After Sammy Gilbreath heard about plans for the upcoming My Hope America with Billy Graham initiative, he realized “the incredible potential it has as a harvest event.”
My Hope America with Billy Graham is a nationwide effort to reach people across the country with the gospel message by combining the impact of video programs with the power of personal relationships, according to the My Hope website.
The event has been implemented in 57 countries and resulted in more than 10 million people making a commitment to Christ. It will be held in the U.S. for the first time in November with more than 24,000 churches slated to participate — more than 950 of those in Alabama, according to the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association.
The initiative works off the “Matthew principle,” explained Gilbreath, director of the office of evangelism for the Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions. According to the My Hope website, the apostle Matthew invited people into his home to meet Jesus (Matt. 9:9–10). Based on this Gospel example, My Hope encourages people to “become a Matthew” by inviting friends and neighbors into their home or other gathering place to hear the gospel message.
During this time, the host shows an evangelistic video featuring testimonies and powerful messages from Billy Graham. Afterward the host shares how Jesus is working in his or her life and asks guests if they want to pray to accept Jesus as their Savior.
A final component of serving as a “Matthew” is looking after those who accept Jesus as their Savior and help them grow in their faith.
My Hope culminates the first week of November as the program “The Cross” — featuring Graham’s new message — debuts Nov. 7 on his 95th birthday. “The Cross” also is available to order on DVD or online for anyone participating in the project.
Gilbreath, who serves as the initiative’s coordinator for the state, said his office has been working for about 10 months training pastors on how to train their “Matthews” to effectively reach people through My Hope.
Kevin Ward, pastor of Salem Springs Baptist Church, Elkmont, in Limestone Baptist Association, is one of the Alabama pastors who went through My Hope training and whose church is participating.
My Hope is something that “could really work,” he said.
Salem Springs Baptist members have My Hope events planned during the first 10 days of November.
There are a number of ways participants can conduct an event, including home meetings or even through neighborhood get-togethers, Ward said, noting some people plan to co-host an event.
Ward said My Hope is not only about salvation but “also about reconnecting people to Christ.”
He noted that while evangelism is one of the primary functions of believers, some people have a fear of sharing their faith. “I hope it will encourage people to tell their story,” he said.
Gilbreath also noted My Hope’s value in training laypeople to share their faith with others. He said while a main goal of the initiative is for there to be a harvest of unchurched people, My Hope also offers opportunities to train people to share their testimony. “We are excited about the harvest” but also excited about training hundreds of laypeople to do this, he said.
Preston Parrish, vice president of My Hope with Billy Graham, said that in a world where “the main focus of many is the immediate and the material, it is truly remarkable to see so many begin to turn their eyes and hearts to the eternal.”
Parrish added that from the outset “this has been a movement of prayer. We are thrilled at how God is answering prayer and stirring the hearts of people across the nation. He’s stirring them to become intentional and purposeful about reaching out to others with the love and good news of Jesus Christ. It is going to be a great hour of decision in the hearts of many people across our land.”
_________________________________________________
How to participate in My Hope
The My Hope America with Billy Graham steps include:
1. Look Around: Build a spiritual concern for those around you who need Christ; make a short list of family, friends and neighbors who need Jesus.
2. Look Up: Pray every day for each name on your list.
3. Look Out: Think of ways to build your relationship with each person.
4. Look Forward: Invite them to your home or other venue.
5. Offer hospitality and food and meet in a cordial, friendly atmosphere. Watch one of the My Hope America video programs. A Christian (who is known to those listening) should give a short salvation testimony. Then give a clear invitation and lead a prayer for people to receive Christ and begin to follow Him.
6. Look After: Make the commitment and a follow-up plan for new believers so they become lifelong disciples of Jesus. You can start with the My Hope America free discipleship materials.
For more information, visit MyHopeWithBillyGraham.org.
And for those who would like to participate in My Hope and aren’t yet trained, it isn’t too late, said Sammy Gilbreath, director of the office of evangelism for the Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions.
Interested people can call his office at 1-800-264-1225, ext. 320. The office can provide information on how to be trained either online or at a local church or association.
“They need to call … soon because time is running out,” Gilbreath said.
(TAB, BP)
Share with others: