We are still GROWing Michigan

We are still GROWing Michigan

by | Feb 2, 2022 | Personal Ministries, Public Evangelism

In the last couple of years, we have been living in interesting times and have seen rapid changes within our society. As a result of these evident challenges, I have been approached often by people asking, “Has our church’s evangelistic labor become something of the past?” And I boldly say, “No!” Jesus called every believer to embrace the Great Commission as described in the Gospels and acknowledged that we are not to rely on ourselves, apart from God, to fulfill the task amidst its expected opposition. In that commission, Christ promises to be with us “always, even to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:20)

As His chosen representatives, we have the solemn privilege and responsibility of proclaiming the Gospel to the world. If the church’s mission is understood correctly, the individual contribution of every believer is evident.  We are told that, “The church of Christ is God’s appointed agency for the salvation of men. Its mission is to carry the gospel to the world. And the obligation rests upon all Christians. Everyone, to the extent of his talent and opportunity, is to fulfill the Saviour’s commission. The love of Christ, revealed to us, makes us debtors to all who know Him not. God has given us light, not for ourselves alone, but to shed upon them.” (Steps to Christ, p. 81)

While GROW Michigan is not new for some, its biblical emphasis is significantly essential in these last days. For the GROW “cycle of evangelism” to have greater success in soul-winning, it is vital that every pastor and church member work together on prayerful planning and evaluating all phases of this five-step cycle. The basis of this evangelistic process is taken from Jesus’ teachings within an agricultural context. In the agricultural cycle, the crop cannot harvest itself, nor can a successful harvest be achieved by giving special attention to only one phase of the cycle while ignoring the others. 

I recently participated in the winter ministerial meetings held at Camp Au Sable where pastors Mark Howard and Kameron DeVasher were the main presenters. Personally, I’m grateful for the work the Lord has been doing through our conference’s evangelism team. Both presenters shared many practical suggestions based on Scripture and the Spirit of Prophecy that assured my heart that indeed there isn’t anything impossible for God! His desire is for all of our churches to thrive as we proclaim Present Truth. 

It is my prayer that we keep our gaze squarely on the Master Evangelist! He will teach and empower us to effectively further the Gospel in ways beyond our expectation. But, in order to teach us, we must spend time in prayer and study of His Word. We must remain engaged in local evangelistic efforts and participate in the different training opportunities prepared by our Michigan Conference ministries. 

I look forward to seeing how the Lord strengthens our evangelistic efforts in our local district, as my current church district leaders and I draw together a discipleship plan that incorporates each phase of the GROW cycle of evangelism. And I pray the same for you, as you “go forth!” in the Name of Jesus!

Pastor Jorge Diaz III attended the winter ministerial meetings via Zoom and pastors the Benton Harbor Spanish, Eau Claire Spanish, South Haven Seventh-day Adventist Churches.

            Our conference ministerial meetings do more than just build camaraderie among pastors, they equip us to work together. This winter’s training session revisited the precious truths of our Adventist message, and reminded us all of the power and relevancy that they still hold. The effectiveness of the Word of God in our churches depends on one thing—actually sharing it with others. The challenge did not fall on deaf ears, as pastors and Bible workers discussed the challenges our church is facing in these unprecedented times.

            I sincerely appreciated the practical tips shared by Pastor Mark Howard and Pastor Kameron DeVasher. Too often we can become discouraged that our local churches simply aren’t ready to win souls to Jesus, and we focus on trying to fix these inward problems in our own strength. We were reminded that one of the greatest solutions to our churches’ issues is focusing on seeking and saving the lost. When our churches are united in winning souls for Jesus, many of the problems we thought we had, solve themselves, as we spend our time and resources wisely. The cycle of evangelism still works, if we work it, and the tools that are given through the GROW Michigan initiative will prove valuable to any church that implements them. 

Pastor Garhett Morgan attended the winter ministerial meetings in person and pastors the Big Rapids, Reed City and Bristol Seventh-day Adventist Churches.

Adventist Community Services & the GROW Cycle

Adventist Community Services & the GROW Cycle

by | Jan 29, 2022 | Personal Ministries

This year Adventist Community Services is celebrating 50 years of ministry with a convention in Dallas, Texas. We all know that ACS has been around for longer than this, and we can even trace it back to Bible times with Dorcas, whom Peter rose from the dead. Lovingly, for a long time, our centers were called and still may even be referred to as “Dorcas” centers. 

 The purpose of our pioneers who started a community service program knew that this ministry would provide opportunities for soul-winning, and they recognized that the church they began was organized for service. They understood, as is stated throughout the book Welfare Ministry, that the work of service to those in need would help us to understand the mercy of God, and unselfish giving of time and money would develop our characters. In fact, White even says that this work is our “God-appointed work,” to relieve those who are lost by meeting their basic needs and directing them to Jesus.

Adventist Community Service Centers strive to do just that. Despite maybe being called a “glorified garage sale,” the ACS center is in fact a center of personal ministries as part of the grow cycle. There are many who may think negatively of our centers, but by the grace of God the reputation of the ACS is changing, and your ACS leaders and volunteers recognize the mission, are front-line soul-winners,  and follow Jesus’ method of soul winning as it is outlined in Ministry of Healing. 

Let’s look at the GROW MICHIGAN cycle, and apply it to ACS, as if we are getting the soil ready for planting a garden. 

How to Prepare the Soil to Plant a Garden.

  1. Test the soil: In the beginning stages of ACS service you need to test the area around you. Go door to door asking what the needs are, let the community know that our church wants to help. Talk to the community leaders, service leaders, form relationships, and let them know that your church is here ready to serve. Find out what will best serve your community, being sure not overlapping other services. If you are an established ACS, keep in contact with your community. Challenge yourself: will they miss you if your service center disappeared tomorrow? 
  2. Add compost: Once you establish the needs of the community, let the community know. Advertise, visit local leaders, and connect with other nonprofit organizations. Communicate, feed the soil. 
  3. Amend problem soils/add nutrients: As you know from the pandemic, sometimes you just need to adjust. Some ACS clothing centers found out they needed to add a food pantry to their centers. Meet the people where they are. 
  4. Till the Soil: As you meet those who come to the centers, get to know them. Find out about their families, are they doing ok, can we pray for you? Know their names. Be genuine, show disinterested benevolence. 
  5. Add mulch: Once you’ve established a relationship, ask them if they would like to study the Bible, come to our church, be a part of our family. 

As in any process this cycle takes time, it would not work well to throw the mulch on before you tilled the soil. That will only cause a problem. We need to remember that every person that crosses the thresholds of our ACS centers is a soul to be won for Christ. Our centers have served almost 30,000 people in the last year alone. This may be the only chance we have to connect with them. They may say no, but the Lord honors our efforts. There are so many more ways to serve, blanket ministries, homeless ministries, diaper ministries, laundry ministries, shoes ministry, seminars to better lives, health ministries. ACS should be a safe place to get their needs met and to meet Jesus. 

 Welfare Ministry, page 81 says, “Earnest preserving effort must be made for the salvation of those in whose hearts an interest is awakened. Many can only be reached through acts of disinterested kindness.”