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The Life of Evangelism at Berean Baptist
Church, Creating and Nurturing Relationships
1 Thess 2:8
We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you not
only the gospel of God but our lives as well, because you had become
so dear to us.
'I came to BBC needing a family. You reached out and
helped me, became my surrogate family and that love
helped me to grow to know God's love. Now I share God's
love with others the way that BBC has taught me.'
At Berean Baptist we embody the word of God through living
caring and compassionate lives together. Furthermore we carry the
word of God, or evangelize, through building relationships based on
caring and sharing God's love. 'When we hear of a family in need,
many hands are raised to offer assistance, no matter what the need is.'
Caring for people's needs is not only an act of outreach, it is the way
we spread the good news of Jesus Christ and nurture discipleship in
those who wish to believe and follow him.
This relational evangelism begins with warm greetings of all
visitors and with the follow-through of phone calls and cards. The
pastor spends time building a relationship with those seeking to join
our church family.
Our new mentoring program seeks to connect
new members with experienced members so as to build relationships.
While many report that they were attracted to Berean because of the
pastor, what encourages them to stay and grow is the experience of
Christ in the relationships among members, new and old, novice and
experienced.
Caring is not simply at the fringe of following Christ, it is the
way that we at Berean introduce others to him. Many people bear
witness to this fact;
'I feel like I not only have a place to belong, but that I have
something I can participate in.'
'Even though I have been coming here for a couple of years,
I am still greeted enthusiastically at the door.'
'When I lost my husband, [Pastor Darin and the people of Berean] were the
most
helpful...the most important contribution was the “Relay for
Life” in honor of my husband. So many from BBC joined
the team. I never thought I would get such a huge support
system. All those people made a huge impact on me.'
We spread the gospel at BBC by caring and assisting others.
We strengthen their relationship to Christ by building personal
relationships and accepting those who have been rejected elsewhere.
This is how we teach the story of Jesus to others and preach the
gospel to our community.
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