By Will Hall, Baptist Message executive editor
ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) – “Soul winning is our goal,” Preston Condra told the Baptist Message when asked how best to describe his ministry.
Condra, with his wife, Kelly, co-founded Sufficient Word Ministries “to edify, increase, and equip the church.”
“We want to help train believers to start conversations in evangelism and to feel more equipped and confident in starting conversations which lead to winning people to the Lord,” he explained.
He said the ministry focuses on “a gracious and easy” way for believers to engage others and “explain the Gospel simply and clearly.”
The conversational approach focuses on three simple principles, he said: caring (ways to initiate natural, no-pressure conversations); clarity (about what to say); and confidence (to respond to questions with biblical answers).
Condra said the methodology is as simple as seeking permission: “Can I ask you a question? It’s religious so it’s okay if you don’t want to talk about it.” Then, asking something broadly spiritual such as “What do you think about the Bible?” If the conversation is positive at that point, “We take them right to the Gospel, 1 Corinthians 15:3-4, and ask them ‘What do you think about this?’”
Importantly, Condra has materials for the believer with answers to 40 common questions or objections. Likewise, he has a resource to give unbelievers that also provides these answers.
— “Can I Ask You a Question?” is the principal evangelism handbook among the various teaching tools.
— “Asking the Question” is a flexible six-week study guide with practical exercises.
— “Asking the Question – Facilitator Guide” is the leader’s edition for group teaching.
— Finally, “Answers” parallels “Can I Ask You a Question?” but “is written for the unbeliever, new believer, person with questions, or those whose beliefs are unknown.”
Condra said he and Kelly offer workshops that “are not very long” and emphasize practice at starting a conversation.
“It’s holistic, yet simple,” he offered. “We have them coming out of the workshops saying, ‘I can remember that’ or, ‘I can use that.’ That’s what we are after.”
Sufficient Word Ministries already has made an impact on multiple Louisiana Baptist congregations.
Cypress Baptist Church in Benton used the training materials in Sunday school classes “a year or two before the pandemic,” Condra said. “It was great. Went well.” About a year later, First Baptist Church in Bossier City “wanted a conference feel to the format.” So Condra met with all the Sunday school classes on three successive Sundays. “That was a really good training event. Fifteen people talked with me afterward, and each shared they had been a Christian for years but had not witnessed to anyone until those three Sundays.”
Last year Condra conducted training with the churches of the Big Creek Baptist Association.
This spring he worked with Norris Ferry Community Church, Shreveport, South Bossier Baptist, Bossier City, Trees Baptist Church, Vivian, and First Baptist Church, Benton. Additionally, this summer he already has provided training for Mount Vernon Baptist Church in Monroe and the First Baptist Church of Blanchard in Shreveport.
Meanwhile, Sufficient Word Ministries is scheduled in July and August to work with Philadelphia Baptist Church members on the Deville and Alexandria campuses, as well as Cedar Crest Baptist Church, McClendon Baptist Church and Ouachita Baptist Church, all three in West Monroe. Then in September Condra will be with the First Baptist Church in Pineville and its other campus in LeCompte.
Condra said the primary stumbling block to presenting the Gospel is fear.
“’I don’t know what to say. I’m afraid to offend. I’m afraid I can’t answer objections.’ are the three most-cited fears,” he said. “That’s why we go through each element of the Gospel.”
“We also answer 40 objections to the Gospel,” he said.
Regardless, he added, believers must begin to engage the lost with the Gospel.
“Start the conversation,” Condra urged Louisiana Baptists. “Resolve your fears — and we’ll help you — and start the conversation.”
For more information, visit sufficientword.com.
