Introduction

Connecting with previous study: the missionary life is not punctuated but perpetual.
The Lord calls for strong, devoted, self-sacrificing young men and women, who will press to the
front, and who, after a short time spent in school, will go forth prepared to give the message to the
world. – Counsels to Teachers, p. 549. {ChS 64.4}
Wherever possible, students should, during the school year, engage in city mission work. They should
do missionary work in the surrounding towns and villages. They can form themselves into bands to do
Christian help work. Students should take a broad view of their present obligations to God. They are
not to look forward to a time, after the school term closes, when they will do some large work
for God, but should study how, during their student life, to yoke up with Christ in unselfish
service for others. – Counsels to Teachers, p. 547. {ChS 65.1}
The call is to labour where you are to whom you are with. Every soul must be seen as a mission
ground.
Think of bad men as redeemable and of good men as fallible. That way, you will not give up on the
bad, neither will you pass over redeeming the good.
This calls for a missionary’s mindset: keen as an eagle’s eye, focused as a marksman’s eye, wise as a
serpent’s eye, calm as a dove’s eye. Think like a parasite. Improve every opportunity.
Personal evangelism
Every interaction is preparation for the mission ground.
From our colleges and training schools missionaries are to be sent forth to distant lands. While at
school, let the students improve every opportunity to prepare for this work. Here they are to be
tested and proved, that it may be seen what their adaptability is, and whether they have a right hold
from above. – Counsels to Teachers, p. 549. {ChS 65.3}
Liz: chapo ministry
Matilda: ministry to friends
Boit: evangelism at work
Elevator pitch: if you had 11 seconds, what would you tell someone about Jesus?
George Whitefield: God forbid that I should travel a quarter an hour with someone without telling
them about Jesus
Cultivate a missionary spirit in self and in each other
If a missionary spirit is encouraged, even if it takes some hours from the program of regular study,
much of Heaven's blessing will be given, provided there is more faith and spiritual zeal, more of a
realization of what God will do. – Counsels to Teachers, p. 546. {ChS 65.4}
There is an intentional work of cultivating the missionary spirit.
What are some soulwinning opportunities in your context (whether in school or at home)? How can
you take advantage of them? What has hindered you taking advantage of them so far?
E.g. TUKSDA-FoC partnership in reaching out to Landie.
Door-to-door evangelism
It can be done here and now.
A danger in the dichotomy between canvassing during annual missions and in our daily visitations.
Some homes generally create an environment of free talk about Jesus.
While common things must be discussed, there should be a ring of our faith to it. That is how we
prepare for mission. Bringing Jesus naturally into our common conversations – either in person or in
principle. (Meeting them where they need the Lord.)
Literature evangelism
Let not the canvassing work be left to languish. Let the books containing the light on present truth
be placed before as many as possible. The presidents of our conferences and others in responsible
positions have a duty to do in this matter. – Southern Watchman, April 25, 1905. {ChS 145.4}
Moseti: the success of distributing GC
Our publications are now sowing the gospel seed, and are instrumental in bringing as many souls to
Christ as the preached word. Whole churches have been raised up as the result of their circulation. In
this work every disciple of Christ can act a part. – Review and Herald, June 10, 1880. {ChS 146.3}
Avedi: converted by GC
The night of trial is nearly spent. Satan is bringing in his masterly power because he knoweth that his
time is short. The chastisement of God is upon the world, to call all who know the truth to hide in the
cleft of the Rock, and view the glory of God. The truth must not be muffled now. Plain
statements must be made. Unvarnished truth must be spoken, in leaflets and pamphlets, and
these must be scattered like the leaves of autumn. – Testimonies, vol. 9, p. 231. {ChS 147.3}
2 points:

 We need to scatter literature containing truths. Canvassing is one way of doing it. Online
evangelism is another (case study: Amazing Facts materials)
 The truth that is being scattered is the correct view of the glory of God. His self-renouncing love
(The Desire of Ages, p. 19, par. 2).
Visiting
Since it is the truth of love that ought to be shared, and love is a relational concept, the intellectual
segments will only make sense if delivered in the context of corresponding experiential segments.
People must experience the atmosphere of love around us as thick as smog in a polluted atmosphere.
“Grace as real as the air we breathe.”
Hosting a visitor is not always an easy thing, chiefly because you have been raised in different
backgrounds with different (unwritten) ground rules. In some homes, the visitor should not go into the
kitchen else the host will be very uncomfortable. In others, if you go to the kitchen, you strike a
rapport very fast. What are some ground rules in your home that will make a visitor “feel at home?”
Imagine the Jehovah Witnesses have visited your home. The general population has a very negative
perception of the JWs – from being accused of not being Christians at best, to being devil worshippers
(with crazy accompanying stories) at worst. What are the things that, if they do, will make you
comfortable giving them an ear, and even positively consider their doctrine?
Holistic Support
Basic Social Services: food, clothing; “most churches of every denomination provide this essential
service to the chronic poor, victims of disaster, or those in temporary crisis.” 1
Listening for the Longer-term Needs: “These essential services should not be provided without the
added assistance of interviewing and referral service. Those who can’t meet their needs for food and
clothing have other longer-term needs. Increasingly complex human needs can best be addressed by
programs which provide personal service by listening and using needs assessments, information,
referrals and follow-up, or advocacy skills. This skilled personal attention is part of the “basic
service” that everyone who seeks help from your community services organization should receive.
Listening is important to understand a person’s situation and to truly know their needs. Listening
affirms a person’s value and demonstrates caring. Through active questions you can discern a
person’s needs and help them make a plan for meeting those needs.” 2
Referrals: “Referrals to other organizations help people connect with needed resources beyond what
your organization provides. Most often people are unaware of services that could benefit them or do
not know how to access those services. Once you have made a referral you should follow up to see
what happened. Did the person receive the help they were seeking? Was it adequate? Often the
process breaks down and you need to be an advocate for the person to help them through the process,
and address any issues of unfairness or lack of attention.” 3
Examples: disaster response, community health (alongside health classes, cooking classes, nanny
classes), tutoring and mentoring (e.g. CASO’s computer packages classes, tuition for primary and
high school students, career counselling, motivational speaking, guidance and counselling, other
forms of mentorship), job-finding and job-training, family life and counselling (including dealing with
challenges as communication, finance, parenting, discipline, violence, and the effects of alcohol or
drug abuse, which undermine the functioning of the basic family unit), crisis intervention (“a type of
psychological first aid used to defuse emotional trauma for survivors of a disaster, terrorist attack,
assault, or other traumatic event” 4), HIV/AIDS programs, elder care (“coordinate education and
services related to aging, health, finance and social issues for seniors in the church and community” 5),
youth programs (including sports, mentorship, life skills, talks on life issues, counselling, etc),
Nehemiah Skill Association (“skilled carpenters, plumbers, masons, etc. respond to human needs by
banding together to repair or build buildings in their community” 6), programs to confront poverty
(agricultural extension services, IT and other technical skills training, motivational talks, financial
literacy programs, dress-out program for prisoners on release, etc).
AMPATH support model: enabling PLWAs invest in other things by sorting out their primary budgets
Danger: getting lost in the here, and not preparing beneficiaries for the hereafter
How to pursue holistic witnessing
Christ's method alone will give true success in reaching the people. The Saviour mingled with men 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, par. 3
1. Praying (for you  for them  with them)
2. Timing (felt needs  ultimate need; tact, discretion)

1
General Conference Sabbath School & Personal Ministries Department/Adventist Community Services
International, Keys to Adventist Community Services (2008), p. 32.
2
Ibid.
3
Ibid.
4
Ibid., p. 34
5
Ibid.
6
Ibid.
 3. Mingling (friendship  opening of heart)
4. Sympathising (showing compassion in real and practical ways – the love of God is perceived
in His children; case: Onesmus Mboya)
5. Assisting (listening, counselling, meeting the needs, referrals)
6. Charming (genuine friendship  confidence)
7. Bidding (show them their need, and lack, of spiritual resources to deal with their present
situation)
a. Take it slow (ask questions, introduce Christ, don’t promise miracles, let the Lord
work; the first answer to prayer is often a calm and subdued heart)
b. Offer appropriate literature (non-denominational serves better, no prejudice)
c. Consistency in compassion even in the face of rejection
Preparing a sermon
Preparing a BS
Securing Decisions7
1. Create an atmosphere where total concentration and understanding is possible.
a. Respect their program
b. Have a few vital points arranged in logical order
c. Utilize simple stories and illustrations (don’t overdo)
d. Study their body language
e. Listen to their answers and reinforce their correct answers
f. Aim to get a decision in every study
g. Aim to leave them desiring for me (whether saturated or not)
2. Create an atmosphere of confidence, security, and freedom with the hearers as Jesus did.
a. Show understanding when they are hesitant, slow to grasp and learn, or battling with
big decisions
b. Show a transformed life
c. Balance concern for the truth and concern for the individual (people, not statistics or
doctrinal positions)
3. The ABCs of obtaining decisions:
a. Accept by agreeing and showing approval/appreciation
b. Believe they sincerely seek the truth/desire a better life and that the Holy Spirit can
use you
c. Have Confidence that they will hear it
4. Four levels of decision-making (the decision continuum)
a. Convince (clarity, objectivity, conclusive)
b. Convict (sense of responsibility/duty)
c. Desire to Convert (identification of specific actions to take, e.g. get baptized, keep the
Sabbath)
d. Correct past errors/Convert (the desire being translated to action)
 Fan the flame of desire
 Show Christ’s concern with every doctrine (a Christ-centered approach)
 Confirm the info is clear. Get their affirmation.
 Gain a decision in every study.
 Show benefits of right action. A them-centered approach to every study.
Always stress the blessings more than the requirements of God. Here are five
basic benefits: Inner peace (John 14:27 and Psalm 119:165); the Holy Spirit
7
General Conference Sabbath School & Personal Ministries Department, Bringing People to Decisions for
Christ, 2010.
 (Acts 5:32); true happiness (John 13:17; 10:10; and Psalm 84:11); a heavenly
home (Hebrews 11:24-26); and forgiveness and freedom from guilt (Acts
2:37-39; 22:16)
 Show consequences of the wrong action which are the opposite of the right
action
 Who the expectations of a God who loves. “The desire to honor God should
be to us the most powerful of all motives.”
 Ask for a specific action (but don’t push)
 Pray with them a pointed prayer. Even better if they can pray it themselves.
5. Ask for decisions promptly
a. It is clearest when it is fresh in the memory.
b. Satan is working to lead the thoughts away.
c. Conviction may completely disappear if the person is not brought to decision at the
“earliest period possible.”
d. A decision may be turned in another direction or toward another church.
e. Relatives or members of other churches may confuse the issues or the truth in the
mind.
f. The interest in truth may completely disappear and the student may drift farther from
Christ.
g. Circumstances such as moving, sickness, or death, may place the student beyond your
reach in a very short time.
6. Empathize with their feelings, acknowledge and affirm them, but point them to Jesus and His
benefits
7. Try and use objections to gain decisions
a. Make sure it is an objection and not an excuse
b. Appreciate the objection, agree as much as you can, and show objectively the points
of contradiction
c. Answer the objection
d. Secure a decision
8. Bid them to tell God
9. Train them as soulwinners
10. Depend on the Holy Spirit moment by moment