Let’s get away for a weekend retreat focused on evangelism training! Let’s go deep into God’s word to understand how the Christians in the first century were empowered by the Holy Spirit and were encouraged by their fellowship in Christ such that they risked all to expand their witness intentionally, unwilling to stop talking about what they had seen and heard about Jesus, even in the midst of persecution. Let’s think practically about how to connect with lost people in such a way that spiritual conversations about Jesus can happen. Let’s learn to share our personal stories about how the Holy Spirit convicted us of sin, righteousness, and judgment, leading us to make a decision about Christ. Let’s get away and prepare to share God’s story so the questions people are asking -- How did it all begin? What went wrong? Is there any hope? What will the future hold? -- can be answered thoughtfully and biblically. Let’s discuss and practice what we are learning with each other, so we are ready. That is just what I did with 23 leaders from Reliance Fellowship Church in Richland, WA on October 6-8. What a great weekend! Would your church be interested in doing evangelism training in 2023? 

On October 22nd, I had the opportunity to do evangelism training for Northwest Baptist Disaster Relief. We had nine individuals in attendance. This time of training focused on the importance of compassion in evangelism to open doors for spiritual conversations and the importance of connecting “the crisis question” (If God exists and is good, loving, and all powerful, why does evil and suffering continue in the world?) to the metanarrative of the Gospel. The crisis question assumes God is not doing anything about evil and suffering and therefore, He must not be good, loving, or powerful. However, the metanarrative of the Gospel reveals that this assumption is wrong. God has done something! It explains how everything began, what went wrong, and the hope that is in Christ for a future in which there is no more evil and suffering. Because of God’s plan to forgive and redeem sinful man through Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection for all who believe, one day, “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying or pain;” and “there will no longer be any curse” (Rev. 21:4 & 22:3). That’s good news for someone in crisis and disaster. 

But, we don’t have to have a major earthquake, hurricane, wildfire, or some other natural disaster to be in crisis. Because of sin, people experience crisis and disaster every day and are searching for hope. Show compassion as Jesus did and share God’s story with people. See The Story film for a great presentation of the metanarrative of God’s story. 

“Recently my wife and I had the opportunity to attend your evangelism class.  What a blessing it was! Not only was it well presented but we found the material to be extremely helpful. ...You encouraged us...that we should thoroughly consider not only the cultural environment but the individual whom we are speaking to. The material you presented helped us to think through this process in a way that we can now apply it personally along with our own testimony. We just want to say thank you for providing not only a resource but the necessary tools and confidence to step out in faith and proclaim the Hope found only in Christ.” Marc Wetle, Pastor Evergreen Baptist

“Thank you so much for the time you took to prepare material unique to a disaster response model, and for your clear, informative, and inspirational presentation of that material …. The enemy often distracts believers from following Christ's command in communicating the Gospel. May those blessed by your training find renewed focus. I am confident that God will bless the sharing of the great good news through what you taught us.” Kenton Johnson, NWBC Disaster Relief 

2022

• Mondays - Weekly MOS Discipleship through Dec 19
• Dec 9 - Open Door Christian Academy Chapel - Preaching
• Dec 11 & 18 - Cornerstone Baptist Church, AM Worship Service - Preaching

2023

• Jan 5 & 19 - Leadership Training for pastors in Rwanda via Zoom
• Jan 8 - Evergreen Baptist Church, AM Worship Service - Preaching
• Jan 9 - MOS weekly discipleship resumes
• Mar 17-18 - Christian Youth Summit, Bend, OR - Teaching two breakout sessions

Now Booking for 2023

"I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel...." Phil. 1:3-5

Your brother in Christ,

Mike Thibodeaux

Calling generations of all nations to the simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ!

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