Witnessing & Evangelism!

IT'S TIME for EACH of us to be released into MINISTRY! 

New members into the Seventh-day Adventist church AND seasoned SDA's, have been trained for evangelism and trained for witnessing work! Most people are looking for prayer, encouragement and a little hope. EVERYBODY can offer a little hope; a form of witnessing!

In addition, simply by attending church, by association with church members, listening to Sabbath sermons, reading the Bible (and attending Campmeetings), WE are READY to ACTIVELY work for souls! Witnessing and evangelism materials are easily obtained at SDA bookstores. There are Bible tracts, basic advanced Bible studies, books and commentaries. Today, WE hardly have to say ANYTHING. It's as simple as handing out a CD, and/or a DVD or directing someone to a website!

Each of you reading this text has an experience to share either about your love for Christ or your personal conversion! 

Moses chose people that had specific characteristics. By choosing and following Jesus, WE have cultivated those characteristics today.  *"Members of Seventh-day Adventist churches have tremendous ministry potential." 

Worrying that WE can't witness or evangelize is a Satanic ploy to douse the flames of your personal Pentecost! Through the guidance of the Holy Spirit, the Pastors and church leaders will ensure that laypeople are fruit-full. ALL will admit that in any task, it is important to accept help from skilled pastoral staff but WE should never wait to: step out in faith with a Bible tract, an encouraging word, an invite to church, or even a brief pray with someone.

WE have all heard of the sales practice of 'multi-level marketing'. In fact many of you might be involved in companies that successfully do it. It's NOT new! In fact, telling a few people and then having them tell a few people is WITNESSING! I believe the tool of Multi-level marketing is borrowed from the gospel! WE need to reclaim the same method. MULTI-LEVEL CHRISTIANITY! 

Even in Bible times there were 'incidents' and personality conflicts. Whenever people work together there will always be the potential for disagreement. The Bible gives an example of Paul and Barnabas (Acts 15: 36-40). It's often through conflict and its resolution that stronger bonds are formed.

God has GREAT EXPECTATIONS for every believer! He has appointed a work for each of us! Accepting the guidance of skilled Pastors and guidance of the Holy Spirit WE can fininsh the work! WE have the tools! WE have the skills! WE have been trained! Buy some tracts, some CD's, DVD's, Pray with someone!! Let's Witness and Evangelize!  ~Pray! /\ 


*Members of other churches have "tremendous ministry potential" as well but it is my personal experience and  belief that the SDA church has a special message. Let me share it with you : )   

One Teen's Embarrassing Witness

During my youth I had a best friend named Calvin. He lived just two houses down the street in a large log cabin ranch that was surrounded by stately fir trees. It was a very private setting. By comparison, our house was a very small, plain shaker-shingle shack. It sat just 100 feet off the road, which made it visible by all who happened to drive or walk past it. Calvin would often ride his bicycle to my house. He would tell me, "I hear you guys singing in there sometimes." I would smile, be embarrassed and we would both go fishing at Hanson Lake.

Calvin was a cheery friend. He was quick to laugh, always had a joke and he made the very best of every situation. I enjoyed Calvin’s company...most of the time. However, sometimes Calvin just wasn't himself. He seemed like a completely different person.  

Our family regularly attended a nearby Seventh-day Adventist church. Occasionally I would choose to walk to it rather than ride in the car. Often, Calvin would spot me walking past his home and in good fun he would give me a hard time. “Well, there’s the church-boy! Are you going to sing songs to Jesus? Hey wait a minute, it’s Saturday! You’re a day early! Are you going early to get a good seat for tomorrow?”  He would use that expression quite often and I admit I always thought that it was quite clever and funny. Personally, I didn’t like the ribbing but knew it was part of Calvin’s nature. He meant well. I would smile, shake my head in the affirmative and just kept walking. All the while thinking, it just seemed so out of character for Calvin. I would arrive at church and, just like Calvin asked, I would sing songs to (and about) Jesus. Every now and then thoughts of Calvin would sneak in my head. Someday, I thought…. someday I should invite him to church.  I just couldn’t imagine asking him, let alone having Calvin sit beside me in a church pew!

During one church service the pastor spoke about health. He used the text in 1st Corinthians 6:19 “Do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own?” Our church strongly emphasized health and purity. Like most teens, I didn’t understand nor think much about the application to my life but through song and Bible study, I believed I should keep care of my body; His temple. 

As often happens, teen friends drift apart and start their own lives. Two decades later, I received a phone call from my dear friend Calvin. After we had chatted awhile he said, “Hey, remember when you use to walk past my house and I would kid you about going to church?” 

I didn’t REALLY want to remember but I distinctly did and said, “Hmmm… um, yeah, I guess.”

He continued, “I just wanted you to know how sorry I am. You did the best thing by going to church. I’ve been reading my Bible and believe in a Seventh-day Sabbath. It just seems to make sense. I have been sober for 6 months now. I use to sneak my dad's booze and I said some stupid things when I was drunk. I remember teasing you. I am sorry.”

Flabbergasted would hardly describe my feelings. I started to say something, anything but before I could, Calvin asked me a final question, “Will you send me some Bible studies?” 

“Well, sure Calvin. I can do that. Where should I send them?” He gave me an unfamiliar address: MSP Route 1 Thomaston, Maine 04861. ATTN: *274986534. I looked up the address and was surprised to learn that MSP is the abbreviation for Maine State Prison. I sent the complete set of Bible studies and hoped and prayed that he received them.

I have often thought about Calvin's large log-cabin, the stately fir trees, the surrounding beauty and our shaker-shingle shack. I am thankful we sang songs and prayed. I am thankful that Calvin could hear us as he pedaled by on his bike. As a teen, at times I was a bit embarrassed about being overheard singing and praying about Jesus. As an adult, I am concerned about not being heard at all. Calvin's words still echo in my head, "You did the right thing by going to church.... ." 

I hope to meet Calvin again, in a better place; a stately, heavenly home. We will sing songs (loudly) and since we will be in heaven, when we fish we will 'Catch & Release''!   ~Pray /\

*Changed to protect the incarcerated.