CEP 021 – INTRODUCTION TO EVANGELISM AND CHURCH PLANTING

COURSE OUTLINEPage

1.0Evangelism and Church Planting: An Introduction (2 hours)1.1 Meaning and basis of Evangelism and Church planting1.1.1 Meaning and basis of Evangelism 1.1.2 Meaning and basis of Church planting1.1.3 Evangelism and Church Planting2.0Mandate, Motivation and Mobilisation for Evangelism

3.0Survey of Various Types of Evangelism (1 hour)3.1 Personal Evangelism3.2 Mass Evangelism3.3 Carriage Evangelism3.4 Literature Evangelism3.5 Hospital Evangelism3.6 Market Evangelism3.7 School Evangelism3.8 Media Evangelism3.9 Prison EvangelismFOCUS / EXPOSITION ON SPECIFIC TYPES OF EVANGELISM 4.0Focus / Exposition on Personal Evangelism 5.0Focus / Exposition on Mass, Carriage & Literature Evangelism (5 hours)5.1 Focus / Exposition on Mass Evangelism5.2 Focus / Exposition on Carriage Evangelism5.3 Focus / Exposition on Literature Evangelism6.0 Special Outreaches to Confined People: Hospital & Prison5.1 Hospital Outreach5.2 Prison Outreach7.0 Strategic Evangelism to People Groups - hostile audience,

antagonistic religious sect, rural, uncivilized people group.8.0Contemporary Organs of Evangelism (1 hour).8.1 Print Media 8.2 Electronic Media: Radio/TV, Telephone, E-mail / Internet, Satellite 8.3 Audio visuals: Cassette audition, Projected media9.0Personal & Group/Mass Evangelism Practical Projects

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10.0 Church Planting strategies (1 hour). Rural evangelism, Cooperative evangelism, Crusade, HCF11.0 Planning and Executing Effective Church Planting Programmes11.1 Prayer, Planning and Preparation 11.2 Processes and Performance11.3 Co-operative Evangelism in Church Planting12.0 Operating Public Address System & Crusade Equipment

Identification, Setting / Operating, Handling / Care, Purchasing13.0 Follow-Up and Discipleship13.1Necessity of Follow-up13.2Principles of Follow-up (a) Integrating (b) Nurturing (c) Discipling13.3Materials and Methods in Follow-up14.0 Church Strengthening Activities

Concept, Symptoms, Strategies15.EVANGELISM/CHURCH PLANTING TEAM PROJECT:

Guidelines, Orientation, Field Assignment, Report.REVISIONAppendix: Special Tools for Evangelism:-

(i) Steps to Peace(ii) 4-Steps to Life(iii) Personal Evangelism Commitment Card(iv) Operation Andrew Card(v) Tracts – A Gospel Message,

- Conversion and After (illustrated)

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1.0 EVANGELISM AND CHURCH PLANTING: AN INTRODUCTIONSin sold man to satan. Consequently, man became a victim of suffering, confusion, fear, sickness and torments of hell (Gen 3:11-12). God in love however, made a way of escape for the fallen man to get restored to divine favour. The coming of Jesus Christ to the world brought hope to fallen and depraved man (John 3:16).

His death on the cross of Calvary opened the way of Salvation to the fallen man (John 19:12-35). This is the good news! Every believer inhabiting of the world is enjoined to use every legitimate approach - person to person, mass evangelism, media evangelism, specialised evangelism, literature evangelism or any other to reach man with this good news.

Winning the sinner to Christ is however not complete without a deliberate effort to conserve and establish the souls (John15:16) in local church assemblies, hence the need for church planting. Evangelism therefore, naturally leads to church planting.

1.1 MEANING AND BASIS OF EVANGELISM AND CHURCH PLANTING1.1MEANING AND BASIS OF EVANGELISM1.1.1 Meaning of EvangelismEvangelism refers to preaching the gospel to the sinner with the purpose of bringing the sinner to repentance. It is the great commission or the direct call of Christ to believers in every generation (Matt 28:18-20; Mark 16:15-16; Luke 24:47-49). This was the parting command of Christ to His followers.

The word evangelism is from the Greek word "evangellion" (gospel) which means good news. Its message is essentially on repentance. What is repentance? It is a conscious turning away from Satan into the living God (Jonah 3:8-10; Matthew 12:41). The purpose of repentance is to make such people turn to become disciples of Christ and observe all His commandments (Matt. 28:19-20). It has to be known that the result of evangelism should not just end in conversion of the sinner; it must extend to discipling such converts to becoming Christ's disciples.

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1.1.2 Basis of Evangelism The great commission places upon the church the goal, responsibility and commission for world evangelization. The great commission therefore poses a challenge to the believers and in particular the church. It means that the church leadership and laity must be mobilized to go into the world and preach the gospel to the world.

1.1.3 Believer's ResponsibilityEvangelism should be the compelling responsibility of every believer and it consists in showing a sinner the need of Christ as the Saviour, leading him to a definite experience of the new birth as well as showing him how to continue in the experience so that he might escape God's judgment. At Christ's command, we go to the uttermost parts of the earth to reach every creature with the good news of the kingdom (Acts 1:8).

We are to use both the traditional and advanced technological means of communication, properly adapted, to reach various communities and all classes of people in our world at their different levels of development. The gospel should be ministered to all categories of people under heaven, without an exception, and in a very definite way to different interest groups in every place regardless of the cost.

1.2MEANING AND BASIS OF CHURCH PLANTING1.2.1 Meaning of Church PlantingChurch planting refers to the activities embarked upon by an individual or an existing Christian fellowship or body in order to share the Christian fellowship or body. It is to share the Christian faith with a community of people and to subsequently form them into a new congregation of responsible and militant disciples of Christ. The term church planting is different from Church extension in which an existing church denomination may merge with another one, or an existing large church decentralizes or breaks into smaller units in order to move closer to its members.

In church planting, deliberate efforts are made to share the gospel faith with prospects who would later be formed into a new distinct congregation. Church planting is therefore essentially a task of making

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new believers in Christ and organising them into new local assemblies or congregations. The grand objective in biblical Church planting efforts is to create and multiply active, self-reliant, effective and efficient new churches, composed wholly or mainly of native converts; with each church being complete in itself, with a pastor of the same race and language with the people.

1.2.1 Basis of Church PlantingChurch planting was practiced by the apostles and is central to the fulfillment of the mission of the church. It is probably the most effective step in fulfilling the "great commission" in our age. In Matthew 28:19-20 and Mark 16:15-16, the great commission enjoins all believers to be involved in making disciple of all nations.

This entails converting the people of the various races, tribes, languages and communities of the whole world, and systematically instructing or teaching them until they become faithful followers of Jesus Christ. This requires making converts of people and forming them into congregations through which they can be instructed. This was the pre-occupation of the apostles and believers in the early church. It was also a veritable means through which the gospel and biblical instructions got to those who became faithful believers of Jesus Christ in the past. The same obtains in our days. Through church planting the way into the kingdom of God is opened for all men in all races, tribes and places to come in. For various categories of people to be won en masse in our cities, towns and villages in the shortest possible time, and for us to effectively evangelize our community and conserve the fruit of evangelism, viable churches must be planted within the geographical and socio-cultural reach of every one.

Church planting is an essential element of the ministry of the Holy Spirit. The birth of a new church is a proof that the Holy Spirit is still at work in the world. Church planting is precisely the work of the Holy Spirit. The following are four ways in which church planting demonstrates the work of the Holy Spirit:(i) The Holy Spirit indwells the gathered congregation or body of

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(ii) The Holy Spirit instructs the churches (Acts 13:2)(iii) The Holy Spirit endows churches through His gifts (1Cor.12:1-12)(iv) The Spirit empowers the church 1.2.2 The Need for Church Planting Church planting is a spiritual task which demands the concentrated efforts of individual believers and existing congregation of believers. It is every believer’s ministry. Factors which make church planting a required pre-occupation of every believer are as follow:

(i) The Great commission cannot be fulfilled without church planting(ii) The converts of evangelism cannot be well-conserved unless they

are congregated into the new churches (iii) It is through church planting that un-churched people can be

effectively reached and catered for.(iv) Church planting is the prime activity on which the schemes of

evangelism depends (v) It is through church planting that believers can be brought to

fullness in action. It involves spiritual warfare.(vi) It is a means of penetrating ethnic communities with the gospel of

Jesus Christ and "occupying" till He comes.(vii) It helps to stimulate vitality and vibrancy, and to cheek stagnation

in church growth.

1.3EVANGELISM AND CHURCH PLANTINGEvangelism is very central to church planting. Thus, church planting programme must ensure the stability of the new congregation comprising the fruit of evangelism. It must facilitate the process of discipling the new converts.

Fruitful evangelism must lead to church planting, where the fruits of evangelism are conserved and matured. New converts, who have just come to the Kingdom, should be nourished up and trained in spiritual concepts for the establishment of their faith and full integration into the body of Christ. The young Christian must be trained in basic spiritual concepts and doctrines in order to bring stability into his spiritual life and fruitfulness to his Christian witness.

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The expectation is that the newly planted churches be nurtured for continuity and sustainable growth, and members are taught to live victoriously and envisioned to reproduce new churches after their kind.

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2.0 MANDATE, MOTIVATION AND MOBILIZATION FOR EVANGELISM2.1 MANDATE FOR EVANGELISM

“… All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations … and lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

“… Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.

“…As my Father hath sent me, even so send I you. But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.” (Matt. 28:18-20; Mk. 16:15,16; Jn.20:21; Acts 1:8)

The Lord said it and it is settled. The mandate has been given to us to take the whole gospel to every creature in every place under heaven. This mandate surpasses and towers above every ordination that obtains among men. We are therefore to rise up and carry out the Lord’s mandate and that with the urgency and dispatch befitting the king’s commandment.2.2 MOTIVATION AND MOBILISATION FOR EVANGELISM

John 20:19-21; 1 Cor. 9:16-23; 2 Cor. 5:14,15,18-20

Motivation refers to a consideration or an emotion that excites to action. It is concerned with the initiation of action.

Mobilisation is the act of putting a person or group in readiness for purposeful service. It is the calling of a group into active service. Mobilisation is therefore, in a way, the channelling of motivation to worthy ends.

Evangelism is the preaching of the Gospel from place to place with the aim of converting the ungodly to Christ.

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A Challenge from the Early ChristiansThe enthusiasm to evangelise that marked the early Christians is one of the most remarkable things in the history of religions. What accounts for these ordinary men and women being so sure and convinced that they had discovered the one true God, that they had found the only meaning to life? What inspired their conviction that they had found the great answer to all of eternity and that nothing must stand in the way of their passing on this good news to others? They did it by preaching and personal conversation, by formal discourse and informal testimony, by arguing in the synagogue and by chattering at the riverside. Why were they so committed to it?

Believers in the early church were so motivated that they could not be deterred. They might be slighted, laughed at, denied social and political liberty, robbed of their possession, their homes, even their families, but this would not stop them. They were reported to the authorities as dangerous, unpatriotic fanatics; they were commanded to sacrifice to the imperial gods, but they refused to comply. In Christ and Christianity they had found something totally new, authentic and satisfying. They were not prepared to deny Christ even in order to preserve their own lives; and in the manner of their dying they made converts to their faith.

What was the secret of such zeal? What motivated the Christians to such tireless and unselfish evangelism? If we can discover their secret then we would have discovered the key we need to effectively motivate and mobilise believers in the local church for evangelism today.

2.2 SECRETS OF MOTIVATIONAs we have already seen, motivation refers to the driving force that keeps an individual steady on a particular line of action or duty. Motivation can be either personal and internal or corporate and where it is present, mobilisation is half-way done. Motivation can be either acquired, in which case the drive comes from within or else transferred, that is, the motive power lies outside the individual.

As it is to be expected, acquired self-motivation is the most enduring factor in the creation and sustenance of the vision of world

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evangelisation. Zeal, earnestness and passion for souls endure longer when worked by the Spirit of God into the heart of a believer. What was the secret behind Moses’ commitment to the cause of delivering Israel from Pharaoh’s bondage? Was it not the motivation he acquired through the vision of the burning bush at the backside of the desert?

What stirred up Gideon to stamp out idolatry from his father’s house and to deliver Israel from Midian’s oppression? It was the passion that burned in him. The comment of the angel of the Lord on that occasion (Judges 6:12-14) lends credence to the fact that successful mobilisation of the local church for evangelism hinges on the level of acquired self-motivation in each member.

In the New Testament, the Apostle Paul was a classic case of the power of acquired self-motivation in sustaining the evangelism enterprise. Members of a local church that have come to a “Woe-is-unto-me-if-I-preach-not-the-gospel” philosophy (I Corinthians 9:16) do not need much pushing, coercion or force before getting involved in evangelism. For them, evangelism simply becomes a lifestyle. Conversely, a local church that requires fresh doses of evangelism motivation each time will not really make much impact on the community it is placed.

Self-motivation was behind Christ’s Word, “I must work the works of Him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work” (John 9:4)Acquiring Self-Motivation for World Evangelization To acquire Self mobilization for world evangelization, one should: i. Read and meditate on the Scriptures that describe the price of

human redemption paid by Christ.ii. Read and meditate on the eternal end of the unsaved. Paul

reveals that his knowledge of the terror of the Lord was a key motivating factor for his untiring zeal in persuading men to repent (2 Corinthians 5:11)

iii. Read and meditate on world statistics, such as birth and death rates, epidemics casualties, war casualties, accident and other causes depleting world population.

iv. Read and pray over the biographies of men of passion for souls, that is, soulwinners and evangelists.

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v. Listen constantly to testimonies of new converts. Observe and savour the pure, radiant joy that flows from a newly saved man. That is a real tonic to the soulwinner. Only those that have witnessed it know how sweet it tastes. C. Austin Miles put it succinctly in his missionary hymn Win Them One by One when he wrote: Just to see a saved smile; makes the effort well worth while.

2.3 STRATEGIES IN MOBILISATION As earlier said, mobilization is the proper direction of a motivated group to a worthy cause. Evangelism mobilisation in a local church is a primary duty of the Pastor. “Where there is no vision, the people perish”; it is also true that ‘where there is no mobilising Pastor, the believers go to sleep.’

The Pastor of a local church is not worth much if he cannot motivate, encourage, enlist and mobilize believers under his ministry to effective evangelism in his community. He is God’s eyes to the church and God’s voice to rally her to purposeful action. The Pastor needs to know that if the local church does not impact the community, she will soon enter into extinction. It is his duty therefore to keep the church focused on community and, even, missionary endeavours.

2.3.1 The Pastor’s Specific Duties in Mobilising for EvangelismThe Pastor has the following specific duties in mobilising for evangelism: i. He locates unreached sections of the community and devises

effective strategies for their evangelisation.ii. He creates the context for community evangelisation by rallying

the church to pray for and be concerned about the lost.

iii. He motivates believers to become evangelistic-minded by sundry challenges and encouragement both from the pulpit and outside it.

iv. He mobilises already motivated believers to purposeful, result-oriented evangelism. The use of Evangelism teams (Luke 9:1,2; 10:1) / Cooperative evangelism have been found to be very useful.

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v. He keeps evangelism in the front burner of church life. Believers are given constant training to make them skilful soulwinners.

vi. He provides needed evangelism materials such as tracts, cassette tapes, magazines, transportation and funds for evangelism teams in the church.

2.3.2 Means of Mobilisation Available to the Pastor

The means by which the pastor can mobilize for evangelism include:

i. Constant pulpit preaching and challenges on evangelism

ii. Production of evangelism reports, testimonies and/or bulletins

iii. Special week of Evangelism emphasis.

iv. Provision of abundant evangelism materials, e.g. tracts.

v. Designating specific times weekly for evangelism

vi. Specialised Evangelism, with different members of the church reaching to a segment of the society they are most fitted to reach, e.g. professionals, students, artisans, youths, women, children, prisons, hospitals.

This generation of believers is responsible before God for this generation of sinners. The fires of evangelism tend to burn low unless they are constantly fanned by much prayer, regular emphasis, fresh encouragements and ever-increasing challenges.

It can be done! It must be done!! And it shall be done!!!

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3.0 SURVEY OF VARIOUS TYPES OF EVANGELISMGod in His wisdom has provided several avenues through which believers can spread the gospel. Various types of evangelism include:

i. Personal Evangelismii. Mass Evangelismiii. Carriage Evangelismiv. Literature Evangelismv. Hospital Evangelismvi. Market Evangelism vii. School Evangelismviii. Media Evangelismix. Prison Evangelism

3.1 PERSONAL EVANGELISMPersonal evangelism is a soul winner preaching to sinners on a one-to-one basis with the soul aim of leading the sinner to Christ. It requires praying. Jesus Christ our Lord personally did it as recorded in John 4:27-30. Advantages of personal evangelism include the following:i. In sharing gospel, there is less distraction.ii. There is room for personal touch including answering the

prospect’s questionsiii. Most people can be reached through personal evangelismiv. It is inexpensive, costing virtually nothing but the soulwinner’s

timev. It can be done anytime and everywhere.

3.2 MASS EVANGELISMMass evangelism is preaching the gospel to a large audience. Hooks take specific fishes, one at a time while nets take plenty at a time. Nets usually carry assorted organisms along with it, therefore the good ones need to be sorted and separated. Instances of mass evangelism include:i. Jesus’ sermon on the mount (Matthew 5 – 7)ii. Elijah’s contest with Baal prophets at Mount Carmel as recorded in

1 Kings 18:17-24.iii. Jonah’s preaching in the streets of Nineveh. iv. Philip’s preaching in the city of Samaria (Acts 8). v. Paul’s preaching at Mars’ hill in Athens as contained in Acts

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vi. Contemporary Preachers: A lot of preachers in contemporary times such as D.L Moody, Charles G. Finney, T. L. Osborn, Billy Graham, Pastor W.F. Kumuyi, Reinhard Bonke have used/are still using mass evangelism.

It brings joy to the people.

3.3 CARRIAGE OR AUTOMOBILE EVANGELISMCarriage or automobile evangelism is the preaching of the gospel in vehicles buses, cars, train, plane, ship, chariot and other means of transport with the aim of leading sinners to salvation in Christ. For example, in Acts 8:29-38, Philip preached to Enoch of Ethiopia while on a chariot. Note here, that free rides or lift do not close the mouth of soulwinners. You should still find a way of presenting the gospel even when you are enjoying a lift or free ride). Paul preached to co-sailors in the ship (Acts 27). Automobile evangelism offers the following advantages:i. It affords sinners the opportunity of hearing the gospel outside

church settings.ii. It brings the gospel closer to transport workers and regular

travellers.iii. It generally secures good audience attention as most travellers

usually covet prayers for their safety

3.4 LITERATURE EVANGELISMLiterature evangelism is the method of preaching to sinners through printed materials such as tracts, magazine and Christian books, with the aim of bringing the readers to Christ. Luke’s gospel was a letter written to Theophilus (Acts 1:1). The Epistles of Paul were letters written to instruct or strengthen the Churches and individuals.

Literature evangelism presents a lot of advantages, namely:i. It is a silent missionary, passing on its solemn message without

noiseii. It can be repeated by reader several times, and at he reader’s

paceiii. It enhances understanding of the gospel in providing for detailed

discussion and explanation. iv. The amateur soulwinner, who may not be able to give the gospel

details or speak persuasively can win souls with literature12

v. Through literature evangelism the illiterate to reach the elite vi. Those with hearing impairments can be easily reached with gospel

literaturevii. It can easily reach anybody whether highly or lowly placed.

3.5 HOSPITAL EVANGELISMHospital Evangelism is preaching the gospel to the sick with the aim of leading them to Christ. In John 5:1-14 Jesus preached at Bethesda. Bethesda was a public infirmary where people with infirmities were kept. Bethesda was coined from the Hebrew words Bet (meaning house) and Esda (meaning mercy) therefore meaning home of mercy or mercy house. Bethesda stands for the modern day’s hospital. Paul also ministered to the sick (Acts 28:8-9). Sick people are sober and are ready to listen as death is threatening them.

3.6 MARKET EVANGELISMMarket Evangelism is taking the gospel to the place of buying and selling with the aim of leading sinners to Christ. Markets provide strategic opportunities for evangelism as all categories of people do go to the market. Moreover, market outreach is an avenue to reach many whose merchandising has perpetually kept from hearing the gospel. The method used can be on personal or mass. It can reach all categories of people. Paul’s outreach at Athens extended to their market (Acts 17:16-17).

3.7 SCHOOL EVANGELISMThis is preaching the gospels in primary, post-Primary and post-secondary schools with the aim of leading to sinners to Christ. In Acts 17:11-23, Paul did not preach in synagogues and markets only, but in schools too. He used Areopagus’ school (called mars hill). We also note in Acts 17:34 that Philosophers of Epicureans and the Stoics schools were preached to, some of who believed including Dionysius the areopagite and Damaris. Deeper Christian Life Ministry for example, has well developed outreaches to schools and students of all categories including Deeper Life Schools Outreach (DLSO) and Deeper Life Campus Fellowship (DLCF).

3.8 MEDIA EVANGELISM

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This is preaching the gospel using the mass media with the aim of leading sinners to Christ. Mass media channels available for evangelism include radio, television, video, film projectors, satellite, Internet/e-mail and telephone, and the print-media.

Media evangelism offers the following, among other advantages:i. It can reach the people right in their homes.ii. It can reach both the highly and lowly placed.iii. A very large audience can be reached with a single message.iv. The preacher is free from audience-related factors that can marr

his performance such as stage frightIt requires a Technical know how is however, required to execute media evangelism properly (I Cor. 14:7-8).

3.9 PRISON EVANGELISMPrison Evangelism is the preaching the gospel to people confined in a cell or prison with the aim of leading them to Christ. It is easy to preach to them since they readily accept being sinners, as their feeling of guilt already predisposes them to favourably responding to the gospel message.

Believers who for any reason find themselves in places of confinement should explore the opportunity to share the gospel with the other inmates. Paul showed an example in Acts 16:23-34. Those working in those places as well as those who have opportunity of visiting those places should plan and sustain regular outreaches to them.

Note that rehabilitation may be necessary for converts from the prisons since some may no longer be accepted by their relatives following their previous actions of disappointment to them.

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FOCUS / EXPOSITION ON SPECIFIC TYPES OF EVANGELISM4.0 FOCUS / EXPOSITION ON PERSONAL EVANGELISM

“He that winneth souls is wise” (Proverbs 11:30). The word WIN as a military term suggests the skill, patience, bravery and endurance soldiers in battle need to overcome a strong and resistant city (Joshua 6:1-21; 2 Samuel 10:9-19). So is the soulwinner’s task. It is a battle for man’s soul as an occupational term, soul-winning as likened to fishing reveals the diligent efforts a fisherman takes in the face of all kinds of weather and danger in attracting the fish to swallow the hook until it is caught. Personal evangelism is Christ’s mandate to every believer. Personal evangelism is commanded by Christ and also demonstrated by Him. The Apostles practiced it.

4.1 DEFINITION OF PERSONAL EVANGELISMIt is the preaching/telling the story of the gospel of Christ by the individual Christian on a person-to-person outreach to sinners. It is the carrying on of the Great Commission by the instrumentality of individual believers reaching out to sinners with the gospel message on person to person basis.

This foundational method of soul-winning is the attempt made by a Christian to show to another person from the word of God: his need as a lost and guilty sinner (Romans 3:10-23; 7:14-24; I

Corinthians 6:9,10), the truth of God’s judgment and punishment (Ezekiel 18:4; Romans

1:32; Revelation 20:12,21), God’s love resulting in the provision of a Saviour in the person of

Jesus Christ (John 3:16; 1:29; Titus 2:11-14) and the requirement of repentance faith in Christ on the part of

the ;sinner to be saved (Matthew 4:17; Luke 13:2,3; Acts 3:19; 17:30; Romans 10:9,10; John 3:15; 5:24; 20:31; Acts 15:31).

This must be tactfully concluded with a deliberate effort of leading the sinner to repentance and to accept Christ as his personal Lord and Saviour (John 1:46-51; Acts 8:35-39).

4.2 PROSPECTS/ADVANTAGES OF PERSONAL EVANGELISM

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Personal evangelism is the most easy-to-do, costless and penetrating method of evangelism. It cannot be easily outlawed by the bans on public preaching and proclamation that may affect mass forms of evangelism. Through it, the seeker’s personal attention is gained, doubts are cleared and the decision made becomes solid and strong. It is the fastest and easiest way of quickly multiplying disciples and reaching any category of individuals in the community.

Personal evangelism is said to be the best method of soul winning on earth. The method has the greatest potential of bringing about an exponential growth of the church. Ponder! If in a church of one hundred standing believers each endeavoured to bring a soul to Christ in six months, it means that in one year there will be four hundred believers in the congregation.

Advantages of personal evangelism include the following:(i) It is cheap(ii) It can be done anywhere and anytime.(iii) It is very effective as it can meet the adequate need of an

enquirer.(iv) It engenders personal growth in the life of the evangelist.(v) It shields the evangelist from careless living.(vi) It produces effective bonding between the soulwinner and the

young convert.

4.3 ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATION OF A SOUL-WINNERNevertheless, effective soul-winning depends on a number of necessary factors in the soul-winner’s life. One who is still in the pit cannot rescue another in the same pit with him, just like no blind man can show the way to another blind man (Matthew 15:14). This underscores first, the necessity of genuine conversion and salvation from sin fro anyone who wants to be involved in personal evangelism (2 Timothy 2:6).

The soul-winner as a surgical knife in the doctor’s hand must live a spiritually sterilized life free from spots, blemishes and evil reports not to constitute an offence to seekers. As the pipe of God’s channel of water of life, he must be clean not rusted or corroded within. He must be free from leakages and blockages and

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properly joined and connected to the source through prayers and fellowship (Jude 12,13; John 15:1-7). No more can an ignorant lawyer be able to defend his client in the face of the law and charges leveled against him than a soulwinner who lacks the knowledge of God’s word able to convince a sinner to accept the claims of Christ and accept Him as his personal Lord and Saviour (Colossians 3:16; Hosea 4:6). To be effective, the soulwinner needs the compassion of a doctor, the courtesy of a nurse, the conviction of a communist and the commitment of the miner. In addition, the soulwinner should be bold, courageous, enduring as a good soldier of the cross and patient as a good ambassador of Jesus Christ (2 Timothy 2:3,4; 2 Corinthians 5:20).

Success in soul-winning begins with using the right method and approach for the right person and at the right time;. The first task is that of creating an open door for discussion on the subject of the gospel and securing the attention and the interest of the sinner. Whenever the initial overtures are defective or uninspiring, excuses are given to withdraw from the soulwinner. This is why there is need for wisdom and deliberate study to develop the right ways of approach.

4.4 VARIOUS APPROACHES IN SOUL-WINNINGThere is the direct approach. This involves abrupt introduction of the vital theme to a soul either because of shortness of time or to get direct answers from the person. In using this method, the soulwinner asks direct questions such as; Is your soul right with God? Are you saved? Where will you be in eternity? Philip the evangelist used this approach when he asked the eunuch, “understandeth thou what thou readest? (Acts 8:30).

The indirect approach is another method of opening the sinner’s heart in personal evangelism. This involves the art of turning a conversation which began with physical issues into spiritual channels. By this, the soulwinner can discover what a person believes, leads him from a known physical fact to unknown spirutual truths and gradually build up his convictions to submit to scriptural truths. The Lord Jesus Christ used this approach to win the Samaritan woman (John 4:7-29).

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Another popular approach is the friendship approach. This is the act of leading a soul to Christ by cultivating his friendship. Deeds of kindness, a love service and friendliness are used as a bait to get the sinner interested in the gospel message. This will require a lot of willingness to pay the price in the way of giving, self-denial and hard work. The Lord Jesus dined directly with sinners to be able to reach them (Matthew 9:10-13).

The Literature approach is another way of approaching a person. A tract given in a kind and courteous manner helps to break the ice and open up the way for personal conversation. However, the tract should be appropriate and well printed.

There is also the after-fellowship approach whereby the comments given in the message can open the door of conversation.

4.5 PROPER PRESENTATION OF THE GOSPELOnce the door has been opened the next urgent task of the soulwinner is the presentation of the gospel. He must reach the intellect, affect the will, stir the emotions, arouse the conscience and bring the unsaved man to the point of decision and surrender to Christ.

To be effective, there are things that must be done: (1) Like a doctor, diagnose the case with the use of questions to

discover the class he belongs and how best to deal with him. (2) Describe the disease. Sin as a disease of the soul must be revealed

with the help of the scriptures and painted vividly enough that the sinner will discover it in himself apparently (Galatians 5:18-22; I Corinthians 6:9-10).

(3) Prescribe the remedy. Christ is the remedy for sin. As He said, the soulwinner must lift up Christ so high, that the sinner from the pit of sin where he is wallowing will be willing to jump out and hand on Him immediately for deliverance (John 12:32; I Timothy 2:5,6; I Thessalonians 2:2; Hebrew 10:19-22).

(4) Warn of the danger of delay, and rejecting the truth (Isaiah 1:19; 2 Corinthians 6:2; Proverbs 29:1; Hebrew 4:1-6).

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(5) Urge for an immediate decision. If he declares his intention to repent and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ he should be made to pray out in his own words confessing his sins and receiving Christ as Lord and Saviour (I John 1:9; Romans 10:9,10).

(6) Anchor him to the word of God for assurance. Finally, show him how to continue in Christ.

4.6 PITFALLS TO AVOIDHowever, there are things to avoid in the course of dealing with a soul. These include: (i) Do not exalt self above the sinner, or condemn denominations. (ii) Avoid acting victorious or proud when you have scored a point

(Matthew 11:29).(iii) Do not tell sad stories, but point to Christ (John 3:16; 2 Peter 3:9).(iv) Do not multiply texts and illustrations and never be in a hurry. (v) There is need for care when dealing with the opposite sex. (vi) Avoid getting into an argument with the seeker. Do not lose your

self-control and emotion. (vii)Avoid telling a person he is saved. (viii) Do not tell seekers to think it over. Bring to a decision at once

where possible. (ix) Do not be discouraged by apparent failure. Often you are simply

another link in the chain of grace that brings a sinner to Christ (John 4:37,38).

4.7 HELPS FOR SOUL-WINNERAs further help, the soulwinner needs to be familiar with scriptures that deal with various categories of sinners such as: (i) the careless (Luke 14:16; Ezekiel 33:9; Acts 24:25; Hebrew 2:3;

12:25; Isaiah 47:8,9), (ii) the deceived (Matthew 24:5; I Corinthians 6:7; 15:33; Galatians

6:7; Ephesians 5:6; 2 Thessalonians 2:3; I John 3:7), (iii) the religious (Matthew 7:22,26; Romans 3:20; 11:6; Ephesians

2:8,9; Titus 3:4-15; Luke 18:9-14), (iv) the confused (John 6:37; 8:36; Jude 24; I Peter 1:5; 2 Timothy 1:12;

Philippians 1:6), (v) the superstitious (Acts 17:22-31; I Samuel 4:3-14; I Kings 20:23-30;

Jeremiah 10:2-13), 19

(vi) the excuse makers (Luke 14:16-24; Matthew 25:24,25; Acts 24:24,25),

(vii) the ignorant (Hosea 4:6; Acts 17:23; Matthew 6:23; 15:14; Jeremiah 5:4; Micah 4:12),

(viii) the anxious (Acts 16:30,31; 2:37; Luke 3:9-14), (ix) the backsliders (Hebrew 10:38; 2 Peter 2:20; Revelation 2:4,5;

Hosea 6:1-3; Isaiah 31:15; 55:7), (x) the free thinkers (Psalm 10:4; 14:1; Romans 1:19-26), (xi) the

Objectors (Romans 2:1-6; Ecclesiastes 12:4) and (xii) the skeptics (Psalm 10:4; 14:1; I John 2:22).

4.8 PROBLEMS MILITATING AGAINST PERSONAL EVANGELISM

Much as this method is good and effective today, yet there is no doubt but that many problems are confronting it. Some of these include apathy, lukewarmness, worldliness, the demand of living in urban centers, personal problems and selfishness.

All these problems can be overcome if believers will pray and go to the Lord in humility. It is also important for believers to renew their zeal and passion for the things of the Lord. Only then will we be able to rescue the perishing.

4.9 COMMITMENT TO PERSONAL EVANGELISMCommitment to personal soul-winning is lacking today in most of our congregations. It is therefore pertinent that a pastor should aim at raising a congregation of believers who are addicted to personal evangelism. To achieve this, the pastor of a local church should take the lead and be an example to the flock in this great task (I Peter 5:3). He should train the people through systematic pulpit teachings, specially organized weekend evangelism seminars and workshops at both workers’ and general retreats.

Apart from teaching and training, deliberate efforts should be made to challenge the believers to personal soulwinning. This can further be achieved through organized weekend evangelism outreach at church level, paring of believers as evangelism partners in the house fellowship level, the use of Operation Andrew cards periodically and through organised outreaches of evangelism teams. To evaluate the efforts, believers can be made to bring their converts to a specially

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organized ‘Converts Rally Day’ where each believer will show his convert.

4.9 PROFITS IN SOUL-WINNINGWhen a soul is saved: (i) there is joy in heaven; (ii) the community is made better, (iii) a family has been helped, (iv) a life has been transformed and (v) a multitude of sins has been covered (James 5:20). (vi) also, God’s kingdom has been enlarged (vii) there is joy in the soulwinner himself and a crown of rejoicing

awaits him in heaven (I Thessalonians 2:19,20).

Who will not want to be involved in such a glorious task?

“And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever” (Daniel 12:3).

How many are you turning to Christ?

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5.0 FOCUS ON MASS, CARRIAGE AND LITERATURE EVANGELISM5.1 FOCUS ON MASS EVANGELISM

If the divine mandate of our Lord Jesus Christ is to be carried out, the concept of mass evangelism must be applied in our evangelistic thrust. This method of outreach has been explored to bring many souls to the saving knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ both in the scriptures and in contemporary days.

Elijah gathered Israel together on Mount Carmel to decide for the true God (I Kings 18:17-24); Jonah as well proclaimed the word of God openly in the city of Nineveh (Jonah 3:4-10). Jesus Christ preached to the multitude on the mountain side (Matt 5:1,2). Phillip in the city of Samaria preached Christ to the people (Acts 8:5-8)while Paul declared the message of redemption to the lost Athenians on Mars Hill with tremendous success (Acts 17:22-34).

In recent times many souls have come to know the Lord through mass evangelism programmes and crusades of men of God like George Whitefield, Charles G. Finney, D.L. Moody, Billy Graham, T. L. Osborn, Reinhard Bonnke and W. F. Kumuyi.

5.1.1 Benefits of Mass EvangelismMass evangelistic programmes when strategically planned and executed will attract a number of benefits including:

i. Multitude of souls will be won into the kingdom of God ii. There will be a multiplier effect of godly influence and impact upon

the society at large as beneficiaries of the programmes talk of their experiences

iii. Numerical and spiritual growth will be experienced

iv. New churches will be planted as new converts are built and commissioned

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5.1.2 Preparation for Crusade (celebrated Mass Evangelism)

The following lines of preparation are necessary to obtaining maximum results from crusades:

i. Obtain sufficient knowledge of the people to be reached eg. Occupation, language, population and religion (Acts 17:20-24)

ii. In selecting site for the crusade consider accessibility, capacity, centrality, facilities, neutrality and security

iii. Form sub-committees like Finance, Publicity, Stage management, Counselors, Prayer, Follow-up, Music, Ushering and Security, Information and Protocol etc.

iv. Mobilise the church to pray using individual, corporate, chain, fasting, night-vigil and any other type of scriptural prayer many days before the programme (Eph 6:12-18)

v. Effectively mobilise the entire church to publicise the programme making available to them publicity materials such as handbills, publicity garments, banners etc to be distributed through personal contacts, car parades, radio and TV announcements.

vi. The preacher should prepare to minister to the total need of participants at the crusade.

vii. Draw up a very good follow-up plan for new converts of the crusade. This will serve as a means of integrating the new converts into the church.

5.1.3 Problems Associated with Crusades

There is often the tendency of being easily carried away with the fantasies of organising a crusade and forgetting the attendant or associated challenges which tend to adversely affect the crusade efforts. These problems include:

i. organized opposition of Muslims or sometimes other denominations against new converts,

ii. distractions in form of persecutions and attacks, iii. problems of accommodation and other logistics iv. difficulty in transportation especially if the crusade ends late in the

night

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With adequate planning and prayer a good number of the problems could be eliminated.

5.2 FOCUS ON CARRIAGE EVANGELISM (Acts 8:26-39; 27:1-6, 20-24)The Great Commission mandate demands that, the Gospel Message and materials is being carried by travelling believers and presented to every creature that uses the various available carriages. This would require deliberate efforts to develop strategies and adapt them to meet the gospel needs of travellers based on the means of transportation made use of at a particular point in time.

Various transportation systems available today include:i. Transportation by land via taxi, busesii. Transportation by rail (using train)iii. Transportation on water via canoe, speed boat and shipiv. Air travel using helicopter or aeroplanes.

5.2.1 Practical Steps to Carriage Evangelism: Practical Strategy (Acts 27:1-6, 20-26)

The fact that contact with fellow travellers might be only an instance in a life time makes it mandatory to do all we can to impress on our listeners the importance of the gospel message and to put gospel tracts and magazines in their hands to serve as a reminder and preserver of your message. Always equip yourself with gospel literatures.

It is necessary, very compulsory to think through on our preaching obligation before we commence any journey and prepare by praying, equipping ourselves with the word, and gospel materials. The soldier ensures that all he needs for combat at the war front is available before going into the battle.

God will grant us souls as we carry out His commission. We should know and be prepared for this ahead of time. We should therefore, never loose the opportunity of collecting their addresses and communicating them promptly.

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The following practical steps or tips will help in our carriage evangelism outreach:i. A deliberate pairing of soul-winners who will prayerfully select

particular routes for bus evangelism and ply that route several times on their chosen day for evangelism is result oriented. Soul-winners could also be arranged to shuttle from beach to beach preaching the gospel.

ii. Days of literature distribution could be chosen. Distributors could focus on travellers as they visit motor parks, seaports and airports.

iii. Tract boxes could be constructed and placed at strategic locations at the railway station, boatyard and harbours, airport waiting rooms etc. We can take permission from various authorities and ensure that tracts are regularly supplied to those boxes.

iv. We can mobilize believers who are transporters to fix cassette players in their vehicles and always play cassettes on salvation during their trips. Believers could arm vehicles with horn speakers for gospel proclamation. An adequate communication system should be put in place as follow-up for those reached during the various carriage outreaches.

5.2.2 Land Route (Taxi, Bus & Motorbike Evangelism)We should commence our evangelistic work immediately we board the vehicle. It is courteous to greet fellow commuters and introduce yourself and what you intend to offer, then present a brief message and encourage decision, lead those who respond positively in prayer of decision, answer their questions, leave your address for contact and collect the addresses of those who showed interest and communicate promptly. Lastly, distribute tracts or sell gospel magazines and remember to introduce your church by inviting them to weekly meetings. The same can be adapted to the rider or passenger(s) in a motorbike.

5.2.3 Rail Route (Train) EvangelismWe can as well present our messages in trains from coach to coach. Armed with the word, gospel tracts/magazines and a living testimony, we can preach, pray and counsel. Obviously you will attend to

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questions, dissolve their doubts and appeal against their objections with honour.

5.2.4 Marine Route (Canoe, Speed boat and Ship EvangelismThe primitive life-style of majority of those who use local boats for transportation should be explored in presenting the gospel. Many primitive people are idol worshippers and a little tilt of your message to draw them from idol worship to the living God is very essential (Acts 17:22, 23). As regards transportation by ship, which usually covers a long distance people could be on the high sea for months, evangelistic efforts should not stop at preaching alone but fellowship should be organized as an effective means of follow-up to conserve the fruits of evangelism (Acts 28:1-14).

5.2.4 Air Route (Aircraft) EvangelismMajority of air travellers are educated and enlightened. The nature and risk of air travel places certain control on travellers. Personal evangelism therefore promises to be the best approach. Tracts and magazines distribution can also be carried out with due permission from the air crew. The air hostesses could also be approached to help distribute the gospel materials to interested persons (I Corinthians 9:19-23).

We need to note here that the gospel message and materials can travel through these carriage means to every part of the world. Realising the potentials of carriage evangelism, the traveling believer should make a habit of:

i. presenting the good news to the entirety of people (s)he is traveling with (mass evangelism) where possible (Acts 27:21-25);

ii. engaging seat mate(s) (personal evangelism) and those close by in soul saving gospel discussion. (Discussions are always free in a free society: if others could freely discuss politics or economy in the same way, then we can discuss the gospel too with co-travellers during the journey (Acts 8:27-39);

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iii. distributing good literature to travellers (literature evangelism) (Colossians 4:16). (It is also not out of place to avail Bibles and rewarding Christian literature and tapes to travelers at control or subsidized prices if one is not capable of providing them without charge)

iv. sharing the gospel with those who converge at the points of departure and arrivals (Luke 5:1-3; Acts 16:13-15).

5.2.5 Hindrances to Carriage Evangelism (Acts 13:6-8; 17:1-5)Satan would always put up a resistance as we attempt to snatch his captives. He may want to put up hindrances in the following ways:

i. Some may make attempt to oppose the preaching and threaten to ferment trouble.

ii. Some may try to ask questions to distract our attention.iii. Serious religious arguments may ensue.iv. Counterfeit preachers may attempt to seize the same opportunity

to spread errors.

5.2.6 Overcoming Hindrances to Carriage EvangelismThere is a solution or way out to the above potential hindrances. The soulwinner must of necessity do the following:

i. make adequate prayer preparations where he would have held those negative forces in captivity before launching out. He must in prayer first claim the souls of those he is travelling with for Christ.

ii. Every opposition must be handled with calmness and wisdom.

iii. Cheerfulness and friendly dispositions to all resistance would go a long way to crush any form of resistance. Therefore always put a smile.

iv. Always remember the futility of trying to win arguments and ultimately lose the soul.(2 Timothy 2:16-18; Titus 1:14).

5.2.2 Conclusion on Carriage Evangelism

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Techlonology has made transportation by these various means and we must take advantage of these to proclaim the gospel. One major reason for failing to share the gospel (keeping quiet while the opportunity slips by) is lack of personal preparation.

As we cannot travel without the thought of transport fare and packing of our luggage, which are part of our preparations for that journey so should we not travel without the thought, prayer and plan for reaching out to co-travellers for that is part our preparations for the journey too.

5.3FOCUS ON LITERATURE EVANGELISM (Habakkuk 2:2; 2 Kings 19:8-14; Jeremiah 29:1-7; Acts 15:23-

31)Literature evangelism is winning souls through the printed page. This is carrying out spiritual warfare in the minds of people with the evangelist not necessarily at the scene of the warfare. Literature evangelism strategy is sometimes referred to as “psychological warfare” making use of various printed matter to assault the minds of the enemy forces, weaken their collective resolve and effect their defeat and surrender.

Our world today is saturated with a whole range of hellish literatures but the church does not seem to have awakened to this fact. The church needs to fill the vacuum of a dearth of powerful evangelical literature in a highly lettered world.

5.3.1 Characteristics of Literature EvangelismThe nations of the earth have been categorized with respect of their receptivity of direct evangelistic message, into three viz:(i) “Closed” nations e.g. Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and most Islamic

countries.(ii) “Partially opened” nations - China, Japan, etc.(iii) “Open” nations - America, Canada, Britain and most Western

countries.

Literature evangelism has the potential of penetrating all the nations of the world because of the following characteristics:

(i) Power of Penetration: There hardly exists a more adaptable, available, versatile and successful evangelistic tool than the good

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old gospel tract. It has crossed the farthest borders, climbed the most fortified walls, entered the darkest dungeons and penetrated the thickest jungles. There is vertically no place too difficult for the printed page (tracts, magazines and scriptures) to penetrate. Moreover, literatures are all relatively cheaper in cost.

(ii) Power of Persuasion: The printed page in the hands of a spirit-filled and skillful minister, is a potential weapon in evangelizing the literate mind. The most winsome soulwinner faces the possibility of interruption and contradiction even before making the point. However, the printed page has the advantage of making its point and establishing its cost before being rejected.

(iii)Power of Presumption: While the soulwinner would strive to be very careful and tactical in presenting his message for fear of offending the sensibilities of the listeners, the printed page in a book, tract or magazine would boldly, almost presumptuously, throw the gospel message into the sinner’s heart in the most piercing language. The sinner’s bosom or backsliders sorry state are obtrusively exposed. For example, it was said by the Corinthians of Apostle Paul that his letters were weighty and powerful but his bodily presence weak and his speech contemptible (2 Cor. 10:10). Whatever the Corinthians meant, this was a testimonial to Paul’s mastery use of the printed page.

(iv)Power of Persistence: Long after the most powerful preaching has been forgotten and long after unrecorded sounds and images from the electronic media have faded away, the gospel tract, magazine and book lying on the shelf or mantel piece persistently press the sinner’s mind with the claims of Christ. The printed age can reach the “unreached” sinners. It is ageless; its message and relevance are timeless. The Bible is a good example.

(v) Power of Proliferation: Gospel literature has the same power as the “leaven which a woman hid in three measures of flour until the whole was leavened” (Matt. 13:33). A single printed material gets into a community and besides passing from hand to hand, it can also be reproduced, printed and multiplied until the whole community is leavened with the gospel message.

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5.3.2 Principles in using the Printed PageThe following three principles are to be applied in using the printed page:(i) Principle of Selection - requires prayer, discernment and

sensitivity to the Holy Spirit.

(ii) Principle of Saturation - Literature evangelism will not be effective if there are only a sprinkling here and there.

(iii) Principle of Supplication – there is need for much prayer before, during and after circulating a spiritual publication (John 15:5; 6:44).

5.3.3 Prospects or Advantages of Literature EvangelismLiterature evangelism has great prospects and advantages including:(i) It has the ability to penetrate any place unnoticed.(ii) Its message goes out repeatedly without a break.(iii) It ensures an enduring work in that it affords the opportunity of

better understanding of what is spoken.(iv) It is relatively inexpensive when compared with other methods of

evangelism such as crusades etc.(v) Its message comes at the reader’s convenience.(vi) It gives the reader the opportunity to revisit the message over and

over again.(vii) It enables one to help people without one’s presence.(viii) It can be made to travel by post to places missionaries cannot

reach.(ix) It provides the opportunity of a mass penetration into any

community.(x) It provides the reader the option of studying any part of the

message that appeals to him.

(xi) In the form of a book, it can give hours or even days of preaching and feeding on the truth.

(xii) It stabilises a given vision and preserves it for posterity.

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6.0 FOCUS/EXPOSITION ON SPECIAL OUTREACHES TO CONFINED PEOPLE: HOSPITAL AND PRISON

6.1 HOSPITAL OUTREACHHospital outreach seeks to reach out to the sick who abound in our cities, hospitals and neighbourhoods (Mark 16:15-20; Luke 10:33-37). The sick are primarily concerned with the restoration of their health for which they can do anything possible within their ability. Establishing a team of compassionate brethren to give gospel attention to the weak, sick or infirm becomes necessary.

Our concern towards the sick in the hospital should include:(i) to offer the gospel of Christ to the sick as a principal requirement

of and for life (Matthew 4:23).(ii) to establish the faith of the patients strongly in the Lord Jesus

Christ (Psalm 103:1-3) through: (a) regular visits to the patients who have accepted the gospel; (b) organized hospital fellowship for the in-patients.

(iii) to heal the sick through strong prayer of faith as Christ did (Matthew 4:23,24).

(iv) to link the discharged patients with the nearest Church to his residence.

(v) to arrange with the hospital authority at a specific times in the week for in-patients to listen to very short special messages that will benefit them.

(vi) prayer requests form can be designed and given to the in-patients to fill, which the hospital outreach team takes to the Lord in prayer on the sick’s behalf.

(vii) video tapes can be supplied to the hospitals to be played to special in-patients who are in special wards with special facilities including, vieo player.

6.1.1 PROSPECTS IN HOSPITAL EVANGELISMCan anything good come out of this hospital evangelism? Yes! Why hospital evangelism? Reasons for hospital evangelism include:(i) Sick people need salvation, too.(ii) The hospital environment affords the evangelist a captive

audience. Individual previously inaccessible to reach by virtue of their places and position (etc) are readily available.

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(iii) By experience, sick people’s hearts are more receptive to the gospel than normal people.

(iv) A good number of sicknesses and diseases that drive people to the hospital actually result from sin.

(v) Cases that defy normal orthodox medical practices cannot resist the power of the God of all possibilities.

(vi) Since hospitals receive clients from all walks of life, this affords us the opportunity of reaching the whole world.

6.1.2 Patterns to follow in hospital EvangelismThe following are necessary steps to take in hospital evangelism:1. First find out relevant information about the hospital such as:

Type of cases treated. Number of beds. Do doctors admit patients? When is the visiting time?

Generally speaking, many hospitals are very much open to visitation of any kind but permission may be sought where necessary.

2. Pray very well before you visit.3. Greet the doctor or nurse in charge immediately you enter, and

declare your mission.

4. Upon permission, progress to the patient(s); greet and declare your mission.

5. Preach same message that Christ preached to other sinners. Give altar-call Collect proper home and office addresses.

6. Go back and thank Nurses/Doctors who gave you permission. (They need your ministration and prayers as they have their own needs too)

6. Do proper follow-up.

6.1.3 Pitfalls to avoid in Hospital EvangelismThe following pitfalls are to be avoided by would-be hospital evangelists:

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(i) Avoid overemphasis on prayer for healing to the neglect of genuine salvation message.

(ii) Avoid unnecessary promises motivated by unguided emotional attachment.

(iv) Avoid judgmental and condemnatory remarks. Avoid comments like ‘you see now, you are sick because you are a sinner’.

(iv) Avoid touching at all costs. Where your assistance is been particularly requested to prop the patient up on bed or change his position, you may use hand gloves where necessary. Not all patients need gloves to touch.

(v) Avoid prayerless hospital visitation, it may even be counted productive.

(vi) Exercise patience where the health workers are busy with a patient or when doctor’s round the ‘ward-round’ (i.e. doctor’s routine patients’ inspection) is in progress.

6.2 PRISON OUTREACH (Genesis 39:20; 40:1-23; Matthew 25:36)Prison is as old as human existence on the earth. Right from the first book of the Bible we see prison as a place where offenders or people perceived as being injurious to the society are kept. The prison is largely a community of the captives. They are so held because of their transgression which needed to be removed from them before their physical freedom to enable them live a better life.

In the Bible days, both poor and rich or important people were found in the prison. Prison is designed to serve two purposes, namely:(i) to restrict the movement of the offender to prevent further

offenses and(ii) to reform the criminals.

6.2.1 Classification of Prisoners(Genesis 40:1-23; 39:20; Acts 16:23-24; 2 Corinthians 11:23)

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Basically, prisoners are divided into two categories. The first group is known as awaiting trial mates (ATM) and the second category are the regular prisoners.

The awaiting trial mates are suspects whose cases are either pending at the Divisional Police Office or in the courts of law. They are usually higher in number. They constitute about 65% of total inmates in Nigerian prisons.

The regular prisoners are the condemned convicts that are serving various prison terms for offences committed at one time or the other.

It has been by the prison evangelists that many of the inmates in our prisons are innocent people that are suffering for the causes they don’t know anything or much about. Some of them are victims of circumstances, wrongly accused or lied against as a result of bitterness or land dispute and others.

6.2.2 Conditions of the Prisoners (Psalm 102:20)We are told in Psalm 102:20 that prisoners are in agony. Man cherishes his freedom a lot; anything that tries to infringe on his liberty leads to his mental affliction. This is seen in the lives of many prisoners. This could lead to development of mental insanity in the prison. Apart from incarceration, many of the prisoners are abandoned by friends and relations.

The condition of the prisoners is not palatable at all, it include:(i) restriction of movement(ii) frustration(iii) abandonment by friends and loved ones(iv) fear of being rejected by the society after their prison terms(v) lack of effective rehabilitation programme in place by the

government (Some NGOs are trying but their efforts are relatively very insignificant).

(vi) the thought of how to settle after serving the prison term(vii) sicknesses, lack of adequate medical care and death(viii) many are poor and cannot pay for lawyer’s services.

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6.2.3 Concern for the Prisoners (Psalm 102:2; 146:7; Matthew 25:36)

God has the prisoners in His agenda; so must the Church today. Just as we have hardened criminals in the prison, in the same way, we have souls that are feeling the guilt of their past actions and they pray for forgiveness. They need someone to give them assurance of salvation. We have many believers in the prison as well, people that are wrongly accused and are locked up due to misappropriation of justice. An example of this was the case of Joseph; he was not given chance to explain or defend himself before he was locked up. Paul the apostle also fell victim of misappropriation of justice several times in his ministry. Prisoners are ready to embrace the gospel messages that are presented in a simple and clear way.

The following areas of need in the lives of the prisoners are to be noted. They need:(i) the gospel message – this is their greatest need.(ii) gospel materials - Bibles, magazines, tracts etc.(iii) clothing materials.(iv) food items.(v) soaps, toiletries etc.(vi) medicare(vii) legal aid (viii) money to cater for sundry needs of life.(ix) Affection(x) assistance in locating their families as some of them were just

picked up either on their ways to places of work or back home.

Ministering to the prisoners is quite an interesting and rewarding one as it transforms the believer to become more compassionate and sympathetic about people’s needs and conditions. Concern for prisoners is concern for the Lord considering the Lord’s statement, “... I was in prison and ye came unto me” (Matthew 25:36).

Goal/tasks of Prison Outreach: Conventional prison administration does not recognize the indispensability of the gospel, which is the only means of true freedom for prisoners (John 8:36; Luke 4:18; Matthew 9:12,13). This is the reason prison evangelism is necessary (Psalm 69:33; 79:5,16; Isaiah 42:7; 61:1).

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There should be a functional and active prison evangelism team whose members are fully committed to tasks of:

(i) taking the gospel to prison inmates:- witnessing to individual inmates; giving out tracts, Christian literature, Magazines and Bibles; organizing Bible studies, fellowships and special revival meetings for them

(ii) writing or delivering special appeal letters on their behalf, to various individuals for assistance in solving their problems through the gospel. (Note that prisoners’ letters are read by prison officials for security reasons)

(iii) introducing crafts, where permitted, to the prisoners to enable them learn a trade with which to live when freed (2 Thessa. 3:7-11);

(iv) rehabilitating discharged prisoners

(v) distributing Christian literature to prison officials at every visit towards their own salvation.

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7.0 FOCUS/EXPOSITIION ON STRATEGIC EVANGELISM TO PEOPLE GROUPS

Evangelism means good news or glad tidings of various kinds. Good news or tidings in The Old Testament included the following three kinds: (i) any kind of good news (I Samuel 31:9; 2 Samuel 1:20; I Chronicles

10:9).(ii) God’s kindness (Psalm 39:10; 96:2) and (iii) Messianic Blessings (Isaiah 40:9; 61:1).

In the New Testament, evangelism implies up to 12 kinds of glad tidings concerning:(i) the Kingdom of heaven and of God (Matthew 4:23; 9:35; 24:14;

Mark 1:14).(ii) God (Romans 1:1; 15:16).(iii) Jesus Christ (Mark 1:1; Romans 1:16; 15:29; I Corinthians 9:12-18).(iv) salvation and redemption of sinful man (Romans 1:16; Mark 16:15;

Luke 4:18).(v) the grace of God (Acts 20:24).(vi) peace (Romans 10:15; Ephesians 6:15).(vii) the promises (Ephesians 3:6; Hebrews 8:6).(viii) the Truth (Ephesians 1:13; Colossians 1:5).(ix) faith (Philippians 1:27).(x) hope (Colossians 1:23).(xi) immortality (2 Timothy 1:10).(xii) the general blessings of the new covenant called “the gospel”

(Mark 16:15; Galatians 1:11; 3:8).

Evangelism being good news must be communicated to all classes or categories of people including community groups, hostile, antagonistic religious or rural people groups. Different strategies need to be evolved to meet the evangelistic needs these various so that they too be saved.

7.1 STRATEGIC EVANGELISM TO COMMUNITY GROUPS(Acts 13:7,12; 26:14-20; I Peter 2:21; Acts 8:27-28; Luke 10:33-37)A Community group refers to people that are closely knit together and thus live a community life.

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7.1.1 Characteristics of a Community GroupA Community group is characterized by the following:(i) Common rights e.g. right to education.(ii) Common life e.g. people living in a slum.(iii) Common interest e.g. market women community.(iv) Common characteristics e.g. the community of lepers and street

workers.(v) Common culture e.g. community of nomads, pagans, fishermen.(vi) Common people e.g. a community of refugees, disabled etc.(vii) Common identity clearly distinguishing a member from a non-

member.(viii) Close linkages that make it difficult to pull out a member. 7.1.2 Strategy for evangelization of a Community GroupStrategies to adopt in evangelizing people groups include the following:(i) Identify and involve their leaders.(ii) Identify their common interests and use them as baits.(iii) Identify their common problems such as poverty, sickness,

insecurity, failures and use them appropriately.(iv) Dinner/squash party in the house of a member of an elite

community.(v) Magazine/Literature distribution in a literate community.(vi) Video, audio and telephone exchanges in an elite community.(vii) Film shows, crusades and community rallies in a congested

community.

7.2 STRATEGIC EVANGELISM TO A HOSTILE AUDIENCE(Romans 10:13-15,17; Matthew 10:11-23; Acts 16:19-24; 17:1-9; 21:28-31; 22:22-25; 23:10)

A hostile audience is a group that manifests unfriendly disposition whenever the gospel is preached to them.

7.2.1 Characteristics of a Hostile AudienceCharacteristics of a hostile audience include:(i) display of outright resistance

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(ii) manifesting unwelcome disposition such as being inhospitable and closing doors at the approach of evangelists

(iii) readiness for physical fight and attack by combat ready people(iv) showing of anger and threatening of evangelists with dangerous

weapons.

7.2.2 Strategy for Evangelisation of a Hostile AudienceStrategies for evangelizing hostile people include:(i) Friendship evangelism to modify the confrontational attitude(ii) Use of active participation approach in which a trained evangelist

stays in the community to win the support of the people(iii) Avoid meeting confrontation with confrontation but bend them with

love to the truth of God’s word.(iv) Determine to endure all hardship resistance until there is

breakthrough.(v) Engage in spiritual warfare and intercession for open doors.

7.3 STRATEGIC EVANGELISM TO ANTAGONISTIC RELIGIOUS GROUP/SECTS(Romans 10:10-17; John 19:15; Acts 7:57; 9:1; 16:19-24; 17:1-9; 21:28-31)

This type of audience is competitive in nature. This means they see themselves as a custodian of some truth also; and as capable of winning even the evangelists.

7.3.1 Characteristics of Antagonistic Religious Group/SectsAn antagonistic religious group or sect is characterized by the

following:(i) Preparedness to attack the very foundation of the gospel message

e.g. the Muslim, the Jehovah ’s Witnesses etc.(ii) constant readiness to un-convert any convert made within their

group or sect(iii) They are argumentative and dogmatic.(iv) They are capable of physical fight and attack.(v) They display outright resistance.

7.3.2 Strategy for Evangelisation of Antagonistic Religious Group/Sects

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Strategies for evangelisation of antagonistic religious group/sects include:(i) Constant spiritual warfare to pull down the stronghold of the devil

and bring open doors(ii) Be armed with the word of God and be covered with the blood of

Jesus.(iii) Be sober and vigilant in the midst of enemies.(iv) Use personal evangelism often.(v) Power evangelism (crusade) is necessary to challenge their beliefs.(vi) Faith, health and career seminars with free food as baits(vii)Moral and extra-mural classes for the youths(viii) Training of local converts to sustain the work.(ix) Determine to endure all hardship and resistance until there is

breakthrough.

7.4 STRATEGIC EVANGELISM TO RURAL UNCIVILISED GROUP (Romans 1:4; I Corinthians 9:19-22; Matthew 9:35)Rural uncivilized groups refer to people living in rural communities with primitive ways of life.

7.4.1 Characteristics of Rural Uncivilised Group Rural uncivilised groups are characterized by the following:(i) Poor in education, housing, health and employment(ii) Unrefined interest and tastes(iii) Uncultured and primitive ways of life(iv) Lack of facilities and amenities like good roads, electricity,

telephone, etc.

7.4.2 Strategy for Evangelisation of Rural Uncivilised Group

Strategies for evangelisation of rural uncivilised group include:(i) Identify and involve the village heads, and opinion leaders.(ii) Identify their common interests and use them as baits.(iii) Identify their common problems such as poverty, sickness,

insecurity, etc and proffer possible solutions.(iv) Organise crusade with power evangelism to challenge their beliefs.

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(v) Organise health and career seminars at no lost to them.(vi) Organise moral and literacy programmes for adults.(vii)Organise moral and extra-mural coaching classes for the youth.

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8.0 CONTEMPORARY ORGANS OF EVANGELISMMatthew 28:19,20; Ecclesiastes 9:10; Hab. 2:2

8.1 INTRODUCTIONThe Church and individual members must wake up employ every possible strategy and means of reaching out to the lost. As knowledge is increasing at a terrific rate today so must the church be rise up to meet with the challenge so that by all means and at all cost the Gospel is preached and souls are won unto the Lord.

There is no doubt that the traditional organs of evangelism (house-to-house, person-to-person contact, crusades, etc) are still relevant today yet it is getting more and more difficult to reach very many through these means; hence the need for contemporary of organs of evangelism.

8.1.1 Definition of OrgansBy organs of evangelism we mean the natural instruments of action, operation or means by which we communicate the gospel message.

8.1.2 Identification of Contemporary OrgansOrgans of evangelism in contemporary times include the print media, the electronic media (radio/television, telephone, e-mail/internet and satellite) and audio-visuals

8.2 PRINT MEDIA (2 kings 19:8-14, Jeremiah 29:1-7;36:4-7; 2 Chronicles 34:15-19 Acts 15:23-31)

8.2.1 Power of the Print MediaNone of the nations of the earth designated as closed or partially opened to the gospel can resist the power of a well-organised and discretely executed literature crusade. The printed page has peculiar power advantages over most other methods of evangelism, including the powers of penetration, persuasion, presumption, persistence and proliferation.

(i) Power of Penetration: There hardly exists a mere adaptable, available, versatile and successful missionary than the good old

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gospel tract. There is virtually no place too difficult for the printed page to penetrate.

(ii) Power of Persuasion: In the hands of a Spirit-filled and skilled user, the printed page is a powerful weapon in evangelising the literate mind.

(iii) Power of presumption: While the ordinary soulwinner would strive to be very careful and tactical in presenting his message for fear of offending his listener, the printed message would boldly, almost presumptuously throw the message into the sinner’s heart in the most-piercing language (2 Corinthians 10:10).

(iv) Power of Persistence: The printed page is ageless, its message is timeless and its relevance is endless.

(v) Power of Proliferation: Gospel literature has the same power although positive as the leaven of Matthew 13:33 has. A single printed material in a community is capable of being passed from hand to hand until the whole community is leavened with the gospel message.

8.2.3 Possibilities of the Print MediaDeut 11:18-20; 31:19; Eze 43:11 Luke 1:3,4; 1Cor 4:14)

There is no doubt that the Holy scriptures wield great power of conversion and edification. Supporting Christian literature in forms of gospel tracts, magazine, printed sermons, and others such as doctrinal tracts, search-the-scriptures or Sunday school manuals, house fellowship booklets, gospel magazines and books on various subjects on the Christian faith have become indispensable tools evangelism in contemporary times.

The printed page has the potentialities of:(i) leading a sinner to saving faith(ii) bringing a straying backslider back to the Saviour’s fold(iii) instructing new converts and establishing them in their most holy

faith(iv) curtailing and correcting a spreading doctrinal error in the church

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(v) reminding mature believers of long-forgotten truths(vi) mobilizing the whole church for a worthy causeThese possibilities await the diligence of faithful believers who must awake to their duty of prayerfully circulating the wealth of spiritual materials available to them.

8.2.3 Principles in Using the Printed Media(Matt. 28:19; Mark 16:15; Eccl. 11:6; Hab. 2:2)

The principles for effective use of the print media are summarized as follows:(i) Principle of Selection: As in all forms of evangelism, different

materials will target different groups. The literature evangelist needs much prayer, discernment and sensitivity to the Holy Spirit to know which literature will most penetrate an individual or a community.

(ii) Principle of Saturation: When the Lord passed through the land of Egypt “... there was not a house where there was not one dead” (Exodus12:30). It was an effective ministry. Our literature ministry will not be effective if there are only a sprinkling here and there.

(iii)Principle of Supplication: What success can a printed matter achieve in soul-saving and spiritual edification without a sustained supplication for the Spirit’s help? Without Christ we can do nothing. No man can come to Christ except the Father draws him. There is need for much prayer before, during and after circulating a spiritual publication.

8.4 ELECTRONIC MEDIAThe world is advancing technologically; knowledge is increasing, according to the scriptures (Dan 12:4b). In this our ever changing world the church needs to plan and evolve a dynamic and effective communication channel to meet up with the urgency of the task of evangelism. Electronic media including radio, television, telephones, e-mail/internet and satellite have become necessary tools for the propagation of the gospel. They complement other forms of evangelism strategies.

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The utilization of various electronic media in evangelism are briefly discussed below:(i) Radio/TV Evangelism: Radio/TV evangelism has the advantage

of reaching wider coverage and different groups. Listeners need not be literate before they can benefit from the gospel message on radio.

(ii) Telephone Evangelism: Telephone is basically an audio device. It can be used to reach very many people near and far. It is a veritable approach for follow-up. Telephone can be used to reach the “unreached” sinners where there are some barriers.

(iii)E-mail/Internet Evangelism: They can be used to reach people that are far and near as long as they have internet access. Fortunately, the internet is available to the generality of city-dwellers with as little as a peanut token. Gospel messages can be generously e-mailed or launched as contributions to free websites for consumption by millions of browsers.

(iv)Satellite Evangelism: Gospel messages can also be broadcast via satellite and information on transmission parameters advertised so that prospects can hook up within their localities. The use of satellite communications in recent time proved another milestone in the ministry of Pastor W. F. Kumuyi. This is the wheel on which Africa-wide crusade and other refreshing gospel outreaches of Deeper Christian Life Ministry are being taken round the globe.

Electronic media evangelism combine the advantages of the deep impressions of visuals - what seen often last longer in thee mind and those of sound - faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the word of God (Romans 10:17)

8.4 AUDIO-VISUALS The word ‘audio’ relates to sound and hearing while visual 9from vision and visibility) relates to sight and seeing. Video on the other hand combines both the sensory modalities of sight and sound. Audio-visuals therefore refer to a collection of facilities appealing to hearing, sight or to both. Unlike the print and electronic media where transmission over

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is usually involved or required, audio-visuals are usually prerecorded or prepared and played, projected or displayed for a localized audience.

8.4.1 Audio/Video Cassette Evangelism Audio/Video cassette messages have great and inexhaustible potentials in evangelism and soul winning. Highly inspiring audio/video cassette messages often ‘tingle’ the ear, unburden hearts, liberate souls, gladden the heart, illuminate the mind, set aglow the fire of the Spirit and revitalise or reinvigorate the entire human body positively. Video tapes have the added advantage of combining both hearing and seeing. It relates to showing moving or slide pictures on screens.

Audio and video cassettes are veritable instruments for saving souls for church planting, as well as for evangelism of the individuals or groups. This can be achieved individually or collectively through the following three basic strategies, among others:(i) Personal and family listenership programme (PFLP)(ii) Congregation listenership programme (CLP)(iii) Neighbourhood listenership programme (NLP)

8.4.2 Projected Media EvangelismGospel presentations in films/transparencies, slides, video tapes and VCDs can be zoomed and projected to an audience in grand style. Projected media which can be used for the purposes of evangelism include the following:(i) Overhead projector(ii) Slide projector(iii) Video projector (Videoscope)(iv) Multi media projector(v) Film projectors

CONCLUSIONTimes have changed and the world is fast advancing. Crime fighters are going for more sophisticated weapons to cope with new crime waves. Fishermen are employing more modern and effective fishing technologies The Church too must keep abreast with trends in technology to be able to make our gospel relevant and reach our world.

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However, what ever organ one decides to employ in reaching out to the lost, the message must be Jesus and His saving power. The full gospel must be preached. Also, no matter how seemingly arresting and effective the organ employed promises to be, it is God that must give the increase and we must trust Him so but never the organ (1 Corinthians 3:6,7).

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9.0 CHURCH PLANTING STRATEGIES: Rural Evangelism, Cooperative Evangelism, Personal Evangelism, Crusade and House Caring Fellowship System

9.1 INTRODUCTION

The Church is the body of Christ and Christ expects His body to grow. According to Easton Bible Dictionary, the word “Church” is derived probably from the Greek kuriakon (i.e. “the Lord’s house”), which was used by ancient authors for the place of worship.

In the New Testament it is the translation of the Greek word ecclesia, which is synonymous with the Hebrew kahal of the Old Testament. Both words simply mean an assembly, the character of which can only be known from the connection in which the word is found.

We find the word ecclesia used in the following senses in the New Testament: (i) It is translated “assembly” in the ordinary classical sense (Acts

19:32, 39, 41).(ii) It denotes the whole body of the redeemed, all those whom the

Father has given to Christ, the invisible church (Eph. 5:23, 25, 27, 29; Heb. 12:23).

(iii) A few Christians associated together in observing the ordinances of the gospel are an ecclesia (Rom. 16:5; Col. 4:15).

(iv) All the Christians in a particular city, whether they assembled together in one place or in several places for religious worship, were an ecclesia. Thus all the disciples in Antioch, forming several congregations, were one church (Acts 13:1); so also we read of the “Church of God at Corinth” (1 Cor. 1:2), “the church at Jerusalem” (Acts 8:1), “the church of Ephesus” (Rev. 2:1), etc.

(v) The whole body of professing Christians throughout the world (1 Cor. 15:9; Gal. 1:13; Matt. 16:18) are the church of Christ.

The Great Commission made it mandatory for members of the Church to propagate the gospel of the kingdom. It is process of preaching with a view to turning sinners to the Lord thereby enabling them to become active members of the Church that we refer to as evangelism. Church planting then is the means of consolidating the evangelistic efforts of the believers whereby members are established in a local church.

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Church planting seeks to produce virile congregations conscious of their duties and responsibility to establish believers in the faith and prepare them for the coming of the Lord.

In order to be able to effectively carry out the task of replicating this body of Christ there has to be plans made to reach out to unsaved sinners. These plans to reach out constitute a strategy, a means of producing bodies of Christ in other communities and locations.

A good church planting strategy should take note of the following:(i) Method – by this we mean the modus operandi of reaching out to

sinners and how to conserve the saved souls.

(ii) Men – there cannot be churches without Pastors. Men must be raised, trained and prepared for the leadership responsibilities in these newly planted churches. The process of selecting these men must be standardized such that they will be able to cope with the challenge of leadership.

(iii) Materials – whatever type of method we use will determine the kind of material we will need. For crusades, we will need public address systems etc. For personal evangelism tracts can be very effective. For mass crusades video projector can be handy. Each method demands specific material to make it work and work well.

9.2 SELECTED METHODS IN CHURCH PLANTINGProven methods for church planting include the following:9.2.1 Personal Evangelism

(John 4:7, 39-43; Acts8:4, 5:42)This is the person to person sharing of the good news of Jesus Christ to bring men to repentance and faith in Christ. This method though slow yields very lasting and dependable fruits. Believers could be mobilized, organized to evangelism teams and sent to a community to evangelize and form the converts into Local Church thereafter. It may be weekend, or one week long personal evangelism with tracts or literature distribution.

Much prayer and planning are also needed to ensure the methods bear’s fruits. This method could be used anytime and anywhere.

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However in restricted places or where there is opposition to open our crusade it is the best option that could be employed in obeying the Great Commission mandate. After the evangelism the converts could be invited to a weekly Bible Study or Sunday Service thus starting the new church.

9.2.2 House Caring Fellowship And Friendship Evangelism (Acts 10:36,39; 1 Cor. 16:15,19, 2 Cor. 1:11; Rom. 16:1-5)

This is a kind of neighbourhood evangelism whereby sinners are won to Christ and brought to the House fellowship, or church through love, care and warm friendship. Individual believer or group of believers could do it. The church thus started will be small but could be matured to become a large one with time. The believers will find out the felt needs of individuals in the community, and where they are hurting and take appropriate step to meet the needs and heal the hurts in a loving way.

There after he presentS Christ to them and invites them to the fellowship for further nourishment, growth and care. It means we are always watching for those who give birth, those with problems, those rejoicing, those hurting etc and we give helping hand with love, concern and enthusiasm. Also Love Feast, Neighbors Night (where every body bringS his neighbours), prayer partnership meeting with the afflicted, family prayer meeting etc could be used by HCF to plant new churches.

9.2.3 Rural Social Service Evangelism (Matt.9:35-38; 1Cor. 9:19-22)This is a special type of evangelism that aims at reaching a community for Christ by helping to provide social services needed by the community before presenting the gospel message to them.

Example of social services that could be provided includes provision of portable water through construction of deep well or bore holes mobiles Health Care Services Extension services to farmers, meeting of other felt needs etc This is however capital and labour intensive.

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This approach will help break barriers in the heart of the people to the gospellers and their message. It will make them to be favourably disposed to receiving their messages.

9.2.4 Rural EvangelismAn evangelist is a “publisher of glad tidings”, a missionary preacher of the gospel (Eph. 4:11). This title was applied to Philip (Acts 21:8), who appears to have gone from city to city preaching the word (Acts 8:4, 40). Judging from the case of Philip, evangelists were itinerant preachers, having it as their special function to carry the gospel to places where it was previously unknown. Therefore when we talk of rural evangelism we talk of the art of taking the gospel to rural, undeveloped parts of our communities.

By rural communities we refer to places that are:(i) Remote – the road /access is bad and far from urban areas

(ii) Underdeveloped – social amenities like water and electricity is not available or where available not functional. Hospitals are far and good educational facilities are not available, leading to a shorter life expectancy.

(iii)Rejected – there is a general sense of helplessness and hopelessness about rural communities. Once in a while a son of the soil would get elevated to position of influence holding a lot of promises for the communities. But more often than not, hopes have been dashed and good efforts abandoned leading to a general sense of despondency and hopelessness.

(iv)Animistic – Animism is the belief that all natural objects like trees, stones etc have souls and so are gods to be worshipped. Rural communities are breeding ground for occultism, witchcraft and idolatry. Here superstition is common and white garment churches and syncretism reign supreme. Fear is worshipped and culture is strong and diligently pursued sometimes to absurd extremes.

(v) Lost – far from direct government influence and many times from the transforming power of the gospel, rural communities are

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literally lost. Unbelievable vices rule. There are rampant cases of immorality crime and exploitation by the few rich. Majority are poor such that they live from hand to mouth. Whatever harvest they produce is subject to the control of urban middlemen who literally fix the prices of their commodities.

Methods of Church Planting in Rural CommunitiesMethods of Church planting in rural communities include:(i) Use of video and film projectors.(ii) Crusades and power evangelism oriented meetings (iii) Prayer and fasting / night vigils – villagers love to pray because of

their tendency to fear.(iv) Adult literacy campaigns.(v) Establishment of private nursery/primary/secondary schools.(vi) Provision of social services like Mobile Clinic, deep wells, Agric.

Extension services etc.

9.2.5 Cooperative Evangelism

The General Superintendent of Deeper Christian Life Ministry, Pastor W.F. Kumuyi during a Yoruba Church Leaders’/workers’ programme held at the wake of this decade, challenged leaders of Yoruba churches in Nigeria to pool their resources together in reaching out to hitherto unreached parts of Yorubaland. That marked the beginning of current cooperative evangelism in the church. Little did church know that it was going to be a positive turn-around in the history of her evangelistic efforts.

The success of this experiment recommended the method to other socio-linguistic groups in the country. Thus Cooperative evangelism came to stay. Cooperative evangelism can be defined as “the coming together and pooling of material and spiritual resources by a group of people from different locations for the purpose of preaching the gospel of Christ and establishing/strengthening functional churches in designated locations in a community”.

Cooperative evangelism is characterized by:(i) a sense of purpose at achieving a common goal.(ii) publicly announced and written goals

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(iii) series of evangelistic programmes(iv) intensive teaching and praying(v) the pooling of human and material resources (vi) a fore-planned follow-up programmeAdvantages of Cooperative Evangelism Advantages of cooperative evangelism include:(i) It is a fast and effective way of planting churches(ii) It encourages a sense of trust and true fellowship among workers(iii) It bridges the gap between rural and urban brethren and people.(iv) It is goal-oriented.(v) It is a cost effective method of carrying out church planting.(vi) It adds a new impetus to the evangelism readiness of the host

church thereby raising her spiritual tempo.

Problems and challenges of Cooperative Evangelism

Problems and challenges of cooperative evangelism include:(i) It is sometimes very costly(ii) It easily gets abused with some workers leaving before the end of

the programme.

(iii) It sometimes creates personnel problem as to the leadership of the new churches. It breeds churches without Pastors.

None of the problems are unsolvable. With prayers and adequate planning the problem with Cooperative Evangelism can be overcome and they will be overcome.

9.2.6 Crusade1Kg.18:17-24; Ecc. 11:1; Matt. 5:12; Acts 17:22-34; 2:14,38-41

This is the proclamation of the Gospel of Christ to a large crowd of people at the same time with the aim of bringing many souls to the saving knowledge of Christ all at once. It is like fishing with a big net in a large body of water to catch large number of fishes at once as against using hook and line to catch them one by one.

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This method helps to bring in many converts to the New Church right from the beginning. Crusade is a popular and an effective way of reaching out with the gospel of Christ. Crusade style of church planting is strategic in working towards the church taking off with a bang, which on its own a winsome strategy for the advancement of the new church.

For best results, there is need to consider the requirements, appropriateness and timing of crusade.

(a) Requirements of Crusade

Crusade requires a lot of prayers, planning and organization and publicity before execution so as to give the desired result. The following must be done to ensure an effective and fruitful or result oriented crusade:(i) Survey: The community should be surveyed to have sufficient

knowledge of the people’s occupation, language, population, religion, Availability, and Interest etc. The survey will also help in deciding the most suitable place in the community to hold the crusade by helping us to determine its accessibility, capacity, centrality, Neutrality, facilities and security for open- air crusade.

(ii) Serious and Special Prayers Organization: The pastor, leaders, workers and members must be mobilized, and organized to pray seriously for the crusade. The prayer must start weeks or months before the crusade and must continue during and after the crusade. Prayer bulleting and requests should be given out to guide the prayers for the crusade and church planting. Individual family, corporate prayers, vigils, fasting, prayer chains etc must be adopted.

(iii) Strong Publicity Procedure: (Psalm 68:11; Matt.22:1-9). The publicity must aim at getting every person in the community to hear and decide to attend the crusade. Various publicity methods, materials such as personal contact, rally, car parade, radio, T,V announcements handbills, cards, posters, publicity garments, caps and banners etc could be used.

(iv) Security of Venue: The Security of venue for the crusade and of the new church to be planted must be considered a top priority.

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After survey and determining suitable place for crusade and also for the new church, steps must be taken to secure the place, officially, pay rent, get police and community head permission furnish the church with pews, pulpit, wall clock, offering bags etc.

(v) Sound And Serious preparation by preacher: The crusade preacher needs to prepare himself as follows. He must have: Regular, fervent and consitent prayers long before, during and

after the crusade. Develop ability to communicate effectively with a good voice. Possessed balanced mannerism and gesticulation Proper message preparation and deep meditation on relevant

gospel scriptures. Adaptation of text and message to audience. Use of relevant illustration to gain attention of the audience and

drive the message home. Enduement of power and anointing for unction and authority in

preaching and prayer. A life of holiness, honesty good report and consistent walk with

God before and after crusade. Increase in faith to face sudden challenges. Putting on the whole armour of God to resist attack or opposition. Sourcing for money, material and men for the execution of the

crusade and church planting programme. The leaders, workers and member must all be mobilized to give

and to participate in the programme enthusiastically. All needed materials for the crusade, follow-up and church programme must be procured in adequate quantity and quality before the programme.

(b) Appropriation of CrusadesIt is not economical or appropriate to employ a sledge hammer in killing a cockroach. Crusade is appropriate for: (i) large communities (ii) where power demonstration is needed (iii) where opposition and restriction to gospel preaching is absent or

mininal.(c) Timing of Crusades

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In timing of crusade we have to consider the time when majority of the people will be available. Also the time that weather is favourable should be considered. We should also ensure it does not clash with major events in the community.

10.0 PLANNING AND EXECUTING EFFECTIVE CHURCH PLANTING PROGRAMMESLuke 14:28-32; Pro.6:8; 22:3; 24:27

The aim of this lecture is to make the prospective pastor/pastiral student to understand:• The Need for Planning in Churvch planting;• The Way to Plan or things to Plan for;• How to Execute or carry out the planned programme effectively.Now for some understanding of basic words and their relationship and relevance to each other.

• PLANNING:Design and plan comprises the unmistakable language of nature. In all matters therefore, before begining, a diligent planning and preparation is very important. Planning is thinking through and stating step by step the process of what you want to do.

• EXECUTION:This is acting on plan or putting the plan into which the plan will just be wishing thinkimg or mere academic exercise. It is action that translates our planning for church planting into reality. It puts life into the plan.

• CHURCH PLANTING:This is the deliberate effors taken by an individual believer, grouos of believers or an existing Christian body to evangelism or win soul in a particular community and then organize them into a new local assembly or congregation worshipping and witnessing for Chist in that community (Acts 11:19-26)

These term are related and one comesbefore or leads to the other.Without proper planning and execution of evangelistic activities there cannot be an effective and viable church planting.

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10.1 PROCESSES INVOLVED IN PLANNING AND EXECUTING AN EFFECTIVE CHURCH PLANTING PROGRAMME

The processes involved in planning of an effective church planting programmes could include the following:

• Prayer• Choice of Community where Church is to be planted• Survey of close community for church planting• Goal setting to determine (i)scope of outreach and (ii) Size of church

to be planted.• Choice of location and viability of the church to be planted.• Follow-up Arrangements viability and sustainability of church

planted.• Mobilisation strategies.

Description of the Planning and Preparation Processes:• Prayer: This is the beginning of all spiritual activities that will be effective and fruitful. The planner or pastor needs to pray for God’s leading and guidance as well as help in all he does in the building of Christ Church because:(i) We are Christ representative and we are not on our own(ii) We are co-workers with God. He is the owner of the Church and our

senior-partner.(iii) We need His wisdom and guidance in our planning so as not to

make mistake or fail in our church planting endeavour.(iv) Prayer provides divine support, strength and assistance we need to

have a fruitful and successful church planting programme.(v) Prayer will also remove obstacles (brought by satan, demons, men,

government, physical and spiritual etc) on the way of our church planting activities.

(vi) Prayer mobilization can be done through individuals, family, groups, pastors, leaders and members; then chain prayers bulletin and requests are given out.

• People (Community) Where Church is to be planted: After praying we have to determine the particular community where church planting is needed. We look at:(i) areas where people demand for the gospel.

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(ii) Places where there is no church or our ministry presence is lacking.(iii) Places far from our nearest location(iv) Places where gospel light has not shine etc.(v) Places the Holy Spirit is prompting us to go.

• Preliminary Investigations (survey) of chosen Community: After prayerfully determining the community where Church planting is to be carried out, the next step is to carry out a detailed survey (investigation) of the community to find out the: (i) Size of the town.(ii) Population of the town and its spread(iii) Major language(s) of the community(iv) Culture and traditions of the community.(v) Religion and type of worship of the people.(vi) Major occupation.(vii) Time majority are at home and available to hear the word of God.(viii) Disposition of the people to strangers and the gospel.(ix) Spiritual problems and other things to be addressed in prayer and

preparations.

• Goal Setting: The next step in planning is now to set goals to determine:(i) The scope of the outreach programmed to the community(ii) The size of the church to be planted.(iii) The size of plan power and other resources needed for the

programme and church planting exercise.

This is done with prayer and careful consideration of finding of our survey of the community.

• Choice of Location and Timing: Other important things to plan on are the choice of location where the church will be planted and where the outreach programme will take place is very important. It must be:(i) Accessible(ii) Free from distractions(iii) Free from health hazards(iv) Airy and specious(v) Have basic furnitures(seats, pulpit etc)

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(vi) Decent and neat(vii) Neutral i.e. it should not be a controversial place or place part of

the community will not want to come

• Timing of Outreach and and Church Planting Programmes: Just like the farming if the farmer wants to succeed and be productive, the timing of his planting operations must be well considerd, similarly the church planter must consider appropriate timing to have fruitful outreach. Timing must be guided by:(i) Holy spirit prompting(ii) Hunger for God and His word seeing on the people(iii) Request for church planting by the people(iv) Availability of the people in the community(v) Freedom from clashes with traditional programmes or major events

in the community that can hinder their availability etc.(vi) Weather condition(vii) Planting in Harvesting periods in Rural areas.

• Follow Up Arrangements, Viability and Sustenance of the New Church (Acts14:21-23; Mark 1:35,6:30-46; Acts 15:35-36,16:4-5): It is not enough to plan and organize a church planting activity but we must ensure the new church and her members stand firm in Christ and continue to wax strong in the Lord. This requires a well planned and well executed follow-up arrangement to ensure viability and sustainability of the newly planted church.

Following the example of our Lord Jesus Christ and the early church, we can ensure the viability and sustainability of the newly planted church by:(i) Getting sufficent convert/decision slips ready(ii) Training counsellors for decision makers at our church planting

programmes(iii) Training follow-up workers who will help to assist the new convert

after the programme(iv) Selecting pastir for the newly planted church and ensure he

resides in or visit regularly the location

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(v) Providing sufficient follow-up materials e.g tracts, convert study outline series, books, cassettes etc

(vi) Organize serious, regular and continuous prayer for the new church and members

(vii) Senior pastor or church planter should visit and revisit the newly planted church from time to time.

(viii) Organize church strengthening activities after sometime(ix) Attach the new church to an old church to foster and assist them

spiritually, financially, materially etc.(x) Bring the members of the new church to the headquarters at

least once a month and to Retreats for integration and encouragement.

• Mobilisation (Nehemiah 1:1-4,2:11-18): After all the planning has been done the last state is to mobilize the church to carry out the plan. The mobilisation should be in stages:

(a) Mobilisation of Leaders(b) Mobilisation of Workers(c) Mobilisation of Members

(a) Mobilisation of Leaders: The church planter or pastor having the vision for church planting will gather together his church key leaders to:(i) share the vision with them(ii) Mobilize them to be involved and(iii) Assign specific responsibilities to them.

He can choose prayer, publicity, finance, counseling and follow-up, Electrical and electronic committees and coordinators etcHe gives them goal and times to do work.

(b) Mobilisation of Workers- The next group are the workers to work with the leaders. The pastor has to mobilize them so that they can give full support and corporation to the leaders assign over them The workers will be divided into various sections with specific assignments.

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(c) Mobilisation of Members: The pastor then move to the entire member and share the vision and mobilize them to pray, publicise, give and particcipate effectively in all stages of preparation and execution of the programme.

In planting a church one, some or all of the various Evangelism methods could be used but with varying degree of results or effectiveness. The fruitfulness or effectiveness of our church planting programme depends to the use of the appropriate evangelism method for the particular community where the church is to be planted. Church planting strategy therefore involves “the use of an appropriate method of Evangelism for the appropriate community at the appropriate time to ensure maximum results”.

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11.0 CHURCH PLANTING AND COOPERATIVE EVANGELISM11.1 ADEQUATE PLANNING FOR CO-OPERATIVE EVANGELISM

Co-operative evangelism can be carried out on House fellowship levels, area, zonal, district, LGA, regional, provincial or across national boundaries. Having looked at the areas where co-operative evangelism can be carried out, we then need to look at all logistics needed for adequate planning for the successful take off. There will be need for the people concerned for the evangelism to plan a meeting to discuss the nitty gritty of the programme and all the needed materials for the successful outreaches.

The following arrangements need be put in place:– The pastor of the particular place where the evangelism will be

held should have done adequate geographical survey of the area to be covered.

– The spiritual mapping of such areas should be carried out, to know how to prepare for the warfare (Matthew 12:29).

– Adequate survey of the different churches present in the area should be carried out.

– The survey of the different religious groups should be carried out, if possible to have at least a rough estimate of the followers of such religious groups.

– The level of literacy should be carried out also to prepare the needed literature materials.

– The social life of the people must be verified to know their learning.– A little survey of the various age group should be verified.– Know a little bit of the history of the inhabitants and their

relationship with the Christian organization in the area.– Verify their attitudes to the gospel news in such an area.– Verify if the people in the area to evangelise has any bias for a

specific religion.

At the first meeting after the proposal has been worked out, all the survey carried out by the host pastor will be tendered and exhaustively discussed before the planning programme will now be prepared.

They may even be an agenda prepared for such a meeting thus:• Opening Prayers• The towns and villages to cover at the evangelism.

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• The distance of the places to the place used for the take off.• The local laws guiding such programmes in such areas if permits or

something else will be required.• What are the local regulations for transportation?• The places to use, how we get the clearance for such areas (i.e Local

Government permits, or permission taken from the authority).• The number of participants needed.• How do we accommodate the participant from other locations?• Will the co-operative evangelism be residential or non-residential?• How do you take care of the participants?• How do you spend the morning session or will the programme be

morning, afternoon and evening?• Decide the number of days that will be adequate.• Decisions will be reached for the materials needed for the

programme.• Who and who should be placed in the different sectional groups.

When this meeting is exhaustively discussed will form the terms of reference for the successful implementation of the programme. All these facts will form the basic planning strategies that could be carried out and spread out to people that will now execute the term of reference submitted to the executing committee that could be selected in this planning meeting.

As the Executing committee has now been set up, each of them will be given what areas to cover for the successful implementation of the recommendations.The committees should now go out to prepare what is needed in each section, and they are costed, and gathered together to form the bulk of what will be spent on the project. The meeting will then reconvene to discuss the cost and how the money or the project will be financed. At the end of it all, a recommendation will be fashioned out on how the cost will be available.

11.2 EXECUTING A WELL PLANNED CO-OPERATIVE (OWE) FOR CHURCH PLANTING PROGRAMME

The execution of the programme for Church Planting will go a long way to determine its fruitful reaults. After thorough planning there is need for effective implementation. The programme taken the planter to the very community where the church is to be planted. Planters have been highly motivated will become enthusiastically ready with zeal to take

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the community for Christ. “And they siad, let us rise up and build. SO they strengthened their hands for this work”. (Nehemiah 2:18). When there is proper orientation and motivation, effective implementation becomes an easy task.

Shortly before the take off of the programme there must be a publicity saturation of the chosen community. Everyone must be aware that something great is about to take place (Esther 8:10-14; Isaiah 34:1; Luke 14:23). Every means of creating awareness must be explored: use of local drums, village bell, town criers, etc. The fact is that the programme must be talk of the community. (The example of R. Bonke’s crusade in Ibadan should be sited as an example). The whole city of Ibadan was agog for the herald of the crusade. Where crusade is the choice of the programme for the church planting this must be carried out at the appropriate time of the day (Matthew 9:35-36; Acts 13:14). Programme of activities for each day of the crusade must have been properly outlined and time duration allocated and period of choruses, prayers, choir and evangelistic messages clearly spelt out.

It needs be emphasized that the message must be purely evangelistic, calling sinners to repentance and faith in the atoning blood of Christ. (Mark 1:14-15; MATT.10:5-7; Acts 3:19; 16 ; 30-31). The preaching must be clear, pungent and revealing to enable the sinner to make a definite decision to follow the lord (Acts3:37-41; 1Thessalonians 1;5-6) .The preacher’s preparation through prayers; study and faith is the secret of his effectiveness.

The use of evangelistic films or video-tapes could equally be powerful tools for church planting. This, at times could attract a whole community, especially villages where they are least exposed to modern technology. All equipment such as: generating plant, amplifier, loud speakers, microphones and lighting system must have been made available. An interpreter must be on hand to interpret the; message when the film/video is in a language different from that of the community.

It is expected that church planters are to camp in the village or community where the programme is to be held. This implies that morning and afternoon hours are available for maximum utilisation. It will be a profitable initiative to organise a mini-conference for the

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spiritual upliftment of planters. The objective should be on Christian living with related topics as pre-requisite for fruitfulness in evangelism. Topics such as freedom from sin, restitution, holiness, prayer, faith and baptism in the Holy Spirit could be considered (1 John 3:1-9; John8:11; Exodus 22:1-7; Acts 24:16).

Similarly, afternoon hours should be divided into two sessions. The first session would be for series of intercessory prayers, while personal evangelism will be for the other part. It is obvious that prayer is indispensable to a successful evangelistic outreach (Luke 10:1-2;18:1;Ezra 9:6). Warfare prayer that pulls down all satanic barriers and strongholds must equally be explored (Matthew 11:12; 2 Corinthians 10:3-6; Ephesians 6:10-18; Acts 13:8-12).

After this, the planters will be dispersed for personal evangelism in the last hours of the afternoon. House to house sharing of the gospel and invitation to the evening crusade will be rewarding (Acts 8:4; Mark16:15). Converts of the previous day programme should be visited and followed up in order for them to consistently follow through. At the end of each message during the crusade period, a clear-cut call to decision for Christ must be extended to sinners. Those who respond would be led in prayers of repentance and faith in Christ. Church planting counselors will be on hand to help handle the decision-makers. They are to share briefly with them the joy of their experience and persuade them to sign the decision card for prayers and follow-up. Their fears need be allayed and their confidence re-assured. Helpful materials such as tracts, Bibles, and magazines could be offered as immediate follow-up materials.

Furthermore, the physical needs of the people should be ministered to through miracle prayers. Power evangelism, a phenomenon associated with the miraculous has become a reality in our day, because of Satan’s activities. The gospel must be preached “in demonstration of the spirit and power” (1 Corinthians 2:4) Sicknesses, diseases, oppressions, spiritual attacks and demonic possessions can be dealt with through the power of the Holy Spirit(Mark 16:17-20. Matthew 10:7-8; Acts3:1-6; Romans 15:18-19).

At the end of counseling the converts, prayers of faith could be offered to minister to the multifarious needs of the people. It is expected that

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adequate arrangements for the follow-up of converts had been made before church planting is embarked upon. A school of thought says, “Decision is five percent, while following up the decision is ninety-five percent”. Hence, it is of necessity that the place of worship for the new church is secured, trained pastor ensured, and follow-up leaders from the parent church ascertained to give the new congregation the needed immediate stabilizing support.

11.3 CHURCH PLANTING AFTER CO-OPERATIVE EVANGELISM (Matthew 28:19-20; Acts2:41-47; Ephesians 4:11-14; Philippians 1:5; 1 John 1:7)

Fruitful evangelism efforts must lead to church planting, where the fruits of evangelism are conserved and matured. The first worship service of a church thus planted is paramount to the continuity of the converts in fellowship, in prayers, and study of the word of God until they get to full stature of Christ. Since Church planting is the end point of co-operative evangelism, the first service is therefore a justification of what is done.

The community where the co-operative evangelism was held has prepared the place needed for the church to use for the converts. As the church starts, with the converts brought in for the 1st service and attended possibly by the planters to share the joy of their sweat. There should be a constant supervision to see the growth of such planted churches periodically.

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12.0 OPERATING PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEM AND CRUSADE EQUIPMENT

Students are required to undergo a week practical internship under the electronics section of a church with a view to identifying, mastering the use and handling of the following, among other public address and crusade equipment. They are to keep a notebook of their findings, to be endorsed by the head of their department of internship and submit same for the course lecturer’s examination, after the exercise.

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13.0 FOLLOW-UP AND DISCIPLESHIP13.1 MEANING AND NECESSITY OF FOLLOW-UP AND DISCIPLESHIP

Follow up and discipling of the fruits of evangelism is very important in the process of maturing new converts. Five percent of the work of soul winning is done when they are evangelized. The follow-up work takes ninety five percent of the work of making a convert. Follow-up work is more tedious than evangelism. To ignore it is to risk making out evangelistic labours fruitless.

13.1.1 Meaning of Follow-UpFollow-up refers to the instruction and after care of the new believer in Christ. It is the process of nurturing and instructing new converts in the Christian life. It is the responsibilities of soul winners not only to lead people into the new birth, but also to follow them up unto stability in the faith. Just as babies are dependent on parents in early life, so do young Christians need help and guidance of other more mature Christians. The objective of follow-up is that the new born child of God may steadily grow in spiritual maturing and become a functioning member of the church (Eph 4:13; Col 1:28).

13.1.2 Meaning of DiscipleshipThe word disciple means “one who follows the precepts and instructions of another”. Discipleship therefore is the process whereby a believer is trained or encouraged to become a good follower of his Lord. Thus, becoming a disciple is a continuing process over the life span of the believer (Phil. 1:6).

13.1.3 Aims in Follow-up and DiscipleshipThese include:(i) To build converts up spiritually(ii) To perfect them and make them Christlike(iii) To protect them from false teachers and doctrine(iv) To train them up as future leaders of the church(v) To make them soul winners who will bring others to Christ(vi) To equip them to withstand the fire of evil and sinister forces

13.2 PRINCIPLES OF FOLLOW UP AND DISCIPLESHIP68

Successful follow-up administration will take note of the following:(i) Ensure converts have a genuine experience and assurance of

salvation(ii) Clarify the steps he /she took to become a Christian (John1:12)(iii) Help the new converts to understand that conversion should cause

a complete change in their life (II Cor. 5: 17)(iv) Help converts to understand the ministry of the Holy spirit at

conversion (I Cor 3:16)(v) Help converts to know how to study, understand and benefit from

the Bible.(vi) Teach the act of prayer and fellowship with God and other

brethren.(vii)Help them to get a correct perspective of temptation and sin (I Cor.

10:12-13)(viii) Know topics to be taught to converts for effective follow up.

These include:(a) Assurance of salvation.(b) New life in Christ(c) Quite time (d) Fellowship(e) Victorious Christian life(f) Prayer understanding temptations(g) Understanding temptations(g) Witnessing for Christ(i) Steadfastness in faith(j) Enduring trials and persecution(k) Spiritual growth

13.3 MATERIALS AND METHODS IN FOLLOW-UP AND DISCIPLESHIP

13.3.1Materials for Follow-up

The Bible is the central and reference material in all discipleship endeavours. Sound, balanced and beneficial Christian literature and tapes are vital materials too.

13.3.2Methods in Discipleship

Two processes or methods of discipleship are discussed hereunder here:

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(a) Nurturing This is a process of preserving the faith and retaining the confidence of the new believer so that he does not yield to the temptation of sliding back into sin and the world (Acts 2:42-44;9:26-7).

Five things required to nurture the new converts or believer include:i. Apostolic teaching/doctrine (Mt. 28:20; Acts2:42).ii. Fellowship among brethren (Acts 2:42; I John 1:1-7).iii. Organization of seminar and retreat programmes.iv. Encouragement of converts to attends. Bible study, discipleship

training and the like.v. Corporate prayer meetings (Mt. 7:7-11; 21:22;John 15;17;

Eph.6:18).

(b) Discipling This is to lead a convert from decision to discipleship. It requires

personal contact with the convert since evangelism is just a channel by which the seeker is introduced to the soul winners. Christ was preeminently concerned with individual converts from the first day of decision to discipleship stage. He saw their need of love, nourishment, protection, training and maturation.

The seven duties of ministers in the church of Jesus Christ as found in Ephesians 4:12-13, are instructive in the discipling process. These are:i. Perfecting new converts/saints verse 12ii. Involving new converts in the work of the ministtry (vs 12)iii. Edifying the body of Christ with the new converts inclusive (vs 12)iv. Unifying both old and new converts in faith (vs 13).v. Unifying all believers in doctrine and practice (vs.13)vi. Perfecting the church in Christ life and minstry (vs. 13)vii. Bring men to maturity in Christ Jesus (vs. 13).

It is needful to note that discipling new believers in Christ requires training both by teaching and by example (I Cor 4:12-14; II Tim. 2:2 ). Apostle Paul’s desire for spiritual reproduction did not apply to his doctrine but also to his life style of soul winning and discipling.

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He wanted man to live and think like Jesus Christ as well as know his goal of integrating, conserving and maturing new converts for discipleship all through his ministry.

Similarly, every leader should have his life so ordered that he might be able to reproduce the life of Christ in others. Also leaders and co-workers should be like-minded. Workers should identify and agree with the leader’s basic goal and objective: making the new believer the disciple of Christ (Mt. 28:19-20).

13.4 CONSERVATION OF CHURCH PLANTING EFFORTS THROUGH THE HOUSE CARING SYSTEM

The concept of the House Caring Fellowship (HCF) is to establish the church on firm foundation. It is one of the Biblical solutions to the problem of Church growth. The HCF makes the work easy for the Pastor. Pastors need others under their authority to share tasks and time consuming responsibilities. Besides, many churches have been established through the use of the HCF.

A HCF will:(i) Provide closer fellowship where people can care, share as well as

relate to each other in a face to face relationship(ii) Create opportunities for interactions, questions and application of

God’s word to members.(iii) Provide an avenue for bringing believers to maturity(iv) Design a means of outreach to increase the burden and passion for

souls. To provide a place to attract other people(v) Enhance opportunity for the nurturing fellowship, particularly for

new converts(vi) Provide a place for training people and a place where disciples are

constantly made(vii) Facilitate opportunities to experience real love and concern by

people living in the neighbourhood(viii) Create a sense of belonging through the expression of

practical love and concern(ix) Create an ideal situation where close personal relationship exists

and is developed

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(x) Close up the backdoor to whoever becomes a member of the church.

Advantages of the HCFAdvantages of the HCF include:(i) It is flexible(ii) It does not draw a lot of attention to its operation(iii) It provides good training ground for leadership(iv) It offers good opportunity for bonding.(v) It is reliable

Problems of the HCF

By its nature, HCF depends on other people’s accommodation. For a new location, getting adequate accommodation can be difficult. Its relaxed atmosphere is sometimes abused, turning the meeting into mere social gathering. Getting effective leaders for the HCF can sometimes be challenging.

Prospects in the HCFChallenging as things may be, the HCF still remains a very important means of duplicating and grooming leadership in the church. With prayer and adequate training programmes, much of the problems will be eliminated.

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14.0 CHURCH STRENGTHING ACTIVITIES

The church is defined as the assembly of the "called out ones" as distinct from the world and of building in which worshippers assemble. It is an assembly of Christians gathered to worship and for other sacred purposes which is also referred to as the body of Christ (1 Cor 11:18;14:4-5; Eph1:22). The local church is the visible company of Christians who regularly meet for worship services in a locality(Mt18:17; Rm16:1,5,23). The universal church (invisible church) is the general assembly of believers of all ages (Heb2:12; 12:23).The focus of this lecture is on the local church.

14.1 CONCEPT OF CHURCH STRENGTHENING:The dictionary definition of "strengthening" includes "to grow" or "become stronger". Church strengthening hence suggests the process of church growth and church development. Growth is a function of life. All living things experience progressive growth and development because they possess life. The moment life terminates, growth ceases and decadence sets in. The church of Christ is a living body which must perpetually bobble with Christ's life. Another aspect the dictionary definition of strengthening above is "becoming stronger". The spiritual health of the church will directly or indirectly affect her growth and development. So then, the church must be spiritually strong and healthy before she can experience proper growth and development. A lukewarm and weak local church needs spiritual reawakening programmes to rescue her from further degeneration in her state of spiritual stagnancy or decline. Church growth does not occur spontaneously. It comes through conscious and deliberate efforts through result-oriented gospel activities.

14.2 SYMPTONS OF UNHEALTHY/WEAK CHURCHA cursory look into the local church for constant spiritual diagnoses is imperative for any diligent pastor Prov.27:23; Acts 20:28; 1 Pet.5:2. The danger of counting on the "church numbers" (attendance) and not on "church members" (born again Christians) is more pronounced today than ever. However, it is neither the number nor the multiplication of church activities that determine the strength and growth of the church. Whatever the number and programmes of

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activities, the following symptoms if found in a local church, are indicative of the need for strengthening activities:

i. Obvious lack of a spiritual (i.e Christian experiences) and numeral growth in the church

ii. Consistent decrease in fellowship attendanceiii. Observation of spiritual stagnancy or decline of church membersiv. Manifestations of lukewarm/lethagic attitude to prayer, fellowship

meetings and spiritual activitiesv. Manifestations of growing interest on ceremonial, social and

physical activities rather than spiritual activitiesvi. Manifestations of dead works of a dead church (Rev.3:1-3,17-19).

14.3 CHOOSING STRATEGIES FOR CHURCH STRENGTHENINGChurch strengthening methods are numerous but vary in application to specific localities. The church setting and the audience naturally determine the strengthening methods that will be effective. Certain considerations are imperative before, the choice of any particular church strengthening methods.

These are as follows:• The place: This could be a rural or an urban area, elite or

indigenous setting, village or a city, heterogeneous or monolinguistic society etc.

• The people: The ethnic concentrations with the language, religious and cultural background of the audience are essential.

• The population: The number of expected participants together with the state of the church will contribute in the choice of right programme for strengthening.

• The problem: The actual problem as diagnosed through indicative symptoms of the ill-health of the church will, to a great extent, determine the choice of strengthening programme.

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• The programme: The planner must determine what kind of programme is suitable-indoor,outdoor,seminar,crusade, Video show etc.

• The promoters: The manpower needed for the programme must be trained e,g. workers, counselors ushers etc.

• The prospects: The planners must ensure a result-oriented programme with a high level of spiritual prospects. A proven programme that fits the situation at hand is of more value than a mere outreach in the name of it.

CHURCH STRENGTHENING STRATEGIES:Proven church strengthening programmes that have been found suitable in restoring spiritual health and growth of the local church include the following, among others:

For Churches in Rural Areas:i. Co-operative evangelismii. Person-to-person evangelismiii. Crusadeiv. Video showv. Week-end revival outreach

For Churches in Urban Areas:i. Indoor revival servicesii. Special seminar programmesiii. Mass evangelismiv. Literature evangelismv. Audio-Visual e.g. Satellitevi. Power evangelismvii. Personal evangelismviii. House Caring Fellowship

Assignment: The students should write on any six of the above strategies taking three each of the rural and urban areas and showing with citation of practical examples and possibly statistics, how the strategies can effectively bring life into an unhealthy church.

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APPENDIX:I. GUIDELINES ON EVANGELISM TEAM AND CHURCH

PLANTING PROJECT

II. SPECIAL TOOLS FOR EVANGELISM i. Steps to Peaceii. 4-Steps to Lifeiii. Personal Evangelism Commitment Cardiv. Operation Andrew Cardv. Tracts (1) A Gospel Message &

(2) Conversion and After (illustrated)

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