“When I served in Korea, there was a month where the war effort was wrapping up and our soldiers had no mission. We were bored out of our minds. I thought to myself that these soldiers were going to start shooting one another if I didn’t give them something to do,” said Tom Langston, vice chair of the Tri-County crusade team in Belton-Honea Path.
ClampWe stood talking as leaders buzzed around us, excited about the evangelistic crusade that was underway in their town.
“So I asked my officer if we could build a church right there in the jungle. He agreed and it was amazing to watch the boys begin to work. Men from all walks of life were working together toward a common goal. When it was finished, it was the first time many of them even sat in a worship service! They loved it!” He then looked around the room. The night before, 3,000 people had gathered in the BHP football stadium and more than 100 people confessed Jesus as Lord. Over four nights, 15,000 attended and 618 known individuals confessed Jesus as Lord. “This crusade reminds me of that. We’re all working together toward a common goal of building the church,” said Langston.
More than 30 churches from across denominational and racial lines worked together to organize a four-day crusade through Rick Gage Ministries to tell the community the story of the gospel. They were in 12 schools during the day, with a BMX bike team and a motivational speaker who encouraged students to make good choices and come to the worship service that night. Each night was electric with anticipation, as more than 3,000 came and heard the gospel preached.
Church members led the charge, including their chairman, retired auctioneer Dennis Ashley. Something amazing happens when the laity are unleashed on a mission. God used individuals within the area churches, many that had less than 100 on any given Sunday, to reach the lost in the community. A prayer team of 50 had been praying specifically for the lost for a year. The budget far exceeded what any one church could do on its own, and was exceeded by $25,000.
You may be thinking, “We need to have a crusade!” It wouldn’t be a bad idea, but that is not necessary. All you need is intentional prayer for the lost, church leaders working together, and pastors who unleash their church members to be missionaries in the workplace. If missionary soldiers sit long enough, they become bored members who have the potential of killing each other! Empower, unleash, and expect church members to reach the lost.
Be a vibrant missionary rather than a bored member. Who is the ONE you are praying to reach? How’s the conversation going?
– Clamp is evangelism group director for the South Carolina Baptist Convention. Follow Lee on twitter @leeclamp or on his blog at www.leeclamp.com.