First Person: Taking Advantage of Growing Receptivity to the Gospel

I recently attended the largest Baptist Collegiate Ministry gathering in state convention history (1,033 students and staff) at Myrtle Beach. Our collegians traveled from all across the state to worship our Heavenly Father and be challenged by the proclamation of God’s word. They also attended a wide variety of practical breakout sessions equipping them for effective ministry on their respective campuses. Many collegians from our Baptist churches were in attendance as well.

Jim Austin

South Carolina Baptists should be greatly encouraged concerning the growing and dedicated number of young people emerging from our campus ministries. The students’ joy in the Lord and enthusiasm about their faith are infectious every time you gather with them. These young people desire to grow more deeply in their walk with God, they have a great hunger for God’s word, and they have a dedication to evangelism and missions and are truly committed to making New Testament disciples.

It does appear that even during our down economy, there is a great deal of gospel receptivity emerging, as was evidenced by this annual collegiate event. During the worst of times, there can appear a light of hope. Out of the miry clay can emerge a beautiful vase!

We, as South Carolina Baptists, must be faithful to seize the moment and take advantage of the growing receptivity to the gospel that now exists, not only on our college campuses, but also in our church fields.

I believe that if we do seize the moment, we will see a great time of evangelistic harvest. Evidence emerging from our collegiate conference confirms the level of hunger for God’s word among our young people and receptivity to the gospel that has begun to be seen in many of our churches.

These days could prove to be a time of great and strategic launching of GPS (God’s Plan for Sharing) as we seek to take the gospel into our church fields.

I encourage all of our churches to prayerfully consider their own participation in this effort as we seek to penetrate lostness with the good news of our Lord. Let’s pray that what we are beginning to see on our college campuses will be experienced in all of our churches as well.

If we, as your convention staff, may assist you in any way regarding this effort, please contact us. Thank you for the partnership we share in Experiencing Kingdom Life!

– Austin is executive director-treasurer of the South Carolina Baptist Convention.