© St. James’ Church Westgate & Garlinge 2010    

THE CHALLENGE FOR US ALL

An update on Jean-Pierre (JP) Schroeder’s work in Garlinge

Traditionally an evangelist is a person who preaches the gospel and calls to turn Christ as their Saviour and Lord. The Australian evangelist John Chapman once described the work of the evangelist as person shaking a tree filled with ripe fruit. The ‘ripe fruit’ refers to people who have been nurtured by their Christian friends through prayer for their salvation, informal chats about Jesus, and by the witness of their lives/ lifestyle. The evangelist comes to do his work after the ground work has been done by individuals.

A few years back the evangelist Franklin Graham, son of the famous Billy Graham, did a mission in South Africa. He based his mission on the same strategy his father used. Before he arrived churches had to prepare, at least 12 months in advance, their congregations to pray for their family and friends who they intended to invite to the mission.

Notice it was never John Chapman, Billy or Franklin Graham inviting people to the events or preparing them for the events; it was the regular believers who were concerned about the salvation of the people around them. It is the regular follower of Jesus who prepares their unbelieving friends and families for the visit of the evangelist.

The challenge for us all is to now start preparing and nurturing those around in preparation for the work which you called me to do. Part of my job is helping you to do just that.

An important part of my job is equipping members of St James’ to their part in growing God’s

kingdom as well as telling people about Jesus and the need to recognise him as Lord and Saviour.

JP Schroeder