Revive this Nation

The downward trend in baptisms across our denomination has been accredited to many things, but perhaps one major contributing factor is the lack of true, biblical discipleship in our churches! Taking a new believer and leading them on a spiritual journey toward maturity is a lifelong endeavor. Yet that is exactly what the New Testament church in Acts took on as their discipleship strategy. The results? Thousands coming to Christ... led by new believers who were being discipled by the apostles!

Our commisson to "make disciples" certainly begins with evangelism, but it certainly doesn't end there! Your Evangelism and Discipleship Ministries team stands ready to assist, encourage, motivate and resource your church for reaching people with the gospel and developing them into spiritually mature believers.

Evangelism and Discipleship strategies have several things in common:
- They are both intentional. They don't just happen... they are prayerfully prepared and implemented.
- They are both scripture based. The Word of God is essential to all evangelism and disciple-making ministries.
- They are both supernatural. The power of the Holy Spirit makes our evangelism and discipleship fruitful.

Let your Evangelism and Discipleship team share with your church or association the many new, as well as tried and true, resources that are available for using in our fulfilling our Great Comminssion.

The NET is a new tool designed to equip believers in evangelism by learning to share the Gospel through their story/testimony in a culturally relevant way. More information can be found at www.namb.net/evangelism/thenet/.

The newly revised FAITH materials are more user friendly for churches of all sizes.

Only 10% of the American church has ever shared their faith

• Not like any other evangelism strategy you have ever seen! Will not simply retrain the 10% of your church that is willing to share their faith … it will mobilize and motivate the 90% in every church!
• REACH is not a “new program.” It is a comprehensive prayer and outreach strategy based on Biblical mandate, researched facts about our culture, and contextual need.

We can help with individual church consultation for successful implementation.R.E.A.C.H. EVANGELISTIC SUNDAY SCHOOL/ SMALL GROUP TRAINING.

In 2012, Tim Sadler will teach the basic principles of R.E.A.C.H in three Illinois locations. The training is ideal for pastors, Sunday School and discipleship leaders, and Sunday School teachers of all age groups.

Here’s how it works: Once a month, each member of the class or group commits to contact a guest or prospect through e-mail, phone call, text message, written note or lunch appointment, to encourage them that they have been prayed for and to extend a sincere invitation for them to attend the class or group.

The volunteers have seven days to complete the task; then, they come back to the group and a different set of volunteers starts the process over again.

Please RSVP no later than the Thursday before each training session begins. For more information, call (217) 391-3127 or e-mail BarbaraHalleman@IBSA.org.

When and Where:
March 6, Anna Heights Baptist Church, Anna;
March 27, Dayton Avenue Baptist Church, Peoria;
August 21, Bethel Baptist Church, Bourbonnais
Training sessions begin 6 p.m. (registration is at 5:30) and end at 9 p.m.

Central Theme -- Every Believer Sharing, Every Person Hearing -- by 2020

Vision -- To fulfill the Great Commission in North America by 2020.

Strategy -- 4 Biblical Markers:
Praying -- Every church praying for lost people
Equipping -- Every believer equipped to share as a trained witness
Sowing -- Every lost person receiving a witness
Harvesting -- Every church harvesting and celebrating every salvation response

Bi-Annual Themes:
2012 -- Reaching Across North America
2014 -- Serving Across North America
2016 -- Sharing Across North America
2018 -- Start Something Across North America
2020 -- Celebrating Across North America

In 2012 we will reach and mobilize through Attractional Evangelistic Events throughout the year!

September 2012 - designated as a month for Illinois Baptists to fast and pray for October 2012 attractional evangelistic events.

October 2012 - month for simultaneous attractional evangelistic events (revivals, crusades, men’s conferences, women’s conferences, block parties, Fall Family Festivals, harvest parties, ethnic festivals, parenting conferences, marriage conferences, etc.)

Learn more now!

William Fay and Ralph Hodge present a natural, non-threatening approach that teaches us to communicate the gospel by initiating casual conversations about faith. These door openers lead people to learn for themselves what the Word of God has to say (4 sessions).

Director, Evangelism and Discipleship and Student Ministries
Church Strengthening Team
(217) 391-3131
TimSadler@IBSA.org

Ministry Assistant
Church Strengthening Team
(217) 391-3127
BarbaraHalleman@IBSA.org