Modesto Manifesto
A campaign in Modesto, California, in 1949 was an early turning point for the fledgling Team of Graham, Barrows, Shea and Wilson. Billy instructed all of us, "Boys, let's go to our rooms and write down all of the criticisms of mass evangelism. Don't hold anything back. Then let's meet for evaluation and prayer this afternoon. All of us agreed that our number-one pet peeve was the handling of finances. We also listed sensationalism, over-emotionalism, becoming controversial, and the image of being anti-intellectual and anti-church. And there was the matter of virtually no follow-up. That very day we determined not to be guilty of those charges, and the Team set out to make necessary changes and adjustments .. We had determined at our Modesto prayer meeting to "abstain from all appearance of evil" (1 Thess. 5:22). Through careful planning and perspiration, under the leadership of the Spirit, we set out to live down the stereotypes of mass evangelism.
Excerpt from Count it All Joy by Grady Wilson (one of the closest associates of Billy Graham) (pp. 46, 50)
This is a vivid picture of the vision behind Emerging Evangelists. Compiling every complaint against evangelism and the evangelist in OUR day and committing to "live down the stereotypes" and emerge into a more ancient, Biblical model in these increasingly urgent, last days.
Emerging Evangelists
The word "Evangelist" is defined as:
1. A person who evangelizes (or shares the Good News of Jesus Christ with those who don't already comprehend His story.)
2. An enthusiastic advocate.
1. Move out of or away from something and come into view.
An Emerging Evangelist is any Christ-follower who allows their lives to draw people to Jesus Christ. This lifestyle stretches across professions and calls. We must emerge from the stereotypes of previous generations on "evangelism" and the "evangelist" to a place where every Christian lives out New Testament Christianity.
Vision
Encouraging every Christian to take the Good News of Jesus across the whole earth
Join Us
Live out God's intention and design for your life with passion and bring people to Jesus like Andrew the Apostle. You don't need a Bible track or a slick presentation. Rather live out your gifts with intentionality and let your 24-7 life radiate who Christ is. Bringing people to Jesus is an outflow of our lives more than an event. If you are a janitor at a school or barista at Starbucks, introduce people to Jesus as you would to a good friend.
Spread the Word to your community. It is through community we are motivated to live out a lifestyle. Share about Emerging Evangelists and join us in the journey. Together we can do much more.
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