Raising a new generation of evangelists
Counties CEO Martin Erwin reflects on how the Connect Evangelist Training Programme (CETP) is going:
The recent data on growth in church attendance in the UK, particularly among a younger generation, along with a growing interest in Bible reading has strengthened our determination and excitement in raising a generation of people equipped and passionate about making Jesus known. Not only do Britain and Ireland still need Jesus, but there is growing evidence that this need is now being married to a spiritual awakening and hunger in the hearts of many people in our nations.
This shift began perhaps almost 20 years ago with the financial crisis, and at the time a Pastor in Hereford pointed out to me that God was shaking and removing things that people depended on, so that what remained – God’s Kingdom – was left as a place of refuge. Hebrews 12:26-27 (NIV) reads
“Once again I will shake not only the earth but the heavens also.”
This means that all of creation will be shaken and removed, so that only unshakable things will remain.
The shaking continued through the pandemic, war in Europe, and the Tariff/Trade crisis of today. The loss of temporal ‘certainties’ has left people searching for hope, foundations and spiritual reality.
As people begin to turn to God, read the Bible, or ask a Christian, the question for us is ‘are we ready?’
What you can expect in CETP
Engaging with the video content online, learning the Gospel and how to share it.
Gathering on Zoom and in person to sharpen our edge.
Mentoring, thereby connecting the trainee evangelists with their church leaders to access and apply the material together locally.
Opportunity to join mission in the UK and elsewhere to share the Gospel of Christ.
God has been preparing our hearts at Counties, and CETP is ready to serve you and your church, helping to raise up evangelists and to prepare you personally, equipping you for the harvest field that God is preparing.
Polly’s story is a beautiful example of how God is using this programme, with its accessible online approach, mentoring support and Jesus focussed material. Please read what Polly has to share, and then why not sign up to join an army of workers to step into the coming harvest field.
EVERYDAY EVANGELIST
Polly’s journey through the Connect Evangelism Training Programme
When Polly left her teaching career to pursue music ministry with her friend Sue, she had no idea how fully God would lead her into a life of mission.
Their band, Hopestream Worship, uses music and social media to encourage people to look to Jesus through hard times. But something deeper was stirring in Polly’s heart – a growing urgency to share the Gospel with others. That’s when she discovered the Counties CETP.
She had already heard of Counties, having met a couple of our Evangelists, but it was the taster Zoom call that sealed it. “It was brief training on sharing our testimony, and then information on the course and how it works,” says Polly. “Even on the first Zoom call I couldn’t wait to sign up.”
What Polly has learned so far
The CETP is “for normal people who want to get better at telling others about Jesus,” Polly says. “It’s affordable and down to earth and can fit round my life of work and kids. The book Making Jesus Known Today and Tomorrow arrived in the post, and there is so much wisdom in the book about mission in all walks of the Christian life.”
From the very first session, Polly was struck by the clarity and power of the teaching. “The first session left me with the message: ‘God is on mission,’ and he invites us to join Him. The second session stuck with me – I know it’s basic, but it really hit me anew: It’s all about Jesus!”
Polly describes the format as “bite-sized chunks and powerful teaching.” Each video is around ten minutes long. “It’s not a huge amount of time required each week, but I give the video my full focus! Something always jumps out at me, which I then process and reflect on during the rest of the week.”
Certain sessions stood out even more. “Church leader Tim Cracknell shared his wisdom. Tim said, ‘The medium is the message,’ which reminded me to put effort into the way we share God’s love with people, for example when Sue and I produce our ‘Reasons to Worship’ videos for our YouTube channel.”
She also appreciated Martin’s teaching in session 4: “Martin’s talk on the church ministries listed in Ephesians 4:11 was the simplest and most relevant explanation of these that I’ve heard.”
As Polly has worked through the course, her sense of calling has deepened. “I have more belief that God can use me, even though I’m not called an Evangelist, to point others to Jesus. I have a heart to share Jesus with my town, my community and those I lead in worship.”
CETP is changing Polly’s local ministry
CETP is already shaping Polly’s ministry. She says: “I recently shared my testimony with a small group at a Christians Against Poverty Life Skills course. I shared that I became a widow in my early 30s, and have since suffered with depression, yet through it all God is with me. He is my strength and hope, even when life goes wrong. I was able to share the Gospel – that hope and life with Jesus is for everyone. It was a great opportunity.
“CETP has helped me see that these opportunities are also a training ground, and, at my request, the organisers gave me some valuable feedback for next time.”
Her personal life of faith and prayer has been transformed, too. “A year ago, I prayed, ‘What’s next, Lord?’ I felt like He said, ‘Pray for your town.’ So I wrote out every street name on a lolly stick and asked my home group to help me pray for each one, which we’re just about to finish this month.”
A year on, she’s seeing God at work. “We are about to launch a ministry for young adults in Street and Glastonbury. Also, local church leaders have newly started to meet regularly.”
Polly’s attitude now is simple: “I will keep praying for my community, keep looking to Jesus, and being available for Him. Doing this course is me saying to God, ‘Here I am, please use me in your mission.’ I don’t know what that is yet, but He does!”
Sign Up
If you’re a ‘normal person’ like Polly in search of training, you can preview and sign up for the CETP now by clicking here.