Prayer, Evangelism and Worship

From Jokestop.net  On the first day, God created the dog and said, "Sit all day by the door of your house and bark at anyone who comes in or walks past. For this, I will give you a life span of twenty years." The dog said, "That's a long time to be barking. How about only ten years and I'll give you back the other ten?" God agreed. On the second day, God created the monkey and said, "Entertain people, do tricks, and make them laugh. For this, I'll give you a twenty-year life span." The monkey said, "Monkey tricks for twenty years? That's a pretty long time to perform. How about I give you back ten like the dog did?" And God agreed. On the third day, God created the cow and said, "You must go into the field with the farmer all day long and suffer under the sun, have calves and give milk to support the farmer's family. For this, I will give you a life span of sixty years." The cow sai...

Our human body is made up of many systems - respiratory, digestive, skeletal and on. In doing church, we deal with systems as well like discipleship, leadership and for this article evangelism.  Within the system are different tracks that make it work. May I suggest three tracks for this evangelism system:  Pre-evangelism,  Gospel Sharing and Follow Up. Pre-evangelism.   When it comes to the gospel, people start in different places. Some are 10 steps behind others are one step closer.  Whatever the case may be, pre-evangelism track deploys activities that are redemptive in nature.  Sharing a meal, visiting the sick and clothing the poor are just some of the many activities Jesus prescribed in Matthew 25:36 on we can let our light shine (cf. Matt. 5:16).   These activities announced in Jesus name, are geared to help advance the Gospel in someone's life.   Gospel sharing. This is the part where people give permission to lis...

Sports have been a crucial element in American life.  From Basketball, to Football and now to Boxing.  In many ways, pre-evangelism can occur in any of these. THE MAIN EVENT. Everyone's ears and eyes will be turned to the biggest boxing fight of the century, Pacquiao and Mayweather, May 2 at MGM.  What people don't know is that there's an embedded spiritual message behind this fight.  Manny Pacqquio, who turned to Jesus five years ago, had found a reason for why this main Event is the Main Event. MANNY'S STORY.   It's not the money nor the prize, but to Manny, it's a platform to share Jesus to others  ( click here ).  Manny shares his story of how his life was aimless and littered by many things and yet without direction.  In his testimony, he recalls how one day, he couldn't find satisfaction in all of these.  It was then that he heard the voice of the Lord in a dream.  Days later, he would discover the word and discover a ric...

CHURCH PLANTING STRATEGIES.  Hawaii Pacific Baptist Convention Evangelism team is here to help you reach your community for Jesus Christ.  Whether you are a (a) pre - work (b) fellowship (c) church-like mission without sbc id or (d) church-like mission with sbc id, we are here to serve you.  (click here for the ppt presentation) 1.  Prework is defined as a survey church plant.  We want to partner with you by providing these resources and training:  • Mapping Center :  Person of Peace • Prayer Walk • GPS Training:  Personal Commitment Guide • 3 Circles: Evangelism Track • Prayer Su pport 2.  Fellowship is defined as a church plant that has a church planter and connected with HPBC. • Mapping Center:  Mail Out • Outreach: Block Party Trailer • GPS Training:  Follow Up • Prayer Walk • Prayer Support 3.  Church Like Mission with out SBC ID is an approved HPBC chuch plant awaiting credentials with a...

Jesus was never known for making people comfortable but He was really good at holding on to people as long as He can enough to give them enough of God.  Every pastor desires to have that happen to their guests.  Come back once more so they can hear enough of the gospel and just a little longer to be with God's people - the odds are your guests will understand the grace of God more than before. After reading Caroline Cooper's 7  Tips To Keep Guests Coming Back, it dawned on me that we are not much different from hotel owners. Hotels live by an oath, "We want to see you back." I sure hope we have the same heart.  Here are some similarities worth thinking about. 1.       Ask for feedback.  " If what you have provided fails to meet expectations, wouldn’t you rather know about it before the guest leaves?" writes Cooper.  A friend of mine who is a renowned international speaker asks this question before he leaves any site, "Wa...

A local priest and pastor stood by the side of the road holding up a sign that said,  “The End is Near! Turn yourself around now before it’s too late!”    They planned to hold up the sign to each passing car.  “Leave us alone you religious nuts!” yelled the first driver as he sped by.  From around the curve they heard a big splash. “Do you think,” said one clergy to the other, “we should just put up a sign that says   ‘bridge out’  instead?”    How can you say your message without looking like a parrot?  Here are four quick things Graham Johnston observes you need to remember:..  1. Don't engage listeners at the expense of the message.  Methods may change, but message has not.   2.  Follow the rules of effective communication.  Your role is to supply both meaning and relevance to people.  3.  Risk getting involved with the listeners.  Listeners become involved as they sen...

On a meeting last March 25-27, 2013 with Western States Director of Evangelism, we were challenged to come up with a list of resources that we can share with each other.  I got so excited, not just on my end to share, but to be receiving some resources that can help our Hawaii Pacific Baptists in the area of evangelism.   I'll update this blog once I receive from others, but below is what I shared to them that I hope maybe of interest to you. Basic Training Journey:   This is one of the finest material one can learn through a church planting workshop.  It is not just good for those who are planting churches, but for groups who are thinking to start a fresh in their churches.  Basic training overview can be seen here  http://www.churchplantingvillage.net/btjtrain/  .  You may contact Steven at steven@hpbaptist.net to learn the yearly workshops done in Oahu and other islands.   No Home Left Behind Maps:   The goal is to give each c...