Once we started training, we could see a flickering light begin to grow. When I met with the elders/deacons/preachers for the private session, it was obvious the congregation was poised for greatness. Since that time, they have become a blueprint for every church of Christ to follow. As Paul was thankful for the Philippian congregation and their fellowship in the furtherance of the gospel, I am thankful for North Jefferson and the work they are doing to save souls. The following was written by their preacher Kris Groda. I hope you all enjoy it!
“The year 2021 has been a whirlwind! The North Jefferson congregation was determined to reach out to our community with the gospel, having pushed through the COVID situation in fine fashion. We added two additional elders to our existing three in January only to have one pass away and another resign. Our leadership dynamic changed in a short period of time. When Rob called about North Jefferson possibly hosting the Evangelism Seminar after another congregation had to cancel, our eldership jumped at the opportunity. Our new eldership believed that evangelism was key, and it has become the underlying motive for all church work. This would prove to be rewarding and challenging.
- Conversions/Baptisms in 2021: 11.
- New Bible Studies with prospects: 1
- Known Warm Contacts: 17
- Known Hot Contacts: 4
- On-going Bible Studies with new converts: 10
- New Evangelism Works in place:
- Evangelism Table
- Visitor Bags
- Compassion Card ministry
- New Converts Class
- Advanced Evangelism Class (1st Sunday mornings each month)
It is the goal of the North Jefferson congregation to reinstate HTH/HTH and the New Movers program as soon as possible. For now, we are growing the core and helping members to develop as BRINGERS, TEACHERS, and KEEPERS. We are planting the seeds to gather and build our visitation and door-knocking team. To say that making evangelism first and foremost has ‘stretched/ us in an understatement, but it has been rewarding!”
Siwell Road church of Christ, Jackson, Mississippi: We want to welcome the Siwell road church of Christ to the House to House/Heart to Heart School of Evangelism. Derek Broome (local evangelist) reports, “The School of Evangelism Personal Evangelism Seminar is something that every congregation of the Lord’s Church needs to schedule. It is powerful and practical, and it has renewed our focus on reaching the lost. The methods and resources presented can be used by all Christians to spread the Word of God. Immediately following the seminar, we began purchasing evangelism material and formulating a congregational plan for evangelism. We are currently gathering contacts, organizing groups, and implementing changes to make all of our ministry’s evangelism focused.”
Chase Park church of Christ, Huntsville, Alabama: We want to welcome the Chase Park church of Christ to the House to House/Heart to Heart School of Evangelism. Pat Cowden (local evangelist) reports, “We just finished our Personal Evangelism Seminar with Rob Whitacre and his family. Our ministry team and elders met less than three hours after the Whitacres pulled out of our parking lot to plan the next few days and weeks. One of our deacons who leads Benevolence already has a meeting set up for this week using Rob’s recommendation for studying Back to the Bible. Our brotherhood is starving for the passion and plan that Rob puts forth. Schedule them, while you still can.” Pat Cowden, Outreach Minister Chase Park church of Christ
Beloit church of Christ, Kansas: Dustin Doughtery (local evangelist) reports, “I finished up BTTB and Does it Matter last week. We had a new couple with three little girls attend worship this morning; they are searching for a church home. I made the first contact with them and welcomed them, and it seemed like everyone in the congregation followed suit sometime during the service. We got their address, so we can flood them with cards. A lady I invited returned again, this time with her son. We also had five or six fellas return this summer that are on a custom harvest crew—they worship with us when they are in the area. I was on to preach this morning, so they all got to hear why the thief on the cross is not an example to follow for salvation today. It was a great morning.”
Linville Forest church of Christ, North Carolina: Kelly Brown (preacher) reports, “Tammy Davis was baptized Wednesday evening following a study by Bernard Revel using the Does It Matter study guide. Lisa Jenkins talked to and brought Tammy to services Sunday. She came forward asking for prayers to help her make the right decisions. After the study in our new converts class, she made the decision to be baptized into Christ. These lessons are so great. We thank God for your continued love for lost souls and the encouragement you continue to give.”
Hillsboro church of Christ, Tennessee: Shelby Moormon (preacher) reports, “We continue to train the congregation how to use Back to the Bible. We continue to send cards to sinners. I am really excited as we have several Bible Studies ongoing.”
Cordova church of Christ, Memphis, Tennessee: Bruce Hatcher (preacher) reports, “Over the last few weeks we have set up our evangelism table, divided our congregation into groups for compassion cards, and selected group leaders. Over the next few weeks, I plan to preach a sermon from John 4:35 in connection with the bookmarks followed by congregational training of Back to the Bible. One of our young couples had their third study with a prospect last night that led to another baptism.”
Deerfoot church of Christ, Birmingham, Alabama: Richard Harp (preacher), reports, “A visitor to our services agreed to study Back to the Bible, and we started this study Saturday! He has asked that we study weekly. It was a huge step forward. Sunday, we started the process with the ten names on bookmarks for the congregation. Over the last two weeks, a few people were mentioned on our private Facebook group. My wife received a message from one recipient, and she has received 20 cards over the last two weeks. It has blown her away! God be praised; we are reaching this family!”
Willow Avenue church of Christ, Cookeville, Tennessee: Jonathan Medley (deacon) reports, “This past week has been another great week at Willow. We had another young lady put on Christ in baptism Sunday night. She is the seventh baptism in the last two months. We started the sermons over Back to the Bible on Sunday night. After the sermon, we had a TON of study material taken from our evangelism table, which is fantastic. We have more plans in the works, and we are starting to see fruits of those labors.”
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