Baptist evangelists across the state provide variety of ministries

Alabama Baptists today need the gifts and talents of Alabama evangelists just as much as they did in the early days of traveling evangelists, said Leon Westerhouse, president of the Alabama Conference of Southern Baptist Evangelists (ACOSBE).
   
“Though varied in our callings, we serve the same Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ,” Westerhouse said. “We want the world to know that Christ is the answer for the world today.”
   
But Alabama Baptists also need to look to themselves when it comes to sharing the good news of Jesus Christ with those around them, he added. 
   
“Can you imagine the joy of sharing Jesus Christ (with someone) and then seeing (that person) go out and lead others?” Westerhouse asked. “May we all be faithful in sharing the good news.”
   
This theme of encouraging Christians to witness was one focus of the recent annual ACOSBE retreat, he noted. Westerhouse said if evangelists will share about their experiences while witnessing, then others may be inspired to witness.
   
The retreat, held Jan. 20–21 at First Baptist Church, North Mobile, in Saraland, had a variety of speakers on hand to encourage and educate the evangelists who attended, Westerhouse said.
   
Bob Waldrep, an evangelist who works with Watchman Fellowship of Alabama, based in Birmingham, spoke about cults and their influences. 
   
Also slated to speak was Don Setser, an accountant in Mobile who shared with the evangelists about how to handle their taxes.
   
The evangelists who attended the retreat also had an opportunity to put their talents to work. Westerhouse noted that several block parties were held in the area that weekend leading up to the annual Alabama Baptist State Evangelism Conference Jan. 23–24. 
   
When ACOSBE’s retreat ended, the evangelists took part in those, witnessing and sharing with others.
ACOSBE also held its annual business meeting Jan. 23 in Tillman’s Corner.
   
For information about Alabama Baptist evangelists contact Leon Westerhouse at 205-854-3839.