Clay Hallmark
President, Tennessee Baptist Convention
The other day I picked up a 24-pack of bottled water at Sam’s Club. Each bottle of water cost me about $0.20 each. That exact bottle of water at the grocery store costs $0.40 each. If you get that bottle of water at a restaurant it will cost you $2. If you were to drink that bottle of water in a hotel room, the cost would be $3 each. On an airplane you will be charged as much as $5 for that bottle of water, while it will cost you $7 per bottle at an airport in Europe.
Here is what I know to be true: The bottle of water and the brand are the same. There is only one difference that changes the price and that is location. Each place or location gives a different value or worth to the same bottle of water.
What value or worth is your church in your location giving to the gospel of Jesus Christ? For some the place of evangelism and the sharing of the gospel is worth $0.20, while at other places it is much more.
Clay Hallmark
The truth is that for many of our churches, we give a lot of talk to evangelism and the importance of sharing the gospel, but we do not have a clearly defined evangelism strategy.
Who in your church is being equipped to share their own gospel story with others? Who is taking responsibility for equipping these people? Often, church leaders tell me, “No one at my church wants to go out and do evangelism.”
The fact is that people genuinely care about others and their eternal souls, but no one has ever taught them how to share their gospel story, given them clear and distinct opportunities to do so, or held them accountable for sharing. However, all of that can change at your location starting this week!
Start with just one or two people and grow the evangelism strategy from there. Teach people how to share their own testimony in a short and concise manner. Equip them with an easy to remember and easy to share gospel presentation. Bathe the ministry in lots of prayer. Discover some new prospects, new homeowners, Sunday guests, people on your roll not attending, or other friends, relatives, associates or neighbors. Then, note where those people are, and reach them with the love and gospel of Jesus.
My friend Danny Sinquefield says, “Who do you know that is close to you, but far from God?” Engage them with the gospel right where they are, then connect them with a small group Bible study class in your church for ministry, encouragement, prayer, fellowship and follow-up.
Let it be known throughout your community, town and city that your church is a location that places an extreme value and worth on the gospel and the lives of people all around you!
Right now, someone is waiting on you to point them to Jesus and offer them hope. Don’t let them down! Jesus said, “For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save the lost (CSB).” Let the same be said of our Tennessee Baptist churches!
If I can help you or if you have any comments, e-mail me at clayhallmark@fbclexington.com.
