"‘What Now?’ is a catalyst to effectively launch Southern Baptists into our most productive years for the Kingdom under the Convention-approved vision of Empowering Kingdom Growth," explained GBC Executive Director J. Robert White, who serves as chairman of the national task force.

"Praying for, and participating in what is believed to be a movement of God among us, Southern Baptists are praying that 2005 will be a great year of harvest with national goals of one million baptisms, 100,000 new units in Sunday School and 2,500 new church starts.

The initiative is a joint effort between the North American Mission Board, LifeWay Christian Resources, Woman's Missionary Union, Southern Baptist Convention seminaries, SBC Executive Committee, state conventions and associations.

This bold new approach is the culmination of a three-year effort to prepare Southern Baptists for the most intense media campaign in decades. The overall evangelistic strategy, the first of the new millennium, is intended to enlist, equip, and engage those churches in a powerful, God-directed movement that will change lives like never before.

• In 2003 laity and church staff began enlisting in the ongoing One in a Million prayer effort to prepare themselves for a personal revival and to pray for a spiritual awaking to manifest itself across the continent.

• This year, in 2004, individuals are being trained in soul winning, lay church planting and the starting of new Bible study units.

• And in 2005, churches will engage in a variety of high profile outreach events that will change their communities with the power of the gospel. A massive media campaign will reinforce the "What Now?" theme throughout North America as churches coordinate a variety of revivals and outreach efforts linked to the theme.

By the end of next year, the Convention is hoping to report 1 million baptisms, 100,000 new intentionally evangelistic Bible study groups, and 2,500 new church starts.

To date, the SBC’s best years for baptisms and church plants are 1972 with 445,725 baptisms and 1999’s mark of 1,747 new Southern Baptist churches, according to statistics recorded by NAMB.

White has challenged each Southern Baptist church, association and state convention to set their own goals as part of reaching the larger convention-wide goals.

"We want every Southern Baptist to be involved in this exciting challenge to reach our nation for Christ, but this is not a program with assigned goals," White said. "We believe God desires to do something greater than we can even envision."

 

2004 Evangelism Training Seminar Schedule

The Executive Office for Evangelization of the GBC will sponsor workshops in revival preparation, personal witnessing, and prayer at the following locations. All sessions will begin at 7 p.m. and conclude at 8:30 p.m. with the exception of the Hephzibah/Kilpatrick Association meeting, which is scheduled for 7 p.m.-9:15 p.m.

For more information call the state evangelism office at 1 800 746-4422 or (770) 936-5236.

 

Place/Location - Date

Jamestown Church, Waycross - 1/26

Grove Level Church, Dalton - 1/27

Green Acres Church, Athens - 2/02

First Baptist, Bainbridge - 2/05

New Town Church, Calhoun - 2/12

Beacon Church, Albany - 2/19

Mabel White Memorial Church, Macon - 3/04

Washington Association, Milledgeville - 3/08

West Metro Association - 3/11

Hillcrest Church, Augusta - 3/18

Southeast Association, Brunswick - 3/25

Morningside Church, Valdosta - 4/15

First Baptist, Pooler - 4/29

Metter First Church, Metter - 5/03

Telfair Association - 5/10

Fairburn Association, Union City - 5/15

Columbus Association - 5/17

Mulberry Association - 5/20

Hephzibah/Kilpatrick Association - 8/30–8/31