Snatch and Rescue at Halloween
Friday, November 6th, 2009What a weekend it was. Court Street in Athens, Ohio, was filled with costumed revelers for the annual Halloween block party.
This year was different. Sure, there were plenty of people who were drunk. As always, we saw silly, offensive, and clever costumes. Loud rock bands played at both ends of Court Street. What was different?
402 people received Jesus! In the midst of the revelry, the Gospel of Jesus Christ was offered in love, and 402 people responded.
How did it happen? Riley Stephenson, Minister of Evangelism for Kenneth Copeland Ministries, trained and led teams from Abundant Life Church into the fray. Danielle Dallas and Kelly Cates, two experienced members of Brother Riley’s soul winning team, dove in as well. The Holy Spirit moved, and lives were changed forever.
This was a snatch and rescue mission. Jude 23 (NLT) says this: “Rescue others by snatching them from the flames of judgment. There are still others to whom you need to show mercy, but be careful that you aren’t contaminated by their sins.” That’s what Brother Riley and Sisters Danielle and Kelly helped us to do. They trained us to overcome fear and live a “lifestyle of evangelism.” The lives of those who prayed will never be the same. We will never be the same.
Don’t make the mistake of thinking that soul winning is only for the five-fold ministry, or for people who have a special calling. If you’re a disciple of the Lord Jesus Christ, then you’re called to be a soul winner. In Mark 16:15 (NLT), Jesus made it about as plain as He could: “Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone, everywhere.” That includes you. It includes me.
If you want to know more about what to do, check out Brother Riley’s web site: www.rileystephenson.com. His site has lots of great materials. Also, his YouTube channel (rileystephenson) is chock full of great videos, including a few from this last weekend’s Halloween. Or contact us at Abundant Life Church. We’ll hook you up with our new evangelism director, Lola Reardon.
Become a soul winner. Someone’s eternal life is depending on it!