Quick Tip for Sharing the Good News

I’m a big fan of evangelism! I’m a big fan of evangelism trainings and workshops, but I’m also a big fan of simplicity.  So much of our lives are complicated, but the saving power of Jesus’ name is not complicated at all, and there are some very simple ways to share the Good News of salvation!  Here is one:

…What if we simply told our story! What if the next time we are at the mall or at Starbucks, we find a new friend and share the story of how we came to know Christ and the difference it has made in our lives! What if we encouraged our girls to do the same! It’s simple, here is my story.

My life before Christ was empty.  Although I was a child I knew I was missing and important piece! I had committed sin that I knew as wrong.  That sin had made things in my life difficult. One morning during a church service, I heard the pastor talking about how sin separated us from God. In the car on the way home I asked my parents what that meant.  They explained that because I sinned I could not have a relationship with Jesus without forgiveness of that sin.  I wanted that forgiveness and relationship with Jesus so I prayed asking God to forgive my sins and lead my life.  From that moment on I felt that emptiness filled.  I knew the love and acceptance of Christ as my Savior!  I knew my sins had been forgiven and that my life would now be lived for Christ.  This relationship has led and directed my life, decisions about college, career, and relationships!  No matter what the world throws my way I don’t have to face it alone! I have a heavenly Father to go to with my hurts, pains, and questions.  Now my life is filled with joy each day that nothing can separate me from.

Your story may look similar or completely different but regardless it’s worth sharing!  The beauty of the Gospel is that the Holy Spirit is at work, seeking and saving the lost (John 6:44; John 16:8).  Our story may be one of many touches or it may be the touch that the Holy Spirit uses to lead a person to accept a personal relationship with Christ.  We aren’t responsible for that part, we just need to share! 

Use these simple steps to write your story, as well as encourage girls to write out their story.

1.    Make it short (2 to 5 minutes should be enough)

2.    Start with what life was like without a relationship with Christ

3.    Next tell about when you made the decision to follow Christ

4.    Follow it up with what your life is like now

5.    Practice with a friend, then go out and share!

6.    Have some of your favorite scriptures ready to share—if a person wants more information (I keep a spiral index card book in my purse with lots of verses to reference)

Who can you share your story with?  

SERVING TOGETHER

            On Tuesday, April 24, your TN WMU staff spent the morning at Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee packaging food.  In an effort to involve ourselves in local and community ministries, we set out on a mission to be a part of feeding the hungry! 

We were greeted by Second Harvest Volunteer Associate, Ryan Havice.  Ryan welcomed us and led us to the manufacturing department where we worked.  Four of us worked together boxing prepackaged soups while the other three prepared microwave dinner meals.  When we were finished we had boxed up 7,000 entrees that according to Ryan Stanton, Manufacturing Manager would later be shipped to a brand new food bank in Savannah, GA and  made around 500 full meals that would be distributed here in Middle Tennessee.   Ryan S. explained the food processing and packing we had just taken part in was a part of their Project Preserve program, a program that according to their website, works with food vendors and manufacturers to provide quality meals for distribution at food banks all over the United States.  (To learn more about Project Preserve visit http://secondharvestmidtn.org/project-preserve/) 

         We accomplished our tasks at great speeds and ran out of work before our allotted time was up so as a bonus we took a quick tour of the facility.  This was a great addition to our project, helping us to see the overall work of Second Harvest.  All food that enters the warehouse has an eleven day turn around!  We looked around at the massive amounts of food and were astounded at the thought of it being used so quickly! 

All this is possible when people like you and I play a part! Their ministry is dependent on volunteers.  We saw several other volunteers doing everything from food sorting to quality control.  Ryan mentioned they have volunteers of all ages work with them throughout the week and on two shifts a week they can take volunteers as young as seven years old.  That means if you want to bring your RA, GA, Acteens, or Women’s group there is a way for all of you to volunteer! 

We had a great time and would love for you to have the same experience.  If you are in the Middle Tennessee area and would like to be a part of what Second Harvest is doing, checkout the volunteer page of their website at http://secondharvestmidtn.org/act/volunteer/ or call 615.627.1570.  If you aren’t in the local area, check out food banks, or ministries like this in your area. I am sure they are in great need of volunteers just like you.

Where have you volunteered recently? Tell us about your experience!

Tell us about a project your Acteens group has done and what impact it made on you and your community.

by Alyssa Hargrove
2011-2012 Acteens State Panelists

 The most meaningful thing I’ve done in Acteens is going to the Christian Women’s Job Corp and babysitting the women’s children. It blesses my heart to be able to love on these kids while the moms are furthering their education to have a brighter future for them.

CWJC is an organization where women can go, work to get their GED, further their education, learn basic skills to get a job, and seek Godly counsel and encouragement. Basically to help these women get back on their feet and show them Jesus’ sweet love for them.

My Acteen’s group had the opportunity to go a few times. Our job was to babysit the women’s children as they attended their classes and Bible studies. We provided them with free child-care! The women were so thankful for young girls taking time out of our lives to love on their kids. At the same time we had the chance to show them God’s love and witness to them.

Going to CWJC opened my eyes in many ways. I have two parents in my life, food to eat, shelter over my head, clothing. Not all of these women and their kids do. I’m blessed to have had the chance to love on these kids and let them know there is hope in this life, to never give up, and that Jesus loves them. I hope that with my example and love for Christ these kids saw something different.  

What makes Acteens different from other things in your life?

By Sabrina Thompson
2011-2012 TN WMU State Acteens Panelist

Saying that I live on an extremely busy schedule is no understatement. Between school, work, FFA, church, and family I don't have much time for anything else. Acteens is different from all that. One of the main reasons why I love Acteens is because with just us girls we can discuss some of the problems we face daily as a Christian. Being a teenage girl is hard and to know you aren't the only one going through a certain situation takes a load off. Also through Acteens, God has truly developed my leadership skills. Before I became a Christian I wasn't using those skills to glorify God. Acteens has given me the perfect place to use those skills the right way. Not only do I use them in my Acteens group but as a panelist I can use them across the state.

Acteens is different because it gives me great opportunities to talk to people about God and all His glory. I recently had a lady contact me to come as their guest speaker to talk about missions on a Sunday morning and without Acteens I would have never received that amazing opportunity. I can honestly say that Acteens is one of the major things that stand out in my life.

How has Acteens changed your life?

By Lydia Huggins
2011-2012 TN WMU State Acteens Panelist
      Acteens has changed my life in many ways. It has helped me to grow in my relationship with God by encouraging me to spend more time with Him outside of the church. The Lord has given me a desire to pray for the missionaries and their people groups that I learn about in Acteens. It has given me the knowledge of how to pray for them and their specific requests that they might have. The Bible stories, lessons, testimonies, and the missionaries’ stories have also opened my eyes to the lost people and mission opportunities everywhere around me. My Acteens group does not just see the need; we work to see the need fulfilled. My Acteens leader, the missionaries I read about in class, and the missionaries I hear at Connection have greatly influenced my life. They have been good role models and mentors for me. I heard my second greatest call (the first was to be a child of God) when God used Connection to call me to be a missionary. I also saw at Connection, the work of the Tennessee State Acteens Panelists and now I am a Tennessee State Acteens Panelist. As a panelist, I have worked with and met some wonderful people who have encouraged and blessed me.


     Acteens has not only changed me, it has given me many opportunities to change my community and my world. It has made a huge impact on my life. But it has been God who has truly changed me. He just used Acteens to help.