Congregational Warmth: Developing a Culture of Authentic Hospitality 5th Essential for a TRULY Evangelistic Church

A church that doesn’t warmly “embrace” its visitors can’t be TRULY evangelistic. →
A church that doesn’t warmly “embrace” its visitors can’t be TRULY evangelistic. →
When Germain Fayosseh came to ABWE headquarters for the Good Soil Evangelism & Discipleship (GSED) seminar and trainer certification in May of 2018, his enthusiasm was contagious. Dr. Sharon Rahilly, the director of ABWE’s nursing schools in Togo, had encouraged and provided for him to come and he was overflowing with joy and thankfulness. “The opportunity of a lifetime,” he told us. “This is exactly what I need for my ministry of evangelism and training and equipping church leaders, nursing students, and other believers back in Togo.” Even though English is not his first language, he listened and participated fully, and left with as many French copies of The Story of Hope that weight restrictions for his suitcase permitted... →
“I’m Catholic and not interested in a new church or religion.” Jose had come to the Saturday night Bible study to get his friend, who would not quit inviting him, off his back. He wanted Dan Mee, the missionary leading the study, to know that this was a one-time thing. Dan warmly welcomed him and handed him a copy of The Story of Hope, praying that the study of God’s Word would have an impact on his life. →
A local church must not jump over the “Jerusalem” of Acts 1:8 to try to salve its congregational conscience by only supporting foreign missions. A church’s first and foremost responsibility is to “bloom where it was planted.” →
It began as just the next lesson in The Story of Hope. For several weeks, Pastor Dennis Nkosi of Crossroads Community of Christ Church in Durban, South Africa, had been teaching a group of sixteen students, including two pastors. That Monday night, the group studied the event of the bronze serpent in the wilderness. The Israelites had rebelled in unbelief against God, and He punished them in judgment with deadly serpent bites. When the people confessed their sin and Moses prayed for deliverance, God provided a way to be saved from death. They needed to look and respond to God in faith in order to be restored. During the lesson, there was a palpable tension in the room. The students left the room that night clearly troubled... →
A local church’s mission must TRULY be the Great Commission. Just using the “Great Commission” as a pious platitude is not enough. →
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