EVANGELISMEVANGELISM

RESPONSERESPONSE

CENTERCENTER

RESPONSE CENTER RESPONSE CENTER PURPOSEPURPOSE

to advance the intentional presentation of and response to the life-changing Gospel of Jesus Christ

by responding to and praying with persons who contact us through various media,

and referring them to local churches where they can receive further ministry and grow in discipleship.

The Evangelism Response Center exists

The Response NetworkThe Response Network

Volunteer EncouragersVolunteer Encouragers

Telephone Encouragers

Internet Encouragers

The Appeal ofThe Appeal ofTelephone and Internet Telephone and Internet

EvangelismEvangelism

Anonymous

The encourager protects his/her privacy by using only a first name and by using an ERC mailbox.

The Appeal ofThe Appeal ofTelephone and Internet Telephone and Internet

EvangelismEvangelism

Low Risk

The encourager works from home so does not face risks from encountering people in public or in their homes.

The Appeal ofThe Appeal ofTelephone and Internet Telephone and Internet

EvangelismEvangelism

Accessible

Homebound people can volunteer.

The Appeal ofThe Appeal ofTelephone and Internet Telephone and Internet

EvangelismEvangelism

Fruitful

Respondents have already expressed interest by dialing the number or accessing the website.

How People Hear about UsHow People Hear about Us

Radio

TV

Internet

Printed Source

Other

What Qualifications Must What Qualifications Must an Encourager Have?an Encourager Have?

An active member of a Southern Baptist church in the United States or Canada

A caring friendAt least 18 years old

& not currently in high school

A born-again believer A growing disciple

Where Are Where Are Encouragers Trained?Encouragers Trained?

What Is Included What Is Included in This Training?in This Training?

Technical aspects of the system

Telephone/Internet evangelism

Focusing the contact Crisis response Reporting to ERC

How Do We Support How Do We Support the Encouragers?the Encouragers?

Initial training

Commissioning service in volunteer’s church

Periodic communication

ERC web community

Official NAMB volunteer -- Fellowship of Response Center Encouragers

Incentive gifts at stated intervals

ERC staff and regional facilitators available to assist as needed

What is the Work What is the Work of an Encourager?of an Encourager?

Help the respondent clarify his/her relationship with Christ

Encourage the respondent to receive Christ or togrow in Him

A Telephone or Internet A Telephone or Internet Response ExampleResponse Example

A Telephone or Internet A Telephone or Internet Response ExampleResponse Example

Someone calls or contacts our website

A Telephone or Internet A Telephone or Internet Response ExampleResponse Example

Contact routed to TE or IE

A Telephone or Internet A Telephone or Internet Response ExampleResponse Example

TE/IE leads respondent to Christ

A Telephone or Internet A Telephone or Internet Response ExampleResponse Example

TE/IE reports to ERC

THETHE

FOLLOW-UPFOLLOW-UP

NETWORKNETWORK

The Vision for Follow-UpThe Vision for Follow-UpA North American network of

Southern Baptist churches in the United States and Canada,

communicating by intranet, Internet, fax, or telephone

to provide immediate, helpful follow-up to salvation decisions

and to provide immediate encouragement and information to people with other concerns.

Goals of Follow-upGoals of Follow-up

•Enlist a network of Covenant (follow-up) churches

• Immediately refer respondents to a local Covenant church

•Encourage direct contact with referrals within 3 hours to 3 days

•Affirm spiritual decisions

•Encourage baptism, church membership, and discipleship

•Refer respondents to local professional help as needed

What Is a Covenant Church?What Is a Covenant Church?

•Train members to share Christ with referrals

•Train members to disciple referrals

•Contact referrals within 3 hours to 3 days

•Provide resources of help to referrals

•Send timely follow-up reports to ERC

A Southern Baptist church in the United States or Canada agreeing

to:

A Telephone or Internet A Telephone or Internet Follow-Up ExampleFollow-Up Example

TE/IE reports to ERC

A Telephone or Internet A Telephone or Internet Follow-Up ExampleFollow-Up Example

ERC sends materials to respondent

A Telephone or Internet A Telephone or Internet Follow-Up ExampleFollow-Up Example

ERC contacts local entity

A Telephone or Internet A Telephone or Internet Follow-Up ExampleFollow-Up Example

Local entity contacts respondent

A Telephone or Internet A Telephone or Internet Follow-Up ExampleFollow-Up Example

Local entity reports on contact

Key Points in Follow-up Key Points in Follow-up StrategyStrategy

• Included in Encourager Training

• Included in Covenant Church Orientation

• Included in communications with Encouragers and Covenant Churches

• Included in Prayer Lists

Prayer for Decision Conservation

Key Points in Follow-up Key Points in Follow-up StrategyStrategy

• Timely reports from Encouragers and campaign centers

• Efficient databases for directing referrals

• Direct local contact within 3 hours to 3 days

Immediacy

Key Points in Follow-up Key Points in Follow-up StrategyStrategy

• 1st Choice - Local Covenant Church

• 2nd Choice - Local Association Office

• 3rd Choice - Appropriate State Office

Referral Efficiency

Key Points in Follow-up Key Points in Follow-up StrategyStrategy

• ERC sends a brochure unique to the ERC

• Covenant Churches are free to offer whatever materials they consider appropriate

Coordinated Materials

Benefits to Your Church, Benefits to Your Church, Association, or Association, or

State ConventionState Convention

• More baptisms

• More trained witnesses

• Local church evangelism emphasized

How Can You Put Us to Work How Can You Put Us to Work For You?For You?

• Promote ERC through your communication channels (get brochures from the ERC)

• Plan a media response campaign

• Publish 1-888-JESUS2000 and www.thegoodnews.org in all evangelistic materials (please contact the ERC to get required wording)

Consider ERC Your Resource

How Can You Put Us to Work How Can You Put Us to Work For You?For You?

• At the state level

• At the associational level

• At the regional level in local churches

Schedule Encourager Training

How Can You Put Us to Work How Can You Put Us to Work For You?For You?

Contact Us for More Information

Topic Person Phone/ E-Mail

Telephone Encouragers

Joy Neal (817) 570-1409 jneal@namb.net

Internet Encouragers

Siam Rogers

770-410-6363 srogers@namb.net

Covenant Churches

Darel Robertson

(817) 570-1411 drobertson@namb.net

EVANGELISM EVANGELISM RESPONSE CENTERRESPONSE CENTER

You have a saying, “Four more months and then the harvest.” But I tell you, take a good look at the fields; the crops are now ripe and ready to be harvested! John 4:35