Church Involvement
Church Involvement
Last Updated on Monday, 12 October 2009 15:41
ACTIVE INVOLVEMENT AND SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
Businesses, church congregations, Christian groups and individuals, in their different capacities, have a wide range of opportunities to become actively involved in the Global Witnessing Challenge in their local areas, and using their spheres of influence.
Because the Challenge involves teams travelling the globe and witnessing for Christ, they are very dependent on the assistance, resources and hospitality offered by well-wishers, as well as created opportunities to effectively share their faith, where ever they may go.
It is a sobering thought for us all to remember that these teams of individuals have chosen to put their lives and careers “on hold” in order to represent the body of Christ and “go” out on our behalf. The least we can do is support, encourage and equip them as much as we possibly can, just from where we are.
Therefore the Challenge goes much further than simply a number of teams directly involved in travelling and bringing the Good News to a lost and dying world.
The name of the game is about bearing much spiritual fruit through seeking and saving the lost. And we, the body of Christ, are jointly tasked with this mission. This is everyone’s privilege and responsibility.
How can you then – as an enthusiastic supporter and follower of this event – become actively involved and help participants produce as much fruit as possible on their journeys? Here's some ideas...
How we can all help ...
The following opportunities exist for supporters and followers of this Challenge (that includes introverts and extroverts alike) to roll up their sleeves and play a constructive part in winning the lost for the Kingdom of God - without having to venture out into the mission field:
- make appointments and obtain invitations to speak at selected venues before targeted groups (eg. student campuses, prisons, hospitals, etc) on behalf of visiting foreign teams
- provide as many practical witnessing opportunities as possible by arranging youth group outreaches, taking teams along on your open-air and door-to-door campaigns, organising public talks, etc
- introduce teams to local “enabling” contacts such as Christian business people (financial sponsorship), media contacts (publicity), church pastors and evangelists (local knowledge)
- provide assistance with local transportation, inc. pick-ups and drop-offs, free of charge
- provide an emergency break-down service and/or short-notice 111-type humanitarian assistance on demand
- provide short-term accommodation and meals, free of charge
- provide telecommunications facilities such as telephone calls and internet access (to update their Challenge progress online), free of charge
- provide medical assistance, treatment and rehabilitation, where necessary, as far as possible free of charge
- be available as interpreters to accompany teams and help get their messages out to populations with different languages to their native tongues
- provide sound systems and arrange bookings for speaking engagements for teams
- provide advertising and publici ty around any arranged events/talks/presentations
- provide video filming and editing assistance for teams without their own digital video resources
- offer to be responsible for picking up new converts generated from teams operating in your area and to follow-through with church discipleship programs and groups
- offer to provide independent church verification of new converts, baptisms, etc, generated by visiting teams
- provide openings to encourage and inspire your congregations by letting teams speak (give their testimonies and present video diaries) at your church services, prayer meetings, youth groups, etc
- provide baptismal facilities and opportunities to teams travelling through your area
- provide (inc. printing of) bible tracts and other witnessing resources, in local languages, free of charge
- provide bibles to teams to distribute, in local languages, free of charge
- provide local guides who can direct teams through difficult to find and access areas
- proactively liaise with churches and key contacts outside your area to whom you may directly refer teams onto the next step of their journey
- pray regularly for teams you’ve supported, that they may be covered for the remainder of the Challenge
- provide ongoing support and encouragement to teams through regular email correspondence, and readership/feedback of their online blogs
- financially sponsor teams for their ongoing upkeep and travel costs
- sponsor prizes and awards earned by teams throughout the Challenge (with full naming rights on prizes available)
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