State Evangelism Conference zeroes in on ‘ministry evangelism’

Speakers at the 2015 State Evangelism Conference, held Feb. 18-19 at Beach Church in Myrtle Beach, challenged participants to serve others and, in doing so, share the gospel.

“Ministry evangelism is about serving first [and] being action-oriented and vocal in our evangelism,” said Lee Clamp, director of the Evangelism Group of the South Carolina Baptist Convention. “Jesus didn’t just stand and preach — Jesus knelt and served. We are called to go and make disciples, and that starts by meeting the needs of those in our communities.”

Clamp’s comments echoed the theme for the conference, “LoveLoud.”

Marshall Blalock, pastor of First Baptist Church of Charleston and a member of the state convention’s Executive Board, spoke on Thursday morning. He told of how 40 members of the church are volunteering as reading mentors to third-graders at a downtown elementary school.

Dean Murphy Jr. picks up Brandon from his class for reading time. Brandon likes to read classic stories that Murphy enjoyed during his childhood.

Dean Murphy Jr. picks up Brandon from his class for reading time. Brandon likes to read classic stories that Murphy enjoyed during his childhood.

“There is research that shows that children reading at grade level while in the third grade are far more likely to finish and succeed in school,” Blalock said. “For those who don’t, sadly, incarceration levels increase later in life.”

Reading mentors from Charleston First Baptist began by helping third-grade readers reach their appropriate reading level. When they were tested, every child had improved, and only two of the third-graders were not reading at their grade level.

“One day, 30 years from now, when one of these children is a physician at a Charleston hospital and someone asks, ‘Who made a difference in your life?’ I hope he or she will point to a third-grade reading mentor,” Blalock said.

Through the program, Charleston First has built relationships with children and their families, opening doors in public housing communities for Bible studies, family counseling, and mission projects — all toward a goal of making the gospel known. The program has also strengthened relationships with school administrators.

Blalock challenged conference participants to look into their communities and take the gospel into the tough places through ministry evangelism. “No person is ever too far gone to hear the gospel,” he said. “Sometimes, we will come alongside people who are very callous, but they can be reached with the gospel.”

Blalock said ministry evangelism is something every church can do, regardless of size.

But it’s not going to be easy and tidy, he said. “My wife teaches a Bible study for single moms in a public housing development. We have gotten those calls at 11:45 p.m. and were ministering in that housing development after midnight,” he said. “But we’ve seen those women baptized and come to Jesus because of our church and because of my wife’s life. Don’t believe the lie that it’s going to be easy.”

Blalock said it’s also impossible for pastors to do the work alone. He encouraged pastors to network with one another, look for partnerships and not be timid about being truthful with one another. “If I have a dumb idea, I want people to tell me before I do something dumb,” he said.

Lastly, Blalock challenged participants to review their prayer life. He quoted pastor Will Browning of The Journey Church in Summerville, who said, “Review the last seven days of your prayer life. What if God answers everything and gives you everything you asked Him to give you? How many people would be Christians because of that?”

“When our prayer life is focused on the gospel, we are being obedient,” Blalock said.

Charles Roesel, author of “It’s A God Thing: The Powerful Results of Ministry Evangelism,” is a presidential ambassador for the North American Mission Board and is former pastor of First Baptist Church of Leesburg, Fla. Roesel shared the story of how his former church grew from a 250-member congregation to a thriving body active in 70 ministries, including a free medical center on its campus, a drug center for men and a children’s home.

Emory Hiott reads with her buddy, Morgan.  Morgan's reading has improved so much that she has been accepted into the gifted and talented program.

Emory Hiott reads with her buddy, Morgan. Morgan’s reading has improved so much that she has been accepted into the gifted and talented program.

“Through our work in ministry evangelism, we were able to baptize 7,000 people,” he said. “There is no better way to consistently reach people. Do what God wants you to do in your area. God loves the wino in the gutter as much as he loves the brain surgeon in the operating room. Go minister and reach them all with the gospel.”

Richard Harris, interim executive director-treasurer of the state convention and former director of evangelism at NAMB, said during his sermon on Wednesday evening, “If the church does not turn from status quo to creating mission outposts, it will become irrelevant. We must humble ourselves, get into the word of God, and turn back to God,” he said. “Our churches don’t need another program — we need to reach people in our community with the gospel.”

Mission outposts, he said, are community small groups, usually created around an interest or a neighborhood. They may later become church plants.

Randall Jones, retired pastor from Langston Baptist Church in Conway and coordinator for the SCBC Evangelism Conference, said he hopes churches in South Carolina will “wake up and set their sights on greater evangelism.” He hopes to travel the state, meet with pastors and have conversations about more effective evangelistic efforts in local settings.

Clamp added, “Lost people aren’t looking for a church — they are looking for relationships and hope. I pray that churches can get out in their communities, build relationships through ministry, and spread the gospel.

“ ‘How can we help you?’ This one question is a powerful first step in engaging local schools and community organizations,” Clamp said. “Be willing to respond when given the answers, and you will be amazed at the doors that open to hear the gospel.”