I’m sitting here at my desk with a heart of gratitude for God’s favor in ministry as we come down the home stretch with the peddle to the metal and the engine roaring to finish strong through the Christmas season. As a pastor it has been a full and challenging year dealing with hard things that would check the oil of any pastor, but that’s what we do, hard things for the glory of God.
To finish the year well in Thompson Falls, we have everything in place for the Christmas season. Battery-operated candles and Christmas invite cards are ready for us to go door-to-door reminding Thompson Falls residents that Jesus is the Light of the World and giving personal invites to the Family Christmas Place – FBC, Thompson Falls. The warm welcome and conversations we have on doorsteps are amazing and fruitful. All the plans and materials are gathered for the Christmas Parade float, including a weather balloon and a lighted 12-foot cross to make much of Jesus as the Light of the World. Several other events are planned, from a First Family Christmas Night with ugly sweaters to a Parent’s Night Out/Movie Night for kids. This is why I love Christmas, it’s an amazing 4-week season of celebration to be used strategically for community outreach and ministry. If you’re looking for ideas, templates, places to get resources, and more reach out to me. I’d love to assist you.
It has been an amazing first year serving Montana Baptists as the Director of Evangelism. I’m so grateful for the new and deeper friendships we have developed throughout the state. I’m filled with joy and gratitude for God’s favor to serve so many pastors and lay leaders. Together we completed 11 training events that included 121 churches and 339 participants. I’m happy to say I saw many new places throughout the “Last Best Place” by driving over 6,500 miles.
Crossover was a beautiful success that reached communities with loving acts of kindness that gave opportunity to share the gospel and champion local churches. Michael Johnson and Stormy Tuffield of Big Sky Fellowship in Helena led a ministry team to engage a couple thousand participants at Aviation Day. Pastor Caleb Groteluschen at Capstone Church in Helena held a Community Serve Day that touched many lives as they became the hands and feet of Jesus. Pastor Jason Smith of South Hills Baptist Fellowship had his ministry team firing up several grills for their Love Our Neighbors community effort. Calvary Baptist Church in Helena also wrapped their arms around their community to give it a giant “Jesus bear hug” with a Love Our Community Outreach. Through these four ministry points 364 people were engaged with the Good News and were embraced by the love of a local church. This was a worthy initiative as we seek to make more and better disciples across Montana.
If you’re thinking about the snowy months where you serve the Lord don’t let them give you the “hunker down” mindset. We can always find ways to increase the evangelism culture in our churches. I’d love to plan a time to teach personal evangelism or work with your leaders to increase the culture of evangelism in your church. Our members will share the gospel when they know how to share the gospel. Witnessing is not a gift that drops down from heaven. Witnessing is a skill that is taught, practiced, and improves over time. In 2022, LifeWay research revealed that 73% of unbelievers are willing to talk to a stranger about their faith, but less than 1% of Christians are willing to share their faith with a stranger. Let’s work together to take responsibility as pastors and ministry leaders to fix this serious problem in our churches across Montana.
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