Evangelism Gains Momentum in Western Washington Momentum is no longer an unknown or little used word in Western Washington. Churches across the region are catching the excitement of a lifestyle of sharing, and are planning, creating and hosting community interaction events throughout 2007. Churches in the Greater Auburn area gathered the first weekend of January to pray for Power From Heaven in 2007. The weekend rally with Ron Halvorsen Sr. set the stage for the first cycle of Momentum evangelism across the North Pacific Union Conference. “We are here to reproduce for the church, for the kingdom of God,” Halvorsen reminded the near-capacity audience as he explained that Momentum is about individuals being actively involved in soul winning. “We’re called to be fishers of men, not keepers of the aquarium.” As a result of Halvorsen’s presentation on prayer walking, Dustin Spano, of Auburn, started walking in his neighborhood. “Prayer walking is a good exercise in not praying for your needs, but concentrating on others,” he said. Recently, the Auburn City Church, the host site of Snapshots of the Savior satellite series on April 21–28, placed 4,000 "praying-for-you" doorhangers in the surrounding neighborhood. In addition to praying, church members are also learning how to effectively share their faith through Impact Your World, a rally/training session presented by Gayle Lasher, Washington Conference Bible worker/trainer. “I have yet to meet a shortage of people who want to get to know Jesus,” Lasher said. “Everywhere we go, we need to be preaching and teaching Jesus. Be willing to share your story. Everybody who has a relationship with Jesus has a testimony to share.” The first two workshop sessions drew crowds of 85 to 100 people. During and following this eight-week class, trained individuals will then respond to Bible study interest cards mailed to more than 101,000 homes in King and Pierce Counties. The Enumclaw, Graham, Mt. Vernon, Poulsbo and 24-Seven congregations already began outreach meetings in their communities, with congregations such as the Maranatha Church in Seattle setting aside 40 hours for fasting and prayer, and 24-Seven Ministry Center hosting a series where more than 90 non-Adventists attended. “Our members were so excited." reported Steve Leddy, pastor, "I was surprised at how truly disappointed they were that they had not invited even more friends to attend.” At the conference-wide youth rally in mid-January, speaker Chap Clark, a Fuller Theological Seminary professor who has devoted his career to studying and ministering to teenagers and their families, encouraged the more than 500 teenagers in attendance to turn their life stories—the good and bad parts alike—over to God. “Each of us has a story, and your story matters,” Clark said. “Sometimes we wonder who really cares about our stories. There are people in your life who are ready to listen. All you have to do is share your story.” In the coming months, as youth and adults alike begin sharing their stories of faith, there will be one central theme: It’s all about Jesus. Discover more online at http://washingtonconference.org.
Evangelism Gains Momentum
in Western Washington
Momentum is no longer an unknown or little used word in Western Washington. Churches across the region are catching the excitement of a lifestyle of sharing, and are planning, creating and hosting community interaction events throughout 2007.
Churches in the Greater Auburn area gathered the first weekend of January to pray for Power From Heaven in 2007. The weekend rally with Ron Halvorsen Sr. set the stage for the first cycle of Momentum evangelism across the North Pacific Union Conference.
“We are here to reproduce for the church, for the kingdom of God,” Halvorsen reminded the near-capacity audience as he explained that Momentum is about individuals being actively involved in soul winning. “We’re called to be fishers of men, not keepers of the aquarium.”
As a result of Halvorsen’s presentation on prayer walking, Dustin Spano, of Auburn, started walking in his neighborhood. “Prayer walking is a good exercise in not praying for your needs, but concentrating on others,” he said.
Recently, the Auburn City Church, the host site of Snapshots of the Savior satellite series on April 21–28, placed 4,000 "praying-for-you" doorhangers in the surrounding neighborhood.
In addition to praying, church members are also learning how to effectively share their faith through Impact Your World, a rally/training session presented by Gayle Lasher, Washington Conference Bible worker/trainer.
“I have yet to meet a shortage of people who want to get to know Jesus,” Lasher said. “Everywhere we go, we need to be preaching and teaching Jesus. Be willing to share your story. Everybody who has a relationship with Jesus has a testimony to share.”
The first two workshop sessions drew crowds of 85 to 100 people. During and following this eight-week class, trained individuals will then respond to Bible study interest cards mailed to more than 101,000 homes in King and Pierce Counties.
The Enumclaw, Graham, Mt. Vernon, Poulsbo and 24-Seven congregations already began outreach meetings in their communities, with congregations such as the Maranatha Church in Seattle setting aside 40 hours for fasting and prayer, and 24-Seven Ministry Center hosting a series where more than 90 non-Adventists attended.
“Our members were so excited." reported Steve Leddy, pastor, "I was surprised at how truly disappointed they were that they had not invited even more friends to attend.”
At the conference-wide youth rally in mid-January, speaker Chap Clark, a Fuller Theological Seminary professor who has devoted his career to studying and ministering to teenagers and their families, encouraged the more than 500 teenagers in attendance to turn their life stories—the good and bad parts alike—over to God.
“Each of us has a story, and your story matters,” Clark said. “Sometimes we wonder who really cares about our stories. There are people in your life who are ready to listen. All you have to do is share your story.”
In the coming months, as youth and adults alike begin sharing their stories of faith, there will be one central theme: It’s all about Jesus. Discover more online at http://washingtonconference.org.
Vince Saunders, Auburn City youth pastor, interviews Ellen Stecker about her relationship with God during the 2007 Youth Rally. (Heidi Martella)
Gayle Lasher (left), Washington Conference Bible worker/trainer, demonstrates how to give a Bible study during the first of 10 Impact Your World rallies. (Heidi Martella)
Ron Halvorsen Sr. is the featured speaker for Snapshots of the Savior April 2128. He also spoke the first weekend of January about the need to humble ourselves before God and pray. (Todd Gessele)
