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Megatrend 10:
2,500 mass evangelism campaigns yearly
by Justin D. Long
Some in cars, some on horses, some on bicycles and some on foot. They start out together but end up in many varied places across an entire country. House by house, they cover the targeted villages systematically. Family by family, the workers introduce the Gospel and leave a small packet of literature. The Gospel is briefly explained and an invitation to church is given. Slowly but surely, new churches are planted, new souls are evangelized, and an indelible mark is left on the spiritual climate of the area. The country is a staunchly Muslim land: open air crusades are not allowed, but that doesn't mean a mass campaign can't be conducted.
There are several varieties of mass campaigns that are conducted each year. These range from the large crusades of people like Graham, Bonnke and others to the every-home campaigns of Every Home for Christ. It is incorrect to think a campaign cannot be held in a restrictive country; it is possible, if discretion is the better part of valour and the whole effort is bathed in prayer.
During such a campaign, essentially the area must be (1) researched; (2) segmented or mapped out; (3) evangelized; and (4) followed-up.
1. STRATEGIC: Research (Understanding the Area)
This process is perhaps the most essential, and the most difficult. In some
areas of the world it is actually illegal to record anthropological
information. Writing out the needs of an area is tantamount to treason,
giving away a state's weaknesses. Yet, understanding an area is the
foundation to reaching it with the Gospel. Research reveals which areas of
a country need a campaign, and which have already been saturated. It will
reveal new options and opportunities for breaking past barriers that hold
up such a campaign. And, it will identify new partners for helping out with
the all-important follow-up.
2. TACTICAL: Segmentation (Mapping it Out)
The next process is that the area to be evangelized must be divided up into
manageable chunks. It is no good assigning a province with 5 million
residents to a team of 5 people and expecting them alone to take the whole
area. Segments must be achievable, and strategies for reaching each must be
developed. Resources must be allocated. Problems must be addressed.
3. IMPLEMENTATION: Evangelization
This is the process of actually reaching the area. Timelines must be
established and if at all possible adhered to. Milestones ought to be set,
and at set times the leaders of the campaign need to meet and evaluate
progress, fixing any sticking points that might arise.
4. STRATEGIC: Follow-up
Of course, though evangelizing an area is a good goal, it is made more
powerful if linked to a follow-up feature. People who are reached with the
Gospel must be invited to church or given some means to receive more
information. This seems a simple step, yet if left out it can spell
disaster. If there is no mechanism for people who accept Christ to receive
additional discipleship and fellowship, they could very easily fall away
from the truth they have received.
Secondly, plans for the next campaign must be laid. One campaign isn't enough to finish an area. In five or ten years the youth of an area will need to hear the same gospel their parents are hearing today.
A mass campaign in World A is possibly one of the most strategic events that can happen. Such campaigns can use literature, the "Jesus" film, the Bible, or any other tool readily to hand, or can be as simple as an invitation to a church service (if that is practical). Whatever the means, the campaign is one of the best ways to reach a whole area with an in-person one-on-one visit, bringing the unevangelized face to face with the representatives of Christ and the Kingdom.
At 2,500 mass campaigns per year, six are being held today while you read this. They are reaching thousands of people like clockwork, and will contribute heavily to the shrinking of World A.
If you haven't ever given thought to conducting a mass campaign in your ministry area, you should. It doesn't have to be a prominent open air crusade: it simply has to be the strategic evangelization of a specific unevangelized area of the world.