One of the ways the Kentucky Baptist Convention works with churches in fulfilling the Great Commission here in our state is by taking a coordinating role in major evangelism initiatives. Right now, for instance, the KBC is preparing – in partnership with Kentucky associations and the North American Mission Board – for a major evangelistic effort in 2010 called “Find it Here.” This initiative is part of the GPS (God’s Plan for Sharing) strategy that NAMB is using to help us reach every person in the United States and Canada with the Good News of Jesus Christ by 2020.
“Find it Here” will consist of a door-to-door Gospel distribution in which church members will be seeking to reach every household in Kentucky – about 1.5 million — with a Gospel message next spring just ahead of Easter. While the goal is ambitious, we feel it is realistic because success is based on a simple strategy. Essentially, we are dividing the geographic area of each association and asking the churches of that association to deliver a plastic bag containing a specially prepared Gospel message to each home in the area that they select. The Gospel messages will be delivered between March 6 and March 21, 2010, which is the same time the North American Mission Board and the Kentucky Baptist Convention will be providing support through a major national media campaign.
The preparation for “Find it Here” is underway now as pastors are working with their directors missions to assign distribution areas and preparing their churches for the campaign. Before the Gospel distribution takes place, churches will prayerwalk communities, train witnesses, improve “first impressions” at their facilities and set up new compassion/servant ministries so that they can minister effectively when people respond and visit the church.
I am praying that the Lord will give a major harvest as a result of this strategic sowing effort.
For more about “Find it Here” in Kentucky, visit the KBC Web site at www.kybaptist.org/findithere. Resources from NAMB are being posted at www.gps2020.net.
You can also preview the Web site that’s been designed to help lost people find Christ as part of “Find it Here” at www.findithere.com.
Be sure to see the 2009 Kentucky State Missions materials with the theme “It’s Harvest Time!” “Find It Here” is one of the featured ministries. The 2009 state missions DVD includes prayerwalking materials assembled by Eric Allen to help chuches begin preparing the soil this fall. All of the 2009 state missions materials can be found at http://www.kywmu.org/statemissions
Thanks, Joy. The role of WMU is one that sometimes gets overlooked in the GCR discussion. A lot of peple don’t realize that in Kentucky, the WMU is funded by Cooperative Program dollars that remain “in the state” but the organization turns that immediately around in promoting missions education in the churches (which develops future missionaries) and promoting vital missions giving through the Eliza Broadus Offering for State Missions, the Annie Armstrong Easter Offering for North American Missions and the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering for International Missions. Our missions effectiveness on a state, national and international basis owes much to the WMU!