Revived From Within
Mary works at the Bread of Life Rescue Mission, an inner-city ministry to the homeless and down-and-out.
She also leads a weekly Bible study for children who are growing up in areas of her city that are tainted by drug use. As a former missionary to Indonesia for more than 36 years, she is familiar with difficult environments and common obstacles to ministry.
But even experienced church leaders and pastors need encouragement and a chance to be spiritually refreshed. This is why Mary attended a Billy Graham School of Evangelism September 4-6, 2007, along with 320 other ministry leaders from 34 states, 3 provinces, and 39 different denominations. “God keeps me in exciting ministries, and I hope to get practical information here,” she said.
As participants crowded into the auditorium at the Billy Graham Training Center at The Cove in Asheville, N.C., Mary stopped to pick up a copy of the free book that is offered each day at Schools of Evangelism. Even on this first day of the School, Mary was finding that practical help for ministry: the free book was a Bible.
“There’s a woman, a single mom with four children,” Mary said. “This Bible is for her. She’s been six weeks at the Bread of Life Rescue Mission, and now she’s beginning to go to our church.”
At the School
Billy Graham Schools of Evangelism are three-day retreats that encourage, refresh, and equip pastors, Christian workers, and their spouses. Each participant has a different purpose for attending the School of Evangelism. Some ministers are exhausted.
Ronald from South Carolina said, “Sometimes we do so much church that we need to be revived from within. As a deacon, I’m serving others all the time and sometimes I miss the message.”
Amid the diverse attendants was Aaron, a young pastor who has been serving his first church for three years. “I’m going to be selfish and say I’m coming here for refreshment,” he said. “That will benefit the church.” Another young pastor named Jamie added, “I need fresh ideas. God’s been showing me the importance of having an overall picture.”
The Schools offer various courses from which participants can choose, including “Communicating the Gospel to Today’s Youth” and “Discipling New Believers.” These courses allow ministry leaders in various positions to enliven their ministries with creative ideas and fresh insights.
In the evenings, everyone gathers for a group-wide session. During this School, Dr. Lon Allison, Director of the Billy Graham Center in Wheaton, Ill., taught a course on “Preaching the Whole Gospel.” He cast an extensive goal for every person present: “The conversion of souls and the transformation of societies.”
Into the World
As the packed schedule of the three-day School of Evangelism carried on, the faces of participants brightened. One participant who works with a nonprofit ministry in New York gathered his notebook at the end of a long day and said, “Ministry doesn’t have to be in a particular church; it can be in ecumenical ministries.”
He continued, “They brought out this week to go where the people are, and meet their needs. People have shock, anger, rejection, and denial. The Apostle Paul met people at their own level.” He spoke with passion of his plans to unite several churches in his area for evangelism training and outreach to their community using what he had learned.
An excited youth minister named Brad, who came with his entire church staff, made several new friends at the School of Evangelism. “I’ll be back next year,” he said. “It’s been overwhelming. They’ve provided numerous resources here that are going to help out tremendously. I highly recommend this to anybody.”
Inspired to Serve
Later, Pastor Charles from Tennessee smiled as he settled into his seat for a session. “I think I kind of hold back,” he said. “This School is helping me to step over that.” Most participants at the Schools of Evangelism come from smaller churches in rural areas where it can be difficult to meet others in ministry, share ideas, and receive support.
Believers at Schools of Evangelism have the same central passion—communicating the Good News of Jesus Christ—and this shared passion encourages everyone.
In the final session, Cliff Barrows, Music Director for more than 410 Billy Graham Crusades, led a dedication ceremony as he prayed for the participants. “Expect God to do great things,” he said. “I pray you’ll go back and people will say, ‘what happened to our pastor? He’s alive!’”
Mary works at the Bread of Life Rescue Mission, an inner-city ministry to the homeless and down-and-out. 
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DonateBut even experienced church leaders and pastors need encouragement and a chance to be spiritually refreshed. This is why Mary attended a Billy Graham School of Evangelism September 4-6, 2007, along with 320 other ministry leaders from 34 states, 3 provinces, and 39 different denominations. “God keeps me in exciting ministries, and I hope to get practical information here,” she said.
As participants crowded into the auditorium at the Billy Graham Training Center at The Cove in Asheville, N.C., Mary stopped to pick up a copy of the free book that is offered each day at Schools of Evangelism. Even on this first day of the School, Mary was finding that practical help for ministry: the free book was a Bible.
“There’s a woman, a single mom with four children,” Mary said. “This Bible is for her. She’s been six weeks at the Bread of Life Rescue Mission, and now she’s beginning to go to our church.”
At the School
Billy Graham Schools of Evangelism are three-day retreats that encourage, refresh, and equip pastors, Christian workers, and their spouses. Each participant has a different purpose for attending the School of Evangelism. Some ministers are exhausted.
Ronald from South Carolina said, “Sometimes we do so much church that we need to be revived from within. As a deacon, I’m serving others all the time and sometimes I miss the message.”
Amid the diverse attendants was Aaron, a young pastor who has been serving his first church for three years. “I’m going to be selfish and say I’m coming here for refreshment,” he said. “That will benefit the church.” Another young pastor named Jamie added, “I need fresh ideas. God’s been showing me the importance of having an overall picture.”
The Schools offer various courses from which participants can choose, including “Communicating the Gospel to Today’s Youth” and “Discipling New Believers.” These courses allow ministry leaders in various positions to enliven their ministries with creative ideas and fresh insights.
In the evenings, everyone gathers for a group-wide session. During this School, Dr. Lon Allison, Director of the Billy Graham Center in Wheaton, Ill., taught a course on “Preaching the Whole Gospel.” He cast an extensive goal for every person present: “The conversion of souls and the transformation of societies.”
Into the World
As the packed schedule of the three-day School of Evangelism carried on, the faces of participants brightened. One participant who works with a nonprofit ministry in New York gathered his notebook at the end of a long day and said, “Ministry doesn’t have to be in a particular church; it can be in ecumenical ministries.”
He continued, “They brought out this week to go where the people are, and meet their needs. People have shock, anger, rejection, and denial. The Apostle Paul met people at their own level.” He spoke with passion of his plans to unite several churches in his area for evangelism training and outreach to their community using what he had learned.
An excited youth minister named Brad, who came with his entire church staff, made several new friends at the School of Evangelism. “I’ll be back next year,” he said. “It’s been overwhelming. They’ve provided numerous resources here that are going to help out tremendously. I highly recommend this to anybody.”
Inspired to Serve
Later, Pastor Charles from Tennessee smiled as he settled into his seat for a session. “I think I kind of hold back,” he said. “This School is helping me to step over that.” Most participants at the Schools of Evangelism come from smaller churches in rural areas where it can be difficult to meet others in ministry, share ideas, and receive support.
Believers at Schools of Evangelism have the same central passion—communicating the Good News of Jesus Christ—and this shared passion encourages everyone.
In the final session, Cliff Barrows, Music Director for more than 410 Billy Graham Crusades, led a dedication ceremony as he prayed for the participants. “Expect God to do great things,” he said. “I pray you’ll go back and people will say, ‘what happened to our pastor? He’s alive!’”
BEING SURE OF YOUR FAITH
Would you like to have assurance that you truly are saved? John's first epistle is written so that we might have confidence in our salvation and not doubt.
Read more »
Would you like to have assurance that you truly are saved? John's first epistle is written so that we might have confidence in our salvation and not doubt.
Read more »
