"Don’t be disappointed if only 75 people show up,” he was told. But Joe Cirigliano, It Is Written evangelism coordinator, was feeling optimistic; he was expecting 180 laypeople at the all-day Bible Worker Boot Camp on Sept. 8. But no one was expecting the 250 people that arrived at the Gladstone Convention Center cafeteria that day.
In preparation for a citywide evangelistic campaign coming to the Portland-Vancouver area in February 2008, these laypeople came to learn about how to give a Bible study, how to move someone to make a decision for Christ, and why lay Bible workers are so vital in fulfilling the Gospel Commission. “This movement was started by laypeople and it will be finished by laypeople,” says Cirigliano, who has been leading out in the Bible worker training.
The Sept. 8 intensive kicked off an ongoing training event held every Tuesday night from Sept. 11–Nov. 13, from 6:30–8 p.m. With inspiration, information and free food, people have had great incentive to attend and the number of Bible workers has topped 300, with new people welcomed every week. This interest has led to plans for another Bible worker training day on Sunday, Nov. 4, in the Gladstone Convention Center cafeteria, this one sponsored by the Oregon Conference women’s ministries department. “This half-day course is open to anyone, and especially those who wished they could have attended the other Bible worker trainings,” says Corleen Johnson, women’s ministries director. The training will be from 1–5 p.m.
