Reaching the Lost: Strategies For Success

They have been redeemed by the blood of the Lamb and can hardly wait to share their salvation with those they love, but herein lies the problem. They have zeal for sharing God, but they do not know how to do it. The results of unbridled zeal can be catastrophic as bridges are burned, feelings are hurt, and relationships are strained. Each new convert has family, friends, co-workers, and associates you do not know. They may unlock an entirely new area of the community. When properly trained, they become an immediate kingdom asset. Here are a few suggestions on using new converts to make more new converts:

New converts are among the best sources for new contacts in the local congregation. New converts are also one of the most neglected contact creators. All too often, they leave the baptistry with no evangelistic instruction.

• Encourage new converts to limit who they start a conversation with until they are ready.
• Guide the new converts on how to tell others about their salvation.
• Immediately enroll them into your new converts class and assign mentors (1 Peter 2:2).
• Ensure you are teaching the new convert evangelism in a formal setting.
• Provide them with HTHSOE training videos as part of their training.
• Provide the new converts with the contact bookmark(s) and ask them to write down the people they want to bring to Christ.
• Encourage them to invite those they know to church services so you can meet them.
• Show the new convert your evangelism table and help them become familiar with the tools.
• Assign the new convert to a Compassion Card group.
• Involve them in one or more of your evangelism teams (new movers, door-knocking, visitors, congregational activities, community activities, etc.).
• Teach them how to pray for the lost (Luke 11:1).

We must teach new converts how to teach (2 Timothy 2:2), which is why a new converts class and mentors are vital. With the proper training, new converts become one of the most fruitful contact creators in the congregation. In the HTHSOE model, new converts lead to growing churches.