By Louie Bustle and Bruno Radi Copyright Louie E. Bustle & Bruno Radi, 1992 1
EACH ONE WIN ONE In this study we will explain one possibility for discipleship. We begin with EACH ONE WIN ONE followed by the supporting program of the Big Brother/Sister Plan. Then we will take an in-depth look at prayer cells, evangelistic campaigns, and the multiplication of churches and pastors. The Holy Spirit wants to build His church around the world. Would it not be a blessing to transform your community by winning many people to Christ through you? Would it not be wonderful for you to begin sending pastors from your church, and to begin new churches? METHODOLOGY OF EACH ONE WIN ONE With the program EACH ONE WIN ONE, we have returned to the biblical principle that everyone is called. We believe that even lay people have a call from God and are responsible to advance the Kingdom of God. When Jesus sent His followers to the upper room (Luke 24:49), He was saying that all sanctified believers should be witnesses (see Acts 1:8). Of course, this is exactly what happened after Pentecost. They accepted their responsibility to live as people of Christ. They felt their call and fulfilled their responsibility of building the Kingdom. The priesthood of all believers means all believers have a responsibility. The purpose of the plan EACH ONE WIN ONE is to encourage believers to accept that responsibility, and to help them be accountable. The Big Brother plan is a tool to help them fulfill their responsibility. In the following pages, we explain how you can use these plans to help create a movement in your church, district and country. Beginning the program Preaching a dedication service. The pastor or leader needs to prepare a special sermon for the dedication service. A good biblical message can be prepared from one of the following passages: Matthew 5:15; Matthew 10:32; Matthew 28:19-20; Mark 4:21; Mark 5:19; Luke 4:18-19; Luke 8; Luke 12:8-9; John 4:28-42; John 8:32; John 15; Acts 1:8; Acts 2
4:18-20; Acts 5:20; Acts 10:36; Acts 20:24; Romans 1:16; Romans 10; Romans 16:25-26; I Corinthians 9:16-18; II Corinthians 4:13-14; Ephesians 3:8-11; Ephesians 6:15-20; Philippians 3:7-14; I Timothy 6: 12-13; II Timothy 1:8; Hebrews 2; I Peter 3:15; Revelation 12:11. These passages help explain our philosophy and our methodology. The message should create enthusiasm and encourage the people to a total commitment. At the end of the message, the pastor should explain the program EACH ONE WIN ONE in as much detail as possible, and in an inspiring way. He or she will explain how more persons can be won for the Lord, and describe the responsibility of the church for each person who is won. The moment of dedication (the conclusion of the sermon). The pastor or leader will invite volunteers to come forward. Each one will sign his or her name in the left-hand column of the poster, promising that with God s help: he or she is willing to win a person to Christ during the year; he or she will pray that God will help in this endeavor; he or she will list persons for whom he or she will pray; he or she is willing to disciple. They agree to disciple by: teaching a basic course that covers tithing and faithfulness to the church; encouraging him or her to seek the infilling of the Holy Spirit; preparing for baptism; and finally encouraging attendance in a membership class, standing by his or her side and teaching him or her to be a soul-winner. Continued promotion. After starting the plan, it must be promoted every Sunday. Speak about how this plan is working in the church. Introduce new believers to the congregation. Schedule workers to testify how God is helping them. Prepare certificates of recognition for those who win others. Present a certificate or give a plaque. This may be done during a service or in a fellowship meeting. Anything that creates enthusiasm and incentive for the church members will help. Schedule prayer meetings. It is important to schedule meetings to pray, not only for the converts, but also for the workers. This needs to be constantly emphasized. Assign or ask members to be special intercessors. 3
Drawing the net, receiving new members Many pastors wait several months until they have a group of persons to receive as members. It is better to receive members each month. If a pastor is constantly emphasizing the reception of new members, people will begin to believe that it is important to be a member and will help others become a part of the church. Set a certain date for publicly taking in new members each month. If there is a fixed date, there can be a goal. The service in which members are received needs to be well promoted and structured as a special service. The service also ought to emphasize how the plan EACH ONE WIN ONE works. Receiving new members. The pastor should take two important steps: First, he or she should be sure that a member is responsible for each convert, and that the members have the tools and training they need to disciple new converts. Overcoming common obstacles. The main reason Christians do not share their faith is fear. Yet, we have been promised power to testify. With His last words, Jesus sent us to be witnesses. One of the purposes of the experience of entire sanctification is to empower us to testify of the fullness of the Spirit that we have. We are often afraid to share our faith because we are afraid we will be rejected. We need to get beyond this barrier, realizing that it is our responsibility to tell what God has done for us. The Spirit of God in us produces the desire to take the seed of the Gospel and plant it everywhere. Another barrier to testifying is that we do not feel qualified. We emphasize that persons need to be prepared in Scriptural knowledge to lead others to Christ. However, everybody has the gift of telling about their personal experience with Jesus Christ to a friend, a neighbor or an acquaintance. The simple BIG BROTHER/BIG SISTER plan is a tremendous help in overcoming these obstacles. It provides methods in which persons who do not have much training, or who are timid, can lead others to Christ. One of the important jobs of a pastor is to develop a series of plans and tools that can be used by those who are involved in EACH ONE WIN ONE. 4
THE BIG BROTHER/BIG SISTER PLAN The BIG BROTHER/BIG SISTER program 1 provides a simple yet extremely effective system for lay people to fulfill their commitment to lead others to Christ. It is a well-known statistic among evangelicals that of every 100 believers, 95 have never led anyone to Christ. All too often, when someone is led to the Lord, they do not receive adequate discipling and fall away. With the BIG BROTHER/BIG SISTER program, we are not only involving that 95 percent in the experience of sharing their faith, but are also enabling them to disciple the new believers. The BIG BROTHER/BIG SISTER plan is begun with a sermon that informs and generates enthusiasm in the congregation, and is followed by an opportunity for them to be consecrated as BIG BROTHERS/BIG SISTERS. The three basic steps are: 1) Praying for 10 unsaved friends over a two-month period; 2) Inviting and bringing those for whom they have been praying to an evangelistic campaign, 3) Discipling, possibly for several years, those who accept Christ. Presentation: It is recommended that the consecration service be held two or three months before the evangelistic campaign. An outline for the presentation of the BIG BROTHERS/BIG SISTERS plan in the consecration service is offered below. This may be adapted to make it appropriate for individual church contexts. 1 This plan was used by Dr. Luis Palau s team. Originally the plan came from the mind of Rev. John McWilliams. We thank them for this important contribution to the Kingdom of God. We are using it with permission from Dr. Luis Palau s organization, along with the plan EACH ONE WIN ONE. 5
Each One Win One Proverbs 11:30 Church: Year: BIG SISTER BROTHER/ LITTLE BROTHER/ SISTER 1. 1. 2. 2. 3. 3. 4. 4. 5. 5. 6. 6. 7. 7. 8. 8. 6
THE BIG BROTHER/BIG SISTER (SERMON OUTLINE) Bible reading: Acts 9:1-19 Introduction: This is a night of consecration. I. BIBLICAL EXAMPLE Of A BIG BROTHER A. Jesus encounters Saul on the road to Damascus (Acts 9:3-7) B. Jesus speaks to Ananias in a vision (Acts 9:10-16) 1. Jesus calls him by name: Ananias! The Lord is interested in everybody and knows their names. The BIG BROTHER/ BIG SISTER has the names of 10 persons who don t know Jesus Christ, and for whom he or she is praying. God knows them. 2. The Lord gives him Saul s decision card. 3. Ananias is afraid; he does not want to go. (Explain the story, apply it to the fear the congregation may feel.) Saul of Tarsus Decision Card CAMPAIGN DECISION CARD Name: Saul of Tarsus Address: Straight Street, Judas House City: Damascus Date: 35 A.D. Big Brother/Big Sister: Ananias C. Ananias meets Saul in person (Acts 9:17-18). 1. Ananias enters the house. 2. He puts his hands upon him. 3. He tells him the Lord has sent me : a. That you may see. b. That you may be filled with the Holy Spirit (he was converted when he met Jesus). c. He was baptized (the external sign of his conversion). d. He was with the disciples (receiving the basics of dis cipleship). 7 Child ( ) Youth (x) Adult ( ) Salvation(x) Reconciliation( )
II. QUESTIONS ABOUT THE BIG BROTHER/BIG SISTER A. Who is a BIG BROTHER/BIG SISTER? 1. A committed and obedient follower of Jesus Christ. 2. A member of the local church. 3. Someone who desires to lead others to Christ. 4. It may be someone who has never won another and does not know how. This is the opportunity. B. Why do we call him or her BIG BROTHER/BIG SISTER? 1. It plants the idea that the lay person should care for a little brother/sister. 2. We are all equal before God. God does not have grandchildren. 3. In God s sight, we are brothers and sisters with our earthly parents, children and other family members. 4. To be a BIG BROTHER/BIG SISTER is a commitment to care for others who need help. It is not an ecclesiastical title. 5. Those who receive Christ are the younger brothers/ sisters that we have been expecting in the family. C. How does one become a BIG BROTHER/BIG SISTER? 1. Have a little brother/sister. Example: In a family, it occurs when a little brother/sister is born. In the church, there needs to be a consciousness of new births. 2. We need to await the arrival of our little brother/sister. 3. We should list the names of 10 people who don t know Christ: neighbors, friends, family members, etc. 4. This produces enthusiasm in the team of BIG BROTH- ERS/BIG SISTERS in the local church. D. When does one begin to be a BIG BROTHER/BIG SISTER? 1. Right now within two months a little brother/sister will be born. 2. Aim at a goal. Begin asking God, Give me a little brother/sister. Help me to be expectant. a. It is the responsibility of each BIG BROTHER/ BIG SISTER to care for the little brother/sister. It is not the pastor who should care for them but rather each BIG BROTHER/BIG SISTER. b. Remember to pray each day for your brother/ sister. God answers this kind of prayer when we 8
are interested in our neighbor. We love the world as God loves the world. c. When you visit your little brother/sister, you can say, I have been praying for you every day for two months. E. What is the responsibility of the BIG BROTHER/BIG SISTER? To consecrate oneself as a BIG BROTHER/BIG SISTER today. 1. To prepare oneself mentally and spiritually before the campaign through discipleship classes. 2. To care for the fruit of evangelism in the Body of Christ in the local church. F. Conclusion 1. This is the Biblical process of BIG BROTHERS/BIG SISTERS. 2. We cannot give water if our container is empty. 3. Each time God uses someone, it requires a consecration. 4. When you meet your little brother/sister, you will remember this day of consecration. 5. The example of Jesus shows us that before selecting His first disciples, He spent 40 days in prayer and fasting. 6. We will pray every day until God gives us a little brother/sister. III. AFTER THE CONSECRATION A. Plan to have a meeting immediately following the service with those who have committed themselves as BIG BROTHERS/BIG SISTERS. B. Explain clearly what is involved in the BIG BROTHER/BIG SISTER program. C. Begin with prayer. D. Ask each person to take a BIG BROTHER/BIG SISTER form. Read together II Timothy 2:2. E. Ask each person to think of 10 people for whom they will pray and write their names on the provided form within 24 hours. They must live close enough to the city so they can attend an evangelistic campaign that the church will host in two months. 9
F. Explain what the BIG BROTHERS/BIG SISTERS are to do during the period before the campaign. 1. Pray for the salvation of the persons by name each day. Mark the square that corresponds to the date each day. 2. This means that they are knocking on the door of heaven 60 days before they actually knock on the door of the person for whom they are praying. 3. When you have prayed for the 60 days, mark an x following the name of the person in the column headed prayed. 4. You can now have the assurance that you, along with Jesus, have knocked on the door of the Heavenly Father. You may now visit the 10 persons and invite them to the evangelistic campaign. 5. Now you can mark an x after the names of the persons that you have invited. 10
Big Brother/Sister Prayer List II Timothy 2:2 After praying and reading the text, list TEN NAMES. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Mark an X in the blocks that you have fulfilled before, during and after the campaign. For example, when you pray for them, put an X in the square. When you visit them, or they attend, put an X in the proper square. 11
Before During After 31 Prayed Invited Attende d Accept ed Visited Baptize d Mark an X in the box the day you are consecrated as a BIG BROTHER/SISTER. Begin to pray for your Little Brothers/Sisters each day. Mark the corresponding box. 30 29 28 27 26 25 24 23 22 21 20 19 18 17 16 15 14 13 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 12
Explain to the workers what they will do during the campaign. 1. Mark an x when the persons your workers have prayed for attend the evangelistic campaign. 2. Help the younger brothers/sisters make a decision for Christ. G. Explain the work of the BIG BROTHER/BIG SISTER following the campaign. This stage has to do with discipleship to see that the fruit is conserved. 1. Visit the persons for whom you have been praying, whether or not they have been converted. 2. Take this person to the local church. Guide the persons towards baptism. When they are baptized, mark it on the form. 3. Invite them to attend courses in preparation for membership. IV. CHARACTERISTICS OF A BIG BROTHER/BIG SISTER A. Prayer is the foundation of the BIG BROTHER/BIG SISTER plan. Those who do not have the desire to pray for others cannot be a BIG BROTHER/BIG SISTER. The basis of this program is not personal ability to win others through persuasion, studies or intellect. The BIG BROTHER/BIG SISTER loves. B. BIG BROTHERS/BIG SISTERS are members of the local church who desire to share their faith and to lead others to Christ. In every congregation there are those who are not involved in any ministry, but are interested in learning how they can minister. They can participate in the BIG BROTHER/BIG SISTER program. All that is required of them is a willingness to learn. C. BIG BROTHERS/BIG SISTERS are faithful to the Lord and the Church. They are interested in obeying the Lord and in growing spiritually. Before they can share with others, they must be an example of what they want to share. D. They are willing to go, disciple, and teach. God provides the power necessary to carry out this task through the fullness of the Holy Spirit. Although they may be afraid as Ananias was, they are still willing to say, Here I am Lord and to go where the Lord sends them. 13
E. The BIG BROTHER/BIG SISTER tends to the fruit so it will last. Each is responsible for the fruit in the local church. The BIG BROTHER/BIG SISTER learns how to disciple, and also prepares oneself spiritually in prayer. THE BIG BROTHER/SISTER PLAN WHO WHAT WHEN All church members who are willing to promise to pray for unsaved friends. In most churches there are 20 percent who are active in ministries. About half of the other 80 percent are interested in being involved and have a positive attitude. We should especially seek to involve these. Those who have no special training or experience, those who have never led anyone to Christ, and those who have always been too timid to witness will discover that this plan gives them the opportunity to lead others to Christ. The pastor preaches on the need to lead others to Christ. Everyone is encouraged to sign the Each One Win One poster. Following a sermon on the plan, the pastor invites the congregation to make a commitment to pray for 10 unchurched friends daily for two months. At the end of this time they are to invite these friends to an evangelistic campaign. BIG BROTHERS/ BIG SISTERS receive training on how to disciple new converts. BIG BROTHERS/ SISTERS disciple their friends who accepted Christ in the campaign. BIG BROTHERS/ BIG SISTERS are consecrated in a Sunday service, two months prior to the evangelistic campaign. The pastor trains them how to disciple during these two months. One week before the campaign, they invite their 10 friends to attend. Following the campaign, BIG BROTH- ERS/BIG SISTERS are responsible to disciple their friends who accepted Christ. They should continue to work with them until they are baptized, have completed the Basic Bible Studies, and are faithful members. 14
WHERE HOW WHY The BIG BROTHERS/ BIG SISTERS are consecrated in the local church. The plan is promoted in all services prior to the campaign. The BIG BROTHERS/ BIG SISTERS pray for their 10 unchurched friends in their private prayer times each day. Through the power of intercessory prayer. Through the work of the Holy Spirit convicting people of their need for God. Through the most effective way to reach the unchurched: a personal invitation from a friend. It is a simple way for all church members to win others to the Lord. It involves those who have not yet been given a responsibility in the church. It brings many unsaved people to the evangelistic campaign. When all Christians are winning others, we can evangelize our entire community, country, and world. It revives the church when all members are winning others. It builds the local church with a fast yet solid growth. The new believers at an evangelistic campaign have natural followup through their BIG BROTHERS/BIG SIS- TERS who have been praying for them. 15
SYSTEM OF PRAYER CELLS SMALL GROUP PLAN Our goal is a healthy, growing church that extends itself by planting new churches. In fact, the only way we will transform the world and fulfill the Great Commission is by planting new churches. People accept Christ, new leaders begin training, local church leaders answer a call to preach, and new churches start, all through a simple system of prayer cells. Prayer cells are designed to enable and encourage natural church growth. The pastor of the local church continues to build his church while he trains leaders to reach out into the community through prayer cells, and then through new churches. These new churches are selfsupporting from the start, so there is no limit to this type of natural growth. The purpose and results of prayer cells The purpose of prayer cells is, of course, to receive petitions from and to pray especially for the needs of the unchurched. As God answers the prayers and meets the needs in their lives, they will be much more open to the gospel and the church. The result is that through the manifestations of God s power, the church experiences two kinds of growth. First, the mother church grows by training leaders, creating a support system and fellowship for believers, and bringing new believers into the church. Second, the prayer cells develop naturally into organized churches, giving the mother church a chance to decentralize and multiply its ministry. The biblical basis for prayer cells We turn to the example of the churches in Acts for the plan s basis. In Acts 2:46, we find that small groups met in believers homes. The Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved. This was all possible through small groups spreading the church and starting new congregations in the Spirit s power. The power of the movement that is taking place here comes exclusively from prayer. The first great evangelistic service in the church was occasioned by prayer (Acts 1:14-2:47). Strategies for starting prayer cells Before a pastor begins looking for homes in which prayer cells can meet, he should answer three questions. How many cells should we 16
begin? In what types of homes should we start cells? Where should we start prayer cells? How many cells should we begin? It is best to begin with three or four prayer cells. If a church begins with only one cell and that cell doesn t succeed, it looks as if the whole plan has failed. The goal should be to reach a point where there is a prayer cell for every 10 members. In what types of homes should we begin prayer cells? In the beginning, it is advisable to start prayer cells in homes where believers live. The time will come, however, when the cells multiply. Then we will have to go to homes where only 50% of the family are believers, or where there is only one believer in the family. Where should we start prayer cells? It is best to locate the cells in a place where a new church could prosper; large enough for several families, and in the home of a family willing to make a long-term commitment to host a prayer cell and possibly a mission or baby church. Consider the distance from the mother church, other cells, and members homes. It helps to locate all the believers on a map, and calculate the distance between them. Since one of the purposes of prayer cells is to promote the growth of the mother church, prayer cells may be 50 yards or 10 miles from the mother church. Not all prayer cells become missions. Of every 10 cells, three become missions, and of every 10 missions, three become organized churches. The cells not only have the objective of opening new churches, but also to prepare leaders, stimulate the church to pray, and have weekly prayer services. This helps reach people and promotes the growth of a mission or a new church. There is no problem if two or three cells exist a short distance apart. What is done in a prayer cell? It is a weekly meeting with three activities: testimonies and songs of praise, reading from the book of Acts or listening to it, and a prayer time focusing primarily on the needs of friends who don t know Christ. It lasts 45 minutes to an hour. The first leader is responsible for directing the meeting, leading the time of testimonies and singing, and then turning it over to the leader who is 17
responsible to read from Acts. The second leader will read a chapter from Acts or listen to it from the Proclaimer, for those who use it. The third leader writes prayer requests in a notebook so they will not be forgotten (see the following illustration). They must pray for themselves and for their unchurched neighbors. This is the key that makes the prayer cell evangelistic. The basic idea of going to a home is to get closer to the unchurched; to decentralize the church. The following information is recorded in the notebook: A consecutive number Date of the prayer request. The prayer request itself. Name, address, and other observations. Date of the answer to the request. The Scripture that was read or listened to that day. Each person in the group prays. # Day Request Observation Day Chapter 1 3/13 get work John Smith, 1324 Main 4/3 Acts 1 2 3/13 health, has cancer Mary Brown, 1645 North 4/3 Acts 2 18
The reason the task of each prayer cell leader is so simple is that it is designed to give training to those who have no experience in any form of church leadership. The three leaders take turns. As they rotate, each of them gains experience. Each leader can then train two other prayer cell leaders. What is not done in a prayer cell? The cells should not include preaching or Bible study. This would limit the number of prayer cells. The only people who should be invited are the three leaders of the cell, the owners of the house and members of the mother church. Food or refreshments should not be served. The objective is to pray, not to eat. The meeting should not last longer than 45 minutes to an hour. The three leaders should not belong to any other prayer cell to avoid overloading them. Do not allow all requests to be focused on believers. The members of the cells must make an effort to discover the needs of their unchurched friends. Do not invite unsaved persons to the prayer cell. They will be invited to the cell at the end of three months. Who are the members and leaders of prayer cells? The three leaders, the members of the home in which the cell meets, and believers of the mother church who live nearby attend the cell. The pastor must seek believers that can become leaders. The requirements are to have Christ in their hearts, be members of the local church, and have a desire to work. 19
Photograph of a Congregation Active 20% Non-Participants 80% 30% Indifferent 10% (-) 40% (+) X-Ray of a Congregation Big Brothers/Sisters Cell Leaders The pastor should consider that eighty percent of the average congregation is not active in any ministry. Among that eighty percent, there are three types of persons: the negative, the indifferent, and the positive. We need to begin the prayer cells with the positive persons. The pastor is the one who develops leadership for the prayer cells. He or she chooses the leaders and assigns them to their respective cells. Prayer cell leaders come from the membership of the church. The pastor cannot delegate this action to another leader because these leaders are his or her disciples. 20
Developing leaders through prayer cells The leader starts to develop ministry when beginning to work with people just as the watchmaker starts to develop the trade when beginning to work with watches. The pastor s role. All through this process the pastor must stay in close contact with the leaders in training. If problems or disagreements arise, he or she should try to solve them quickly so discouragement among leaders is avoided. The pastor will do everything possible to encourage the leaders. Pastors must insist on commitment. Discovering the commitment of the leaders. This is a time of training and testing these new leaders. For this reason, it is better that the owner of the home where a cell meets not be one of the leaders. We are trying to discover responsible leaders; therefore, it is necessary for leaders to go to other homes to demonstrate their responsibility as a leader. Multiplying leaders. Where there are three leaders and each performs a different task, they are training each other. After the first cycle, when the cell has fulfilled its time and function, the three leaders may be separated. One will stay in the same house and will train two new leaders. The other two will go to different homes and train two more leaders. In this way, both cells and leaders are multiplied. At the end of the second cycle, we have three cells led by the original three leaders plus six new leaders. The leader, after each cycle, takes the responsibility of discipling two other leaders, teaching what he or she has learned and practiced. The Discipleship Cell (The Mother Cell) The foundation of the prayer cell system is the discipleship cell. This is composed of all the prayer cell leaders and the pastor. Its purpose is to give inspiration, guidance, and motivation to the leaders (the pastor s disciples). There are five elements in the discipleship process, each of which should be included in these meetings. Disciples should be given solid spiritual food. Strategic studies should be given. 21
The disciples need to be encouraged and motivated to carry out the church s mission. The disciples need to ask questions and discuss problems. There should be an evaluation of what is taking place in each of the prayer cells. Below is a list of possible themes for six months of discipleship cells. God s power to answer prayer Purpose and plan of prayer cells Importance of the evangelism team Christ s concern for the unsaved Plan of accountability A Bible study on the Heart of a Leader Personal evangelism Basic doctrine Making God s Word yours Pointing to the crusade Altar work Follow up How to pray for the unsaved Maintaining personal spiritual focus Spirit-filled life Sanctify yourself/take up your cross Power of faith Developing faith Praying in faith Praying for healing Praying for physical security, jobs, finances Praying for families Praying for cell leaders While the main purpose of the discipleship cell is for discipling new leaders, there are other benefits as well. It builds a team that supports the success of each member. It also provides a sense of accountability for new leaders. 22
Benefits of a Prayer Cell Prayer cells are a marvelous tool for bringing unchurched people to the Lord. They support evangelistic campaigns, raise up new pastors, and develop new churches. It stimulates the development of workers. The church and the pastor are decentralized. Specific prayer is offered for definite needs. James 4:3. There is growth in the local church. EVANGELISTIC CAMPAIGNS Evangelistic campaigns do not work anymore. This statement has become widely accepted. Good comes from having a campaign designed to revive believers, but there are very few people saved. Believers are revived as never before. They are involved in discipling the new converts and leading prayer cells. They now realize that they can help lead their friends to Christ. Why evangelistic campaigns work The harvest takes place during evangelistic campaigns. The BIG BROTHER/BIG SISTER program and prayer cells are designed to bring the unsaved to hear the gospel in a campaign. BIG BROTHER/BIG SISTER Plan: Two months prior to the campaigns, the BIG BROTHERS and BIG SISTERS are consecrated. They begin praying for 10 unsaved people they plan to invite to the campaign. During this time they are also trained to teach a basic discipleship course to their friends who will accept Christ. As a result, at least one of every 10 who are being prayed for will attend the campaign. About a third of the unsaved people who attend will accept Christ. The reason this plan works so well is that it gives the laypeople two months to prepare to ask their friends to attend the campaign. As they pray each day for 60 days, their desire to see these unsaved friends won to the Lord increases. Through their prayers, the Holy Spirit has been working. Many BIG BROTHERS and BIG SISTERS have testified 23
to the ways that God has opened natural opportunities for them to invite their friends to church. Prayer cells: In addition to the BIG BROTHER/BIG SISTER plan, we also use prayer cells to bring new people to the campaign. At least three months prior to the evangelistic campaign, cells are organized to begin praying for the campaign and the needs of unsaved friends. In the celebration meeting, the prayer notebook is used to show the various requests that they have prayed for. Both the prayer cell and BIG BROTHER/BIG SISTER plan make it possible for the church to capitalize on a personal invitation from a friend. They put the emphasis where it should be: not on money or the charisma of a speaker, but in dependence on God through prayer. This is why evangelistic campaigns work. How evangelistic campaigns work. Successful campaigns need months of preparation, and then careful conservation. This can become a cycle of sowing and reaping that the church is always involved in and becomes a normal part of the church s calendar. Below is a schedule of the activities that are involved in this process of reaping an ever-increasing harvest. CALENDAR OF THE COUNTDOWN TO THE CAMPAIGN Six months Throughout this calendar there are activities to disciple the converts from the previous campaign and to prepare for the next one. At this point in the schedule, we assume that the church has just finished an evangelistic campaign and will be having another in six months. Conservation The BIG BROTHERS and BIG SISTERS should begin working with their friends who have accepted Christ, leading them through the Basic Bible Studies or other discipleship materials. They should introduce them to others in the church, and help them develop regular attendance to all the church services. The pastor invites all new converts to classes explaining the mean- 24
ing of baptism and church membership. He also sets dates for a baptismal service as soon as possible and for a service to receive new members in the following month. The pastor preaches on the same themes that the BIG BROTHERS and BIG SISTERS are teaching in the Basic Bible Studies. This does not necessarily have to be in the main service each week, but should be in a service that the new believers attend. These should be simple, practical sermons that reinforce what the new believers are learning about beginning the Christian life. Have a fellowship meal on the Sunday afternoon a week after the campaign. This should be a time for new believers and church members to get to know each other. The pastor begins follow-up meetings with the BIG BROTHERS and BIG SISTERS to check on how the new believers are progressing, and to give further training in how to disciple a new believer. Prayer cells that have been operating for the past three months should be evaluated to see which ones can become missions and possibly new churches. Preparation A local coordinator is appointed. A new cycle of prayer cells is started. Five months Conservation New believers who have completed the membership class are received as members. The BIG BROTHERS and BIG SISTERS continue working with the new Christians in the Basic Bible Studies. The pastor gives recognition when they complete the studies. Preparation The pastor continues to promote prayer cells The pastor regularly reminds the congregation of Christ s command to lead others to Him. 25
Four months Conservation Help the new members find a place of ministry. The pastor promotes the theological education program. The pastor preaches on the infilling of the Holy Spirit, His cleansing and empowering; he or she encourages new Christians to seek this experience. BIG BROTHERS and BIG SISTERS will continue to disciple new Christians. Preparation Evaluate the prayer cells. Three months Conservation Be aware of any who are not attending faithfully. Preparation Set a date for the consecration of BIG BROTHERS and BIG SIS- TERS. Print posters, flyers and BIG BROTHER/BIG SISTER forms for the campaign. Preach on the need to transform your city for Christ. Evaluate which of the prayer cells have been praying for enough unsaved people to have a celebration service. Two months Preparation Consecrate BIG BROTHERS and BIG SISTERS. Begin training BIG BROTHERS and BIG SISTERS in how to disciple new converts. Appoint coordinators to organize altar workers, music, and transportation for the campaign. Involve as many people as possible in the preparation. Promote the BIG BROTHER/BIG SISTER program weekly. Promote the campaign. Schedule the celebration services in the prayer cells. One month 26
Preparation Hold a meeting to train altar workers. Canvas the neighborhoods. Hold the celebration services in the prayer cells. BIG BROTHERS and BIG SISTERS should invite the 10 friends for whom they have been praying. Plan for the multiplication of prayer cells. Hold the campaign. Following the campaign the countdown begins again. Results of an evangelistic campaign In a church that repeats this cycle twice a year, an ever-increasing number of members will be involved in winning others. Not only is there an increase in members, there is also a multiplication of leaders and of new churches. The possibilities of a city-wide evangelistic campaign As churches plant other churches and the vision to transform the entire city grows, the spirit of cooperation among the churches also increases. In this spirit, it is possible to take the evangelistic campaigns even one step farther and have a city-wide campaign. Yes, evangelistic campaigns still work. They continue to be a great tool of God to bring the world into relationship with Him. 27