By Grace Thornton
The Alabama Baptist
How do you put the gospel in 20,000 homes in one day?
That’s the question Sammy Gilbreath has been working to solve in the months leading up to Crossover Birmingham, an evangelism push the week before the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) annual meeting.
Evangelistic outreach
“The idea (is) that all of these Southern Baptists are coming in for the meeting — we’ll saturate that city with the gospel,” said Gilbreath, director of the office of evangelism for the Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions (SBOM).
Joel Southerland, director of evangelism for the North American Mission Board (NAMB), said the goal is to make Crossover work in the parameters and context of each host city.
As NAMB and Gilbreath worked together to decide what would be the best fit for Birmingham they decided the best way to help local congregations reach their communities would be to share the gospel with the neighborhoods around each church.
Fast forward months later and the plan is in place. They’ve got 20,000 Bibles, tracts and door hanger bags ready to go. And they need your help, Gilbreath said.
At 8 a.m. on June 8 volunteers from all over Alabama and the nation will spread out into an area roughly a half mile to three miles around the church.
They will knock on doors, have gospel conversations with people who answer and connect them with local churches if possible. Gilbreath said he’s excited.
“I want to be a part of something so big that only God can explain it, to see a revival start right here in Birmingham,” he said. “But we will celebrate and rejoice over even one decision that’s made. We want everyone involved to experience the joy of sharing their faith.”
They need a lot more volunteers. Here’s how you or your team can be involved.
1. Attend the kickoff rally (June 5).
On June 5 at 6:30 p.m., Johnny Hunt, NAMB’s senior vice president of evangelism and leadership, will inspire and train Crossover volunteers at a kickoff rally. He will preach live at The Church at Brook Hills and the service will be live streamed at four other churches — First Baptist, Trussville; The Baptist Church at McAdory, McCalla; First Baptist Church, Mount Olive; and Sixth Avenue Baptist, Birmingham. You can attend the rally at any of these locations.
2. Share the gospel (June 8).
On Saturday morning, June 8, go out with a team at a hub church location to reach people with the gospel.
The hub churches are:
• The Baptist Church at McAdory, McCalla
• The Church at Brook Hills, Birmingham
• First Baptist Church, Trussville
• Oak Grove First Baptist Church, Adger
• First Baptist Church, Mount Olive
• First Baptist Church, Pelham
• First Baptist Church, Moody
• Mount High Baptist Church, Warrior
3. Spread the word about a mobile medical and dental clinic (June 8).
Medical and dental personnel will be running a mobile clinic at Sixth Avenue Baptist Church, Birmingham, 8 a.m.–4 p.m. on June 8.
They will be doing free medical screenings (hearing and vision tests, glucose testing, blood pressure, etc.) and free dental exams, extractions and fillings. Anyone is welcome.
4. Pray for other activities going on.
During the week leading up to the main Saturday Crossover event other groups will be doing outreach of various kinds.
On weekday afternoons students from Baptist seminaries will be going out in teams for an early start on neighborhood outreach at the hub churches. On Thursday and Friday various groups — including students from the state’s Baptist Campus Ministries will be prayer walking and prayer driving in the neighborhoods where volunteers will go on Saturday.
Rick Lance, SBOM executive director, says he hopes that Alabama Baptists will take part in Crossover.
“We are especially grateful for the opportunity to help facilitate Crossover Birmingham,” he said. “Please pray for those who hear the gospel — that they will receive it gladly and experience the new, abundant life that only Christ can offer.”
For more information or to register visit crossoverbhm.org.
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