Implementing an Evangelism Strategy at Hornsby Baptist Church, Hornsby, Tennessee

Abstract

IMPLEMENTING AN EVANGELISM STRATEGY

AT HORNSBY BAPTIST CHURCH

HORNSBY, TENNESSEE.

Matthew Rhodes Emerson, D.Min.

The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, 2013

Faculty Supervisor: Dr. Jeff K. Walters

The project explores an evangelistic interaction between Hornsby Baptist Church and its surrounding community. A strategy is developed for the church to be evangelistically active in a rural context. Chapter 1 describes the purpose, goals, ministry context, rational and definitions, limitations and delimitations.

The second chapter presents the biblical and theological basis for personal evangelism. God's desire for personal evangelism is established by providing examples and instruction from both the Old and New Testaments.

Chapter 3 provides the theoretical and sociological support. Characteristics of a rural context are presented and evaluated. This section explores the methods and techniques that are best suited for a rural church and community.

The final chapters explain the creation and implementation of the rural evangelistic strategy. Detail is given to the church's role in establishing the plan and putting the strategy in place. An evaluation of the project gauged its helpfulness and benefits. This assessment included both strengths and weaknesses, along with adjustments that could be made for future use.