It has become a major player in the Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions’ (SBOM) evangelism office strategy, and this year the My Hope with Billy Graham initiative will again be promoted in Alabama to reach the lost with the gospel of Jesus Christ.
My Hope, which reaches people with the gospel message by combining the impact of video programs with the power of personal relationships, is led by the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA) and has been implemented in 59 countries. It was introduced for the first time in the United States in 2013.
“Thousands of pastors and Christians across the country reported that they saw great fruit through using the My Hope strategy and programs last year,” said Jim Guth, southeast regional coordinator for My Hope 2014.
Decisions for Christ
He added, “In total, more than 112,000 decisions for Christ were reported. … As a result, [BGEA] decided to continue producing new My Hope films each year to be a resource and encouragement for evangelism for local churches all across the U.S.”
Based on the Gospel example found in Matthew, My Hope is based on the “Matthew principle” in which the apostle Matthew invited people into his home to meet Jesus. The initiative encourages participants to “become a Matthew” by inviting friends and neighbors into their homes or other gathering places to hear the gospel message. During that time, the host shows the My Hope program.
This year’s program, titled “Heaven,” will be a “clear and powerful presentation of the gospel … featuring never-before-seen footage from Mr. Graham and focusing on the topic of heaven,” Guth said.
Sammy Gilbreath, director of the SBOM’s office of evangelism, considers My Hope a “ready-made evangelism strategy” and added it fits perfectly with the SBOM’s GPS (God’s Plan for Sharing) strategy.
Guth noted BGEA is working closely with the SBOM’s office of evangelism, providing support to implement the process of My Hope in Alabama Baptist churches.
Gilbreath, who served as state coordinator for My Hope 2013, said Alabama led the nation in church participations in 2013 with more than 950 churches participating.
Gilbreath said the “boots on the ground” conducting training this year are Billy Harris, Phil Winningham and Dick Thomassian. Harris, an associate in the SBOM’s office of evangelism, will cover south Alabama; Winningham, also an associate in the same office, will cover central Alabama; and Thomassian, executive director of Friends of Nazareth, will cover north Alabama.
The group’s primary roles will be going through a database of those who participated in My Hope 2013 to make them aware of the 2014 opportunity. They also will visit Baptist associations and address pastors to cast a vision for My Hope.
Harris said he has already talked to “dozens and dozens” who have shown interest in participating in the 2014 effort.
First Baptist Church, Gulf Shores, is one of many Alabama Baptist churches that participated in My Hope 2013. For its annual outreach event “Gift of Hope,” First, Gulf Shores, reaches out to struggling families at Christmastime and offers parents a chance to shop for gifts for their children. During its 2013 event, the church also incorporated My Hope testimony videos.
“In all, 96 people — mostly adults — responded to the gospel, receiving Christ as their Savior and Lord,” reported Pastor Lloyd Stilley.
“Over the years, we have tried different approaches to sharing the gospel,” he said. “This was by far the most effective. (I) can’t wait to see what God will do this Christmas as we share Good News using the My Hope video.”
Bob Weber, pastor of Camden Baptist Church in Pine Barren Baptist Association, said his church also may participate in My Hope again.
Working together
Camden Baptist coordinated with Wilcox Academy, a private school located near the church, in 2013 to show the My Hope video to every sixth through 12th grade class. Church members also served as “Matthews,” showing the My Hope program in their homes. As a result of the church’s participation, 104 decisions for Christ were made, Weber said.
Guth noted, “We found that churches across America implemented My Hope in many creative ways. … The local church has a unique position of influence in our communities and our nation.”
For the My Hope 2014 initiative this November, Guth is encouraging churches and individuals to organize a group to pray for a burden a=nd strategy for their community and to begin to pray specifically that people will be saved.
Then “the next step for the church is to plan and prepare for an outreach when they can show ‘Heaven’ or one of the other My Hope films,” Guth added.
“Our hope is that thousands of people across America will come to a saving trust in what Jesus Christ did for them on the cross. We believe God can use My Hope to foster in a spiritual awakening and revival in America.”
Share with others: