Posted: 11/02/07
| A child plays in an inflatable obstacle course during a block party sponsored by City Church of Amarillo. (Photo by John Hall/BGCT) |
More than 100 profess faith
in Christ during CityReach
By John Hall
Texas Baptists Communications
AMARILLO—While children ran around, bounced in inflatable castles, played basketball, tossed Frisbees and scaled a climbing wall, a young man across the street quietly smiled as he received The Gift.
That’s the name of the Bible translation a volunteer from CityChurch of Amarillo gave him as he heard the Christian plan of salvation. The pair closed their eyes in prayer, and then they embraced in celebration of a new life in Christ.
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| A CityChurch of Amarillo volunteer shares the gospel with a block party participant during CityReach, an evangelistic emphasis held in conjunction with the Baptist General Convention of Texas annual meeting. (BGCT Photo/John Hall) |
The young man was one of more than 100 people who professed faith in Christ during Baptist General Convention of Texas-sponsored City-Reach evangelistic activities. More than a dozen events—scheduled in conjunction with the BGCT annual meeting—included block parties, prayerwalking and prison ministry.
Gerald Davis, a BGCT specialist who led City-Reach, celebrated the additions to God’s kingdom and the evangelistic efforts that took place in the Amarillo area.
“We’re igniting churches in the area to be more evangelistic,” he said. “I think that’s what this effort is all about.”
John Shelton, who led an Inner City Evan-gelism team, said people in Amarillo are hungry for the gospel. They are hurting and looking for answers to life’s big questions. When they hear about Christ, they are drawn to him, Shelton said.
Shelton’s team walked streets in Amarillo known for their high crime rate and gang activity, introducing people to Christ. Team members began by striking up conversations and looked for opportunities to share their faith. More than 70 professions of faith came as a result of the team’s actions.
Christ calls his followers to share the good news about him, Davis said.
“We’re commanded to do it,” he said.
“When we don’t do it, we’re disobedient.”
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