Neal Hughes Urban Consultant, Field Services North American Mission Board, SBC

 Urban Towers  Live, Work & Play Communities  High Rise Living  Town Centre Mall Communities  Gentrification Communities  Other??? Whether it be the gas shortage, the “urbanite fad,” or just preferred living, the upper income community has come to the inner core of the city. It appears they are coming to stay… Neal Hughes, NAMB

 The Rich & Famous  The Politically and Socially Liberal  The “Arts” Crowd  The “Green” People  The Multiethnic World  The Hedonistic Seekers (Lust of Flesh, Lust of Eyes, Pride of Life… Amoral Society)  The Philanthropic Minded  People of Diverse Religious Backgrounds  The Spiritually Apathetic  People with No Christian Background

One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision: “Do not be afraid; keep on speaking, do not be silent. For I am with you, and no one is going to attack and harm you, because I HAVE MANY PEOPLE IN THE CITY!” Acts 18:9-10 The National Evangelism Initiative of Southern Baptists… Every Believer Sharing, Every Person Hearing by 2020!

Jesus said to His disciples, “The Harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.” Matthew 10:37-38

Praying for the Harvesters…  WMU Prayer Meetings / SWAT Teams  Henry Blackaby, Experiencing God  Solemn Assembly for the City Praying for the Harvest…  30 Day Prayer Guide for Unreached People  Jericho Prayer Walk (7 intentional weeks)  Pray Down the Walls (John 20:19-20)  Phone Book / Zip Code Praying

The Lord said to Moses, “Send some men to explore the land of Canaan, which I am giving to the Israelites.”… When Moses sent them to explore Canaan, he said, “Go up through the Negev and on into the hill country. See what the land is like and whether the people who live there are strong or weak, few or many. What kind of land do they live in? Is it good or bad? What kind of towns do they live in? Are they unwalled or fortified? How is the soil? Is it fertile or poor? Are there trees on it or not? Do your best to bring back some of the fruit of the land.”Numbers 13:1-2, 17-20

 Research, Research, Research!  Become the Best Friend to Management… don’t ask for anything initially except “how I can best assist and pray for you?”  Move In…Be Incarnational (seek Kingdom Investors to assist you with this endeavor).  Become “People of Peace” Detectives… Look for those who wish you well and start relating to them (Luke 10:5-7). Use Jericho 7 week Prayer Walk to help discover these people.  Look for Networks and Engage the People (i.e. coffee shops, gyms, associations, restaurants, clubs, etc.)  Look for People Groups and Connect with them.

How blessed you will be, sowing your seed by every stream… Sow for yourselves righteousness, reap the fruit of unfailing love, and break up your unplowed ground; for it time to seek the Lord, until he comes and showers righteousness on you. Isaiah 32:20; Hosea 10:12 Sow Down the Gospel!

 One on One / Oikos / Survey Evangelism  Resident Retention Parties  Free Gift Wrapping at Community Stores  Run a Business in the Community  “On the Go” Breakfast  Block Parties / Theater Night  Superbowl Parties  Philanthropist Initiatives  Host Spiritual Inquiry Meetings

Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy. He who goes out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with Him. Psalms 126:5-6 Take your sickle and reap, because the time to reap has come, for the harvest of the earth is ripe! Revelation 14:15

 Make Disciples…Who is Your Timothy? Lydia?  Home Bible Studies… Ladies, Men, etc. No more than before multiplying.  Have an “Incubator” Model Home Study  Raise up Indigenous Leadership (G 3/12 Groups)  Mark 3:13-15  Fellowship, Preaching, Delivering  MAWL… Model, Assist, Watch, Leave  Multiply to the next community, etc.

Neal Hughes, Consultant The Urban Office of the North American Mission Board, SBC 4200 North Point Parkway Alpharetta, Georgia