Articles from PEN Newsletter - July 2002

"PEN Hosts First eSchool"

The Inaugural eSchool, a Beyond Amsterdam 2000 event for North America, exceeded expectations by all accounts. One of the key initiatives of the Proclamation Evangelism Network (PEN), 209 evangelists and their staffs from eighty-seven different ministries and eleven different countries gathered to attend the eSchool at The Billy Graham Training Center at The Cove, Asheville, N.C. From May sixth through ninth, evangelists took time from their busy schedules with the purpose to "gather, learn, network and go." And that they did!

The evangelists came to The Cove, many for the first time, to listen, learn and share their ministry successes, struggles and prayer concerns. Attendees represented a wide cross-section of experience, some still students studying for ministry and others who have been laboring under the call of the evangelist for more than forty years. Ministry focus varied greatly as well, ranging from traditional proclamation, music, ventriloquism, magic, feats of strength, skate boarding to Polynesian dancing. But regardless of the length of time in ministry or the focus, feedback from all expressed the sense of God's presence and revelation during the conference.

One attendee commented, "... from the veterans to the novices, we were all challenged." Noting the value of learning from others, a young, emerging evangelist said, "...I'm just starting out. This gave me the opportunity for some doors to be opened." Another remarked "... it brought evangelists together from almost all aspects of evangelism." Another underscored the value of the conference to someone just starting out, "I have never been to a conference where people shared the 'nuts and bolts' of evangelistic ministry. This was incredible! I wish I could have been here ten years ago when I started out." And a final expression of impact, "... this week at The Cove really confirmed my call for full time evangelism."

The PEN is a network of evangelistic ministries that are committed to doing nothing apart than can be done better together. Each of the principal partner ministries has an effective program of evangelism methodologies at work as they labor to accomplish Matthew 28:19 directives from our Lord. However, when surveying the daunting task of reaching every man, woman and child in North America with the Gospel, each partner realized that such a task is not possible without coordinating efforts with other ministries. The eSchool is an effort to combine the training programs for greater impact and efficiency.

The e-school used a combination of plenary sessions featuring noted evangelists, workshops that presented the practical steps for ministry, and small group devotional times for networking and feedback. Through all three activities, many of the values PEN purposed to emphasize during the eSchool included:

• New "ways and means" for preaching Christ

• Multicultural realities for American evangelists

• Character that precedes content

• Creating a community of evangelists

• Relevance for today's lost people

• The power of partnership

• Mentoring other evangelists

• A vision for the whole nation

One of the prominent evangelists of our time, Dr. Luis Palau, opened the conference on Monday evening by sharing how he led his ministry from the traditional crusade model to its current festival model. Other plenary speakers included Rev. Mark Anderson, director, Impact World Tour (YWAM), Rev. Gary Frost, vice president of the Strategic Partnerships Group of the North American Mission Board (SBC), Dr. Jerry Drace, Jerry Drace Evangelistic Association, Dr. Lon Allison, director, Billy Graham Center, Dr. Leighton Ford, Leighton Ford Ministries and Mrs. Anne Graham Lotz, AnGeL Ministries.

Workshops on a variety of the practical issues of an evangelistic ministry addressed such topics as Apologetics for a Postmodern Generation, Building a Successful Campaign Organization, Covenant Building with the Church, The Crisis of Theology in Evangelism, Evangelistic Preaching in a Postmodern World, Extend Your Ministry through the Internet, Family Issues for the Evangelist and Spouse, Financial Development, Strategic Planning, How to Reach Students for Christ, Ministering to the Local Church Pastor, Presenting Christ Inside the Walls, Understanding and Communicating with Today's Teens, Urban Evangelist in the New Millennium, Women and the Call of the Evangelist and Working with the 'Secular' Media.

Benefits resulting from this wide variety in the program were many. One evangelist declared, the greatest strength of the conference was "...to see that large scale evangelism is still successful and that new methods are okay." A second comment was that "...the Lord blew open my paradigms for evangelism." Still a third shared that the eSchool "...has to rank as one of the greatest events I have ever been to." It got him "... thinking out of the box." A pastor/evangelist commented "...my heart was massaged and my mind stretched."

One couple who have been in evangelistic ministry for more than forty-five years summarized the conference, "I would rate the event as a total success in the encouragement of the evangelists and a challenge in forgetting some of the old paradigms and being led by God to 'go for broke' to bring glory to Him. I sensed a true 'visitation by God' and a work of renewal in the lives of the attendees."

The PEN has committed to two more eSchools, the next being hosted by the Next Generation Alliance of the Luis Palau Evangelistic Association, March 18-20, 2003 in Fort Lauderdale.  It will lead into BeachFest USA, Mar 21-22.  The 2004 eSchool will be hosted by YWAM in the Fall at one of their international training centers in Brazil.

To extend the impact of the eSchool a video tape series of the plenary sessions is being produced by Jerry Drace and the PEN Executive Committee. The 6-tape series (also in DVD format) should be finalized over the next few months and be available for purchase in the Fall. If you are interested in purchasing audio tapes of the plenary sessions or any of the workshops, you are encouraged to visit the Web site of Sound Word Associates at www.soundword.com, or contact them at PO Box 2036, Chesterton, IN 46304. Phone: (219) 548-0933. Questions regarding the PEN initiatives should be directed to the Billy Graham Center Institute of Strategic Evangelism, 500 E. College Avenue, Wheaton, IL 60187. Phone: (630) 752-5904.

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CINCINNATI, OH (July 1, 2002) -- Individuals throughout Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky were anxious to hear what evangelist Billy Graham would have to say about the Gospel and the racial tensions the area has been dealing with for the last year and a half, and his messages delivered.

Mr. Graham condemned any form of racism or bigotry as a sin and an obstacle to a relationship with Christ. "There's the problem of racism in many areas of the world, the nation, and in Cincinnati -- bigotry of any kind is a sin in God's eyes," he said. "So is anti-Semitism. In Europe today it is raising its ugly head ... and probably underneath in this country. We need to do everything we can to be friends and neighbors of the people who have been chosen by God to be His chosen people -- the Jewish people."

"The Bible says we're to love each other," Mr. Graham shared with crowds averaging more than 47,000 gathered each evening -- June 27-30 -- at Paul Brown Stadium in Cincinnati. "I'm praying God is going to use this mission to help in the climate of love and understanding between all of us."

Before the meetings even got underway, local leadership was encouraged by the cooperation exhibited in the community in preparation for the mission. "Never before in the history of our city have so many people come together, united in one common cause -- to proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ," said Mission Vice Chair Rev. Damon Lynch, Jr., pastor of one of the largest African-American churches in the city. "Over the last year we have built new and significant relationships as individuals, and cooperatively as churches."

Others agreed on the need for the Mission in the community. "Any city where 'sin' is said twice in its name is in need of the Good News," said Executive Committee Member Rev. Wayne Darbonne of College Hill Presbyterian Church, in reference to the pronunciation of Cincinnati.

Altogether, 20,000 volunteers from 964 churches representing 67 different denominations worked together to bring the Mission to fruition, involving individuals from a variety of racial, cultural, and religious backgrounds.

"It's been amazing to see the involvement and the community coming together through this process," said Mission Chair Anthony Munoz, former star offensive lineman with the Cincinnati Bengals. "And I believe Mr. Graham's message has brought healing to this community.

"I have learned that what the world says and what God says are two different things," Munoz continued. "The world says you're successful if you're good-looking, have a lot of money, have a good education, or have a position of power. But God has taught me that doesn't matter -- He wants to know about my relationship with Him."

An average of more than 2,400 individuals came forward each evening in response to Mr. Graham's invitation to make a commitment to Christ. The evangelist encouraged those in attendance that such a commitment entailed a change in attitudes and actions. "Here in Cincinnati, you're to be a real neighbor to the person that you live in the city with -- whether the color of the skin is dark or whether it's white, we're to love each other and we're to work together," he said.

Cincinnati Mayor Charlie Luken appeared briefly at a mission reception, stating his belief that "what this city needs is Billy Graham." Ohio Governor Bob Taft agreed. "We are blessed that Billy Graham has decided to return to Cincinnati for his third mission here, and we are grateful to God for giving him strength," he said. "We hope this mission will strengthen our resolve to unite toward reconciliation of our families and our communities."

Gov. Taft also stated his belief that "we are surely one nation under God." In presenting a plaque engraved with the state's motto to Mr. Graham, Gov. Taft said, "It is only fitting that I present this to you today at the start of this mission, because we know that, 'With God, All Things Are Possible.'" Those sentiments were echoed by Kentucky State Representative Katie Stine, who said the mission effort also reflects their state motto, "United We Stand, Divided We Fall." She then read a citation from Kentucky Gov. Paul Patton, declaring June 27-30 as "Billy Graham Mission Days in Kentucky."

The Concert for the NeXt Generation on Saturday evening, featuring dcTalk and Kirk Franklin, drew the most diverse crowd, with more than 50,000 young people in attendance. Mr. Graham addressed the suffering in the world and brought a message of hope for the future.

Other musical artists paid tribute to our national freedoms, in both word and song. On Thursday evening, Michael W. Smith performed "There She Stands" in honor of the U.S. Flag; The Gaither Vocal Band sang "The Star Spangled Banner" and "Let Freedom Ring" on Sunday evening before a crowd of 65,600, leading into the July 4 holiday this week; and Kirk Franklin led the Saturday evening crowd of young people in a rousing version of the Pledge of Allegiance. Mr. Graham and his organization expressed surprise at such large attendance, especially on Sunday evening, which set an attendance record for Paul Brown Stadium.

In addition to the evangelistic emphasis of the mission, the local committee also desired to see a more tangible and long-lasting impact in meeting physical needs of individuals throughout the community. The "Love-in-Action" emphasis involved individuals in three different community service projects -- collection of food for needy families as a tangible ministry; the "Largest Soft Drink Giveaway Ever" on the Saturday before the mission as a broad outreach; and finally, encouraging individuals to give of their time in volunteer efforts throughout the community to have a deep impact in the months and years to come. More than 300,000 canned drinks and bottles of water were distributed throughout Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky on June 22, and to date, 750,000 pounds of food have been collected for families in need.

"We want to show Christ's love in a practical way," said Love-in-Action co-chair Rev. Steve Sjogren of the Vineyard Community Church. "God's grace shown is this community as it has been this week is the antidote to skepticism." A second "Largest Soft Drink Giveaway Ever" is planned for June 28, 2003, in Cincinnati, as more than 350 churches have pledged to continue to work together to meet physical needs in the community.

Mr. Graham's next scheduled outreach is the Metroplex Mission with Billy Graham at the Dallas/Fort Worth-area Texas Stadium, Oct. 17-20. He conducted the Central Valley Billy Graham Crusade in Fresno, Calif., last October, which was attended by more than 201,000 individuals, of which nearly 15,000 made commitments to Christ. Mr. Graham is deferring future ministry announcements until after the Metroplex Mission, but indicates no plans to retire.

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COONOR, INDIA (June 10, 2001)  (The following is an excerpt from a report from Wesley Paul)  I am thrilled that our harvest has been successful here in Coonoor. God gave us more than 300 souls. The pastors were encouraged and a spirit of unity was brought among the churches and pastors. God moved in the hearts of people in some incredible ways. Allow me to share a few stories:

COLLEGE STATION, Texas (May 5, 2002) -- Brazos Valley Festival 2002 with Franklin Graham ended on Sunday evening with exciting music and a strong presentation of the Gospel. More than 12,200 people attended.

As the meeting began, hundreds of youth rushed onto the arena floor to dance, clap, jump and sing along with the featured musical guests Kirk Franklin and Mary Mary as they presented the Gospel through their high-energy Gospel music.

Franklin Graham's message was about Zacchaeus, a tax collector who climbed a tree in order to see above a crowd surrounding Jesus. Graham compared the obstacles that stood between Zacchaeus and Jesus to the obstacles that stand between people and Jesus today.

"Zacchaeus couldn't see over the crowd. It was an obstacle to him." Graham explained. "Maybe you feel that you are little in the eyes of God and that you're not important to Him, but I want you to know that you are important to God. He loves you and He knows your name. He sent His Son from heaven down to this earth. That's how much He loves you."

When Franklin Graham presented the opportunity to come forward to receive Jesus Christ as Savior, more than 600 people responded. The first person to come forward was a 27-year-old man who got up from his seat, hurried across the floor and stood directly in front of the platform. He told his counselor that his marriage had ended recently, seemingly without any hope of reconciliation, and that his life was a mess. He said that he felt guilty about the way he had lived his life and needed Jesus. The counselor led him in a prayer to receive Jesus as Savior. He hugged the counselor and with tears in his eyes said, "Thank you so much!"

More than 48,000 people attended Brazos Valley Festival 2002, May 2-5. During the five meetings, some 2,600 children, youth and adults made commitments to Jesus Christ.

Franklin Graham's next evangelistic outreach is Inland Northwest Festival 2002 in Spokane, Wash.

(BGEA Press Release)