1. Women’s Ministries Evangelism Manual
Strategies
for Evangelism
Women’s Ministries Evangelism Manual
Women’s Ministries
General Conference of SDA

2. The Gospel Comission
“And Jesus came and said to them, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, to the close of the age.”
Matthew 28:18-20
The Gospel Commission
Why do we do it? Is there a compelling reason that we should actively seek to evangelize others? Absolutely! Our marching orders come directly from Jesus and are recorded in the Bible. Let’s take a look at them right now:
And Jesus came and spoke unto the saying, “All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost; Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.” Matthew 28: KJV.
The mandate is right here before our eyes. Not only must we invite the people to come to us but we must go where they are. And what are we to do? Teach all nations, preach to every creature, baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost, and teach them to observe all things he has taught us.
And the promise is there: He will be with us to the end! Hang on to that promise. His presence is our stability, our encouragement, our help, our source of strength and power. He has our best interests in mind, He, more than we can ever fathom, has a heart for the lost and has given His all to work with and provide salvation to the people we are seeking to reach.
But let us not go, or teach, or preach without the promised power of the Holy Spirit who will train us and fit us and enable us to fill this great commission. Remember to ask for, prepare for and expect to receive this greatest of all gifts from God. Be intentional in spending time in preparation for the reception of the gift. Plan and ask a group of women to pray with you and for you that you will be an open channel for the Holy Spirit to use not only you but also the women who are working with you. Ask them to pray for you as you prepare and conduct meetings, small groups, seminars, and Bible studies; and as you follow up the interests and disciple the new believers.

3. God Calls Women to Evangelism!
God has given many women special abilities.
Discover your ability and use it for God’s service.
Pray and practice your ideas and
become a true blessing in your
church, home and community.
Yes, I am just a woman, and it has been true that most of the public evangelists are men. But that does not mean that women have not been involved in proclaiming the gospel in the past. We were actively there since the time our church started in the mid 1800s. We have supported the men in their work, visited, prayed and studied with interests from home to home, and befriended the people who came to the meetings.
We often listened to women and youth as they told us their joys and sorrows and struggles with sin, and prayed with them in their search for life. Many times we played musical instruments, sang in choirs, duets, and even solos to reach the hearts of those who came. We were there greeting the people, handing out handbills, Bibles and lessons and trying to make all who came feel welcomed and loved.
Presently, women in many parts of the globe are still following the footsteps of the pioneers to reach the world for Christ. Still other women are making the salvation and training of their children paramount. But many of us go to church, sit in the pew, perhaps teach in the children’s or adult Sabbath School and smugly think of how much we are accomplishing for God while all around us people are perishing for a lack of knowing God.
Does God call women to evangelism? Definitely! God wants all of his disciples, both men and women to be involved in evangelism. He did not just call men to go and preach, and teach the people in the world. He called all of his disciples, both men, women and children to evangelize the furthest reaches of the globe.
But in some places of the world, the birth rate is higher than our rate of reaching the people for Christ. If we continue as we have been, it will be impossible to warn every person in the world of the events that are soon to engulf the world. If we depend on just the ministers and pastors to finish the work, it will never happen. We must join together as a unit, both men and women, layperson and clergy, children and youth to evangelize the world. If we, through the power of the Holy Spirit, work together to reach the lost, how much sooner could the world be warned and His kingdom come. O how I want this to come!

4. Putting it to work
It is important to understand that women have special needs.
If you are a leader or someone that likes to do evangelism, start by training women in the activities and personal testimonies.
Get men involved also.
Use examples of women in
the Bible and how God treated
them.
Generally speaking, women are most successful in reaching out to women, especially in pre-evangelistic programs and ministries. Women’s public evangelism projects, however, seem to appeal to men as much as to women. Perhaps this is because women who have been touched bring the men in their relationships to the reaping meetings.
Women want to be treated as Jesus treated women with acceptance, respect and dignity. They want to be included and treated as person of worth, created perfect by God, for whom Christ died.
It is important to understand that women do have special needs. By meeting these needs, we are doing as Christ did. “Christ’s method alone will give true success in reaching the people. The Savior mingled with (people) as one who desired their good. He showed His sympathy for them, ministered to their needs, and won their confidence. Then He bade them, Follow Me. Ministry of Healing, p. 143
Some of the most critical issues that face women world-wide are illiteracy, abuse, health risks, poverty, workload/hours, and mentoring and training. By surveying the women to whom you are waiting to minister you can find out what they feel their most pressing needs are. Then you will know how to minister to them.
If you are a Women’s Ministries director or leader or someone who would like to begin women’s evangelism, as soon as possible, train women to lead out in women’s activities and for personal witness. Involve the women themselves as much as possible in any decisions that include or involve them, both as those presenting the gospel and those to whom the gospel is being brought. When planning events that involve women, take into consideration the many hours of work they already face as well as the need for child care so that they can attend and enjoy the event.
In Bible study groups or other informal meetings, allow women an opportunity to share and visit. Personal relationships are very important to most women. This is an ideal time for the women of the church to establish lasting friendships with women outside the Adventist Church.
When preaching, giving Bible studies, or other presentations, use as many examples from the Bible as possible of women and how God dealt with them. Think about the illustrations and examples used, the language used, the songs that are sung: do they include women too, or do they just talk about men? Be inclusive of men and women, old and young, rich and poor, all races and people in your audience.

5. Preparing the Community

6. One of the best ways to know what kind of program to plan is
One of the most important aspects of a successful evangelism campaign is a very well structured preparation work.
Not all Women’s Ministries meetings have to be evangelistical meetings, but all meetings should have this focus.
One of the best ways to know
what kind of program to plan is
to do a research to verify
the needs.
One of the most important aspects of a successful evangelistic program is proper ground work. No matter how well you conduct a campaign, it will not be successful if there is not good community preparation. An interest in the church, its programs or personal friendships must be informed in order to have people who will attend. Women’s Ministries is a church department which can be instrumental in developing these contacts as well conducting the meetings themselves.
Not all Women’s Ministries meeting have to be evangelistic meetings, but all meetings should be evangelistic. In other words, you can, and should, have a wide variety of programs that appeal to a wide variety of women. But each of these meetings should have the purpose of being able to invite the women of the community, as well as former members. When these women come, they should be warmly welcomed. Friendships should be developed. Then when you have evangelistic meetings, these women can be invited. They will know women in the church. They will be familiar with the church and its quality of programs, and prejudice will have been broken down. When a program of this type is carried on a continual basis, you will be able to have many baptisms even without a formal evangelistic series.
In developing programs that will be of interest to former members and women in the community, programs that address the particular needs of women are best. The General Conference Women’s Ministries Department has identified six categories of needs that women face word wide, whether in first or third world countries, whether they are already in the church or don’t even know who Jesus is. These are: Literacy, Health Risks, Poverty, Abuse, Work loads, Leadership and mentoring.
If you are in an area of the world where there is substantial illiteracy, beginning a literacy, even in the church, can be an excellent outreach. You can use the Bible as one of the text books, which will lead to religious discussions, or if the people are not open to using the Bible, you will certainly build friendship and trust. In other areas of the world, second language instruction can accomplish the same thing.

7. Research
A research in the community helps raise information about the religious interest and preference of people in any
specific subject.
There are many things that are helpful to know before you began planning an evangelistic program of any kind. Some of it you will know if you have lived in the community for any time. Other things you will have to research. If you are new to the community, there are many things you need to learn before you can really prepare the community.
Demographics: You can find out what the community is like (population, religious preferences, income, etcetera) by finding out the demographics of an area. Places where you can get demographics, depending on where you live, are:
Census studies, Institute of Church Ministry, Andrews University
Office of Community Development
Department of Commerce
Possibly City, University or College Libraries
Advent Source
Survey Community Needs: how do you find out their needs?
What do you think is the greatest need in our area? Half of what they say will involve issues the church cannot do anything about, like high prices. Your objective is to get them to talking about personal issues that the church can reach. Rick Warren, Pastor, Saddleback Church in Southern California - Mingle with people as Jesus mingled
By personal ministry in the home
By coming close to people
By asking the right question: What do you need?
Research the community
Interview civic leaders - ask them what they see as significant needs in the community and what contribution do they think a church organization might make
Drive around the community noticing housing patterns, physical boundaries, street traffic etcetera.
This information along with other information can tell your more community needs.
Check out newspapers of the community
Welcome wagons
Have the church members profile or describe the needs of their extended family as well as family friends, coworkers, neighbors.

8. Community Programs and Ministries
There are many ways to satisfy the needs
of people in our community.
Some of the most common are:
Health seminars.
Nutrition and cooking classes.
Stress control seminars.
How to stop smoking classes.
Weight control.
There is a great variety of ways that we can fill the needs of the people in our community. The list would as varied as the number of communities and members and people that are in our communities and the people available to lead the seminars and programs. Some of the common ones that we always think of are:
Health seminars
Programs such as cooking and nutrition schools
Stress seminars
Stop smoking programs such as Breathe Free for Women
Weight control
Aerobics
Women’s health risks such as breast cancer, osteoporosis, reproductive health, premenstrual syndrome

9. Mental health seminars: depression, losses, abuse, alcoholism.
Aerobics.
Mental health seminars: depression, losses, abuse, alcoholism.
Self-esteem.
Family seminars: fiancés, marital enrichment, child discipline, adolescence.
Finance seminars.
How to pray.
Communication.
Mental health seminars
Aging
Depression and suicide
Grief recovery
Divorce support
Growing up in a family with alcoholism, abuse or other trauma
Self-esteem
Family matter seminars
Step families
Single parenting
Marriage enrichment
Pre-marriage classes
Discipline
Teen challenges
Miscellaneous seminars
Financial management
How to pray
Time management
Communications
Second language courses
As we hold these seminars and minister to the people there are a few principles that will help us to be much more effective as we seek to reach people in their needs. First, we are ambassadors for Christ; and second, we are messengers of Christ’s love. This means that we must create within each event or ministry an atmosphere of loving concern for people. People are more important than programs or ministries.

10. Planning a Community Program
The planning process of a program that catches the attention of the community is very similar to the evangelistical meetings. It requires planning, ideas, prayer, meetings and commitment.
Planning a program that builds community interests is much like the evangelistic meetings themselves. It takes planning, thought, prayer, committees and commitment.
Following is a check list to help you in your planning:
Gather a planning committee.
Examine available information about the needs in the community. Identify opportunities
Define a target group.
Develop an action plan:
What are the objectives and goals of the seminars/programs?
What steps need to be taken?
Develop time lines and a budget.
List specific tasks to be accomplished.
List the personnel needed to do the project.
Recruit volunteers - one on one.
Recruit people to pray for your ministry:
Ask them to pray for every aspect of the ministry.
Give them reports.
This is one of the most important items in your ministry or planning.
Do not underestimate the power of prayer and praying people.
Set up a phone number to handle registrations and answer questions.
Plan and implement an advertising campaign.

11. Getting Names
One of the most valuable resources you can have for successful evangelism is names.
Source of names before the series begins
Source the names during the meetings.
One of the most valuable resources you can have for successful evangelism is names. Names of people who can be invited to come, people who know something about the church, people who have attended programs in the past. Some of these names can be obtained before you begin a community project; others can be gained as you present programs.
1. Sources of names before series begins:
Names from church members
Former members
Media name, Breath of Life, Faith for Today, Voice of Prophecy, La Voz de la Esperanza, Voice of Hope, Adventist World Radio, It is Written, and many other radio and television programs
Pastor's Bible Class
2. Sources of names during meetings:
Advertising survey cards
Sermon request cards
Attendance cards in the Bible
Response cards
Registration sheets

12. Unless people know about your meeting, they will not come.
Advertising
Unless people know about your meeting, they will not come.
Important in the Advertisement:
Inform people.
Who do you want
to reach = target people.
3. If you want to reach everyone,
you probably won’t
reach anyone.
1. Unless people know about your meetings, they will not come. This is true for church members as well as the general public. So the purpose of advertising is to reach the community and let them know what is happening.
Then keep praying that the Holy Spirit will impress those who read and hear the advertising to come to the meetings. Advertising can work as a visual aid to those who invite their friends to the meeting. It can be a reminder, letting them know the place, time, and subject of the meeting that is coming up.
2. The basic and most important rule of good advertising is to know who you are trying to reach. You need to target your audience. Advertising can’t reach everyone and you probably cannot afford to advertise to everyone. You have to target the audience you hope to attract to your crusade. If you try to reach everyone, you will probably reach no one.
Some of the most productive target groups for evangelistic meetings and seminar advertising are young adults that are interested in religion and prophecy. Decided who your are most interested in reaching and who would be most likely to be interested..
3. Target your advertising to the most productive group that you are trying to reach.

13. Preparing the Church

14. Personal Preparation
Both church members and leaders of an evengelistical campaign need to personally get ready.
It is essential that you make a radical commitment to Christ in order to
reach the world for Him. He
will give you courage.
Both the church and the individuals leading an evangelistic series need to be prepared personally.
Certainly, the leaders will need to prepare themselves before they can expect to lead the church to reach out and bring others to Christ
It would also be well for all pastors, evangelists and lay visitors to spend an hour each day praying together for the interests that come each night to the meeting. If you have a prayer request time at the evangelistic meetings, you could use this personal prayer hour corporately and privately to pray for the specific requests of the interests.
Make sure that you personally have a strong relationship with Christ. Spend quality time with Him each day and especially on Sabbath. This would include time in prayer and actual Bible study. Study and pray with one purpose in mind to know what God is really like, what His character is like. As you get to know Him better you will want to become like Him. And He will answer your prayer that you become like Him
We will never be successful in soul winning without the guidance and infilling of the Holy Spirit. Our greatest need is for the Spirit. He is the one who will fit us for this great work. It is He who will prepare the minds of the people in the community for spiritual things. He will also fill us with His fruit, the attributes of His character, that will enable us to lead others to Christ.
Furthermore, the Holy Spirit will promote unity among us. This must be our most urgent petition. And He has promised that He will hear our prayers. Some very successful evangelists spend an additional hour alone fasting and praying for their interests and for the call that takes place that evening.

15. Preparatory Retreats and
Prayer Groups
Retreats
One wonderful way to create an environment for revival is to have a spiritual retreat, a time when the church can get together to pray and fellowship together at a relaxing, lovely place where they can be together with God. Of course, sometimes the retreat may have to just be held at the church, and that is all right.
Prayer Conference/Retreat:
An excellent alternative to a retreat would to conduct a prayer conference. Resources are available in most divisions. Contact your Women's Ministries leaders for names and information.
Prayer and Fasting Retreat:
People can get together and pray rather than eating a heavy meal together. If they do eat, it would be very light so that their brains will not be clogged up by overeating. Sometimes our thinking can be clearer and more focused to pray if we fast. Whatever we do, let us remember Paul’s counsel that we should not condemn either those who fast or those who don't.
Prayer Chain:
This is a good way to bring prayer needs before the people in the church. One person calls one or more persons with a prayer need and then asks them to call others until all the church members are praying for that need. We really need to encourage our members to pray for others. Too often they become so absorbed in their own life that they pray almost exclusively for their own health and relational needs. Praying for others will help them to think of and care for others.
Prayer Walks:
Prayer walking is an excellent way for members to not only pray for the community, but to meet them in their homes in a non threatening way.
To make the program successful,
Encourage the people who have committed to pray to meet with the leader for ten minutes each week after the church service. Have conversational, short prayers directed toward the winning of souls through the evangelistic meeting.
This same group can meet once a month for one hour of conversational prayer.
Prayer Group
Organizing people to pray in groups for others can make a difference in their lives and the lives of the people they are praying for.
Prayer Retreat
Prayer and Fasting Retreat
Prayer Chain
Prayer Walk
Prayer Groups

16. One to One
Evangelism

17. One of the most rewarding ministries is to give one on one Bible studies. It is a very important work. Every member should learn the principles of Bible study.
One on one Bible studies is one of the most important methods for witnessing for which God called
us, as Christians.
One of the most satisfying spiritual ministries is that of giving personal Bible studies. It takes time and energy but you will find it one of the most rewarding and challenging experiences of life.
In giving one-to-one Bible studies, it is important to keep in mind that people don't care how much you know until they see how much you care!
The art of reaching the heart is a sacred privilege. Angels will attend you as you visit with those who are looking for a better life. By visiting with the people and praying with them, you will reach the heart and lead that person to Christ.
It takes more than personal charisma, brilliant logic or clever articulation to be successful in sharing Bible truth. You must have genuine love for the Lord and the student.
Personal one-to-one Bible studies is one of the main methods of witnessing to which God has called Christians. This is explained so beautifully in Christ's Object Lessons, page 229. “The Lord desires that His word of grace shall be brought home to every soul. To a great degree this must be accomplished by personal labor. This was Christ's method. His work was largely made up of personal interviews. He had a faithful regard for the one-soul audience. Through that one soul the message was often extended to thousands. We are not to wait for souls to come to us; we must seek them out where they are.”
The two-by-two plan, as the Lord sent out disciples, is the best way to give Bible studies. That way one can encourage the other, and you can counsel, pray, and search the Bible together. Not only will giving Bible studies two-by-two produce the best results, but if an emergency arises, causing one of the Bible instructors to miss a night, the study can still continue with the other instructor.
Faithfully work and pray as though you were the only individual who will ever contact that person with the good news of Jesus’ love for him or her. God will help you. To you, as to the disciples of old, Jesus says, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men” (Mt. 4:19).

18. For Effective Bible Study
Giving Bible studies is not as hard as most imagine and one does not have to be a Bible scholar to be successful.
The number one secret of effective Bible study is prayer. Pray before the Bible study, inviting the Holy Spirit to guide in the study. Pray as you give the study, constantly asking the Holy Spirit to give you the right and loving words.
Before you can teach others, it is also helpful to have some materials yourself. Helpful source materials for one-to-one Bible studies include a Bible, a Bible concordance and Bible guides. Study guides help to keep the Bible study focused and moving, therefore keeping the interest of the Bible student and keeping on the subject.
It is helpful if you can meet regularly once a week so that your student can look forward to your visit. Try to make the study time as clear as possible. And it is also helpful if you can schedule the study for the same time, once each week. Don't make the study long no more than one hour - minimize the amount of information that is given, giving time for application.. Most people can't concentrate for longer than that. Don't give the student an excuse to decide that he or she doesn't have the time to study because it takes too much time.
It is also important for you to arrive at the scheduled hour, that you take a few minutes to get better acquainted with your student at each study hour and that you take time for prayer before introducing the subject of study. After the study of the lesson, it is important to invite a commitment and have a commitment prayer.
It is best to take someone with you to the study. Generally one should be the instructor at a particular Bible study. This will help to prevent the student from feeling overpowered.
One can be sending up silent prayers as the other talks. Once may have an answer the other overlooks. You can give courage to each other too. The principle Bible instructor should sit where she can face the student, and comfortably close enough to be heard and to have a friendly atmosphere.
The number one secret of effective Bible study is prayer.
Have the Bible study once a week.
Punctuality is important.

19. Encourage a commitment Share with them your personal conversion
experience.
Praise, support and acceptance
are important in the Bible study.
Encourage a commitment at each Bible study. Help your student to have the assurance of salvation, based on faith in Christ and the promises of the Word of God. The commitment may be in the form of a prayer of response to the subject of study.
Share your personal testimony, briefly, by telling your experience before you met Christ, and the joy you have found since you met Christ. Keep your personal testimony brief - from two to four minutes. Be prepared to tell humbly but courageously, “I am a Christian.” Briefly tell about your life before surrendering to Christ, how you came to be a Christian and something about your life since becoming a Christian...the change, joy and blessings. Use phrases such as: I needed help, I found it in Jesus. I found the Bible to be the voice of God to my soul.
If you or the student have always been a Christian, share how being an Adventist has added a special dimension of meaning and purpose to your life. Then share a favorite scripture.
As you take time to get acquainted, your student will become your friend. This will help you student to relax and be more comfortable with you. The prayer time will help your student to realize the presence of God. Following the prayer, introduce the lesson, so that your student knows the purpose of the study. At the end, if possible, supply books for the student to read on the subject of your study.
Praise, support and acceptance are an important part of the study and fellowship. For improvement and growth, ask for feedback. Be open and truthful in your communication and your will discover the joy and excitement of true friendship and caring. Part of support and encouragement is listening; listening is important in a Bible study setting. By listening, we hear the deeper cries for help and understanding. True listening communicates the message, “I accept you, and I value your opinion.” It's a gift of ourselves we can give to someone.
Help the student to understand that all of us need the grace of Christ, so realize that those who worship with you are not perfect. You may see flaws and imperfections, but remember, Jesus said, “I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” Keep in mind that Bible study is designed to lead a person into a saving relationship with Christ and into church fellowship; the Holy Spirit will work with the individual in the process of sanctification.

20. Organization of Bible Study
There are five principles parts to a Bible study.
Get acquainted time.
Introduction of study and prayer.
Lesson study.
Commitment and prayer.
Next study, time and leaving.
There are five principle parts to a Bible study:
Get acquainted time
Introduce the lesson and pray
Lesson study
Commitment and prayer
Next appointment time and departure
Get acquainted time...Your Bible student must become your friend. So take a few minutes at the beginning of each study time to deepen your friendship.
Introduce the lesson and pray...A short introduction of your subject of study will help your student to know the purpose of the study. Then begin your study time with a sincere prayer, asking for the Holy Spirit's guidance in your study of God's Word.
Lesson study... The question and answer approach, allowing the student to read the Bible text answer, will help to keep the interest of the student. It will also help to establish confidence in the Word of God. Avoid disagreeing on a point of doctrine until you have had time to study it thoroughly from the Bible. It may be explained in a future lesson. It is important to remember that it is the work of the Holy Spirit to convince the student of his or her need of Christ and His teachings. Whatever subject is being presented, uplift Jesus as the center of all hope. Remember, the wonderful love of Christ will reach the heart, when the mere reiteration of doctrine would accomplish nothing.
Commitment and prayer... Begin with the very first lesson to ask a commitment question at the conclusion of your study time. You may often give a brief personal testimony that will encourage your student in his or her commitment. Seal the commitment with prayer. Encourage your student to pray when he/she feels comfortable doing so.
Next appointment time and leaving. It is best to leave after your prayer time without visiting except to confirm your next appointment time. At the appropriate time, you will want to invite your student to attend church or an evangelistic meeting with you.

21. Sharing the Gospel
In a study it is important to share your experiences, inviting the person
to join you.
When you are giving a Bible study and walking the student through the process of accepting Christ as Lord and Savior, it is helpful to share your experience, inviting her to join you.
Here is an example of what you might say. Chose some of the following or similar questions and testimonies to help your student make a commitment:
I'm sure you feel as I do that our spiritual life is most important and to find real spiritual fulfillment and peach in these difficult days is top-priority.
It's the privilege of the Christian to experience real, genuine assurance of eternal life and peace. I remember feeling, before I knew Christ as my personal Savior, that something was missing. I appreciate the friends who helped me to know what Christ really came to do for me and I've never been the same since. Since giving my life to Christ, I've found peace and great joy in telling others where they can find the assurance of eternal life with Christ.
Friend, have you come to the place in your spiritual life where, if your life should end today, you would know for certain that you have eternal life?...
The Bible says we can have that certainly. In 1 John 5:13 we read, “These things were written...that you might know you have eternal life.” God wants you to have that assurance.
Friend, may I ask you an important question? If you were to stand before God and if He were to ask you, “Why should you have eternal life?” what would you say?. . .

22. Project B = B: Bible = Baptism
Prayer.
Preparation of material. Bible, tape. Bible study, blank baptismal card.
Starting program.
Everyone who has taken a Bible makes a commitment.
Prepare this person for baptism
until the end of the year.
At the year end service perform
a baptism.
The Bible study program called Project B=B or Bible=Baptism, is an excellent way to give the women opportunities to work for their family, friends and neighbors in one on one Bible studies.
This is how you can conduct the program:
First, there is prayer. They pray about Project B=B specifically in their Women's Ministry meetings. They pray before, during the initial project and as the project continues.
Next, they schedule an interview with the pastors/elders to explain the project and to negotiate the purchase of Bibles through the church, or other means. Schedule the date of this event The date should be on any Sabbath during the first part of the year so that there will be enough time to finish all of the Bible Studies by the end of the year. Preference could be given to one of the two special dates for Women's Ministry that are already on the church calendar:
1st Sabbath in March - International Women's Day of Prayer
2nd Sabbath in June - Women's Ministry Emphasis Day
They then prepare their material, copying the Project B=B enrollment card to be handed to each person who will participate (See Appendix E, page 134 for sample).
After a date is finalized, they begin to advertise the date.
The program they plan can include testimonies, congregational singing, special songs, informative talks about Women's Ministry, local and world wide Women's Ministry news, interviews and depositions.
The Women's Ministry director or another person will speak about the happiness of sharing Christ's message with others.
She immediately asks each person present (women, men, youth, elderly) to think of a relative or friend who would be happier if they studied the Word of God. She then explains that Women's Ministry has a plan to help reach this person. She emphasizes that each person who participates takes a Bible, Bible study guides, and the baptismal certificate. The leadership and planning committee then asks each person to make a commitment to:
Study the Bible with one person
Prepare this person for baptism by the end of the year.
The Bible and the Bible studies do not belong to the person who received them in the church but to the person who needs to be reached by the message.

23. Small Group Evangelism

24. Small Group Evangelism
In the small group people feel more comfortable sharing.
Meetings are at home.
They are interested in one
another.
They study at their own pace.
A natural group is formed to
give continuity.
One of the most successful types of Bible studies is the small group study. There are a number of reasons for its success:
People are often less intimidated by small groups and more willing to share
It can be held in more convenient, close-to-home locations
The group can provide a feeling of caring and nurture
People have a better opportunity to study at their own pace
The small group creates a natural group for continued discipling.
It is best to personally invite potential group members. Be specific about the details of the study by telling them what you are planning to do, when you plan to meet and how many weeks the course of study will require. One way to start a group Bible study in your neighborhood is to invite several people to your home for refreshments. At that time tell them of your interest in starting a small group Bible study and invite them to join you. A good group size is six, but if your group is smaller, God has promised to be with you. (Matthew 18:20)
Keep to the time schedule. Agree on the length of each session. Take time at the beginning of the study to get acquainted. You might ask each one to briefly share his or her spiritual journey Ask God, by His Spirit, to guide the study time. Mention that the purpose of Bible study is not only to become acquainted with Biblical principles, but more essential to become intimate friends with a Person, Jesus Christ.
The central theme of the small study group must encourage learning of the teaching of Jesus and the joy in following the footsteps of the Master Teacher.
The small group Bible study can be a time to learn to pray together and how to bear the burdens of others. It will encourage spiritual growth. Encourage spontaneous prayer response participation at the close of the study or at any time during the study that would be helpful
After the Bible study, a time of prayer might include a time of praise, petition and thanksgiving. Encourage every member in the group to pray, responding to the study time or the needs of the group. Prayers can be brief and spontaneous. Let the group know that moments of silence are good times for letting God impress them with His presence.
As the number of people in the group grows, make plans for starting another group.

25. Small Group Program Share: become a friend.
Bible Study: Learn about God’s Word.
3. Prayer: Ask for God’s guidance.
Social Time: Get together
outside the Bible study.
5. Service: Do something for others.
When planning for a small group study, it is essential to include five areas:
1. Sharing - getting acquainted
2. Bible study - Learning about God's Word
3. Prayer - asking for God's assistance
4.Social time - meeting outside the group
5. Service - doing something for someone else
Before inviting people to a group Bible study, begin praying that God will attract the group members He wants and that He will enable you to lead and encourage the group.
Among the goals of a small group Bible study would be to create an atmosphere of love and acceptance which stimulates discoveries and freedom to speak about the Bible without fear of embarrassment or criticism. This will foster positive Christian fellowship.

26. Planning - Public Evangelism
Who, ME? Why not?
This is one of the best ways to reach a large number of people.
It can be in a large auditorium or in a small church.
I am sure that some of you are saying – “Yes I can be involved in evangelism in holding Bible studies, leading out in small groups, leading out in small seminar evangelism, and now you suggest that I be involved in holding public evangelistic meetings? And maybe even in being the evangelist? Me, a woman?”
Why not? So few of the people of the world know the message of Christ and His salvation and His coming. And mostly it is the men who reach the world for Him. But what about the women who cannot be touched by men - the women who will not or are not allowed to listen to men? How about those who would be touched by a woman's style? And what about the places where the men cannot or will not do the necessary evangelism? How about increasing the number of people who proclaim the gospel by leaps and bounds. Who is to stop us if the Lord leads us to also proclaim the gospel?
The founder of Women's Ministries for the Seventh-day Adventist church was Sarepta Myrenda Irish Henry. She was a national evangelist for the Women's Christian Temperance Union and continued in evangelism after she joined our church. Hundreds accepted Christ and changed their lifestyle in the process.
Many have first heard of our message or come into our church through public meetings.
It is one of the best ways to reach a great amount of people, although the size is not important.
You can preach to thousands in a large auditorium or just to a few people in a small town in a small church.

27. The Evangelists To be completely committed to God.
Committed and loyal to the church, mission and doctrine.
Have a passion to reach lost souls.
Have the ability to lead others to Christ.
Be able to speak to large audiences.
One of the most important decisions in planning a series of public meetings is who will be the principle speaker. This woman must:
Be totally committed to God, keeping Christ central and uppermost in
her presentations.
Be absolutely committed and loyal to the church, to its mission and it doctrines, and will work in concert with the rest of the church.
Have a passion for reaching lost people.
Be able to speak to crowds of people, or even small groups of people as the need arises.

28. Be a people’s person. Know how to relate to others.
Be able to delegate responsibilities.
Be humble, capable of following God’s guidance and listen to advice that may be helpful.
Develop other talents: flexibility, mercy, hospitality.
Work with people who have other gifts that
she lacks in order to perform
a complete job.
Be a people person who can relate to others.
Be able to delegate responsibilities to others.
Be humble, able to follow the guidance of God and listen to counsel from those who can help mentor and train her.
Have other gifts that will enhance an evangelist: teacher-trainer, flexibility, leadership, administration, mercy, hospitality. No one person will have all of these gifts. The evangelist will need in her team people who have the gifts that she lacks to accomplish the work of the Lord.

29. Work with women interested in evangelism.
Have people available to talk and study the Bible with other people.
Audio-visual team.
Hostesses with warm personality
Cleaning team.
Advertisement team.
Someone responsible for
lighting.
Prayer teams.
You want evangelistic minded women with good relational skills to become friends with the people who come to the meeting.
You will need people who are willing to visit with people and study the Bible with them if need be. They will need to be trained in visitation, Bible study, and decision getting skills. These women will need to be capable of great love, humble, Bible students, good listeners and willing to let the Spirit direct them in their visits.
People will be needed to manage the book and tape tables. It is always good to sell inexpensive literature and tapes of the meetings that will reinforce the truths that are taught each night.
Hostesses with warm personalities are needed to greet people each night when they come in the door and help them find places to hang up their coats, where the bathrooms are, where the children's meetings are.
Some people decide whether they are going to go to church by how nice and clean the bathrooms are, or how well the children are cared for.
People will be needed who manage the parking lot and even bring umbrellas to walk the people to their cars if it is raining. This is especially helpful if you have large crowds or not much space to park the cars. In some places you may need to give people bus schedules and public transportation advice in reaching the meeting.
Get people who are trained and experienced to run the visual aids, public address systems, or other technical programs.
Members and interested friends will be needed to make signs, make and put up posters, and give out handbills etc.
You need faithful people who will put out chairs, open and close windows and doors, and manage the heat and cooling systems etc.
You will need a person to be in charge of the lighting
Recruit a group of people who will usher, pick up the offering, and take care of it.
Prayer Partners-this can even include people who are unable to attend the meetings.
TEAMS

30. Work With the Pastor
The pastor should be involved in the planning and organization meetings, since the beginning or the campaign will not be successful.
If you are in a church other than your own, it really helps if you can have a good working relationship with the pastor when you have meetings in his/her church and the pastor should be involved in the planning and organization of the meeting from the beginning or the meetings will not have long term success. The pastor is the key person in the follow-up of the meetings. If the pastor is not interested in doing follow up or training members in follow up and holding them accountable, many of the people who will be baptized are apt to drop out. You will need to sit down with the pastor and decide how he/she is going to be involved in the meetings and have all the decisions confirmed in writing. Later on send notes to remind each as to what was agreed.
If you are not a member of the church where the meetings are held, you will especially need the pastor's help in contacting the key people who will help you organize the committees to run the meeting. The pastor should also be a visible part of the meetings so that the visitors and pastor will get acquainted and bond.

31. Date and Time
The decision regarding the date the meetings will happen may also make a big difference in its final success. Have the following in mind:
Holidays.
Agricultural regions.
Civic activities.
Whether.
Your decision as to when the meetings will be held can also make a big difference in your ultimate success. When you are deciding the date of the meetings you need to keep in mind:
The holidays that will be coming up during the meetings that will affect the people who will attend. For instance, in the United States do not try to have meetings during Easter and Christmas. Try to schedule meetings around those times. This will differ from place to place and country to country.
The industry or vocation that is prevalent in the community. For instance, in an agricultural region, do not try to hold meetings when harvest or spring planting is going on. If meetings are held at planting time it will be difficult for some of the farmers and members to attend.
The events that are happening in the community such as sporting, national, or local civic events. It would not be a good idea in the United States to hold meetings the same night as the Super bowl or other major national or sporting events. Some communities have special days that may make it difficult to hold a meeting -parade days, festivals or national holidays.
Think about the weather: will people be able to get to the meetings and be comfortable during the services. Some communities have many people who are comfortable driving with almost any kind of weather, including snow. You could hold meetings at almost any season there. But in other communities a bad rain, or snow, or freezing rain would hamper people who otherwise would attend meetings. Excessive heat without some method of cooling could affect other places.
As you can tell, there probably are no ideal dates, and you will have to do the best you can with the information you have in planning.

32. Place Consider the expenses and public comfort.
There are advantages in using the church, when there is not a whole lot of prejudice.
The place needs to be of easy access.
Illumination.
Sound system.
Just as you must think about your target audience in planning the time and place for meetings, you must think about your audience when planning where you will have your meetings. You must consider expense, convenience and how the target audience may feel about the appropriateness of the meetings place.
There is an advantage to using an Adventist church in places where there is not a lot of prejudice against Seventh-day Adventists. The people who come will have already crossed the barrier of prejudice by coming to your church.
However, it is better to hold a meeting in a local church than to have a citywide campaign.
Another factor to be aware of in choosing a place for your meetings is accessability: is it accessible to the handicapped? Can people on crutches or in wheelchairs get to your meeting?
Regardless of the venue, lighting is important. Floodlight the platform and highlight the speaker, making the auditorium bright, especially if you are having the people read their Bibles. If you have pictures or PowerPoint on a screen, it is almost impossible to have people look up texts simultaneously. It is also important to have the parking lot well lighted. It may be well to have someone in charge of the lights.
Sound is of vital importance. Make certain that it is loud enough so people with hearing problems can hear. Check out the sound system a few days ahead of time to make sure everything is all right. Check out dead spots in the auditorium. The sound will be different when the auditorium is full of people. It is important too to practice with your participants so they know how to speak into a microphone.
When you are deciding the place keep in mind the people that you are trying to reach. Make sure that it is a place that can be easily reached by the people you have targeted.

33. Budget
It is important to understand the principles of planning the budget and handling the finances of an evangelistic series. It is a weighty responsibility to be entrusted with God's money. We must always keep in mind that we will give an reckoning to God.
Here are some guidelines, principles and helpful hints to make your budget management more effective:
Open a separate checking account for the evangelist effort.
You should be responsible for the money if you have the financial ability. It is not always wise to give that responsibility to the church treasurer.
If the money will come from the conference or mission, it should be given to you as an advance.
Immediately deposit all funds into the account.
If possible, always write a check. Don't ever pay bills in cash.
Be sure to keep receipts for every expense.
Two people should count the money and put the offering in a safe place. They need to sign their names testifying to the total. File the envelopes with your report.
You can ask for the offering just once a week by giving out the envelope a night in advance, and making a short offering appeal. You may even receive more money by doing it this way.
The handling of finances is very important. Taking care of God’s money is a heavy responsibility. The principle is to stay
within the budget.

34. Meeting and Greeting
Your guests will forming opinions of you and your church before the speakers ever says a word.
Your guests will be forming opinions of you and your church before the speaker every says a word. If things are not well planned, some may not return even though they agreed with every word of the sermon.
Ushers and greeters can be trained in one session before the meetings begin. They will need written and oral specific directions as to how to perform their duties.
After the meeting all registration sheets and all sermon response cards should be given to the pastor and evangelist.
It is helpful if those serving to meet and greet the people and the ushers do a general tidying up of the auditorium after the meeting to see all is ready for the nest meeting.

35. Organizing Committees
They exist because they involve more people in the work.
Steering Committee
Prayer Committee
Children’s Committee
Decoration Committee
There are two reasons for having committees to help plan and conduct a series of evangelistic meetings. First, it gets more people involved. They will then feel ownership of the meetings and will more likely attend and bring friends and neighbors. They are not only helping with the meetings but learning so that they can also lead out in meetings of their own someday.
After you have decided the general outline of your meetings, you can assign committees depending on your local needs. Some of the committees you might need are:
Steering Committee
This committee consists of all the heads of all the committees. They coordinate everything so that it happens on schedule in preparation for and during the meetings.
Prayer Committee
This committee will intentionally organize prayer initiatives and ministries in the church before, during, and after the meetings.
Children's Program Committee
This committee is responsible for putting on a special program for children ages four through ten each evening.
Decoration Committee
This committee will be responsible for all decorations in the auditorium and other rooms that will be used, including the bathrooms. The committee should be composed of people who have artistic talents and abilities. If they use live plants, that same committee should be responsible for the care and watering of the plants.

36. Audio-Visual Committee Transportation Committee Visitation Committee
Lodging Committee
Music Committee
Audio-Visual Committee
Transportation Committee
Visitation Committee
Lodging Committee
This committee would find lodging for the lay and paid workers involved in an evangelistic meeting if they come from a long distance and are not able to live at home.
Music Committee
Music can greatly enhance an evangelistic meeting. This committee would be responsible for all the music used during the meetings.
Public Address/Sound Committee
This committee will be in charge of the sound for the duration of the meeting. Sound quality is very important and this committee needs to be involved in planning and conducting the meetings.
Transportation Committee
This committee would arrange for transportation for the visitors who would have no other way to attend the meetings and for the workers who have no other way of getting to and from appointments.
Visitation Committee
The evangelist should not be the only one visiting the interests. Bible workers, lay counselors and lay pastors – any trained member – can also do the visiting in a public evangelistic crusade.
Someone on that committee will also have to be responsible to organize and give out the addresses and names to be visited. It would also be good to keep track of the nights each person attends the meetings. If visitors miss a meeting, someone should visit them and help them to catch up on what they may have missed.

37. Program Format Song Service Prayer Welcome Testimony Announcements
Greetings
Special Music
Sermon
Call Song
Closing
This suggested program format does well in a large busy city where the people want a fast moving, short program. In planning a program, cultural differences and expectations must be taken into account, but it is always important to have the program well planned and well paced. Each participant should be well coached, have a printed program, and keep to the time schedule.

38. Preparing and Presenting
the Sermon
Ellen White states the philosophy for believing that women have a proper place in doing the preaching for evangelistic meeting as well as planning them and working behind the scenes. She explicitly states that “the Lord has a work for women as well as for men. They may take their place in His work at this crisis, and He will work through them....The Saviour will reflect upon these self sacrificing women the light of His countenance, and will give them a power that exceeds that of men.” Welfare Ministry p. 145.
In speaking of women in public ministry, Ellen White added “it was Mary that first preached a risen Jesus....If there were twenty women where now there is one, who would make this holy mission their cherished work, we would see many more converted to the truth.” Evangelism p. 471, 472.
Many women love to talk. Why can't they talk the words of Christ to perishing souls? If you are not used to speaking “up front” start small. Announce a hymn, say a benediction (it is alright to have it written out even) or so some other small part until you begin to get used to it. You can overcome stage fright, although it is good to have a little extra adrenalin – it keeps you alert and on your toes.

39. Guidelines for Sermon Preparation
Time
Prayer
Rely on the Bible
Be professional
Be relevant
Be simple
It takes time to prepare a sermon. Most of the women who will be working in Women's Ministries evangelism are not trained in theology or in homiletics. They are not experienced in sermon preparation. It is hard work. But it can certainly be done.
Be Prayerful. Consecrate yourself to God for service. Holy Spirit inspired Bible writers (2 Tim.3:16) and the same spirit should guide the one preparing a sermon. We are told in1 Cor. 2:10 that “The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God.” The power of prayer is available for divine guidance.
Be Biblical. Stories, news, and popular authors are useful, but they are not our focus. Our focus must be on Scripture. And there is something universal and timeless about the Bible stories. Use them as much as possible. “Preach the Word” as it says in 2 Timothy 4:2.
Be Professional. Be true to the text; do not manipulate scripture. Search and research to the best of your ability.
Be Relevant. Relate Scripture to the audience. Think carefully as to whether or not the audience will understand your illustrations and whether or not they will be acquainted with the “experts” you quote. Use terminology that the community understands.
You are a woman, so don't be afraid to present the topic from a woman's point of view. Don't try to preach like the men – you are not one and will not be convincing as one. Speak from your heart and your experience.
Be Simple: Jesus’ sermons were simple and full of stories. But Mark says, “The large crowd listened to him with delight” (Mark 12:37). One time when He had finished telling them a series of stories, the Bible tells us “the crowds were amazed at his teaching, because he taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law” (Matt. 7:28, 29). Not because of dazzling rhetoric, but because of his simple to understand, sincere presentation, and divine authority. You too can have that authority.

40. Creating Sermons
Christ must be the center of our evangelistical sermons. Some steps to present a sermon:
Get the attention of the audience.
Let them know your theme.
Seek accessible material.
Research.
Use at the most 3 arguments.
Organize the material in a logical sequence.
Don’t forget the appeal.
There really are only four simple components to a sermon. Or any presentation.
Tell them what you are going to tell them.
Tell them
Tell them what you told them
Christ in, above, and permeating all.
Yes, Christ must be the center of every evangelistic sermon, regardless of the topic. He is not a specific section of the sermon. Rather He must be related to the body of the sermon. Or to say it another way He must be the anchor of the sermon.
The first step in sermon presentation is to get the attention of your audience. Be constantly thinking of your audience- what they already know and believe and what it is you want them to know. Capture their interest. The best way is by some personal experience or something relevant to the audience.
Now you are ready for the body of the presentation. The body is divided into two main parts: there is a question to be answered or a problem to be solved or a need to be satisfied. There would be no reason for the people to come to your meeting if this were not true.
Choose material that will help you understand the need and what the Bible answer is. Search and research. Decide on relevant texts for topic. Don't present every argument and text possible; probably three at the most.
Then organize your material. Be logical and progressive, going from one step to another. Think how you would explain it to a child. Follow the same sequence but in adult language and reasoning. The “what” of any topic is important, but the “how to” is more important.
Every sermon should call people to decision. The decision should occupy ten to twenty percent of total time, varying according to audience, topic and type of response. Tell the people what kind of decision you want them to make and review how it will benefit them. Tell them what to do about their decision. The type of decision will vary according to topic.

41. Sermon Outline Know the theme very well. Examine each part.
Read the texts to see how they
were applied.
Read other sources.
Illustrate the sermon using, stories, news and experiences.
Write the sermon.
Practice your presentation.
If you are going to use a prepared sermon outline, especially one that has been prepared by someone else, the following will be helpful:
Know the topic.
Examine the sub-topics to see how the sermon is organized, and how it progresses.
Read the texts to see how they apply.
Read other sources that add to explanation of texts.
Illustrate the sermon using stories, news items, or your own experiences.
Write out the sermon word for word if you have to.
Practice presenting it.
During the preparation of the sermon, you must be moved/transformed by it. Even though you know the doctrine, it must speak to you again personally. You must be so touched that you want to recommit your life to God. If it touches you, it will touch others through the Holy Spirit.

42. Sermon Presentation Be confident. God is in control.
Be honest. Believe in what you preach.
Be practical. Explain the “how”.
Be enthusiastic.
Be a friend of the audience.
Be interactive.
Make visual contact.
Be a speaker for the Holy Spirit.
Relax.
Preaching is both a science and an art. Or perhaps better said, a love. You can read books, learn the science and practice the art, but what will make the real difference is how much you care about the people to whom you speak.
Ten Pointers
Be confident: God is in charge
Be Sincere: Believe and practice what you preach.
Be practical: Make it plain and simple. Say “how to”
Be enthusiastic- fire spreads
Be audience – friendly
Look for ways to bond with your audience.
Let people see you as their friend.
We only win our friends.
Be inter active
Don't just preach at people, talk with people.
Ask questions. Communicate
Use eye contact
Don't be glued to your notes.
Look the people in their faces..
Use appropriate body language. This is 55% of the process of verbal communication.
Be filled with the Spirit
You are only the mouth piece.
Let the Spirit be the speaker.
Relax. No one can do better at that time or place or they would be doing it.

43. Illustrating Your Sermon
Do not you personal stories as if they were yours.
Use illustrations that are appropriate to the culture.
Will the story offend anyone in the audience?
Use a subject the public identifies with.
Use Bible examples.
When preaching, giving Bible studies, or other presentations, use as many examples from the Bible as possible of women and how God dealt with them. Think about the illustrations and examples used, the language used, the songs that are sung: do they include women too, or do they just talk about men? Be inclusive of men and women, old and young, rich and poor, all races and people in your audience.
People will sometimes remember your illustration after they have forgotten the rest of the sermon. For that reason, it is important that your illustrations be to the point.
Another caution when choosing illustrations: you cannot use someone else's personal story and pretend that it is yours. Just say, you are telling a story of a friend or a story that you have heard.
It is always important also to make illustrations culturally appropriate. The story must not be offensive to anyone in the audience, and it must be on a subject with which the audience can identify. Or you need to take more time to explain so that everyone understands the story and the point that it is making.

44. How to Lead Someone to Accept Christ
John 3:16 – Believe God loves you.
Acts 11:18 – Allow the Holy Spirit to guide you to repentance.
I John 1:9 – Confess your sins to God.
Revelation 3:20 – Invite Jesus to come into your heart.
No matter when or where you meet with your candidate, you want to help her accept Christ as her Savior and Lord. If it is in the public meeting, and she has made a decision to accept Christ at an altar call, go forward with her and invite her immediately after the call to sit with you. If it is in the home, you will want to ask if she wants to accept Christ.
Affirm her and praise God of her decision to follow Christ. Review the truth that salvation comes solely by grace and not by any of our own works.
Share with her the four steps in coming to Christ using the texts below.
John 3:16 - Believe that God loves you. Emphasize that God loves her and demonstrated it by dying on the cross for her, even if she was the only one who sinned. Have her reread the text and replace her own name for “whoever” in the text.
Acts 11:18 - Let the Holy Spirit lead you to repentance. Emphasize that God is the one who leads us to repentance. We have no interest in repenting of ourselves and love our own sins. We are often sorry for the results of sin and not for the sin that caused the death of Jesus on the cross. (Example: the man who is sorry because he got lung cancer, but not sorry that he smoked.) True repentance is to be truly sorry for the sin itself because it sent Jesus to the cross. Only God can help us have that kind of sorrow.
1 John 1:9 - Confess your sins to God. As the Spirit bring repentance to her hearts she needs to confess her specific sins to God. Invite her do this immediately. Encourage her with the promise in the text that He will forgive her right then and cleanse her from all sin and unrighteousness.
Revelation 3:20 - Invite Jesus to come into the heart. Repeat the promise that Jesus will come in, if we invite him in. Talk to her positively about inviting Him into her heart.

45. Many decisions are made when we visit the home of the interest.
Decisions at Home
Some of the most important work of an evangelistic meeting is what happens when someone from the evangelistic team makes a visit to the guests - home. Often it is the evangelist and pastor who make the visit, but often it is either the evangelist or the pastor with a lay member of the team, a member of Women's Ministries. This person will have been recruited by the Visitation Committee and trained by that committee. It is useful to have a Spiritual Gifts Seminar before the meetings to find out the spiritual gifts and then use those who have the gift of encouragement and gifts related to visitation.
A number of things are accomplished by a home visitation. The church team learns about the family or individual. Some things you might discover are things like: are they having financial problems; is there someone sick in the family; how many live in the home; are there marriage problems that might have to be dealt with; is smoking a problem; is there evidence of alcoholism; what kind of special training, education or experience might the person have that will impact on their decisions.
Many decisions are made when we visit the home of the interest.

46. Qualities of the Person Visiting
Relationship with God
Passion for people
Intercedes for them
Works diligently
Visits the interest one a week
Is part of the team
Studies! Learns! Grows!
Remains optimist
The persons who make these visits should also have certain qualifications:
Have a loving relationship with God: Psalm 116:1
Possess a passion: Jeremiah. 20:9
Are intercessors for souls: James 5:16
Able to focus on the family: Acts 16:34
Work diligently: James 2:20,26
Willingness to visit each prospect at least once a week: Acts 20:20
Attend Visitation Committee meetings: Proverbs. 27:17
Are team players 1 Corinthians 12:20,21
Study! Learn! Grow: 2 Tim. 2:15
Stay optimistic: Phil. 4:13

47. There are several purposes for home visitation.
Women should be trained to do evangelistic visitation. Women seem to have a natural gift for doing this type of work but training can help them avoid many pitfalls. Visitation is one of the areas Ellen White urges and counsels women to become involved in.
There are several purposes for home visitation:
To Build an Audience: Do this during the first few weeks. Sometimes an audio or video tape and a copy of the outline and/or lesson of the missed meeting in a plastic bag hung on the door knob is all that is needed to keep them coming - this especially works at the beginning.
To Hold an Audience: Visiting helps to do more than anything else to keep an audience that is consistent in attendance. As you visit you will find some who need help with various problems in order to be able to attend.
To Prepare People for Decisions: Before people can make a decision, their questions must be cleared up. Visiting will help to clear those questions. Often words spoken in private will do far more good than all the words in an entire sermon. Some people will argue with logic, but when you allow the love of Christ to shine through you personally, the hardest of hearts can be touched and softened. Five minutes spent in the home is often of more value than 30 minutes in the pulpit. Don't expect everybody to understand or retain everything that is said in the sermon.
Who Should Visit
People who know the basic message and are willing and able to take the time to learn more.
People who have a strong relationship with Christ.
People with people skills - who can relate to people.
People who feel called to visit - although some people that are initially frightened to visit will do well with encouragement. Training and experience with an experienced visitor will help.

48. Decisions in the Meetings time of the presentation.
An effective call takes time. It is recommended that the call for a decision takes from 10% to 20% of the total
time of the presentation.
Effective appeal takes time. Adequate time should be reserved for decision making. It is recommended that calling for a decision take between 10% and 20% of the total presentation time.
There are different responses that people can be asked to make. These include:
Raise hands while still sitting
Write a response card
Stand
Come to the altar.
Forms of response:
Raise the hand.
Write the decision in a card.
Stand up.
Go to the front.

49. The Baptismal Service
Baptism is a symbol of death to the old life and the beginning of a new life in Jesus Christ. It demonstrates a person's desire to become a member of God's family. It shows a willingness to receive the Holy Spirit and to use His gifts in the ministry to others.
Those giving evidence of having experienced the new birth and who are enjoying a spiritual experience in the Lord Jesus are prepared for baptism and church membership. Instruction in the fundamental teaching of the church should be shared with each candidate before being baptized.
Our Lord Jesus Himself gives this clear guideline in Matthew 28:19,20 (NIV) “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I will be with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Although the church does not insist on the rebaptism of those coming to us from other religious communions who have already been baptized by immersion and who have lived consistent Christian lives in harmony with the light they then had, if desired, rebaptism is encouraged.

50. It is appropriate to have hymns, testimonies and prayer.
The baptism may be performed indoors or outdoors, wherever there’s enough water.
It is appropriate to have hymns, testimonies and prayer.
Have a Welcome ceremony.
Baptismal Vow: Church Manual, p. 32
Baptism may be held indoors or outdoors, wherever there is sufficient water to immerse a person and the ceremony may be conducted appropriately, with no danger involved and with good taste.
In the preparation of the candidate for baptism, explain that the baptism will be done by immersion and that the deacons and deaconesses will assist them in this service. Dark colored (white can be immodest when it is wet) robes of suitable heavy material are helpful, but if they are not available, the candidates should be encouraged to dress in such a manner that they will modestly attired. The candidate will need to bring a towel and a change of clothing and a swimming cap for women or whatever is necessary for her to fix her hair.
Songs of praise and testimony, a time of rejoicing and prayer, and encouragement in the Word are appropriate a baptismal service.
Candidates for baptism should be given the opportunity to affirm their acceptance of the doctrinal beliefs of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in the presence of the church or other appointed committee. This may done before a select group prior to the baptism.
The church body should be asked to vote on the acceptance of the candidates into the church, subject to baptism.
The baptismal ceremony should be followed by extending the right hand of fellowship and the giving of a few words of welcome by the pastor or elder in behalf of the entire church. A certificate of Baptism may be presented to the candidates at that time. Other gifts can be given, books and sometimes flowers in memory of that day.
Some churches have at this time invited those who have been chosen to be the Special Friends or Guardians of each candidate to come up with them after the baptism and read with them the charge for the newly baptized They also have had a special prayer for them asking the Lord to send His Spirit upon these new people in a special way, bestowing upon them the gifts needed in His church to evangelize the whole world.
A spiritual guardian or guardians may be chosen to keep in touch with the candidate for encouragement and friendship.
If the candidate is not already a part of a small study group, assisting him or her to find a group would be helpful.
Continued unconditional love and friendship is very important to the new believer.

51. Discipling New Believers
Women are intimately involved in the birth process. Almost all women love babies. And most of the care for babies is done by women. So it seems entirely appropriate that women should be involved in the process of discipling. But any woman who has had a baby will also tell you that giving birth is painful and raising children is hard work.
If we did not forget the pain of birth, no woman would have more than one child. Bible studies is also hard work. Evangelism is hard work. We probably would do it only once if it were not for the joy that comes when someone with whom we have worked is baptized. Angels shout for joy. But just as we do not abandon a baby at birth, we must not abandon the newly baptized soul.
In Matthew 28, Jesus tells us to do four things: 1) go; 2) make disciples; 3) baptize; and 4) “teach them to obey everything I have commanded you.” As a church we do well with numbers one and three; we do fairly well with number four before baptism. But after baptism, we do not teach or disciple very well. This is one of the reasons we lose so many members.
In 1 Corinthians 3:2, Paul says that the Corinthians are “mere infants in Christ. I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready for it.” We need to be careful not to assume that just because a person is baptized, they are mature Christians, ready for solid spiritual food. We must teach and model the joy of salvation. We must be examples, be patient, be loving. And we must teach them to go prepare others for baptism.
Conservation Ministry

52. Crises Faced by New Members
Crisis of discouragement: She/he fails to live up to the high standards in the church.
Crisis of integration : He/she fails to make friends in the new church.
Crisis of lifestyle : She/he fails to integrate the value systems of scripture and the church into his lifestyle. This can happen from one year to one and one half years after her/his baptism
Crisis of Leadership: She/he is discouraged over the imperfections in the saints in the church.

53. 1. Discouragement Crises
Cannot live up to the
church standards.
Symptoms: Absence or alteration in church attendance.
Solutions: This picture might change if the crisis is perceived soon enough. Through a phone call, a word of encouragement, a note, a visit, you may bring hope.
Crisis of discouragement: She/he fails to live up to the high standards in the church.
Symptoms: absenteeism at church or any other change in attendance.
Solutions: Can often be helped if the crisis can be detected quickly and rays of hope can be given in perhaps a phone call, an encouraging word, a prayer, a note, a visit.

54. Cannot make new friends within
2. Integration Crises
Cannot make new friends within
the church.
Symptoms: Comes late to church, sits by him/herself and rarely participates in social meetings. Isolates him/herself from everyone.
Solutions: Immediate personal attention to help in making friends at the church. Invitations for lunch and visits, phone calls.
Crisis of integration: He/she fails to make friends in the new church.
Symptom: Arrives late at church, sits by himself, rarely attends the social functions, keeps to himself.
Solutions: He will need personal attention immediately to help him make friends in the church: invitations to meals and socials, visits by members, phone calls. Warm loving people need to surround this new member.

55. Does not seek to integrate the Bible and church value system.
3. Lyfestyle Crises
Does not seek to integrate the Bible and church value system.
Symptoms: Does not come to Sabbath School, prayer meetings. His Christian experience is superficial.
Solutions: Counsel this member to practice personal devotion, be part of a small group and Bible study.
Crisis of lifestyle: She/he fails to integrate the value systems of scripture and the church into his lifestyle. This can happen from one year to one and one half years after her/his baptism
Symptoms: Won't attend Sabbath school, prayer meeting and has a overall superficiality about her/his Christian experience.
Solutions: This member needs meaningful devotional periods in the life. One on one training in Bible study, small group experiences in Bible study, prayer and witnessing may help this person experience growth.

56. Discouragement due to the imperfections of other church members.
4. Leadership Crises
Discouragement due to the imperfections of other church members.
Symptoms: Expresses him/herself through criticism, gossip and cannot be trusted. This generates discouragement and refusal to participate in activities.
Solutions: Loving care.
Crisis of Leadership: She/he is discouraged over the imperfections in the saints in the church.
Symptoms: This crisis is quite often expressed in criticism, gossip, breaking of confidences, or overall feelings of discouragement, and may she refuse to take office.
Solutions: One or two visits that focus on the divine creation of the church, and the humanness of the leaders, may be enough to help these individuals.
One major ingredient that is needed to avert apostasy: caring love!
Follow-up meetings also help - keep them coming to meetings or services. Make prayer meetings evangelistic. Start small groups. Make certain that there is some kind of meeting for them to attend when your series is over. Have a Sabbath school class for new members.

57. Is it possible to involve women in evangelism?
Sure! Would the world be admonished if you didn’t actively participate? No, not during our lifetime and perhaps never! Let’s allow the Holy Spirit to warm our hearts, giving us power to finish the work.
People are lost today. Someone must go out there and reach them. Who will have the courage and boldness to go out to those who are without hope, without Christ?
May we say, we go.