MM33 – Movement of Church Planting and Discipleship—Engaging the Context: Outreach, Evangelism, and Community Integration

Rev Sabrina Chow explores 10 practical strategies church planters can fulfill the Great Commission by fostering a passion for the lost and integrating new converts into a healthy church community.

The church exists to make disciples. This is a clear mandate from the Lord Jesus Christ when he gave the Great Commission to His disciples before he ascended to heaven. He said in Matthew 28:19-20 (NIV), “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

The biblical method for making disciples is church planting. We see this clearly in the Book of Acts where Paul went from place to place in his missionary journeys to plant churches. He would go to the synagogues or where Jews gathered, preach the gospel there, win converts, gather them, then plant a church in that location. He would teach them the word of God, appoint elders to oversee the church and visit them often to strengthen their faith.

The biblical method for making disciples is church planting. We see this clearly in the Book of Acts where Paul went from place to place in his missionary journeys to plant churches. 

 Acts 14:21-23 (NIV), “They preached the gospel in that city and won a large number of disciples. Then they returned to Lystra, Iconium and Antioch, strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith. “We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God,” they said. Paul and Barnabas appointed elders for them in each church and, with prayer and fasting, committed them to the Lord, in whom they had put their trust.”

So, how do we apply this in today’s context? I believe church planting is still God’s method of doing the Great Commission and here’s 10 ways church planters can preach the gospel, reach their communities and integrate them into their local church.

1. Passion for the Lost.

We need on the onset of a church plant to instill into the congregants a passion for the lost through regular preaching and teaching on this subject. Preach about evangelism a few times a year and teach classes on how to win souls. Have sermons dotted with evangelism as application points. In leaders’ meeting, discuss with the leaders on strategies to win souls. We do this so that the passion for the lost is constantly stirred in the members’ lives throughout the year and they will be motivated to reach the lost.

2. Platforms to Bring People to Christ.

Our church members understand that every platform in church is an opportunity to bring people to Christ, whether it’s church service, Life Application Seminar, Alpha, prayer meeting, a class or a cell outing. Church members are encouraged to invite their friends to come to these platforms. The cell leaders reinforce this invitation culture and stir their cell members to reach out to their friends. Successful invites and salvations are celebrated and shared as testimonies to the church.

Preach about evangelism a few times a year and teach classes on how to win souls.

3. Plan for Regular Evangelistic Events Throughout the Year. 

In our church, there are five major evangelistic events, namely, Chinese New Year, Easter, Alpha in June and July, Sep evangelistic events and Christmas. There are also other events that are suitable to invite pre-believers, namely, Father’s Day, Mother’s Day, Water baptism services and sermons on apologetics. These platforms give the congregation many opportunities to invite their pre-believing friends. Even if it’s not an evangelistic event, a culture of giving salvation calls is practiced so visitors have an opportunity to give their lives to Jesus. 

4. Plant New Ministries Suitable to Reach Your Target Group.

In our church we started new ministries to reach our target group, namely, Street Evangelism Ministry to reach people who work or live near our church location, Visitation Ministry to visit and connect with the targeted community and those who visit our church service. Four times a year we mobilize the cells to do gift saturation to our targeted community with invitations to our church evangelistic events. Six times a year we reach the unchurched corporate executives and business owners through talks and small group discussions funneling them to the church. We have seen new people saved and join our church through these new ministries.

5. Passionate Prayer for the Lost.

It is non-negotiable to pray for the salvation of lost souls. Our prayer meetings are held every week and a portion of it is devoted to pray for lost souls. Prayer is absolutely essential in soul winning because we are fighting spiritual battles. We are breaking down spiritual strongholds so people can respond to the gospel without hindrance. Spiritual warfare is real but when we press in in prayer, we see God work miraculously, divine appointments happen, pre-believers encounter Christ and souls enter into the kingdom of God.

It is non-negotiable to pray for the salvation of lost souls.

6. Prompt Follow Up.

We ensure prompt follow up so no one slips through the back door. We have a passionate follow up team that connects with newcomers after the service and calls them within 24 hours of their visit. We keep them posted on the church’s programs and up and coming sermon series. Then they are followed up by our visitation team that visits them. Building relationships with newcomers is key, the phone call, text message and visitation often seal the deal in them deciding to stay on in our church.

7. Presence of God.

The presence of God is most precious to us. In our church, the Holy Spirit is honored and welcomed, His presence is tangibly felt in our services and the workings of God is evident in the ministries we do. The presence of God is what draws people to come to our worship service and when they encounter God, their lives are transformed. This motivates them to come back week after week and stay on in our church. 

8. People who are Friendly and Authentic.

Church members are authentic, friendly and welcoming. New comers instantly feel the warmth and friendliness of our folks and will be drawn to stay on and make this their home church. There is a strong caring culture in our church, people feel cared for and loved, so they stay on because they can find friends here. 

Involvement fuels commitment and ownership to the church.

9. Pulpit ministry.

We have developed a strong pulpit ministry over the years. People come to hear sermons that impact and transform their lives. They know they are getting solid spiritual food every week. Clear, anointed, Christ-centered sermons draw the people to come back week after week.

10. Participation.

To connect the newcomers to church, we encourage them to serve in a ministry of their gifting and passion. Involvement fuels commitment and ownership to the church. Once they are involved in a ministry and join a cell group, they would have fully integrated into the church.

If you practice these 10 principles, you will be able to fulfil the Great Commission, integrate the new converts and plant a healthy church.