A wide range of evangelistic events will be reinforced by revival services
June 10-12 during Crossover Indianapolis, the annual evangelism emphasis in
the host city of the annual Southern Baptist Convention.
A wide range of evangelistic events will be reinforced by revival services
June 10-12 during Crossover Indianapolis, the annual evangelism emphasis in
the host city of the annual Southern Baptist Convention.
The strategy is one local leaders contend will go far in helping new believers
in Christ be quickly assimilated into local congregations, while also taking
advantage of the local presence of vocational evangelists and pastors from across
the country to lead the revivals.
“We wanted to see how many of the street decisions we could have baptized
into our churches and discipled,” said John Rogers, director of evangelism
for the State Convention of Baptists in Indiana.
Response for the upcoming effort has been encouraging, Rogers said. “We
have a potential of about 130 ministries across the state and somewhere around
80-90 revivals.”
Most of the events are planned for June 10-12, but about 30 area churches also
are planning evangelism events and revivals for the following weekend.
Crossover has been a part of the annual Southern Baptist Convention each year
since 1989, providing an opportunity for messengers to the convention to participate
in evangelistic events around the host city – primarily on the Saturday
before the convention. More than 33,000 individuals have been led to faith in
Christ through the efforts.
As in past years, events in the Indianapolis area will include door-to-door
evangelistic surveys, about 30 community block parties sponsored by churches,
“StreetReach” evangelism teams presenting the gospel in public areas
and inner-city evangelism teams sharing Christ in low-income areas. Prayerwalking
teams also are being enlisted.
Several “Kindness Explosion” ministries also are planned to present
a gospel witness through acts of kindness. For instance, one church plans to
offer free minor car maintenance and car washes at an event called “The
Pit Stop.”
Volunteers also will be working with the weekly outreach service of a “Families
in Crisis Ministry,” which provides food and clothing distribution, meals,
and other services.
Most of the evangelism events are sponsored by single churches, but others
are combining their efforts for a greater impact. As in the past, church planting
will be a priority for Crossover assistance, with 16 new churches benefiting
from events and volunteers.
A television advertising campaign featuring evangelistic messages will be used
to support the outreach efforts. Those responding to a toll-free number will
be offered a free DVD of the film, “The Hope,” which outlines the
gospel as revealed in Scripture. Information gathered by volunteers answering
the calls will be forwarded to local churches in the Indianapolis area. The
DVDs then will be hand-delivered in most cases as part of a follow-up response.
Overall, Crossover promises to be pivotal for churches in the Indianapolis
area, Rogers said. He cited the interest generated by “The Passion of The
Christ” film and the current emphasis for Indiana churches to engage in
“40 Days of Purpose” studies.
“You put all that with the impact of what Crossovers going to bring
… and youre going to impact Indiana for the kingdom of God,” he
said. (BP)
(Those seeking to volunteer for Crossover may sign up directly via www.TheBridge.namb.net orwww.CrossoverPrayer.org)