As an allied soldier held prisoner by the German military during World War II, Sam anxiously awaited liberation by allied forces. Following his dramatic liberation, Sam returned to the states, married his sweetheart, was blessed with a family, worked, fulfilled a career goal, and later retired. He did all of this without ever being a regular church attender or professing faith in Christ. Sam’s daughter became actively involved in a local Baptist church and invited her father to a dramatic presentation held at the church. Upon attending the presentation and seeing a depiction of the wonder of God’s grace and the horror of hell, Sam committed his life to Christ and was baptized. He was radically changed by the power of the gospel and was faithful in church until God called him home.
AustinDuring this new year, our North American Mission Board is emphasizing its GPS (God’s Plan for Sharing) strategy and asking us to prayerfully consider holding evangelistic events in our churches. Dramatic presentations, such as the one God used to bring Sam to faith in Himself, are one of many events that can be used. Another very effective tool for outreach among our churches is Vacation Bible School. Approximately one-third of South Carolina Baptist churches did not host a Vacation Bible School during this past year. Bible School has proven to be very effective in evangelism, with an average of four professions of faith per school. VBS has proven not only to be an effective outreach to children, but also effective in reaching the parents and siblings of these children as well. If your church has not been able to conduct a Vacation Bible School, your convention and associational staff stand ready to assist you in doing so. It would be wonderful if all of our convention churches hosted Bible schools this summer.
The film “Courageous” is another very effective tool in reaching people for Christ. “Courageous” was recently released by LifeWay after being produced by Sherwood Baptist Church in Albany, Ga., and marketed in major theaters with an incredible response. This is yet another tool that God has faithfully made available to his people. Since the film is now available on DVD, churches can host screenings of the film by inviting those away from Christ to come and view. This particular tool is especially effective in reaching men and ministering to fathers. Let me encourage you to prayerfully consider showing the film this year.
Revivals, while not as popular as in years past, still have proven to be an effective tool for outreach if properly prepared for and prayed over. I am convinced that if a church appropriately plans and prays for revival or an evangelistic series of meetings, God can greatly use them. Revival preparation material is available to assist you. Contact our office and we will be happy to provide the necessary resources, which your Cooperative Program giving makes possible. Additionally, South Carolina Baptists are uniquely blessed to have many full-time evangelists in our state who are available to preach the gospel during these events.
Let me encourage each of you during this new year to prayerfully consider taking advantage of evangelistic events. We are perhaps living in one of those seasons where, because of the difficult economy and unsettling world events, people are far more open to spiritual things. There are many Sams out there who, if prayed for and lovingly cultivated, will respond to Christ as the Holy Spirit draws them.
– Austin is executive director-treasurer of the South Carolina Baptist Convention.