First, start by utilizing the HTHSOE bookmarks. Every Christian should fill it out and provide the names of ten sinners he/she wants to convert. Every effort should be made to build and strengthen relationships with them. The preacher should begin with a sermon that focuses on John 4:35. Pass out the bookmarks and give some time for everyone to list their prospects. Emphasize that they should keep the lists in their Bibles. Periodically refer the congregation to their prospect lists throughout the year. Remind them of the purpose and their responsibility to reach the lost.
Second, when a contact becomes receptive, move his/her name to a contact card. Windows of opportunity come and go multiple times throughout life. Jesus said we must be wise and loving in how we approach sinners (Matthew 10:16). HTHSOE provides 35 windows to watch for during the training seminar. When one of these occurs, it is time to fill out a contact card with the important information so congregational prospecting can begin. If you do not have a card, you might lose the soul. Always write down the names and organize contacts into something actionable.
Third, once a contact card is given to the congregation, the church office should add them to the congregational contact list. This is not the membership prayer list. This is only for sinners or Christians who have fallen away. We want to bring the entire congregation to the battlefield and fight as hard as we can to reach them. We will engage them with overwhelming acts of kindness using compassion cards, meal invitations, food delivery, flowers, lawn mowing, and other acts of service. We will do this for a period of four weeks. Once this is complete, it is time to visit and see if they are receptive for a Bible study.
The body is not one member but many (1 Corinthians 12:20). Evangelism is difficult when only one or a few are engaged in it. Evangelism is potent when it involves the entire congregation. Harness the power of the pews, lead them into the fight for souls, show them the way by doing it personally, and God will give the increase (1 Corinthians 3:7). It is time to ask the members!
Deerfoot church of Christ, Pinson, Alabama: Richard Harp (preacher) reports, “I preached the sermon this morning on John 4. I got through all 18 points! We had one new baptism tonight. Robert Vincent was baptized into Christ. He was invited by one of our deaf members, Lisa Powell. She studied with him most of the day, and he decided to be baptized tonight! Please rejoice with us! It was a beautiful sight to behold him take his confession in sign language as one of our elders, Rick Glass, interpreted for the congregation. God be praised! We had another restoration today as our brother wanted to rededicate his life to serve the Lord.”
Adairsville church of Christ, Georgia: Rick Lawson (preacher) reports, “The congregation at Adairsville is working to shift our entire mindset to one of evangelism. This coming Lord’s Day, the whole congregation is invited to a VBS planning session to help focus all VBS activities on outreach. The elders announced tonight that the church here would never become a ‘statistic’ under their watch!”
Beattie Road church of Christ, New Albany, Georgia: Charles Harris (preacher) reports, “My family and I are on our way to mail week 2 of Compassion Cards, take a few baskets to New Movers, and then head back to the building so I can study BTTB #2 with a lost soul. Hopefully soon, this will be an everyday thing. Thanks again for laying out a course for me!”
Southwest church of Christ, Austin, Texas: Lee Stewart (member) reports, “Maria Amaya was baptized last Tuesday after finishing Back to the Bible. Maria was sprinkled as a baby in the Catholic church and later baptized in a Pentecostal church after being ‘saved.’ This was the first time she had ever done a Bible study. She visited the congregation, and I just asked her if we could study about the church. It was so easy. We are starting new converts studies using the Acts workbook by Bobby Bates this week! This is our fourth baptism in the past month!”
Willette church of Christ, Red Boiling Springs, Tennessee: Jack Honeycutt (preacher) reports, “Don’t be discouraged! Don’t have the mindset that no one wants to hear the gospel! Hearts are opening to the truth of God’s Word in various places, including the Willette church of Christ. Various ones who have been visiting our services have been asked to have Bible studies. They were very agreeable. Last week we had four baptisms due to home Bible studies. We presently have studies going on with three others. The seed is being sown, and God is giving the increase (1 Corinthians 3:6).”
Marietta Oklahoma Church of Christ: Chase Green (preacher) reports, “We baptized a 92-year-old man yesterday. At one point in his life, he had stated, ‘I was raised a Baptist and I’ll die a Baptist.’ He has listened to a lot of sermons and yesterday responded in obedience to the gospel. He responded all on his own, and it was one of the most heartwarming, sincere conversions I have witnessed. We have had ten baptisms in the past ten months!”
Willow Avenue church of Christ, Cookeville, Tennessee: Jonathan Medley (deacon) reports, “The last two months have been amazing at Willow. We have had six baptisms, including three in the last four days! We have started the sermons teaching the entire congregation how to conduct a personal Bible study. Once we complete the sermons on Back to the Bible, we will be doing sermons teaching additional methods. We had VBS this past Saturday, and there were a lot of visitors who attended. Several families went door knocking in their communities to invite as many as possible. We collected contact info on all visitors, and we will start reaching out to them this coming week to invite them back to services and work on starting Bible studies. Souls are being saved, but there is a lot more to do!”
Burleson church of Christ, Alabama: Todd Clippard (preacher) reports, “We added two new deacons this morning. We now have four elders and four deacons. Attendance was 86 this morning, exceeding ‘Easter’ Sunday. Attendance at all services continues well above pre-pandemic levels. More local visitors today, some non-Christians and another Christian looking for a church home. Without question, our recent success can be in great part attributed to our Back to the Bible seminar. Welcome bags are being used every week. Not bad for a rural church ten miles from town! Looking for some of our visitors to obey the gospel soon. Studies underway.”
Midway church of Christ, Tennessee: Brian Pitts (preacher) reports, “1) Responded to and visited a contact from House to House. 2) Set up an additional tentative Bible study. 3) We have on multiple occasions had a congregational card signing to several individuals. 4) We have plans for our foyer evangelism table and are close to getting that set up. 5) We have updated our website. 6) We have updated our House to House mail routes. 7) We are in the final stages of updating the House to House with the information you suggested. 8) We are planning a congregational cookout / youth event with a purpose of evangelism in mind.”
LaFollette church of Christ, Tennessee: Ben Shaffer (preacher) reports, “We are continuing to go through the Back to the Bible books. We have a congregational door knocking day scheduled for July 9. One of our elders is studying with a young couple, and they visited yesterday. We had a nice group take them out to lunch. Lord willing, I have a second study with Phil on Tuesday. We have another couple who has agreed to study, but we still need to work out a time. Prayers are appreciated.”
Riverbend church of Christ, Georgia: Austin Fowler (member) reports, “Just wanted to give you an update about some evangelism efforts that took place this week. Aaron Taylor was baptized into Christ Thursday night. I competed study #2 with Anna Claire today. It went very well. When we discussed the Lord’s Supper, she asked why does not every church do this since they did it in the Bible? She said she learned a lot and enjoyed the study a lot. We are going to do study #3 Thursday. Be prayerful for this study!”
Eastridge church of Christ, Chattanooga, Tennessee: Charles Cochran (preacher) reports, “Here is a report from East Ridge. We continue to have visitors as result of our Compassion Card Ministry. Members are coming to send cards each Sunday. One of our members has a Bible study with a lady who recently visited. Another House to House contact has been asked to study. One of our elders and a member are trying to do a study with a visitor and his wife. I am continuing to study with some contacts. We continue to encourage our evangelism theme for this year. God bless your good work. We will keep encouraging!”
Sevierville church of Christ, Tennessee: Kevin Ruiz (preacher) reports, “This past Saturday, the Sevierville congregation had a memorial service for a brother who passed away from cancer that was discovered earlier this year, and which spread rapidly throughout his body. He and his wife have been worshiping with us for less than a year. In my preparation for the service, my wife and I spoke with the deceased brother’s wife regarding their years together, and we learned that she had attended services with him over the years but had never obeyed the gospel. Cards of sympathy have been sent to her by our members, and we are preparing to seek a study with her. We are hopeful that she will be willing to search the Scriptures with us.”
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