Don WiltonAs a people who love the Lord Jesus Christ, our mandate to keep the “main thing the main thing” must include a renewed commitment to reach people for the Lord Jesus Christ. Nothing will motivate and excite our congregations more than seeing people’s lives change before their very eyes through the forgiveness of their sin in and through the shed blood of the Lamb.
How delighted I am that Marshall Fagg has been chosen to lead our state in evangelism. Together with an incredible group of people, Marshall will help us as we strive to win more and more people to the Lord Jesus Christ. I want to particularly encourage you in this regard. I am always reminded that New Testament evangelism includes three clear mandates:
– First, salvation evangelism (leading people to Jesus Christ)
– Second, discipleship evangelism (growing our people in Christ)
– Third, disciple-making evangelism (mature Christians training others to lead people to Christ)
All three of these components are vital to the growth of a healthy local church. A church that majors only on salvation evangelism will become a very weak church. A church that majors only on discipleship evangelism will be a very argumentative and fighting church. A church that majors only on disciple-making evangelism will ultimately become a dead church.
Remember: “Evangelism is incomplete until the evangelized become the evangelists.” Teach one another, encourage one another, model for one another and be blessed by one another. Ask people this simple question: “Would you like to give your heart to Jesus?” Share your testimony and trust God to do His work.
Let’s truly pray for one another this year, as we ask the Lord Jesus to help us in our every effort to reach our world for Christ. And, by the way, come and join with us at this year’s State Evangelism Conference at Trinity Baptist Church, Columbia, on Feb. 27 and 28. You will be so glad you did.
I love you with all of my heart. I pray for you with all of my heart. I encourage you with all of my heart.