Born in the Heart of God

INTRODUCTION

New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary is a very fine place to train pastors. Most of the professors have pastoral experience and great expertise in pastoral ministry. However, none of the professors at that time had been vocational evangelists. The only perspective they knew was to enter the pastorate, become established as a pastor, and then if God led, to launch out in evangelistic work at that time.

However, I had known since college years that God had called me into the evangelistic ministry of conducting revival crusades. What could I do to follow God? I found that no one really knew how to set up an evangelistic organization or how to start straight out of seminary into the work of an evangelist. There would be no resumes to type up and mail out. What were my options? What practical plan could I follow?

As always, God provides for His children. By divine providence I ran into Evangelist Leo Humphries at the barbershop and then again at the Baptist Book Store on the New Orleans Campus. He gave me much practical advice including the following: who to see about a charter for a non profit association, advice on the type of organization, and where to get by laws and a statement of faith. A fellow student aided in filling out tax forms. Within two months a favorable reply came from the IRS, which is no small miracle in itself. There were an Associational Director of Missions and a pastor who taught me about publicity. Thank God, by the end of 1975, the Home Mission Board (NAMB) stepped in with advice in further practical areas.

In the past twenty-eight years as a full time evangelist I have discovered that most itinerant, revival evangelists in the Southern Baptist Convention have had the same experience. The entrance into evangelism has been trial and error. Most of the extremely helpful advice that I have received has been from fellow evangelists. In fact, I have been asked to send copies of my tax papers, charter, and by laws to numerous men who were desperately searching for practical "how to" information. As a consequence of seeing this need, these documents will be included in APPENDIX A.

Finding books on the Biblical basis for the revival evangelist has been elusive as well. The doctrine and theology books generally gloss over a real definition of an evangelist. Terms such as minister at large, evangelist and revivalist have been used of pastors who do this work part-time or in conjunction with their church work. I find that no differentiation between a pastor and evangelist has been expressed to most of the congregations. Many pastors have never used an evangelist to preach a revival, much less been one. On the other hand there are a number of pastors who use only evangelists for their revival crusades. Most disparaging of all is the fact that some pastors and most laymen do not know the difference in a pastor who preaches their revival and an evangelist.

In recent years evangelist Billy Graham has faced this dilemma of identity and definition of evangelist by coining the term "itinerant evangelist." In his book A Biblical Standard for Evangelists, Billy Graham writes concerning Amsterdam '83:

The International Conference for Itinerant Evangelists   Amsterdam '83   was not only a special milestone in my ministry, but a historic Conference. It was the first time in history that such a Conference had ever been held. At its climax there was a solemn act of commitment. Fellow evangelists from every continent of the world and I rededicated ourselves to the service of our Lord and Master Jesus Christ, using the meaningful words of what we called "The Amsterdam Affirmations."

These fifteen points provide a biblical standard for those whom God sets apart to "do the work of an evangelist." But, more than that, they have relevance to the whole family of God, for we are all called to be His witnesses. That is why this commentary has been prepared for wider circulation.

But let me backtrack for a moment. Many years ago God gave me a vision of bringing together evangelists from all parts of the world for a conference. At that time it would have been impossible. I was far too young. Some of the older and more experienced evangelists may have resented my initiative. The idea never left me, and I never doubted that some day it would happen. It was simply a question of being sensitive to God's timing for such an event. As we look back, we can sense His guidance in every step toward it.

Meanwhile, the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association had organized and financed other events of a similar nature. There was the World Congress on Evangelism in Berlin in 1966. Then came various regional conferences, including a conference for Asian evangelical leaders in Singapore in 1968, and a European conference on evangelism in 1971. Then we convened another world congress in Lausanne, Switzerland, in 1974. In all these conferences; even though much of the responsibility fell on me and was organized and financed by the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, I chose to be called the "Honorary Chairman," and appointed Chairmen and Program Directors to be responsible for the day to day administration.

These were all memorable and worthwhile meetings, which brought together theologians, educators, mission executives, pastors, and church leaders, as well as evangelists. In retrospect, they probably laid an essential foundation for Amsterdam '83. But always in my mind and heart was the original vision of a conference strictly for evangelists. The question was, however, how could we distinguish between the pastor with the gift of an evangelist and one who, like me, travels from place to place preaching the Gospel? That's when we thought the word “itinerant" made the definition more specific. ¹

Dr. Graham continues,

When we were trying to determine whom we should invite to Amsterdam, we had to establish guidelines by beginning with the basic question, “What is an evangelist?" While we know that every Christian should be a witness to Christ, we are also aware that God has called certain people into the specific task or ministry of evangelism. ²

Amsterdam '83 and 2000 were historic events. The itinerant, revival evangelists of the Southern Baptist Convention experienced a similar event at Southwest Baptist College in Bolivar, Missouri, though on a much smaller scale. This occurred in conjunction with the coming of Bobby Sunderland to the Home Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention. This change of direction will be discussed in the chapter entitled "The Evangelist's Relation to the Southern Baptist Convention."

In January 1975, I had no idea about the life or lifestyle of an evangelist. I could not imagine the homesickness, exhaustion, depression, financial distress, or study difficulties that would come, much less what some of the possible cures could be. I was forced to walk in faith. Often the advice and on occasion the financial assistance from others kept me going. Nor, could I ever realize how precious a home church would be to my family and me. Some cures for difficulties will be discussed throughout this paper, but especially in the chapter entitled "The Lifestyle of the Evangelist."

At the Southern Baptist Convention in 1975, I had never heard about the Stalnecker Open House. Neither had I heard about the Conference of Southern Baptist Evangelists, nor did I not know how to join the Conference. Furthermore, I did not know of the purpose of the Conference.

In 1975, the State of Georgia did not even have an evangelist's fellowship, but by 1976, the Conference of Georgia Baptist Evangelists came into existence. Its purpose was only for fellowship, at first. Later, the coming of Jim Griffith as the State Secretary of the Georgia Baptist Convention and Bill Clinton as Secretary of Evangelism marked a change in direction not only for the State Convention, but also for the Conference of Georgia Baptist Evangelists. The Conference of Georgia Baptist Evangelists now could have a meaningful purpose in working hand in hand with the convention. Pastors could now be made aware of evangelists and how to use them.

The history of the Conference of Southern Baptist Evangelists has been partially chronicled and the history of the Conference of Georgia Baptist Evangelists has been totally unchronicled. Space will be given to fill in some of these gaps in chapters 8 and 9.

The six Southern Baptist Seminaries teach methods and strategies in evangelism. Certain of these schools are improving their evangelism departments every year. Southwestern for instance, now offers a course for the vocational evangelist. However, many pastors do not realize the versatility, methods, and strategies in using today's evangelists in the Southern Baptist Convention. Continuing education and study of the Bible will have a great impact on the use of evangelists in the Southern Baptist Convention.

Firstly, the purpose of this book is to be a practical help to men who are truly called and given of God to be an evangelist. Included will be guidelines to help a man know whether or not God has called him into this work.

Secondly, it is the purpose of this book to provide the pastor with suggestions of ways and means in utilizing the gift of the evangelist most effectively in his church.

Thirdly, it is to provide a source of practical material about the itinerant, revival evangelist in the Southern Baptist Convention. Also, it is a goal to share how to counsel men called from their church into this work. Hopefully the seminaries will be encouraged to make their great source of wisdom and knowledge even more available to evangelists in the field.

Fourthly, it is the purpose of this book to discuss the relationship of the local evangelist with his home church. This must also include suggestions in relating to all local churches to the glory of God and up building of the church.

Fifthly, it is the purpose of this book to give brief histories of the Conference of Southern Baptist Evangelists and Conference of Georgia Baptist Evangelists. This will allow us to see their purposes and actions in recent years.

Sixthly, it is the purpose of this book to discuss the relationship of the evangelist to his state convention and the Southern Baptist Convention by sharing personal experiences and interviews with convention workers. Furthermore, I intend to share some of the positive aspects of plans that are in the making.

Seventhly, it is the purpose of this book to inspire and encourage God's evangelists in the field.

The main method utilized in much of the explanation will be by practical and personal illustrations from this Georgia, evangelist's life. These personal and detailed experiences will give a pattern for men to follow in getting started. The illustrations are intended to encourage fellow evangelists. It is my prayer that every area of this book will be expanded and improved on as knowledge of the gift of an evangelist grows among God’s churches.