Appalachian Connection

 Missions and Evangelism  

For some time the district superintendent and I have been discussing the relationship between missions and evangelism. We are concerned about the role of the evangelist in the church today. Missions and evangelism are synonymous; our mission is to evangelize the world.

Recently, during the spring section council tour, the Superintendent’s Round Table session provided an excellent platform for discussion regarding the relationship between missions and evangelism. It quickly became evident that this was a topic of great interest to the ministers of our district. The consensus was that there needs to be further discussion regarding evangelism. Some recommendations were:

· A conference on evangelism
· Posting of revival reports in the Appalachian Messenger
· Compilation of a list of available evangelists
· Recommendations of evangelists by pastors/churches
· Consideration of pastors to attend neighboring churches in revival, thus providing support for revival and getting first hand knowledge of potential evangelists

In one afternoon session of the Superintendent’s Round Table a thought came to me regarding Pentecost as a pattern for revival and ensuing evangelism.

  1. The 120 believers were in intense prayer that brought them in one accord.
  2. There was a powerful manifestation of God’s presence.
  3. God baptized the believers and there were great manifestations of God’s power through the believers.
  4. Onlookers were amazed at what had taken place.
  5. Peter spoke the word of God with Great power.
  6. Onlookers responded and gave their life to Christ.

Our great fellowship was born out of revival fires. There were lots of powerful testimonies and excitement about God’s wonderful works. There were also many conversions during these times of revival that soon presented a need for structure and discipleship.

It appears that there is a definite relationship between revival or at least an outpouring of God’s Spirit and evangelism. Possibly, the birth of the early church was from an initial outpouring of God’s Holy Spirit, but it also seems that there is a precedent established from God’s Word regarding a need or hunger for revival where that which was dead or lost its energy was brought to life, or that which was in rebellion was brought to repentance. In any case, where and when God’s presence was manifest and His Word was rediscovered the result was repentance and a renewed focus on evangelism.

Let us pray that God would send a fresh fire and revival would incite us to snatch souls from the darkness.


John Branch
District Missions Director

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