Ever wonder who’s on the other end of the line when someone calls in response to an evangelistic outreach ad on radio, television or a billboard? After a recent telephone encourager training session in Mobile, a fellow Alabamian may be the one answering that call.
In March, about 70 Mobile Baptist Association volunteers became the first Alabama Baptist group to complete training for the Evangelism Response Center (ERC), which is operated by the North American Mission Board. Calls come into the ERC from such toll-free numbers as those printed in Holman Christian Standard Bibles and advertised during Billy Graham Evangelistic Association events.
The ERC toll-free numbers also are available to churches that would like to offer spiritual help 24 hours a day (visit www.erconline.net for information).
David Clarke, a member of Turnerville Baptist Church, Chunchula, was one of the volunteers who received training as a phone encourager — those who provide spiritual counseling for callers. This ministry offers a way to witness from home, as calls are routed to the homes of encouragers, who are logged into the ERC computer system.
“The normal fears you have about sharing Christ — it takes that all away,” Clarke said.
The training session prepared volunteers to assess a caller’s needs, seek where he or she is spiritually and react with the gospel, prayer or answers to questions. Volunteers were provided with talking points that can be adapted.
Once an encourager concludes a call, he or she forwards the information from it to the ERC. The ERC gives the caller’s contact information to a nearby church, one that has already committed to follow up with ERC callers within three days.
“This is a way we can partner together with people across the country to help people know Jesus and get them connected to a local church,” said Thomas Wright, executive director of missions for Mobile Association.
There are a few requirements for encouragers.
“Encouragers must be born-again believers with a vital relationship with Jesus Christ and the ability to communicate that relationship with another person,” said Dave Hudson, who, along with Delphia Hudson, conducted the training. The Hudsons are the association’s evangelism coordinators.
Noting encouragers also must be Southern Baptist, he said, “Most of all, they should be a caring friend who is concerned for the needs of people, especially their need for a saving relationship with Christ.”
The ERC also has Internet encouragers. Training for this will take place in Mobile on April 7.
For more information about the training opportunity, call Mobile Association at 251-661-7111.
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