Pulpits of Hope

by Robert Costa

INTRODUCTION

Pulpits of Hope is a simple, flexible and effective initiative that every preacher may adopt in his or her church. It is part of a comprehensive evangelism plan, and part of the five universal keys of successful soul winning and evangelism based on the book of Acts.

THE FIVE KEYS OF SUCCESSFUL EVANGELISM

Key 1 – REVIVAL. Churches grow when there is a genuine spiritual revival in the spiritual life of the members. Three ways to have a spiritual revival:
• Churches are revived when there is a renewed emphasis on the study of the Bible. 2 Peter 1:2-4, John 17:3.
• Churches are revived when there is a renewed emphasis on intercessory prayer. Colossians 1:3, 9; Philippians 1:3-5.
• Churches are revived when there is a renewed emphasis on witnessing. Acts 1:8.

Key 2 – TRAINING AND EQUIPPING. Churches grow when every member is trained and prepared to serve. Ephesians 4:11, 12.

Key 3 – COMMUNITY OUTREACH. Churches grow when there is a planned process of outreach that meets the physical, intellectual, social and spiritual needs of people. Matthew 4:23. “Christ’s method alone will give true success in reaching the people. The Savior 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.

Key 4 – HARVEST. Churches grow when preaching the Word of God through evangelistic proclamation.

Key 5 – FOLLOW-UP AND NURTURING . Churches grow when members and new converts are nurtured and trained to witness.

Jesus surprised Nicodemus with the statement: “You must be born again” (John 3:7). Churches are BORN AGAIN when they teach, follow and implement the five keys:

1. The strategy of prayer, Bible study and witnessing for REVIVAL.
2. TRAINING and preparation of church members to reach out to the community through Bible-based ministries.
3. COMMUNITY OUTREACH programs.
4. HARVEST through evangelistic meetings.
5. Events for NURTURING new believers and transform them into disciples.

More (click on the PDF and WORD icons):

 

Projects of Kindness

by Robert Costa

Churches grow when there is a planned process of community outreach that meets the physical, mental, social and spiritual needs of people.

“And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease among the people.” Matthew 4:23

Following the example of the Savior, the New Testament church met the needs of people in the name of Jesus. These early disciples showed an interest in the whole person: physically, intellectually, socially and spiritually (See Acts 3:6, Acts 6:1-4).

“Christ’s method alone will give true success in reaching the people. The Savior 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

Growing churches have a variety of programs that meet the needs of different groups of people. Just like Jesus, who met the physical, intellectual, emotional and spiritual needs, His people, full of love, do the same.

Below are some practical examples of projects of kindness. Almost every profession could be turned into a missionary project on vacation, selected days of the year or week-ends… more (click on the pdf icon)

How To Make An Attractive Presentation

“How To Make An Attractive Presentation”. Courtesy of Pastor Denison  Moura. Please download the “pdf” file.

It’s Time

‘It’s Time’ is a comprehensive document with information on the urgency of establishing urban missions in large cities. Over a century ago, Ellen G. White appealed to the church leadership to give special attention to the large cities of the world.

“The work in the cities is the essential work for this time. When the cities are worked as God would have them, the result will be the setting in operation of a mighty movement such as we have not yet witnessed.” (Ministry to the Cities, p. 10).

“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.’” (The Ministry of Healing, p. 143).

“It’s Time”. (click on the PDF and WORD icons).

 

Great Stories for Gaining Decisions

Great Stories for Gaining Decisions

Courtesy of Pastor Louis Torres
So many… preach great sermons but make no appeals. Oftentimes, it is not because of lack of desire, rather it is the fear that no one will respond, or they feel self-reproach—who am I to appeal to people? Still others feel they are stepping on “holy ground.” In other words, this is an area relegated only to the Holy Spirit—man is to keep off this terrain. Whatever the sincere conviction or misguided notion, they serve as obstacles to successful harvesting through preaching. Perhaps it could be that those hesitant appealers have never been taught this art form or just do not know what constitutes a good appeal. They may lack material (e.g., stories, illustrations, etc.) to develop an effective closing or have not had a resource to reference.
We were told more than a century ago:
With an unction of the Holy Spirit upon him, giving him a burden for souls, he will not dismiss a congregation without presenting before them Jesus Christ, the sinner’s only refuge, making earnest appeals that will reach their hearts. He should feel that he may never meet these hearers again until the great day of God.–Testimonies, vol. 4, p. 316. (1879) 
In every discourse fervent appeals should be made to the people to forsake their sins and turn to Christ.” –Testimonies, vol. 4, p. 396. (1880)

Witnessing for Jesus

“Witnessing for Jesus”. (click on the PDF and WORD icons).

 

Symbols in Revelation

“Symbols in Revelation”. Please download the “Word” or “Pdf” file:

 

Pastoral Burnout

Pastoral Burnout
By Janos Kovac-Biro, Trans-European Division
Ministerial Association
Sabbath School and Personal Ministries

Please download the file:

 

What Might Have Been…Can Be

After the 1901 General Conference Session, Ellen White had a vision in which she saw church leaders reconciling their differences, and confessing their sins against each other. When she awoke from the vision, Mrs. White realized that what she had witnessed was not a reality. Pride and hardened hearts prevented God’s people from being united. Deeply grieved, she understood that the Lord could have come in their lifetime, but His people did not surrender their thoughts and opinions to the leading of the Holy Spirit.

You are invited to join the world church in 100 Days of Prayer (March 25-July 11) for the presence and power of the Holy Spirit to be fully experienced by our church leaders during the General Conference Session July 2-11, 2015, in San Antonio, Texas.

Seminario Sobre La Ley Dominical

SEMINARIO SOBRE LA LEY DOMINICAL
By Humberto Treiyer and Robert Costa
(click on the PDF icon).

 

"Cronología de la vida de Jesús"

“CRONOLOGÍA DE LA VIDA DE JESÚS”

Recuerde que Jesús afirmó “Y esta es la vida eterna: que te conozcan a ti, el único Dios verdadero, y a Jesucristo, a quien has enviado” (Juan 17:3) Que éste trabajo le ayude a alcanzar esa vida que se extenderá por la eternidad. Hágalo circular como las hojas de otoño. Dios le bendiga.

By Pr. Carlos Rando
E-mail: [email protected]

(click on the PDF icon).

Los siete errores del Dispensacionalismo

“Los siete errores del Dispensacionalismo”
Por Varner J. Johns

(click on the PDF icon).