a simple way= A BIG DIFFERENCE

We have a two-fold purpose in our local church, one is to raise up leadership and secondly to reach our community. In order to grow our Journey Groups, we must have a strong spirit of evangelism. We are to expose our community to Christ. As we have had an encounter with Christ, we are able to share our experience which makes us an effective witness. Hey, Jesus told us real simple just GO! We are to evangelize and make disciples. Someone said, “Evangelism is incomplete without discipleship.” I thank God it is that simple. Soulwinning knows that everyone needs a Savior. Here are some personal truths:

1. There is a Need for Repentance in our Community

God established the fact that entering into kingdom of Heaven required an act of repentance. This repentance would incorporate a turning away from the world and its will and way and turning to the Father’s will and way.

2. There is a great Need for a Savior in our Community

Only in Him is there hope for a person to be saved.

3. There is a Great Inability to Save our Community

Only the mercy of God offered to us through our response to Jesus Christ in a salvation experience is enough to bring forgiveness of sin and the promise of eternal life (Titus 3:5)    

We have been Commissioned to Bring People to the Savior. Our Call comes from the savior.

“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations,

baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” (Matt 28:19).

We are to lead lost people to salvation in Jesus Christ, then to lead them away from self-centered lives into Christ-centered lives.

Our Model Is Given by the Savior, the Gospel of John, chapter 4, presents one of the Bible’s most exciting narratives. In Jesus conversation with the woman at the well, He not only reveals Himself to a needful woman as the Messiah, but also reveals an effective model for communication in leading a person to Christ. He models:

1.      A gracious sensitivity to human failure

2.      He speaks forthrightly and directly about sin

3.      He shows no rejection or condemnation to the sinner

4.      He presents Himself as Savior and offers salvation’s forgiveness, new life, and potential for lasting satisfaction.

We need to fuel Passion and Urgency just like Jesus. We have limited time to share. Jesus is coming back.

We have a mission!

Pastor Chris Gomez

The Journey- A Non- Stop Flow

What does it require to have a thriving, growing Journey Group?

Having a great Journey Group does not require a bunch of ideas and trying to implement them right away. But it requires a focus on a few principles that will help guide the group to a healthy flow. I say flow because there needs to be a constant progress and/or production within the Group. I call it NON-STOP. What I mean by this is non-stop modeling!

Someone said “More is caught than taught.”

Journey Group members will always catch our actions, attitudes, and aptitude before we can teach, train, and tell them.

Understand that people are asking this question “Can I pattern myself after this leader I am under?”, or they are asking “Do I want to pattern myself after this leader I am under?”  Wheather it is consciously or unconsciously members are asking this question. People will become who we are! What are some important actions we want to demonstrate to produce natural environment for effective ministry. 

1.       We need to identify and accept the leadership role of a Journey Group.

The style of leadership that has always seemed to work is modeling. You and I must understanding that the most important role of any leader is to be a model or a great example of what you want others to become.  The Bible says to walk worthy of the calling. Is our life worthy to be followed by others?

2.       We need to encourage our Journey Groups to follow our example as we follow Christ.

We cannot assume just because we tell and teach people how to live for Christ that they are just going to do it because we say. They must see it in the fruit of our decisions. People are encouraged when they see the success of others who display it by making the right choices. Encouragement comes through modeling the right actions in life!

3.        A Journey Group Leader should Model a serving spirit.

President John F. Kennedy once said, “Do not ask what your country can do for you, but ask what you can do for your country.” This is a very self-less statement! This talks about service, making ourselves available for others always having their best interest in mind. A leader should model what it is to serve. We will do what we can to serve the people that are in our groups. Go out of our way and be undershephards of our Pastors. Serving one another is an expected practice among all believers. As a Journey Group leader, we need to set the example in fulfilling this biblical expectation.

What areas are we to model in order to create a natural environment for effective ministry?

Please send me your response or comments they would be appreciated.

Pastor Chris Gomez