Category: Evangelism - Daniel Ausbun

3 Planning Keys to an Evangelistic Event

1/31/2018

It's Winter, churches are now making their Fall plans. One of the ways to reach your community is to host an evangelistic event - a main event. If you're going to invite the community, you need to be prepared. Here are three keys to planning an event:

1). Prayer and Fasting. Evangelist Ronnie Hill of Fort Worth, Texas, asks churches to have a 40-day prayer and fasting focus leading up to the main event.

2). The right date and time. Traditionally, December and January are slow months for speakers. Evangelist Rick Gage tries to avoid summer crusades because school's out. When are people going to be in their weekly routine?

3). The right name. Evangelist Franklin Graham calls them Festivals, his son, Evangelist Will Graham, calls them Celebrations. Religious words such as Crusade, Revival, Harvest, and Camp Meeting can turn-off some would-be attenders. Conferences, Retreats, and Seminars have found their way into evangelistic titles.

Jesus wants people saved - with devoted prayer, the right timing and a neutral name - barriers are removed for people to come to Him.

Tell Someone

3/31/2016

Greg Laurie

This Sunday I'm beginning a new sermon series based on Greg Laurie's new book, "Tell Someone."

Laurie is leading a Harvest Crusade in Duluth, Georgia at the Infinite Energy Center on September 24-25 of this year.

Laurie, Rick Gage, and Franklin & Will Graham are the only evangelicals in America holding crusades.

Whether through a crusade, local church ministry or personal evangelism - the Gospel must be communicated. Last year baptisms in the Southern Baptist Convention were the lowest since 1948. The Gospel doesn't return void (Isaiah 55:11), so this means we're not sharing it.

Laurie reminds us of three things in sharing the Good News:

1). Effective sharing begins with caring. Laurie asks, "Do you care about people who do not love the Lord?" We must genuinely care about people who are lost.

2). When should we share the Gospel? Whenever. We must always be available for the Holy Spirit. Christians can become known as hoarders. Christians can't use the excuse, "I don't feel led to tell others about Christ."

3). There's power in our personal story. Laurie said, "Every testimony is valid because there is someone out there a lot like you."

God has given us Biblical truth to share with others. The primary way God has chosen to reach people is through other people. God uses people to reach people.

3 Ways to Invite People to Church Without Saying a Word

12/22/2015

Jesus established the church. It's the only organization founded by God. He's chosen to work through the church. He expects His people to belong to the church.

Jesus wants you to invite others to church. Here are three ways you can indirectly invite people to church without ever opening your mouth.

1). When you're at worship, Sunday School or Wednesday nights - use your phone to check-in on Facebook. When you check-in, you're telling others, "I'm at church." I know of a church in Indiana that grew tremendously using Facebook check-ins. Every Sunday and Wednesday dozens of members checked-in - which flooded the newsfeeds of all their friends. A Facebook check-in is like a public service announcement.

2). Write a Google review of your church. Most people who visit a church will first visit the church's website. How do they find the website? They Google the name of the church. Google drives more traffic to First Baptist Moreland's website than anything else. When you Google a church, not only does the church name and address appear, but also the reviews. If someone's considering a visit, they'll read the reviews. You need to write a Google review of your church.

3). Place a yard sign of your church in your yard. Do you live on a busy road or highway? Thousands of cars drive by everyday and you could indirectly be inviting them to church. Ask your church to spend $100 to order some yard signs to go in member's yards who live on busy roads. All the sign needs is the church's logo and website. You're indirectly telling motorists, "I attend First Baptist Moreland."

You can be a great evangelist for the Lord without ever saying a word.

Meet Junior Hill

5/15/2015

This Sunday at First Baptist Church of Moreland, Evangelist Junior Hill is preaching both morning services. Junior is likely Southern Baptists' most well-known evangelist. He's been in full-time evangelism since 1967. In fact, my dad heard him preach at Vinesville Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama (the church dad was raised in) in the late 1960s. Before going into full-time evangelism, he was a pastor for 11 years in Alabama and Mississippi. He's also the former first vice-president of the Southern Baptist Convention.

Junior's from Hartselle, Alabama and has preached to millions of people - in thousands of churches. At 80 years old, his schedule is still full. I remember several years ago asking him to come to First Baptist Moreland for our Fall Revival, and he said he had a 3 year waiting list.

I remember during my Samford University days traveling to Southside Baptist Church in Alabaster, Alabama to hear Junior preach. I'll never forget the line to get saved during the invitation - it was actually so long it went out the back door. It's still the longest invitation I've ever experienced - we sang "Just As I Am" so many times, the music minister lost his voice and needed a sub.

Junior has a well-known sermon called, "The Valley of Baca" based on Psalm 84:6 - perhaps the best message for a discouraged friend. (listen to it here)

God gives evangelists to the church. We live in dark days and troubled times - but our Lord is still in the saving business - using evangelists for great harvests.

Will you join me in inviting people to church and join me in praying for God to move this Sunday? Hear Junior Hill at 8:30 & 11 a.m. Sunday May 17 at FBC Moreland, Georgia

Junior Hill's Website
First Baptist Moreland's Website

A Spark: the Power of One (from Sherri)

3/18/2014

It is easy to forget the vast lostness of the world in the cozy corner of my front row pew. However, all we need to do is step outside the church’s walls to see lostness. There are over 150 million plus orphans in the world. Atlanta is considered one of the leading sex trade capitals (right in my back door). The divorce rate is climbing towards an all time high of 50%. Families are crumbling and sharing God’s Word can seem dauntless when so many are in need of His love.

I am just one person.

Seriously, what tiny little impact am I having on the universe? It is so easy to become discouraged, which is certainly how Satan wants us to feel...defeated.

Yet it seems that literally every time I feel insignificant in God’s battle I happen to be in the car and hear Josh Wilson's song "Pushing Back the Dark." The song says "one million reasons why, you shouldn't even try, after all you’re just one heart a single candle in the dark." But "don't underestimate the God you follow, whatever you do just don't lose heart, keep on pushing back the dark."

I love how God uses images of light throughout the entire Bible. I am such a visual person. I picture the recent snowstorm when my lights when out temporarily. I lit a candle and placed it in the center of our dining room table and the shadows started to creep away into the corners. How quickly a flame can light up a space, just as a tiny spark can ignite a huge fire.

Are we willing to be the light that pushes back the dark? Yes I am just one person, "but with God all things are possible." In Matthew 19:26 God tells us "you are the light of the world." People do not "light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand and it gives light to everyone in the house" (Matthew 5:14-15). I pray that God strengthens us to be bold and fearless as we share God's light that gives eternal salvation.

How to Use Tracts to Share the Gospel

10/16/2013

Halloween is coming up - an outstanding opportunity to pass out Gospel tracts along with your candy. I always keep tracts in my car and use them when I share the Gospel with others, especially children.

I've discovered the best tracts are ones that illustrate (using pictures) how to be saved. People tend to pay more attention to pictures than reading words.

My favorite tract and the one I use the most is Billy Graham's Steps to Peace with God. Along with being a crystal clear Gospel presentation, its also the most expensive. They're $5 plus shipping for a package of 25. (Click here to order).

This tract is a simple picture story about how a person can be saved. I use Steps to Peace with God will every person who accepts Christ at First Baptist Moreland - adults, students & children. Even someone who can't read can understand the Gospel with this resource. I highly recommend it, but for mass distribution, it can become expensive.

If you're passing out hundreds or thousands of tracts at a special event, I recommend the Fellowship Tract League. Their tracts are all free, they only ask you pay for shipping. I recently ordered 1,200 child-friendly tracts for our upcoming Trunk or Treat. I paid $5.80 for shipping. They have hundreds to select from in multiple languages. I prefer to call and place an order (compared to online) - I explain to them what event I'll be distributing at and they recommend the best ones. I'm very thankful and grateful for their tract ministry. Since 1978, they've printed over four billion tracts and have never charged for one.

Here are two other companies that provide a variety of tracts, typically each package of 25 is $2.50 plus shipping.

Crossway Tracts - they have outstanding designs

Tract Planet - they sell the famous $1,000,000 bill

Along with tracts, I give away Bibles. The most affordable and easy-to-read Bible (Old and New Testaments) I've found is the HCSB Outreach Bible from LifeWay. Last year, FBC Moreland gave away 1,200 of these to every home in our zip code and 2013 is the year of the Bible for the North American Mission Board. (They cost $1.25 each when you order a case of 36 - click here to order).

4 Reasons Your Church Needs Yearly Revivals

10/12/2013

Later this month, First Baptist Moreland, holds her annual Fall Revival. This year evangelist Bailey Smith will be preaching. Smith is the former president of the Southern Baptist Convention and the former pastor of First Southern Baptist Church in Oklahoma City. While pastor at First Southern, the church baptized 2,000+ people a year.

When I contacted Bailey back in January 2013, he told me many churches aren't holding revivals anymore, and he was glad for the opportunity.

Back in the good-old-days churches used to hold two week revivals every Spring and Fall. Today, most revivals are 4 days or possibly a week.

If your church isn't holding annual revivals, here's 4 reasons to consider:

1. Revivals allow for the biblical office of evangelist to be utilized at your church (Ephesians 4:11). God gave evangelists for the church, who are we not to use them?

2. Revival brings an intentional focus to evangelism and salvation. God wants people to be saved at your church. The Lord is more concerned about people getting saved than your plans, vision or Bible study.

"If you're opposed to evangelism, you're opposed to God." -Bailey Smith

"There's only one reason Jesus died, and that's because there's a literal hell." -Bailey Smith

"If we can't get together winning people to Jesus, then we don't need to get together." -Bailey Smith

3. Revival brings a renewed sense of vitality among the church. Nothing excites people more at church than to see people saved. People come to revival expecting great things. How excited is the person who invited their co-worker to revival, only to see their friend walk the aisle and trust in Christ.

4. Revivals bring more baptisms in churches. The Southern Baptist Convention is declining in baptisms (see article). The Great Commission commands us to baptize people. Churches that hold revivals will experience more baptisms.

Bailey Smith Ministries

Why You and Your Church Should Be Involved in My Hope America

10/10/2013

Next month Billy Graham turns 95 years old. He also has a brand new book coming out next week, The Reason for My Hope: Salvation. Graham is very weak and believes this will likely be his final crusade. Most crusades are held in football stadiums around the world. My Hope is held in your living room. Christians invite their unchurched friends, family and neighbors to come over for dinner and watch a 30 minute DVD of Billy Graham sharing the Gospel. At the end of the DVD, there's an opportunity to receive Christ as your Savior.

Last night at First Baptist Church, Moreland, Georgia was My Hope America training with J. W. Hutchens, the Georgia state director for My Hope. Every Christian and every church should participate in My Hope. Here's 4 reasons why:

1. God wants people to be saved. It's His will, purpose and plan. (2 Peter 3:9). Salvation is important to God, and if it's important to God, it should be important to you. My Hope is about people getting saved.

2. My Hope is easy. All you do is invite lost people to your home, serve them great food and watch a DVD. That's it. Billy Graham mails you the DVD. All it costs you is food.

3. Many people will not come to your church, but will come to your home. People are skeptical and suspicious of churches more than ever before, but will come to your home. This is what it means to be missional. You take the Gospel to the people. Meet them where they are.

4. My Hope could spark a great movement of God in America. It's been nearly 200 years since the Second Great Awakening. Over 24,000 churches are participating in My Hope America - that's the most churches ever to unify around a singular outreach. Don't miss what God's going to do through My Hope.

Resources:
My Hope America with Billy Graham (official website)
Baptist Press story on My Hope
Last night's My Hope training at First Baptist Moreland:

Addressing the Baptism Decline

9/21/2013

I try to make most of my posts positive, but this one is negative. It's negative because it's a sad reality. Last year the Southern Baptist Convention hit a 62 year low for baptisms. This is so alarming the North American Mission Board created a pastor's task force to address the issue. You can read the Baptist Press story about it here.

The SBC is the most evangelistic convention in the world and we're declining. There are more churches, more people and more resources available than ever before, yet we're still trending backwards.

Why? Here are my 4 unscientific reasons why we're baptizing less and less.

1. Churches have way too many programs. Churches (including the one I pastor) put too much money, time and people towards programs that aren't working. If lost souls aren't getting saved, baptized, and discipled through your programs/ministries - they need to be eliminated.

2. Christians aren't broken over lost people. We should weep when John 14:6 tells us our unchurched co-worker will spend an eternity in hell. Forever, no second chances. A lost person has no chance without Christ.

3. Christians are too busy. If you don't make time for discipling others and personal evangelism - it will not happen. Witnessing must intentionally become a top priority. You should be praying for the lost people you know and look to include Christ in every conversation. I know a church that cancelled their Sunday morning worship and instead knocked on every door in their community.

4. Pastors overemphasize doctrine and theology. Jesus was a story-teller who went around healing people. The crowds were attracted to His hopeful messages. The goal of evangelism is not to get everyone to believe like you, but believe in Christ. The simple message of, "Jesus Saves" is the greatest message the church has for the world. What makes it so great is its simplicity.

Related Posts:
3 Signs You're a Selfish Person
4 Reasons Calvinism is Popular in the Southern Baptist Convention
4 Reasons You Need to Join a Discipleship Group

The Romans Road to Salvation

8/13/2013

Last Sunday I preached on the Romans Road to Salvation. This is a series of Bibles verses that clearly share the sinfulness of man, the provision made by God and the response of man for salvation. The Romans Road to Salvation are five Bible verses to show someone how to be saved.

Romans 3:23
Romans 6:23
Romans 5:8
Romans 10:9
Romans 10:13

Every believer should be able to tell an unsaved person how to be saved. It's hard to live as a Great Commission Christian when you're silent about Christ.

Telling someone about Christ is the most important conversation you could ever have. Have you memorized the Romans Road or another Gospel Presentation? Another one I use, especially with children, are the ABC's of becoming a Christian.

Admit - Romans 3:23

Believe - John 3:16

Confess - Romans 10:9

From my experience, once a Christian has memorized or learned a Gospel Presentation, God will bring people in their path to share it with. Here's some other resources/presentations to sharing the Gospel. Always remember, all you really need is your Bible - there's power in people reading and hearing Scripture.

Share Jesus Without Fear
Evangelism Explosion
Faith Evangelism
The Way of the Master
Search for Jesus (Billy Graham's Internet Evangelism)

Related Posts:

How to Share Christ with Your Family this Christmas
3 Ways to Turn the Super Bowl into an Evangelism Opportunity

3 Ways to Turn the Super Bowl into an Evangelism Opportunity

1/31/2013

Do all conversations seem to lead to the 49ers or Ravens? Sunday night is the Super Bowl - the most watched sports event of all-time. Commercials cost the most during the Super Bowl, players have played to win the ring their entire careers and CBS will rake in millions. New Orleans will host hundreds of thousands of people this weekend. There's so much on the line.

Jesus experienced a Super Bowl crowd in Luke 8:42, "the crowds were nearly crushing Him." Then, He stopped in the middle of the crowd and wanted to know who touched him. Jesus said, "I know that power has gone out from Me." Jesus knew that someone used the crowd to receive a healing. A lady who had been bleeding for 12 years was healed.

This lady used the crowd. How are you going to use the excitement and crowd of the Super Bowl to show people their real need?

1). Say, "I'm passionate about football, but I'm more passionate about Christ." Use football as a bridge to share your testimony. Football fans are crazy for the game - Christians should be crazy for their Lord. He saved, healed & forgave you - that's the best message worth sharing.

2). Tell people you love the Super Bowl, but don't care for the commercials. Then wait for the person to say, "Why?" Then say, "Ephesians 4:24 says to 'put on the new self' which includes purity. Super Bowl commercials aren't pure." Don't respond like a Pharisee - rather someone who's striving to live a life pleasing to God.

3). Ask someone, "What's the greatest event in your life?" Listen to their response and they'll likely ask you, "Why do you ask?" or "What's yours?" Use the opportunity to state, "For the 49ers & Ravens this is theirs, but for me, it was when I trusted Christ as my Savior." Bridge the biggest game of a team's franchise to the greatest day when Christ saved you.

This is a huge weekend - Christians need to be looking for opportunities to share their faith in Christ with people centered on the Super Bowl.

Related Posts:

How to Share Christ with Your Family this Christmas
3 Reasons You Must Be Baptized

How to Share Christ with Your Family this Christmas

12/21/2012

Christmas is next week. Many of you will see family members this weekend and next week that you regularly don't talk with. Christmas provides an opportunity for extended conversations with un-churched and non-believing cousins, uncles and in-laws.

Here are 3 tips to move a conversation from shopping, Kindles and football to Christ:

First, attend a Christmas Eve or Christmas Day service at your church. Make it a "tradition" to attend the candlelight service with everyone, and then go home to eat a Christmas Eve dinner. The best traditions include Christ. This might be the only church service your aunt attends all year. Even the grandmother who cooks all day, needs to stop and attend the church service - don't allow half the family to skip church.

Second, read the birth of Christ in Matthew 1:18-25 or Luke 2:1-7 out loud to everyone before you open presents. Make it a "tradition" every year to read Jesus' birth. God speaks through His Word - it never returns void (Isaiah 55:11) - even when you think people aren't listening.

Also, give study Bibles as gifts. Here's a previous post of about my favorite study Bibles. Certain Bibles help non-regular Bible readers understand God's Word. This also creates a follow-up conversation next year about how they liked it.

Third, when talking with people, always brag about the great things God did in your life during 2012. Instead of saying, "I started a new job," you can proclaim, "The Lord was gracious to me this year, He provided a new job."

Don't say, "2012 was awful, I was diagnosed with cancer." Boldly state, "God allowed me to have cancer, but I know He's going to heal me." Place God in every accomplishment or failure of your life - non-believers are intrigued by the genuineness of a believer's faith.

Remember...

You cannot argue someone into following Christ.
Avoid useless conversations - such as the beliefs of other denominations or political Christianity.
Do not sell your church (listing 101 events your church did in 2012) - sell Christ - they need a Savior first, a church second.