A new phase of evangelistic approach is being tried and is succeeding in Northern Mindanao Mission, South Philippines. The method being used is the combination of the gospel minister and the literature evangelist in an evangelistic campaign.
From the inspired writings of Ellen G. White we read:
In our tent meetings we must have speakers who can make a good impression on the people. The ability of one man, however intelligent this man may be, is insufficient to meet the need. A variety of talents should be brought into these meetings. —Evangelism, p. 70.
In enlightening and confirming souls in the truth, the publications will do a far greater work than can be accomplished by the ministry of the Word alone. The silent messengers that are placed in the homes of the people through the work of the canvasser will strengthen the gospel ministry in every way; for the Holy Spirit will impress minds as they read the books, just as He impresses the minds of those who listen to the preaching of the Word. The same ministry of angels attends the books that contain the truth as attends the work of the minister.—Testimonies, vol. 6, p. 316.
While the so-called Protestant or Catholic evangelistic approaches have been applied and showed success, this new phase is something worthy of observation.
The Advent message has come to prominence these days, and the people are taking knowledge of us and our work. At the first appearance of the minister or colporteur in the community he is usually asked what he represents and what his religion is. Evasion and concealment of identity sometimes leads to a certain degree of unfavorable attitudes on the part of the people and to some kind of embarrassment in us.
A minister-colporteur evangelistic team, composed of one minister as the head evangelist, one intern as the assistant evangelist, and two women colporteur-evangelists, ventured to crack the strongest Catholic-dominated town through the direct-method approach.
Backed up by the cooperation of the members of the surrounding churches who offered their financial and moral support, and aided by several lay preachers and lay Bible instructors, the minister-colporteur team is at present achieving evangelistic success.
In their precampaign visitation the minister says: "Good morning, Mayor__________
My name is Severino Balansag, a Seventh-day Adventist minister, and I have come to visit your family in the interest of your soul's salvation, et cetera."
Likewise the colporteur introduces herself: "I am Mary Penaguiton, a Seventh-day Adventist book representative. We are cordially inviting you to come to a nightly cultural, educational, and religious lecture, which will be given at the Community Gospel Center beginning Sunday, July 8. My visit this morning has to do with. . ." And she proceeds with the canvass of her book. This method of stating at once their identity, is proving a success. People are won by a friendly attitude, by visiting, and by showing them the living example of Christians who have the faith of Christ in their hearts and who keep the commandments of God. Our helpers also know how to care for the sick and the needy, and by doing this the love of the people is easily gained and prejudice is broken down.
Previous to this, canvassing in this town had been very discouraging. With this new approach, however, an increase in orders and deliveries is being observed.
The Community Gospel Center has definitely proved that the minister-colporteur evangelistic team, as envisioned by the servant of God, can succeed. Pastor Balansag reports twenty persons ready for the first baptism. Another thirty are considering their decision, and there are others whom we expect will make a decision soon. With the use of projectors and a set of Hope for Today lessons or scripts, as prepared by the Far Eastern Division home missionary department, a good number of rich and influential families of the town are now seeing, hearing, and accepting God's warning messages.
May the Lord bless the efforts of all our people everywhere to preach the gospel in all the world, and so hasten the coming of Jesus and the beginning of eternal life.
