components outlined in the book can be used in any order, depending on the needs of a particular community. Throughout this booklet, you will see two images the red stripe across the globe, and the two hands. The red stripe represents the blood of Christ shed for the sins of the whole world, and available to all. It is a visual representation of the message of the evangelist. The two hands represent spiritual preparation and physical preparation, both of which are needed for our work in evangelism. Background to Mission Ukraine The vision for Mission Ukraine started on the continent of Africa during the Cape Town 2010 Congress. It is patterned after the structure of Mission Africa, the series of evangelistic outreaches taking place in 21 communities in 15 different countries in Africa. African evangelists partnered with international evangelists to put into practice the vision for world evangelization that was the focus of the Third Lausanne Congress. Around 500,000 people heard the gospel and about 58,000 people inquired about a relationship with Jesus Christ as a result. Further, over one thousand people worldwide expressed interest in continuing this wave of Follow-Up Program Training Spiritual Preparation Friend-to-Friend Prayer Volunteers Aid and Compassion Communications Physical Preparation Funding Venues 4 5

5 Letters of Endorsement Billy Graham was the initiator of Lausanne 74, the First Congress on World Evangelization. On hearing of the outcomes of the Third Lausanne Congress, Cape Town 2010, he was thrilled to learn of the second phase of Mission Africa and how it was continuing on to the rest of the world, and wrote the following to encourage us all in the ongoing work of Mission Africa and other endeavors such as Mission Ukraine. Mission Africa was greatly used of God to bring the Gospel to many countries across Africa during 2010, and I believe its method of partnering local evangelists with evangelists from other parts of the world holds great promise for the future. Lindsay Brown, the International Director for the Lausanne Movement, and former General Secretary of IFES said, Mission Africa is Africa s gift to the world. God has blessed the work of Mission Africa and allowed it to continue to the rest of the world. Stephen Mbogo, the Mission Africa II Chair, and Team Leader for African Enterprise wrote, The whole world, including the church in Africa, has been praying for Ukraine in this time. By launching Mission Ukraine, you are following in our Master s example, who called on the disciples to pray that the Lord of the Harvest send forth laborers into the harvest field. Your commitment to launch Mission Ukraine at such a time is therefore in God s will. The Good News is the only hope for humanity. While Africa has equally had its share of travails and troubles, we are so glad that following the Lausanne Cape Town Congress 2010, we embarked on Mission Africa II. We have witnessed the Lord working in amazing ways in the various Mission Africa partnerships, where different denominations have united in prayer, in training, and in following up Mission Africa s fruits. It is my belief that as you unite your congregations, the church at large in Ukraine will grow in numbers and depth. We pray that the blessings the Lord has brought to pass through Mission Africa will be experienced in Mission Ukraine and that other nations will equally be compelled to join you for mutual encouragement and motivation to equally reach their nations. Nana Yaw, Director of Field Ministries, Scripture Union (Ghana) and Lausanne International Deputy Director, EPS Africa wrote, They will neither harm nor destroy on all my holy mountain, for the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea (Isaiah 11:9 NIV). In this historic launching of Mission Ukraine at this time of a global focus and attention on the severe pain and trouble of the people and nation of Ukraine, the leadership of the Church in Ukraine has shown the global Church an example of faith in the Sovereignty of the Living God - Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people he chose for his inheritance (Psalm 33:12 NIV). Mission Ukraine will have a direct impact in the reconciliation of the people and nation to God. Reconciliation will bring God s blessings of peace in many restored individual hearts and homes, progress in community living and love, prosperity in national life for a hope filled future! Trouble and persecution has never limited the power of the gospel in all of the history of the Church a great persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria. Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went (Acts 8:1, 4 NIV). Soon God s message and mission will break forth from Ukraine, your nation will become a new light on the hill and a new hope of a dynamic missionary engagement from the global north! Only the Sovereign LORD can accomplish this as His people come together in the power of the Holy Spirit for this historic partnership in the gospel. We of The Lausanne Movement in Africa and on the leadership of Mission Africa, affirm the launch of Mission Ukraine at this time as...good news that will cause great joy for all the people (Luke 2:10 NIV). May CHRIST be proclaimed, may CHRIST be known, received and honored, may CHRIST bless His Church and nation of Ukraine! 6 7

6 the BiBlical Basis for Mission Ukraine Acts 11:19-30 (NIV) 19 Now those who had been scattered by the persecution in connection with Stephen travelled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus and Antioch, telling the message only to Jews. 20 Some of them, however, men from Cyprus and Cyrene, went to Antioch and began to speak to Greeks also, telling them the good news about the Lord Jesus. 21 The Lord s hand was with them, and a great number of people believed and turned to the Lord. 22 News of this reached the ears of the church at Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. 23 When he arrived and saw the evidence of the grace of God, he was glad and encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts. 24 He was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith, and a great number of people were brought to the Lord. Acts 13:1-3 (NIV) 1 Now in the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen (who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch) and Saul. 25 Then Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, 26 and when he found him, he brought him to Antioch. So for a whole year Barnabas and Saul met with the church and taught great numbers of people. The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch. 27 During this time some prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. 28 One of them, named Agabus, stood up and through the Spirit predicted that a severe famine would spread over the entire Roman world. (this happened during the reign of Claudius.) 29 The disciples, each according to his ability, decided to provide help for the brothers living in Judea. 30 This they did, sending their gift to the elders by Barnabas and Saul. 2 While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them. 3 So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off. Acts 11:19-30 and 13:1-3 provides a model for biblical evangelism in regard to Mission, Training and the Evangelist. It shows us God at work, the church at work, and the gospel at work. GOD AT WORK through various events. God used the tragic murder of Stephen and the scattering and persecution of the church to spread the gospel (11:19). through His people. God used those who were scattered to communicate His message to other areas. The Lord s hand was with them ( 11:21). God called and set apart key people to do his work (13:2). through His Spirit. Lives were genuinely changed. There was real evidence of God s grace ( 11:23). God can work through people, events, and His Spirit to transform communities. Evangelism will not always look the same as it did in Antioch, but it must always be God-initiated. We simply make ourselves available to Him to do His work. THE CHURCH AT WORK through people. Many people were involved in leadership and action. A great number of people were brought (11:24), and a great number of people were taught (11:26). Believers from Jerusalem joined the church in Antioch. And along with Saul and Barnabas there were unnamed evangelists, as well as those who came from Cyprus and Cyrene. through church structures. Local and international relationships were formed, and schedules were established (11: 22, 25-26). through worship, prayer and fasting. The church heard the instructions of the Lord, and received vision, purpose and strength. They showed their dependence on Him through worship, prayer and fasting together (13:2-3). through the laying on of hands. The church played a vital part in the work of the evangelists by sending them off in unity with the anointing of prayer and the power of the Spirit through the laying on of hands (13:3). When churches work together in the work of evangelism, it provides a living picture of the gospel, which is a powerful witness to Christ. THE GOSPEL AT WORK through preaching and teaching. The evangelists told the Good News (11:19-20). Barnabas encouraged the church to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts (11:23, 26). through changed lives. A wide range of people responded to the message, and new believers deepened in maturity, as seen in their provision of help for the brothers in Judea (11:29). It was in Antioch that the disciples were first given the distinctive name Christians (11:26). through the unity of the church. Even though the church was made up of many different people from different backgrounds Jews and Gentiles of all nationalities, they were unified in the mission of spreading the gospel (13:1). The proclamation of the Good News transforms individual lives and whole societies, especially when there is ongoing follow-up and Biblical teaching through the partnership of local churches. This biblical model for evangelism in Acts 11:19-30, and 13:1-3 can be the basis for prayer and vision for evangelism in our communities today. 8 9

7 OBJECTIVES OF MISSION UKRAINE To mobilize believers in Jesus Christ to pray for the proclamation of the gospel, and equip them to share their faith with those who are not believers. To partner international ministries with Ukrainian ministries, to maximize resources and provide lasting relationships for effective ministry now and in the future. To support the development of strong Church leadership through training and ministry opportunities. To share the gospel message with as many people as possible and give them an opportunity to respond to Christ. To provide an emphasis on long-term discipleship through the follow-up in local churches that are prepared and trained to disciple new believers. To equip Ukrainian Christians to take the gospel to surrounding countries. MISSION UKRAINE SCHEDULE Spring 2014: Spiritual preparation and prayerful brainstorming in consultation with key church leadership in numerous cities of Ukraine. Summer-Autumn 2014: Planning meetings with Leadership. Autumn-Winter 2014: Mission Ukraine Launch weekend with Dr. Ravi Zacharias (22-25 November). Winter 2014-Spring 2015: Training on national scale for church leaders, church members, and evangelists. Nationwide focus on prayer and witnessing in the community. Spring- Summer 2015: Evangelistic events, partnering Ukrainian and international evangelists, reaching into many different segments of society in multiple locations / cities / regions. Autumn-Winter 2015: Discipleship follow-up based through the local church. MISSION UKRAINE NATIONAL LEADERSHIP: section i Missions Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.and how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can they preach unless they are sent? faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ. (Romans 10:13,14b,5a,17 NIV) A. Introduction to Community-wide Stratified Missions In this section, we look at stratified evangelistic outreaches in a local community initiated by church partnerships. Community-wide can mean an organized outreach in an area where there are many churches, or in an area or people-group where there is no established church. In larger urban areas it may mean reaching pockets of ethnic groups, minorities or refugees, university students and children. Stratified means taking the gospel message to wherever people are, in whatever settings possible: schools, universities, local markets, public areas, business meetings, places where women gather, etc.; and in a variety of ways: person-to-person, small groups, large groups; and through a variety of means: public proclamation, dramas, children s programs, artistic presentations, musical concerts, films, sports, and so on. Missions means the event of proclaiming the gospel. It also includes a time of preparing all believers in a community for the outreach, and the follow-up after an outreach to establish ongoing relationships with those who have responded and to disciple them in their identity in Christ. How? An evangelistic Mission requires the commitment and prayers of local churches and many Christians. Commitment, however, has to be directed if it is to be effective. Leadership, partnership, and prayerful vision and action are very important. A Mission is primarily God s work. He alone can bring people to repentance and give them new life in Christ. But He has called us to be co-workers with Him. This means we have a responsibility to attend to the details of organization, as well as to the actual proclamation of the gospel. Like John the Baptist, we are preparing the way for the Lord to work in people s lives (Mark 1:3)

8 It is important to consider that neither good organization nor the ministry of the evangelist carries any guarantee of success. The evangelist has no ability in himself to produce a positive response to the gospel he proclaims. But involving the whole church in preparation for Mission, and the spiritual preparation of individual Christians, has a direct bearing on the long-term outcome. Pray that God will show you what efforts you should make for a community-wide, stratified Mission. When we pray according to His will, He promises to guide and direct. There are three stages to organizing a Mission the preparation, the Mission itself, and the follow-up. A Mission is most effective when churches support it in prayer and are involved in every aspect of the preparation, Mission, and follow-up. Ideally, each community and church would have a coordinator or contact person who would distribute information, mobilize church members and coordinate involvement in the Mission. Preparation for Mission In communities where there are a number of churches, a shared vision is a vital foundation for the preparation for the Mission. When local churches work together in a community, it is a powerful witness for the gospel in itself. From the beginning, there must be partnership in vision and purpose, and a focus on prayer in every situation. Preparation includes securing suitable venues, recruiting volunteers, organizing training sessions for church members, distributing information by delivering invitations to homes in the area, and developing relationships through personal, church, business, government, and media connections. All are important parts of spreading awareness about the Mission activities. Believers should be actively praying throughout the whole time of preparation, especially for their non-believing relatives, neighbors, colleagues, friends and acquaintances to come to repentance and faith in Jesus Christ and to be committed to a life of following Jesus. During this time of preparation, church members should be encouraged to witness to those around them and spread the news about the Mission. They should also be trained to disciple new believers. Start thinking of areas without a local church and people groups that are unreached with the gospel, and pray for new churches to be planted in these areas, and for the Good News to be heard by all people. During the Mission The Mission is the most public and visible part of the three stages, and is the culmination of the effort, the time of reaping the harvest sowed through prayer and preparation. It is the time when the full message of the gospel is presented that we are reconciled to God through the life, death and resurrection of Christ. Here people are invited to respond to Christ and accept Him into their lives as Lord and Savior and enter into the family of God. The presentation of the gospel can take place through different forms and venues depending on the audience and the situation. Pray for God to give you revelation on how to present the Good News in a creative way to best reach those around you. Mission events can include speakers addressing a large audience, or a group going out to evangelize on an individual level. Sports, music, aid and compassion ministries, the arts anything can be used to share the message of God s love with those around us. It is vital that Christians support the Mission in every way, through praying, volunteering, inviting people to the outreaches, sharing their faith with those in their community, and discipling new believers on what it means to be a follower of Christ. During the Mission events, it is crucial that believers are present and ready to talk with those who are inquiring about a relationship with Jesus Christ in response to the gospel message. The inquirers contact details must be recorded, so they can be invited into a local church and/ or follow-up Bible Study and be connected with other believers. Follow-up After the Mission A Mission does not end when the public outreach events are finished. New believers need to be fed spiritually and cared for, developing them, too, to be witnesses for Christ in their homes, neighborhoods, and workplaces. All inquirers should be referred to local participating churches or discipleship groups. In addition, the organizing committee will have final administrative details to attend to. For instance, it may be appropriate to plan a service of thanksgiving for the entire community to give thanks to God after the Mission events. Or perhaps another community event can be organized, where inquirers who have come to faith during the Mission would have an opportunity to bring their circle of friends, family and contacts to find the Savior they have just encountered, thus keeping the cycle of evangelism going

9 B. GUIDELINES FOR EFFECTIVE EVANGELISM Effective evangelism will be enhanced through the unity of local believers. Jesus prayed, My prayer is not for them [Christians] alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me (John 17:20,21 NIV). There must be consensus of local church leadership to hold a Mission and to covenant in working together in all aspects of preparation, proclamation, and propagation (follow-up). Churches and organizations wishing to participate in the Mission understand it will be conducted in partnership. Based on this, there will be: An agreed-upon vision and singleness of purpose: evangelism An agreed-upon timeline and principles of preparation and follow-up An agreed-upon financial policy and budget The appointment and recruitment of leadership, volunteer team and staff Leadership and staff would represent diversity in - Denomination and ethnicity - Age groups young/older - Gender men/women - Professions clergy/all professions Leadership would be given responsibility in the area of their experience/background Leadership would empower the staff to implement details Leadership would discuss job descriptions, so it is clear who is responsible for which tasks Evangelistic Missions must always include an effective means for discipling new believers. Jesus spent time on earth with his disciples, teaching about the Kingdom of God. In Matthew 5:21 & 22 we read Jesus words, You have heard it said but I tell you In John 14:2 Jesus said, If it were not so, I would have told you. In Matthew 28:19-20, Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. Evangelism is an ongoing work of the local church. Local Mission leadership should give priority to this emphasis. Believers in a community should continue reaching out, sharing their faith with unbelievers on an ongoing basis. Partnering international and Ukrainian evangelists is a key component of Mission Ukraine. In other areas of the world, this method has been greatly blessed by God. Sharing an equal platform in proclaiming the gospel is a visual portrayal of the unity we have in Christ. Consideration should be given for such partnerships in future Missions. Each Mission will include an agreed-upon ministry of aid or compassion according to the needs of the community. Consider a RESET event, focused on reviving the fervor of faith. Just as a computer has a reset button, so our faith also needs to be awakened and reset in order to remember the calling of evangelism, and the beauty and power of the gospel. Consider using this time to reach youth through music, spoken word poetry, a well-known speaker, and the arts. Use this as a time to worship, read scripture, practice writing and sharing personal testimonies, and praying for those who do not know Christ. Consider a UNITE event, a time specifically set aside for prayer together as a community for God s work through the proclamation of his Word. Consider incorporating music, scripture and interactive times, all focused on uniting our hearts to His and for the lost to be reached by God s saving grace. C. PRINCIPLES OF FUNDING A principle of Mission Ukraine is that funding is shared as follows: Local: Each local Mission committee is responsible for covering the costs of local expenses, including administration, publicity, venues, equipment, and materials. Central: A central fund is being developed to help cover cooperative expenses, such as travel for team representatives, regional/national training conferences, and centrallyproduced materials. Evangelists: International evangelists raise funds from their own countries to cover their own expenses and travel, so they come at no extra cost to the host community. A strict financial policy and memo of understanding governing the raising and disbursement of funds must be agreed to in writing before a locality embarks on Mission preparation

10 D. PREPARATION OVERVIEW Two hands are almost always better than one. In the same way, to be truly effective, preparing for an evangelistic event must have two hands that work together spiritual preparation and physical preparation. In all of these areas, we need to identify and train effective leadership. Leaders with humility and a heart of service are needed to spread the vision, provide organizational direction, and define and carry out tasks. SPIRITUAL PREPARATION PRAYER is the foundation of any evangelistic ministry effort. Seek to know God s vision. Ask the Holy Spirit to prepare hearts for the gospel. Partner with Him in His work. Relationships are an important part of evangelistic outreach. An emphasis on FRIEND-TO-FRIEND sharing will encourage people in churches to 1) think of those around them who don t know Christ 2) be a friend 3) pray for them 4) invite them to an event to hear the gospel, and 5) keep in touch, helping them to grow as a disciple of Jesus Christ. Prior to the evangelistic event it is important to TRAIN believers who will be available to talk with those who respond to the invitation. This training is for all church members. The PROGRAM of an evangelistic event should be designed for a non-churched audience while providing the right context and atmosphere for the gospel message to be presented. Churches should be active in making sure that the new believers are FOLLOWED-UP for as long as is needed to enable them to become true disciples of Jesus and productive members of a local congregation. Follow-Up Program Training Spiritual Preparation Friend-to-Friend Prayer PHYSICAL PREPARATION An effective evangelistic event needs many VOLUNTEERS people who are enthusiastic to participate in all aspects of the Mission, both spiritual and physical. Showing the love of Christ through practical ministries of AID and COMPASSION may open doors for the gospel to be heard. COMMUNICATIONS. 1) Keep churches informed of events and activities, and 2) create public awareness of times and places of events, so that everyone knows they are welcome to Volunteers Aid and Compassion Physical Preparation attend. This COMMUNICATION creates expectation, and also helps believers invite their friends. Raising the necessary FUNDS to cover expenses for events is a spiritual exercise with practical implications. It is important to pray and also work to raise sufficient funds to cover local expenses so that people can be invited to attend without charge. Make appropriate preparations for the VENUES where the gospel will be presented. Some venues will be small, some large. Some will require little preparation, some a lot. The most important thing is to make sure people can hear the message and feel comfortable. Communications Funding Venues 16 17

11 1. SPIRITUAL PREPARATION a. Prayer Jesus said: The Spirit gives life This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless the Father has enabled him. (John 6:63,65 NIV) Just as the hand cannot effectively operate without the thumb, so evangelism cannot be effective without prayer. Before anything else there must be a commitment to prayer because evangelism is ultimately the work of the Holy Spirit. God has chosen to use the prayers of His people to be an active part in the proclamation of the Good News. Some practical ideas for encouraging prayer: Find someone with a heart for prayer to encourage others to pray for every aspect of the Mission outreach and training. Engage any existing prayer groups to include the Mission events in their prayer requests and prayer links. Develop a simple prayer request sheet which can be distributed in a variety of ways: cell phone, , or print. Call Christians to special times of prayer for the Mission outreach and training. Spiritual Preparation Friend-to-Friend b. Friend-to-Friend Spiritual Preparation She said to her mistress, If only my master would see the prophet who is in Samaria! He would cure him of his leprosy. (2 Kings 5:3 NIV) The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon and tell him, We have found the Messiah (that is, the Christ). And he brought him to Jesus. (John 1:41,42 NIV) In II Kings 5 we read about a young Israelite servant girl who introduced the Syrian military commander, Naaman, to God s prophet, who told Naaman how he could be healed. Likewise, the disciple Andrew introduced many people to Jesus, including his brother Peter (John 1:40-42), the little boy with the fish and loaves (John 6:8), and a group of Greeks who wanted to meet Jesus (John 12:22). Another example is the story of the four friends of the paralytic who brought him to Jesus (Luke 5:17-26). Prayer Most evangelism is based on relationships. Even though the gospel may be proclaimed to many people at one time during a Mission, it is those who are personally invited by a friend who are most likely to respond to the evangelist s message. The Friend-to-Friend emphasis is a way to inspire believers to reach out to relatives, neighbors, friends and acquaintances, praying for them and inviting them to Mission events where they can be introduced to Jesus. Some practical ideas for emphasizing Friend-to-Friend evangelism: Find someone who is effective in personal evangelism to coordinate this effort through the local churches. Encourage pastors to teach and involve their congregations in Friend-to-Friend evangelism. Provide inspiring sermon ideas to pastors which can be used in encouraging their people as they see how God used ordinary people to bring others to Himself (II Kings 5:1-19a, John 1:40-42, Luke 5:17-26). Provide a simple card on which people can write the names of friends for whom they will pray and invite to outreach events. This card can be kept in their Bibles as a reminder to pray for them. c. Training Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good. (1 Peter 2:2,3 NIV) Spiritual Preparation Most evangelistic messages will include an invitation to respond to the call of Jesus. It is important that anyone who accepts the invitation to follow Christ as Lord and Savior should have the opportunity to discuss this decision with a trained believer. This trained believer can help them to clarify their decision, answer questions, encourage them in their new walk with God and provide a connection to a church or group of believers. Caring for a new follower of Jesus Christ is like caring for a newborn baby. They need food, love, and protection while they grow. This process begins at the time of the evangelistic event, with the inquirer s connection to a mature believer who can provide helpful materials, and can talk and pray with the person who has responded to the invitation of the gospel from the evangelist. Prior to the evangelistic event, it is important to train believers who will be available to talk with inquirers and to help follow up with them in subsequent weeks. Training 18 19

12 Some practical ideas for training: Find a volunteer, preferably a respected pastor, who will coordinate the training of believers and supervise their activities at the Mission events. Confirm plans for the trainers and training materials. Work with the follow-up committee to source materials that are given to inquirers, such as a gospel portion, a Bible study booklet, and an invitation to join a follow-up group. Set aside a specific time for the training four to six weeks before the event. Allow four Sundays or a full day to properly train believers Consider a special training for those who work with children. Secure suitable facilities for the training, perhaps a local church building. Work with local pastors in selecting those who have taken the training, who will be available at the events to interact with inquirers. Identify those who have ability to work with children or those with special needs. Make arrangements to keep record of the inquirers so they can be connected to a church for follow-up. Information on how to keep a record (name, address, age, church connection if any, comments, etc.) of the inquirers must be included in the training. Encourage everyone to participate, because the training is good for all church members and strengthens them in their personal walk with God. If there is a need, consider holding an Orality Training Workshop, to teach leaders to work with inquirers who cannot read or write. Program Spiritual Preparation d. Program After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God. The time has come, he said. The Kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news! (Mark 1:14,15 NIV) The program of an evangelistic event needs to be planned with the non-believer in mind while providing the right context and atmosphere for the gospel message to be presented. It will be different than a church service. Some practical ideas for planning the program: Select a capable and experienced leader to provide overall leadership for the development of the program components. While keeping in mind denominational representation, seniority and other cultural considerations, select a respected, godly leader as master of ceremony, who can keep the program focused, the audience engaged, and stay within an agreed timeframe. Avoid making the program too long so that people leave early or volunteers become too tired to keep working with the outreach. Keep the message central proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ is the most important aspect of the event and must be priority. Allow enough time for the evangelistic message to be communicated effectively. Public prayers at the events should focus on inviting God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ through His Spirit to be present. Ask God to speak through His word and to touch the lives of many, to bless and transform the community. Public reading of the scriptures from which the evangelist will be speaking is an important part of the program. This gives opportunity for others, especially young people, to be involved. Use music to prepare the audience for the message. Songs that praise God, that invite His presence, that focus on who He is, will open the way for the Spirit to work. If testimonies are part of the program, they should be focused on who Christ is and the difference He has made in their life. Reviewing the testimony with a senior leader in advance may be helpful. Give guidelines on how much time is available in the program. The evangelist, in presenting the gospel message, will invite people to respond to Jesus as Lord and Savior. Time should be allotted in the program for the invitation and for inquirers to be connected with trained believers. e. Follow-up [Paul and Barnabas] preached the good news in that city and won a large number of disciples. Then they returned to Lystra, Iconium and Antioch, strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith. (Acts 14:21,22 NIV) Spiritual Preparation A large part of the work of an effective evangelistic outreach in a community is the commitment to following-up new believers so that they can grow in their faith in Jesus. New believers must understand that Christ died for them, paid the penalty for their sin, and reconciled them to God. Further, they must know and experience that Christ s resurrected life is available to them, empowering and enabling them to live in the freedom of Christ (Romans 5:10,17). Follow-up requires planning, training, preparation and prayer. Jesus spent three years with his disciples teaching them the way of God s kingdom. Paul and Barnabas spent a year with the new believers in Antioch to establish the church. Follow-Up 20 21

13 People who respond to the message of Jesus Christ have been born again with new parentage, becoming citizens of a new kingdom, and they need to be taught how to live in this new identity here on earth. Pair new believers up with mentors who can spend time with them, be available to help them through the transition, and lead them in a Bible study. Some practical ideas for follow-up: Find a volunteer, preferably a pastor, who is committed to discipleship to coordinate the planning for follow-up. Ideally, every church involved in the evangelistic outreach would have members trained in the follow-up program. Encourage as many mature believers as possible to be trained to follow-up new believers, but at least one man, woman and young person in every church who are ready and able to participate and lead should be chosen. Confirm the trainers, materials, venue, dates and times for training sessions. Obtain suitable materials for new believers a New Testament, or a portion of scripture, a Bible study booklet, or helpful guidelines for reading the Bible, praying and witnessing. Plan a teaching program that would give priority to building a personal relationship with Christ Jesus, and models ways of growing in Him. Consider special follow-up for oral learners those who cannot read or write. For children, consider organizing special follow-up programs and ways to help them and their families grow in faith. 2. PHYSICAL PREPARATION a. Volunteers and Special Interest Groups My dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. (1 Cor. 15:58 NIV) An effective evangelistic event needs many volunteers, people who are enthusiastic to participate in the sharing of the gospel. Volunteers help accomplish all there is to do behind the scenes. Some practical ideas for engaging volunteers: Find a person gifted in administrative and personal skills who will recruit and assign volunteers to appropriate tasks. Talk with the committee to help define the tasks to be done by volunteers within each of these segments. Assign volunteers according to their skills and interests. Train volunteers to do their assigned tasks by teaching them, encouraging them, and holding them accountable in their work. Remember to thank them for their work. Encourage volunteers to enlist the help of their friends and families. Identify volunteers who can take responsibility for organizing special events to share the gospel with particular groups of people. Some examples: Children schools Disabled Prisons Universities Hospitals Government Marketplace Places where women meet Factories and Businesses Teenagers secondary schools Military People involved in the arts film, theater, music, etc. Sports groups Volunteers Physical Preparation b. Aid and Compassion Aid and Compassion The disciples, each according to his ability, decided to provide help. (Acts 11:29 NIV) Providing tangible evidence of our faith by serving those in need is an integral part of local community evangelistic outreach. This is a living example of how Christ ministered to the whole person and is a vital witness to His love. Projects can address short-term or Physical Preparation 22 23

14 long-term needs. Partner with established aid and compassion agencies in local outreach to strengthen work that is already going. Organized events are one method, but also encourage individual church members to take part by purposefully loving their neighbors and their communities in a tangible way. Create a circle of caring by encouraging Christians to: Bless Encourage and uplift their neighbors, showing the love of Christ through words of blessing. Do Good Provide for the tangible needs of neighbors or those in the community, and show the love of Christ through actions. Pray Inquire about the personal needs or situations of those in the community and pray with and for them. If they do not know the gospel, pray for an opportunity to share Christ with them. While these may seem like insignificant measures, the simple act of loving those around you has a ripple effect that can impact the nation. Some practical ideas for aid and compassion: Find a volunteer who has experience with aid and compassion work and can provide leadership and network with others. Talk with community and government leaders to identify needs and agree on how local believers can help. Project ideas: Community clean-up Restoring homes and repairing public buildings Organizing a community park Water supply needs Clothing or food distribution Health and dental care Needs of refugees or those affected by natural disasters or war Caring for widows, orphans and the elderly Hospitality on a large scale e.g. food and fellowship in parks, homes, streets Communications Physical Preparation c. Communications Then, leaving her water jar, the woman went back to the town and said to the people, Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Christ? They came out of the town and made their way toward him. (John 4:28-30 NIV) It is important to create awareness in the churches and in the community about the upcoming Mission events. Word of mouth, as well as varieties of media tools can be used to spread the word, such as social media (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram), posters and flyers. Early on in the process the communications are aimed only at the participating churches, encouraging them to pray, participate in a Friend-to-Friend initiative, and take part in the training. Later in the process, a few weeks before the events, communications are aimed at creating public awareness about the events: time, place, etc. Public advertising also helps believers invite their unbelieving friends. Some practical ideas for communications: Find a volunteer with some experience in publicity or advertising to coordinate this aspect of the event. Create a simple logo to give the event a distinctive look. This logo should appear on all communications about the event. Consider the potential of low-cost methods of communications such as text messages, s, other electronic means and word of mouth. Banners, fliers, posters and other printed materials can also be used. Contact with press and media resources for interviews and news releases can help spread the news on a wider scale through local radio, TV, newspapers, social media, etc. Note: Hearing and seeing advertising can help build awareness and inspire interest. But most people will attend an event because they have been invited, not because of advertising alone. d. Funding For Titus not only welcomed our appeal, but he is coming to you with much enthusiasm and on his own initiative. And we are sending along with him the brother who is praised by all the churches for his service to the gospel. What is more, he was chosen by the churches to accompany us as we carry the offering, which we administer in order to honor the Lord himself and to show our eagerness to help. We want to avoid any criticism of the way we administer this liberal gift. For we are taking pains to do what is right, not only in the eyes of the Lord but also in the eyes of men. (2 Cor. 8:17-21 NIV) The area of finances includes: 1. Proper handling and strict accounting of funds provided for the event. 2. Raising funds from and through individuals and ministries participating in the Mission outreach. Physical Preparation Great care should be taken in setting up adequate controls for the accounting of funds, as misunderstandings in this area can easily occur. Funding 24 25

15 Practical ideas for handling finances: Find a trustworthy volunteer treasurer with experience in accounting or bookkeeping to establish and maintain a set of accounts to the standard of a good business. Consider opening a separate bank account for the event. If that is not possible, perhaps a sponsoring organization or local church can create a separate set of accounts within their system. Work with a committee to establish a budget to cover various expenses of the local Mission. Agree in advance to stay within the approved budget. Limit the number of people who have authority to approve expenses. Expenses above a certain amount should be approved by two authorized individuals. All expenses should be backed up by appropriate documentation such as an invoice or receipt with a clear explanation. Practical ideas for fundraising: Practical ideas for venue arrangements: Find a volunteer or group of volunteers to coordinate arranging various venues for events. If possible, secure neutral venues where non-believers will feel comfortable attending. Secure venues that are appropriate for the size of the expected number of people and for the nature of the event itself. Obtain a suitable sound system if needed for the venue. This is possibly one of the most important aspects, because if people cannot hear, they cannot respond. Consider arrangements for the other needs of an event, such as security, signs, seating, and toilet facilities. Recruit volunteers to help with people-flow and give practical information during the events. A large banner with a theme Bible verse in view helps to focus the audience on the purpose of the gathering and not on an individual, organization or event. A verse such as John 14:6 Jesus said, I am the way, the truth and the life could be used. Find a respected volunteer who has some experience in this area to make a plan for raising funds to cover the cost of the event. Physical Preparation Venues Provide a means for all church members to be involved in giving over and above what they give to their local church. Encourage participating churches to have a special offering in support of the Mission, perhaps designating one Sunday where offering could be given to the Mission. Look for ways in which goods and services can be donated to the event by businesses sympathetic to the ministry. e. Venues They read from the Book of the Law of God, making it clear and giving the meaning so that the people could understand what was being read. (Nehemiah 8:8 NIV) It was only after Nehemiah had led the people in rebuilding the city wall of Jerusalem that Ezra came and preached from the law and the people responded. In the same way it is important to prepare a physical place that is appropriate for the preaching of the Gospel. The physical arrangements of a spiritual event like a Mission are a priority. The venues must be appropriate for the occasion. The sound should be clear. Seating, visibility, accessibility, parking, and minimizing distractions are other considerations in the planning. The appropriate preparation of a venue provides the setting for the Holy Spirit to work in people s hearts

16 3. LEADERSHIP Jethro told Moses: But select capable men from all the people men who fear God, trustworthy men who hate dishonest gain and appoint them as officials over thousands, hundreds, fifties and tens If you do this and God so commands, you will be able to stand the strain, and all these people will go home satisfied. (Exodus 18:21,23 NIV) Appointing an organizing committee to provide leadership at the beginning of the Mission helps the planning, implementation, and the fulfillment of the vision. It is important to find the right people for the right jobs to fulfill all the spiritual and physical preparation aspects. While giving consideration to seniority, denominational representation and other local cultural sensitivities is important, key responsibilities should be assigned to respected, godly men, women and young people with appropriate spiritual and organizational giftings. In larger settings, consideration should be given to appointing a local coordinator, who would serve under the Chairman. The person would serve the committee by providing daily oversight on all preparations. An Advisory Committee consisting of as many denominational and community leaders as possible should be formed. This advisory group gives credibility to the Mission and encourages those under their leadership to participate. The Lord s hand and the evidence of the grace of God (Acts 11:21, 23, NIV) are the most essential components for any evangelistic outreach. Nevertheless, effective leadership that can bring together the spiritual and physical aspects is vital in the success of an evangelistic outreach in a local community. Vision / Prayer (6-9 months ahead) Prayer Draft Vision Statement Consider leadership needs Agree on operating principles Consider venue/dates Establish budget Leadership Mobilization & Mission Events Follow-up Emphasis (3-6 months ahead) (1-3 months ahead) (Event Week) (Ongoing) Prayer Prayer Leadership Friend-to-Friend Committee Training appointed & Volunteer tasks assigned Training Venues Publicity determined organized Fundraising Fund-raising Draft of Follow-up program Training Contact Challenge Nurture Prayer Arrangements at each venue Technical Volunteers assigned Mission/church involvement Program (outreaches) implemented Follow-up program implemented OUTSIDE OF CHRIST AND HIS CHURCH Friendship Sharing/Serving Personal Witness Introduction to Gospel Introduction to Other Christians First Contact Gospel Events Various Gospel Events Evangelistic Meetings Call to Follow Christ Explorer Course New Disciple Course Bible Study Groups Regular Worship Ministry Preparation CHRISTIAN DISCIPLESHIP IN CHURCH AND WORLD Mission Follow-up Prayer Follow-up of inquirers Discipleship classes Reporting on Mission Administrative wrap-up Finalize accounts Service of Thanksgiving Ongoing Witness E. TIMELINE OVERVIEW Another aspect of the spiritual and physical preparation of a Mission is that it takes place over a period of time. There is much to do in the period of time in advance of a Mission, during the Mission, and following a Mission. In the same way that fields are prepared for seasons of planting and harvest, it takes time to prepare the ground for an evangelistic Mission. The following diagrams are examples of how both the spiritual and physical preparations work together over a period of a time: 11. Module 7: Discipleship classes/ Cell and church planting/ Forums of Evangelism 10. Evangelistic Exposure 9. Module 6: Evangelism Training Conference 8. Module 5: Women & Children in Evangelism 7. Operation Andrews/Mathews 1. Mapping the mission field EVANGELISTIC MISSION PROCESS (EMP paradigm) RWANDA 6. Module 4: 10 days on knees Prayer Mobilization 2. Module 1: Envisioning church leaders/ Biblical mandate 3. Mission Field Prayer coverage 4. Module 2: Peace & Healing Outreaches 5. Module 3: Equipping Equipping local Evangelists/disciple 28 29

17 section ii PreParation, Mission and follow-up training for church MeMBers They sowed fields and planted vineyards that yielded a fruitful harvest (Psalm 107:37) Then Jesus came to them and said, All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. A. INTRODUCTION And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age. (Matthew 28:16-20 NIV) Mission is not just intended for a few leaders, but for the entire church. This section is about empowering the whole church to be involved in Mission at all three stages: Preparation, Proclamation and Follow-up. The goal is to empower all Christians to be involved in evangelism personally in their communities, and as a part of the Mission events. Everyone should be mobilized. This section also deals with helping new Christians take their first steps as followers of Christ. Further, it suggests a longer-term discipleship course to enrich the faith of new and established believers. Training for Christians involved in the church at any level is essential for effective evangelism. Training begins with reminding Christians of their identity in Christ, as children of the King, and uses this amazing reality as the thrust for evangelism. We are called to go out, to preach the gospel, to make disciples, and share the new identity and life that is available in Christ. The strategy for church training is modeled on the multiplication method that the apostle Paul used to spread the gospel throughout the region of Asia Minor. He describes it in 2 Timothy 2:2, The things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others. Following this method, first, church pastors and appointed leaders will be trained in evangelistic preparation, implementation and follow-up at a Training of Trainers Conference. These pastors will then train their own congregations in the same course, so that the whole church community can implement the teachings and be a part of evangelism and discipleship together. The influence will be multiplied, with each pastor leading their congregations in praying for unbelievers, building relationships, sharing the gospel, and discipling new believers

18 B. LEADERSHIP AND ORGANIZATION For the training strategy to be implemented throughout Mission Ukraine, there will be organization at three levels: The National Administrative Team will give oversight for Mission preparation, implementation and follow-up. The team will also oversee the Training of Trainers Conferences for church leaders, including the production and distribution of training materials and the implementation of the program throughout the duration of Mission Ukraine. The Regional/Oblast Teams will work with local pastors to organize regional training conferences in their area. They will also oversee the organization of the Training of Trainers Conference, including the production and distribution of materials, event preparation and logistics on a local level. The Local/Church Teams will assist pastors trained at the Training of Trainers Conference in implementing the training programs in their churches. The teams will make necessary logistical arrangements for the courses to be taught to the whole church, and to look after all the aspects of Mission preparation, implementation, and follow-up. C. PARTICIPANTS All pastors are invited to take part in the training. As the course is taught in the respective churches, all church members are invited to be involved in the training. Every pastor across the nation should make this training a priority, so that every church member in Ukraine can be involved in the Mission outreaches. D. FINANCES Each individual church will be responsible for the costs involved in their own training program. National and regional conferences will be financed on a partnership basis. Mission Ukraine hopes to source national funding to cover the expenses of the trainers, production of the materials etc. E. TRAINING PROGRAM Training of Trainers Conference Pastors or appointed leaders are invited to take part in a regional Training of Trainers Conference, which will last 3-4 days. Full details of the training course will be taught to pastors, so that they can teach and empower their congregations. Course topics and details will be explained, and teaching materials will be distributed. The conference will enable all trainers to become familiar with the structure and content of each of the three courses: Outline of Training Courses Three courses are offered: Being Disciples - Mission Preparation Course for the whole church - Consists of four sessions taught over a period of four weeks - Teachings on our identity in Christ, what it means to be a disciple, and how we can partner with God in Mission New Disciples - Follow-up course specifically for new Christians - Taught in small group studies - Consists of fours studies to be taught over four weeks - Mature Christians will lead small groups of new believers in the study - Teachings include our relationship to God, what it means to be a disciple, and how to share your faith Growing Disciples - Comprehensive discipleship course for the whole church - Taught in small group studies - Consists of thirty sessions to be done over thirty weeks - Teachings on different topics of faith During and Following the Mission At every evangelistic outreach, the evangelist will invite the audience to respond to the gospel message. It is important that believers are prepared to talk with these inquirers, facilitate questions, provide discipleship materials such as the Gospel of John and complete the response form which will enable the organizing committee to connect the inquirer with a local church and Bible study. It is imperative that many men, women and young people are trained and recruited to serve in this area. The training and follow-up aspects are mentioned in the Mission section in this manual. The training offered through these courses above will prepare the whole church to be involved in this important work of discipleship

19 section iii children and evangelism People were bringing little children to Jesus to have him touch them, but the disciples rebuked them. When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it. And he took the children in his arms, put his hands on them and blessed them. (Mark 10:13-16 NIV) A. INTRODUCTION TO CHILDREN With a third of the world s population under the age of 13, special attention should be given to children wherever there is a community evangelistic outreach. God has a special place in His heart for children and there are many biblical examples of how He uses children to accomplish His purposes. Children have a different way of learning than adults and many come from difficult home backgrounds. These are just some of the reasons to train leaders to specifically reach children in outreach and follow-up. B. LEADERSHIP AND ORGANIZATION Leadership of a Children s Evangelistic Outreach should be given to those who are involved in children s work Bible clubs, Sunday school, children s evangelists. They should have contact with children both in church and non-churched situations. Organization of children s evangelistic events should follow the same guidelines of preparation as outlined in Section I of this manual. The spiritual and physical preparations and the timeline are just as important for a children s event as for any other event. C. PARTICIPANTS Participants of a Children s Evangelism Training and children s outreach should include: Those who have a calling for children s ministry Those who are active in leading children s ministries Key pastor/denominational leaders Those who have an ability to train others Those who are specially called and recognized by the church as trusted children s ministry workers Those involved in leading orphanages, children s sports ministries, children s Bible clubs, Sunday school teachers, school teachers (especially those involved in ministries such as Scripture Union) D. GENERAL GUIDELINES The scriptural foundation showing God s heart for children is essential. Keys to a successful training should include: Grounding each session in the scripture Allowing time for personal prayerful application in sessions Keeping sessions interactive and playful as a child Ministering to the whole child emotional and spiritual needs, as well as practical considerations (food, clothing, medical treatment for example) Ministering to the whole family through children s outreaches Properly preparing the setting where the outreaches will take place: - Gaining permission from the local authorities, school principals, pastors etc. where outreach will be held - Ensuring there is a follow-up plan in place to connect children and their families to a church - Preparing the location, as outlined in previous chapters, confirming time/schedule for the location (e.g. if an event is being planned for a school, that the school is fully informed of the time, program, etc., and has the children gathered and ready) - Ensuring there is adequate space for the outreach, for games and activities and that children can see and hear the leading team - Securing sound system and other logistical items (chairs, shade, props, snacks/cool drinks for the children) - Ensuring there is adequate adult supervision - Considering crafts or mementos for the children to take home (bookmarks, paper hats, balloons) - Having adequate follow-up materials, such as tracts, invitations to Bible clubs, children s Bible story books E. FINANCES For a training event, each participant should ideally cover the costs of their own travel and conference expenses. Additional funding for printing of materials, local transportation, and follow-up materials for outreach should be sourced through conference fees, contributions from local churches, individuals, businesses, and foundations. Trainers for the Children s Evangelism Training should cover their own costs as far as possible

20 F. PROGRAM SAMPLES Children s Outreach Program Guide suggested guide for a one-hour program 1. Welcome and Announcements (3 mins) 2. Game: (6 mins) Involve as many children as possible. Keep the game moving quickly. 3. Singing (7 mins) 4. Teaching Segment or Serial Story (8 mins) A short teaching point on today s theme OR Use a story that can be told over the whole program. Explain that it will be told over the length of the program 5. Memory Verse Drill (7 mins) Choose verses related to your theme. Maintain children s involvement and enthusiasm throughout this game. 6. Object Lesson (7 mins) Used to illustrate and help explain the main teaching of your theme. Practice to make sure it will work well in the program. 7. Game (5 mins) 8. Memory Verse (8 mins) 9. Main Story (10 mins) Climax of your program. Contains application of theme to child s life and a call for a response. 10. Invitation (2 mins) To children to respond to the gospel 11. Closing Game / Counseling (10 mins) For those who have not responded counseling for those who have SUN MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY SUNDAY ARRIVALS 7:00 8:00 9:00 10:30 11:00 12:30 1:00 2:30-4:00 4:00-4:30 4:30-6:00 6:00 SAMPLE CHILDREN S EVANGELISM TRAINING PROGRAM Breakfast Devotions Session 1 Into to Week Tea Break Session 2 Big vision of children biblical basis for children s evangelism Session 3 Prayer time Lunch Session 4 God s Big Story Tea Free for Networking Dinner Breakfast Devotions Session 5 Why disciple children? Tea Break Session 6 Making disciples #1 ministering to the whole child Session 7 Prayer time Lunch Session 8 How children learn Tea Workshop Skills and Methods #1 sharing the Gospel with children Dinner Breakfast Devotions Session 9 Making disciples #2 Connecting the child to the church Tea Break Workshop Skills and Methods #2 sharing the Gospel with kids Session 10 Prayer time Lunch Workshop Practical demo of a children s evangelistic program Tea Workshop Principles in Action Dinner Breakfast Devotions Session 11 Guide to building a children s evangelistic program Tea Break Session 12 Practice & Plan for outreach Session 13 Prayer time Lunch Local Outreach in 2-3 locations Debrief Dinner Breakfast Devotions Session 14 Prayer & practice for outreach Tea Break Session 15 Planning for country strategy (2 hours) Lunch Small Local Outreach in 2-3 locations Debrief Dinner Prayer Time Travel to venue City-wide Children s Rally Debrief Celebration Evening Church International Departures 7:00 Free *Kids Games Free *Ubabalo Free *The Family Free Free 36 37

21 section iv University students and evangelism Don t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity. (1 Timothy 4:12 NIV) A. INTRODUCTION TO UNIVERSITY STUDENTS University students are a key group to reach during an evangelistic Mission. They are entering a world in which many ideologies are presented that shape their understanding of all aspects of life. Many likely have not heard the gospel as children. Some may have turned away from God because of life experiences, trauma, and secular culture, and many are faced with a lot of questions about life. As they embark on building the foundation of knowledge for their careers, this is a formative time to present the spiritual foundation on which every aspect of life is built. B. LEADERSHIP AND ORGANIZATION Existing Christian university groups such as IFES, Navigators, Campus Crusade, and denominational groups should work together to appoint overall leadership. Consider setting up committees that would be responsible for specific aspects of the outreach, but would also work collaboratively with each other to coordinate efforts. Find passionate and active Christians from the university that will be reached and give them leadership roles in organizing the outreach. Students will know the best way to communicate the gospel to their peers, and it is more likely that students will come to the events if they know their friends will be there. Local Student Working Teams: - Arrangements (logistical preparations) - Communications/IT - Community Service - Fund-Raising - Follow-up - Lecturers Dinners - Prayer - Church Connections - Evangelistic Events/Program C. PARTICIPANTS Participants in an evangelistic outreach to university campuses should include all Christian students, existing Christian university groups as mentioned above, as well as Christian lecturers, business professionals, government leaders, apologists people who can present the gospel as being relevant to all of life. Outreaches on a campus should be geared towards the students, lecturers, and staff. D. GENERAL GUIDELINES Follow the two hands to ensure adequate spiritual and physical preparation for the outreach. Conduct a survey of students in the campus on relevant topics to gauge where students views are on particular subjects; provide the results to the evangelists/speakers for them to address. Encourage Christian students from the university to be involved in the outreach by helping with preparations, spreading the word about the events and actively share their faith with their friends. Ensure follow-up plans (both immediate and long-term) are in place, so that students may be invited to Bible study growth groups following an outreach. Ensure the involvement of the local church, so that students are connected to a church once they leave campus as students. Ensure that the organizing team has necessary permissions for all events on campuses. Students may need to be drawn into intrigue about the gospel. Being authentic in one s faith, being fervent in prayer, and being a friend is the best witness. E. FINANCES As with all evangelistic outreach, there are costs involved for publicity, materials, speakers expenses, venue and equipment hire, administration, food, and music. All campus groups involved in organizing the Mission should be a part of raising the needed funds in creative ways. Other sources of funding could include local churches, alumni, local businesses, and foundations

22 Sample program for a university student evangelism training conference in preparation for a University Mission: Jesus said, I am the way, the truth, and the life. (John 14:6) STUDENT EVANGELISM TRAINING CONFERENCE F. PROGRAM BIG THEME Who is this all about? JESUS! Who are we in relation to Jesus? Sons and daughters of God What are we in relation to Jesus? Disciples of Jesus Who is Jesus? God s son. What did He do? He went to the cross & redeemed us. Who are they in relation to Jesus? They are precious and loved. How do we live the life & share this message? Jesus/Holy Spirit University campuses differ in the types of students they attract. There will always be a variety of interests and learning styles, so a multi-faceted approach is recommended. Some ideas for outreach could include: - Coffee house events - Art displays - Theatre and drama - Music concerts - Debates - Lectures - Special interest discussions with experts - Sports Numerous university campus outreach organizations have been successfully engaged in university outreach over many years: Navigators, Campus Crusade (Cru), PULSE, IFES, Inter-Varsity are just a few. See Resources to connect with detailed resources on organizing campus outreach. TIME DATE SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY NOTE: Times may be adjusted throughout the week 8:00-9:00 9:10-9:45 9:45-10:00 10:00-11:00 11:00-11:30 11:30-12:30 12:30-2:00 2:00-3:00 3:30-4:30 4:30-5:30 5:30-6:45 6:45-8:15 Daily Theme Inductive Bible Study Devotion First Session Major Teaching Break Personal Application and Prayer Lunch/ Free Time Social Games Dinner Getting Started 9:00-2:00 Arrivals/ Registration 12:30-1:30 Lunch 2:00-3:00 Small Group Leader Orientation 3:00-4:00 All participants: Introduction to Week, Team Intro. 4:00 Speakers Orientation 5:30 Opening Celebration (Habakkuk 3:2, Psalm 24) Foundation/ Knowing Him Small Group Bible Study Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32) Prayer & Worship God s Big Story Break Where Do I Stand in Relation to Jesus (Mark 10:46-52) Lunch/FreeTime Workshops (see list) Workshops (see list) Games Dinner Team Intro to University Mission-Two Hands, Stepping Stones, Survey, Follow-Up Preparation/ The Disciple Small Group Bible Study Peter & Jesus (Luke 5: 1-11) Prayer & Worship Jesus Call to be a Disciple (Ephesians 4:17-24, 5:1-2) Break The Discipleship & Empowerment of Discipleship (John 15, Psalm 119:105, Matt 4:18-22) Lunch/FreeTime Campus Meetings Committee Meetings Games Dinner Multi-activity evening (optional) Preparation/ The Gospel Small Group Bible Study Jesus & The Cross (Luke 23:26-24:12) Prayer & Worship What is the Gospel? (Romans 3:23, 6:23, 10:9, John 14:6, I Cor. 15:3-4) Break How Do We Share the Gospel/Our Testimony (John 4:29) Lunch/FreeTime Workshops (see list) Workshops (see list) Games Dinner Evening of Prayer led by students in a variety of ways: (Mark 6, Luke 11) -Pray by Campus - Pray by Committee -Pray by Cities Preparation/ The Mandate Small Group Bible Study Jesus & The Paralytic (Luke 5:17-26) Prayer & Worship Jesus Method to Reach the World (Ephesians 4:12) Break Prayer/ Follow-Up (Mark 2) Lunch/FreeTime Committee Meetings Campus Meetings Games Dinner Campus/ Committee Presentations; Q&A Empowerment to Go Small Group Bible Study Jesus & The Holy Spirit (Acts 1:8, Luke 24:13-29) Prayer & Worship Putting It All Together Break Commissioning (Luke 15) Lunch/Departure 40 41

23 section v evangelists forums Do the work of an evangelist. (2 Timothy 4:5 NIV) Evangelistic outreaches within a local community can be paired with an Evangelists Forum, a 3-5 day training conference designed specifically for equipping evangelists for ministry. A. PURPOSE AND OBJECTIVE An Evangelists Forum is a way to provide foundational teaching and long-term mentoring for individuals particularly called by God to serve as evangelists and recognized by the church as evangelists. The objectives of an Evangelists Forum are: To provide a platform for reflection, training, mentoring, equipping, and fellowship for God-appointed evangelists in their calling; To help evangelists understand their role in relation to the church and how to serve and partner with the church in the ministry of reaching unbelievers with the gospel. B. LEADERSHIP AND ORGANIZATION In organizing an Evangelists Forum, consideration should be given to spiritual and physical preparation, the leadership required, and the timeline for planning. D. PARTICIPANTS 1. Evangelists, or those training as an evangelist, are the primary candidates to attend an Evangelists Forum. They can be individuals who are: a. Specially called by God to serve as an evangelist and recognized by the church b. Engaged in a church ministry or serving in a church c. Serving full-time or part-time as an evangelist d. Active, retired, or in the process of considering a call to evangelism 2. Church leaders (pastors, elders, key lay men and women) and theological educators are also invited to participate, to learn about the ministry and calling of the evangelist and the evangelists role in serving the church. E. FINANCES It is intended that local, on-site expenses of each Evangelists Forum will be self-financed. Expenses may include the venue, meals and accommodation, equipment and materials. A participant registration fee could help cover these costs. Each participant would be responsible to pay for their own transportation costs. If there is a deficit for on-site expenses, it will be the sole responsibility of the national or regional committee who organized the Forum. International participants will be responsible to cover their own expenses. F. THE DEVELOPMENT AND MESSAGE OF THE EVANGELIST The following diagrams give an overview of areas to be addressed in the Development of the Evangelist and in the Message of the Evangelist. C. GENERAL GUIDELINES Whenever possible, the Evangelists Forum is organized along the following guidelines: Venue: Choose a place where evangelists can gather all together in large and small groups, with meals and lodging provided, in order to create an atmosphere for learning and spiritual nurturing. Registration: When registering, a participant should understand that full participation in the entire Forum is required. Attending only part of the Forum is not possible. Evangelistic events: If evangelistic outreaches are included, they should take place before or after the Evangelists Forum, not during the Forum. By Alain Stamp, used with permission 42 43

24 G. SUGGESTED PROGRAM Help will be available to plan the program and provide speakers as needed. Following is a sample of the topics to be included in the program: The Message and Ministry of the Evangelist The evangelist a preacher of the gospel (training on giving a message) What is the gospel? Giving an invitation The integrity of the evangelist: a call to holiness The evangelist s training and coaching Evangelism and its three components: praying, sharing, and caring Evangelism and the audience: who, where, when and how Evangelism in the daily context (at work or on campus) Evangelism and the worship service, a unique opportunity to share Christ Mentoring others in evangelism The Evangelist and Apologetics Dealing with the tough questions The art of conversation as Christ did it The Ministry of the Evangelist in the Local Church The ministry of the evangelist in the local church who, what and how The evangelist a mobilizing force in a local church (leadership training) The evangelist and church planting OTHER NOTES ON THE PROGRAM: Plenary Session on Mentoring: At the first Evangelists Forum taking place in a new region, a plenary session will deal with the issue of mentoring in order to emphasize reproducing evangelists. A mentoring community will be created, with yearly gatherings to share insights on the art of mentoring younger or newly called evangelists. Workshops: In each Evangelists Forum there must be at least one workshop on mentoring to further explore the mentoring model. In addition, there will be a workshop on church planting to give vision for evangelists going to areas where there is no church to begin the process of establishing a church. section vi evangelism training conferences for All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. (Timothy 3:16, 17 NIV) In planning evangelistic outreach within a local community, consideration should also be given to providing training in evangelism for the church leadership. Evangelism Training Conferences may be held regionally or nationally. Evangelism Training Conferences have proved to be very helpful to church leadership all over the world in catching the vision for sharing the gospel message in their communities. A. PURPOSE AND OBJECTIVE Organizing an Evangelism Training Conference is a way to provide foundational training on what the Bible teaches about evangelism and its importance in the life of the church and in the community. The objective of an Evangelism Training Conference is to teach the biblical vision for evangelism and to give practical tools on how to implement evangelism with a goal of leaders adopting for themselves and inspiring a lifestyle of evangelism for all believers. B. LEADERSHIP AND ORGANIZATION In organizing an Evangelism Training Conference for Church Leadership, consideration should be given to the spiritual and physical preparation, the leadership required, and a timeline for planning. C. PARTICIPANTS church leadership Participants in an Evangelism Training Conference would include: Church leadership Pastors, Elders, Vestry members Key Lay Men and Women Youth and Children s Workers Denominational leadership Leaders of other Christian ministries Evangelists Bible School and Seminary Teachers and Students 44 45

25 D. GENERAL GUIDELINES Whenever possible, the Evangelism Training Conference is organized with the following guidelines in mind: Venue: Choose a place where participants can gather all together as a group. It is helpful to have moveable seating to enable impromptu smaller discussion groups. For larger conferences, plans for sound and lighting, and the use of screens and Power Point presentations may need to be considered. Registration: It is helpful to have an idea of the number of participants, but it is open to all church-related leadership and everyone should be encouraged to participate. Evangelistic events: Sometimes an Evangelism Training Conference is held prior to a major evangelistic outreach and can be beneficial in preparing for it. However, it is equally valuable to conduct a Training Conference and an evangelism event simultaneously, as this allows participants to study and experience the Mission at the same time. Seeking God s guidance as to the right timing for each community is important. E. FINANCES It is intended that the local, on-site expenses of an Evangelism Training Conference will be self-financed. Expenses may include the venue, materials and small refreshments. For regional or national events, additional costs for housing and meals may be incurred, and in these cases, a participant registration fee could help cover these costs. Each participant would be responsible to pay their own transportation costs. International program participants or speakers will be responsible to cover their own expenses. F. PROGRAM Each Evangelism Training Conference is adapted to the local situation as advised by local organizing leadership. The basic design is to cover topics relating to: 1. The Principles of Evangelism and the Preparation of the Community for Outreach 2. The Life of the Evangelist and the Proclamation of the Gospel 3. The Development of Disciples and the Propagation of the Gospel Message Assistance on planning the program and in identifying international speakers will be available. G. SAMPLE TOPICS Some sample topics could include: 1. Principles of Evangelism a. Evangelism and the local church b. The evangelist s heart of compassion c. Facing challenges victoriously 2. Preparation for Evangelism a. Preparing the church for effective follow-up and discipleship b. Evangelism in a variety of settings c. A model of evangelism in Acts 11 d. Motives for evangelism 3. Proclamation of the Evangelistic Message a. The content of the gospel b. The evangelist proclaims that Jesus is Christ c. The evangelist gives an invitation to respond d. Communicating the gospel effectively e. Preaching Christ in a broken world f. Preaching to a variety of audiences (e.g. those of different faiths, backgrounds, cultures) 4. Propagation of the Gospel Message a. Effective discipleship of new believers b. Preparing your church for ongoing evangelism and discipleship 5. Person of the Evangelist a. The evangelist relies on the Holy Spirit b. The evangelist and prayer c. The evangelist s life of integrity d. The evangelist and his family e. The evangelist is a servant leader f. The evangelist is faithful g. The gift and calling of an evangelist Workshops on specific topics could be included. For example: - Evangelism amongst children - Tools for helping oral learners grow as believers - Use of media in evangelism - The role of reconciliation in evangelism - Evangelism in the business world - Evangelism amongst the disabled - The role of prayer in evangelism - Using sports in evangelism - Sharing the gospel with people from other faiths - Friendship evangelism - Sharing your own faith story 46 47

26 TIME DATE TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY 8:00-9:15 9:15-9:30 9:30-10:30 10:30-10:45 10:45-11:45 11:45-13:00 13:00-14:00 Theme Bible Reading Small Group Time Break PREPARATION Focus on Development of the Church and Believers A Picture of Evangelism Acts 11:19-24 These examples are meant to serve as guidelines as you seek God s direction First for your community. Motives for Evangelism Session Break Second Session Lunch Workshop/ Seminar Departure Luke 15:1-10 Equipping Your People for Lifestyle Friendship Evangelism Luke 24:36-53 Preparation for Evangelism H. SAMPLE PROGRAM PROCLAMATION Focus on the Message and the Evangelist The Ministry of Reconciliation 2 Corinthians 5:16-21 Evangelism: A cause that demands our serious attention Nehemiah 2:1-9 The Evangelist s Message: The Gospel Acts 2:22-41 Effective Communication in Evangelism PROPAGATION Focus on New Believers, helping them to grow as disciples Prayer and Evangelism: Elijah James 5:16b; 1 Kings 17, 18, 19 Effective Discipleship John 17 Pastoral Care & Discipleship Ephesians 4:11-16 Using Practical Tools for Evangelism The following is a sampling of ministries that you may want to consider in developing a long-term plan for evangelism in your area. It may be helpful to prayerfully look for additional resources for the vision God has entrusted to you. A. MISSION UKRAINE Mission Ukraine is a Ukrainian-led, year-long, nationwide initiative of evangelistic outreach focussing on Church preparation, gospel proclamation and follow-up of new believers. B. THE LAUSANNE MOVEMENT Website: A worldwide movement started by the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association in 1974 in Lausanne, Switzerland, calling the whole church to take the whole gospel to the whole world. Mission Ukraine was developed under the leadership of Ukrainian leaders. Anatole Glukhovskyy, International Deputy Director for Eurasia, represents the Lausanne Movement on the Mission Ukraine committee. C. CHILDREN S MINISTRY resources and notes Grain of Wheat Website: Training churches to organize camps for children in which the gospel of Jesus can be shared. Awana International Website: Designed for children ages 2-18, Awana programs introduce Jesus Christ through a variety of interactive means. David C. Cook Website: David C. Cook is dedicated to publishing and distributing leadership and discipleship resources to help Christians all over the world grow in their faith and pass it on to the next generation, including The Story of Jesus booklet for children in Ukrainian and Russian

27 1for50 Website: A collaborative training and networking initiative born at the first Global Children s Forum in This program helps children grow as life-long believers. It is focused on equipping one children s outreach and discipleship leader for every 50 children in churches and communities around the world. KidsGames Website: An exciting series of outreach and teaching programs for all ages and families, combining sports and games activities with Bible-teaching curricula. Ubabalo / Sport Website: Ubabalo opens up youth to the gospel by teaching life-skills, team building, sport techniques and biblical values through sports. Sport coaches are trained in life coaching principles and discipleship supplied in the Ubabalo curriculum. Available in a variety of languages. Max7 Website: A wide variety of free resources for children s ministry available to download in multiple languages. Bible-Centered Ministries International Website: bcmintl.org A global, non-denominational ministry dedicated to reaching children through evangelism, church planting, discipleship, leadership training. D. UNIVERSITY MINISTRY PULSE Website: PULSE is a ministry of young adults seeking to impact this generation with Christ. Evangelist Nick Hall leads university outreaches across the US, and internationally. MICHAEL OTS EVANGELISM TRUST Website: A team of university evangelists engaged in equipping students in effective evangelism. - Missions Planning Resource and other talks International Fellowship of Evangelical Students Website: The International Fellowship of Evangelical Students (IFES) is a global community of indigenous student movements, called to engage the university with the good news of Jesus Christ. Campus Crusade for Christ International Website: A ministry focused on connecting university students to Christ. Navigators Website: The Navigators is an international, interdenominational Christian ministry that helps university students grow in Jesus Christ as they navigate through life. E. MISSIONS / EVANGELISTS FORUMS / EVANGELISM TRAINING FOR CHURCH LEADERSHIP Ravi Zacharias International Ministries A team of global speakers with a vision to challenge culture with the credibility of the gospel of Jesus Christ through evangelism, apologetics, spiritual disciplines, training and humanitarian support. Mission Eurasia Website: Mission Eurasia s work in Ukraine is multi-faceted and includes: Training and equipping leaders from the Next Generation; gospel tract and Scripture distribution; ministry to children; aid and compassion ministry; ministry to military personnel. Global Evangelists Forum Website: forumdesevangelistes.org A European-based ministry focused on training and mentoring evangelists. GoodWORD Partnership Website: GoodWORD Partnership exists to equip and stimulate the local church and evangelists worldwide in fulfilling their calling of public proclamation of the Gospel. GoodWORD Partnership can provide a list of evangelistic associations and evangelists who have expressed an interest in being a part of Missions and training conferences

28 SURVEY Emotional + Spiritual PULSE of the Campus This survey is being conducted by people attempting to follow Jesus who want to have a better understanding of the people around them. Emotional 1. On a scale of 1 to 10, how would you rate how your life is going? 2. Have you ever struggled with depression? Y N 3. On a scale of 1 to 10, how would you rate your level of self worth? 4. What percentage of students do you think struggle with thoughts of suicide? 5. Have you ever known anyone who has attempted or committed suicide? Y N Spiritual 1. What is your religious background? r Atheist r Agnostic r Christian r Jewish r Muslim r Buddhist r Undecided r Other 2. Do you believe in heaven or hell? heaven / hell / both a. If yes, who will go to heaven? b. If yes, who will go to hell? 3. Who in your opinion is Jesus Christ? r a legendary character, a myth r the son of God, the savior r on the same level with Mohammed, Krishna, etc. r other 4. If you had to choose three words to describe Christians, what would they be? a. b. c. 5. From 1-10, what are your chances of spending eternity in heaven? 6. If you could know for sure you could spend eternity in heaven, would you want to? Your Faith Story Most times, people will tend to give you two minutes of their attention while you share your faith story. That s enough, if you are prepared. To practice, write your faith story on this page. 1. What was your life like before Christ (about 100 words)? 2. How did you receive Christ (about 300 words) Mention one Bible verse How did you hear? What did you hear? How did you respond? 1. What is your life like after receiving Christ (about 100 words)? Check out: 1. Take a look at the results from students on the survey you just took 2. Find out more about the largest event on campus this year 52 53

29 notes evangelistic outreach - a catalyst for discipleship training and community transformation through the indigenous church By combining the Message of the evangel We Were reconciled to god through the death of his son and the ongoing Message of the church We are saved through his life. (romans 5:10, ParaPhrased from niv) On behalf of all Mission Ukraine partners: This manual has been compiled by GoodWORD Partnership, with contributions from many, to support and serve the Mission Ukraine initiative to the glory of God. 54