Revivals vital for growth, convention strategist says

JACKSONVILLE (FBC)—Church and associational leaders can approach 2005 with evangelistic momentum, reaching spiritually lost residents in their communities by hosting “Consumed with Hope Harvest Revivals.”

And with resources made available through Florida Baptist Convention program departments, help is on hand for all stages of planning this event. The revivals are a component of the “Consumed with Hope” soul-winning emphasis sponsored by the Convention’s Evangelism Division.

Revivals as an evangelistic effort are effective and as necessary and relevant today as it was in biblical times, said Don McCutcheon, director of the convention’s Evangelism Strategy Department.

Quoting statistical research released by his department, McCutcheon added that at least 79 percent of Florida Baptist churches with high baptism statistics conduct soul-winning revivals or events annually.

For McCutcheon, preparing for these necessary events is the key to their success.

An example of the spiritual readiness and evangelistic planning of the church can be found in the Book of Acts, McCutcheon said. “The first church prayed for days in spiritual preparation and then went out in the power of the Holy Spirit to reap an evangelistic harvest.”

The importance of preparation spurred the design of resources to help prepare for, conduct and follow-up intentionally evangelistic “Consumed with Hope Harvest Revivals.”

The Prayer/Spiritual Awakening department created a booklet of guidelines and creative avenues of prayer for churches preparing for a “Consumed with Hope Harvest Revival.” The booklet, “Consumed with Prayer,” details ways for church members to pray individually and corporately in preparation for a harvest revival. It can be ordered by contacting 800-226-8584, ext. 3098 or e-mail kwalker@flbaptist.org .

“Prayer is essential in preparing for a ‘Consumed with Hope Harvest Revival’ because it reveals our dependence on God and opens the door to the fullness of His blessings,” said Rick Shepherd, department director.

In addition to prayer, incorporating Sunday School programs into a church’s preparation for a “Consumed with Hope Harvest Revival” encourages church members to invite persons to church on a weekly basis, said David Moore, associate director of the Sunday School Department, who designed an eight-week campaign to correspond with the revivals.

Moore’s Sunday school campaign, “Friends Intentionally Sharing Hope” (FISH), is comprised of lessons on the topics “consumed with a mission,” “consumed with a ministry” and “consumed with a message.”

The lessons outline the importance of actively serving in the church and how to reach those who do not attend church regularly. The lessons conclude with an evangelistic message on a high attendance Sunday. The final lesson also coincides with the Sunday of the revival. To receive FISH Sunday School materials contact the department at 800-226-8584, ext. 3076 or e-mail whylton@flbaptist.org.

Another preparatory resource made available through the convention is “Consumed with Hope” conferences. This conference is designed to engage an entire congregation in personal evangelism.

“The ‘Consumed with Hope’ conferences will involve a church’s entire congregation in being faithful Christian witnesses,” said Jeff Hessinger, director of the Personal Evangelism Department. During these conferences, church congregations are trained in Gospel presentation and how to effectively make use of visitation.

Throughout the conference, ministry leaders are encouraged to embrace ongoing evangelism strategy and to lead congregations to an awareness of the need to reach the spiritually lost. Churches interested in conducting a “Consumed with Hope” conference should contact the Personal Evangelism department at 800-226-8584, ext. 3096 or e-mail ped@flbaptist.org.

Revival preparation manuals are among other resources available through the Evangelism Strategy department.

In addition to these materials, which are available on a first come first serve basis, the department also provides planning support.

The department’s consultants can help plan a one to four-day evangelistic revival. Consultants are also available to help teach church members how to lead children to Christ. For more information on available consultants or to request manuals call 800-226-8584, ext. 3094 or e-mail lcampbell@flbaptist.org.

Other convention departments offering supplemental planning support for harvest revivals include the Collegiate Ministries Department.

The department will provide “Hope Teams” made up of four or more college students trained in evangelism. The teams are designed to help churches with visitation and/or to lead youth emphases during a “Consumed with Hope Harvest Revival.” Request a “Hope Team” to help during a revival or evangelistic event by calling 800-226-8584, ext. 3092 or e-mail bcm@flbaptist.org.

The African-American Church Development Department will recommend conference leaders trained in evangelism and church development in predominantly African-American communities. For assistance please contact Milton Boyd at 800-226-8584, ext. 3035 or e-mail cjones@flbaptist.org.

Revival preparation for language churches includes culturally-specific training in personal evangelism, prayer, giving an evangelistic invitation and following up with individuals who make spiritual decisions. Language churches interested in more information on planning a “Consumed with Hope Harvest Revival” can call Herman Rios at 800-226-8584, ext. 3103 or e-mail lgilles@flbaptist.org.

Follow-up resources are also available to help minister to the needs of individuals who make spiritual decisions during a harvest revival.

The Discipleship and Family Department’s “Eight Days of Welcome” strategy is designed to assimilate new Christians or new church members into the church family.

“This flexible follow-up program focuses on building contact between the new convert and the church’s Sunday School or small group leaders during the week following the individuals conversion,” said Bill Carmichael, director of the Discipleship and Family Department.

To request “Eight days of Welcome” follow-up materials, contact the Discipleship and Family Department directly at 800-226-8584, ext. 3066 or e-mail d&f@flbaptist.org.

For further information on hosting a “Consumed with Hope Harvest Revival” contact the Evangelism Strategy Department at 800-226-8584, ext. 3094.