Point-of-View

The clarion call for our churches focuses upon reaching people for Jesus. The expectations of the church in regards to evangelism are met with results that reflect your desires. If a church commits to reaching the lost for Christ, then the Lord will

provide the harvest. As you examine your plans for this church year have you included intentional evangelism, deliberate outreach, and focused evangelistic events? The privilege of telling the world about Jesus begins in your vineyard of ministry. The responsibility of impacting our communities for Christ clearly belongs to the church.

I encourage our churches to revisit a powerful tool that has been relegated to a place in the past. Revival is a lost emphasis within our churches. We have allowed an important spiritual experience to be pushed aside in our efforts to not offend the world. The term "revival" has become a negative term for seeking contemporary culture. Revivals are still a viable and effective strategy for reaching the lost and edifying the saints. I was saved as a ten year old boy in a revival service. I am grateful for a heritage marked with revival experiences.

Revival required planning, preparation, prayer, and participation. I have preached revivals where the pastor and music minister appeared to be the only individuals aware of the revival meeting. I also have preached revivals where the church was ready and the results were evident. Do not give up on revivals because of the necessary work required for the revival. Proper preparation and priority planning will yield tremendous blessings for a local church. Revivals will unify the church and touch the community in a unique manner.

My prayer is for the fire of revival to fall upon our churches. It is not an issue discerning if revival is in God’s will. The issue is our obedience to a commitment to reach our community for Christ. Our churches will be excited about a series of consecutive worship services that exalt the Savior, edify the saints, and engage the lost in the Lord. The effort and energy invested in a revival is worth the one and more who will accept Christ.

Suggested helps:

• Florida Baptist Convention www.flbaptist.org (click Evangelism/ Believer Development)
• Conference of Florida Baptist Evangelists (www.cofbe.com)
• contact churches that participate in revivals

I urge you to include a revival in your plans for 2004. God will honor your efforts to reach your area for Christ. The Psalmist declared, "They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.

He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him" (Psalm 126: 5-65).

J. Thomas Green is pastor, First Baptist Church, Brandon.