The Eleven Twelve Project
 
Volume 5
January 2008
 
Greetings!
We know you're not at the same place spiritually as anyone else who reads this newsletter, and only God knows where that place is.  So, as you read through this issue, we'll trust him to convey the piece of wisdom he wants you to have regarding evangelism.
 
It might be contained in one of the articles below, found on our website, or received through the answer to a question you ask us.  And there's always the chance it won't come through Share the Savior at all.  Exciting, huh?

Sincerely,

Scott McIntyre
Share the Savior:
Someone You Love Needs Him
In This Issue
Confidence Builders
Training Tools
Equipping Events
Confidence Builders
 
Heaven: Like a Vacation only Better
I thought of 10 reasons why heaven for a Christian is like a great vacation for a weary worker.  See what you think.
  1. It's something to joyfully anticipate.
  2. You can get to a point where you know for sure you're going.
  3. When you reach that point, it makes the anticipation greater.
  4. We expect life to be better when we're there.
  5. We're not disappointed when we go.
  6. The expectation of something better helps us forget today's problems.
  7. The greater the expectation, the longer we can go in our current situation.
  8. It gives us something exciting to share with others.
  9. Some people who hear about it will want to make the trip themselves.
  10. We can help them get to the same destination.
Just as our friends may sense our excitement about a long awaited vacation, our anticipation of a future in Christ might begin to seep out where they can see it.  And then it's only natural to share what we're excited about.
 
May our joy and hope in the blessings of God through Christ, make us exciting to be around.
Training Tools
 
How to Witness to a Pagan
 
This new series is designed to help you share the gospel with people who embrace polytheistic religions, and much of it is written by one.   
 
About the Co-Author
 
Gwydion Oak, posted an article online at WitchVox.com in 1997 to "...help Christians understand better who and what Pagans really are, and, in the process become more effective in sharing their beliefs."
 
"For starters," he wrote, "I am not a Christian. I am and have been Pagan (Wiccan in particular) for several years now.  So why am I writing this? Because I understand that believing Christians feel they have an obligation to share their religion with others..." and also because "...believing Christians tend, however unintentionally, to ignore their own strengths, and to consistently put their worst face forward when dealing with those who do not share their faith."
 
About the Series
 
Over the next few issues of the Eleven Twelve Project, I'll be including some of Gwydion's suggestions about evangelizing, and at times, making some comments of my own.  When the series is completed, we'll post it on our website.  In this first article of the series, I want to share some of his thoughts on...
 
Treating Pagans as People First
 
"On many occasions Christians have approached me in, what was at first, a friendly manner.  Sometimes I was invited to their homes for dinner, sometimes to church social activities or services.  There was a conspicuous effort to "get close" to me, and the topic of religion came up very often.
 
This continued until it became clear that I wasn't going to jump into the baptismal pool right away, and that I was firmly committed to my religion. Then the 'friendship' cooled off rapidly, phone calls ceased, and many times I was later treated with open hostility by the very people who had taken it upon themselves to approach me."

Gwydion calls this, "perhaps the most disturbing tendency Pagans encounter in Christians who would share the Gospel with them, and also one of the chief reasons Christians are often bluntly considered to be hypocrites in Pagan eyes."
 
Fortunately, he has not received this type of 'friendship' from every Christian and commendably says so.  
 
"I have also met many Christians who value friendship, and who accept me, even if they don't like my religion's views." 
 
Then he adds something very important for all of us to hear. 
 
"But a crucial question that any would-be missionary must ask themselves before they begin is whether they can be a genuine friend to those they would teach - and stay a friend even if those people don't accept their message."
 
Thank you Gwydion, you'll get no argument from me on that point.
Equipping Events
Photo of Zechariah 
March 6-8, 2008 - Castro Valley, CA
This year's BASS Church Workers Convention has the same goal as every one since 1963: to equip, train, and encourage those who serve in the local churches of the San Francisco Bay Area.
 
There are over 350 workshops in sixteen different tracks.  To view the Outreach and Evangelism sessions, click on the appropriate link below and scroll to the bottom of the page that opens. 
 
 
 
Share the Savior will be presenting four separate workshops at BASS 2008.  To view times, dates, and descriptions of our sessions, visit their Workshop Area
 
For information about other upcoming conferences, visit the
Events page of Share the Savior.
Resource Ministry of the Month 
Help Graphic 
This section is taking a break and will return in the next issue of the Eleven Twelve Project.
 
 
 
 
We're here to help you share the Savior, because people you love need Him.  So, let us know if there's a topic you'd like to see covered in a future issue of the Eleven Twelve Project.

Sincerely,

Scott McIntyre
Share the Savior
Quick Links
Pause and Consider
Thinking Woman
Has it ever occurred to you that nothing has just occurred to God?
 
Stray thoughts don't pop into his mind, and he doesn't scratch his head trying to think of solutions to problems.
May he be your source for wisdom in all things, even how to explain his gospel!
Help Sustain
Share the Savior
Prayer, Money,
Time, and Talent
 
Which does Share the Savior need most?
 
I'd like to impress you as being deeply spiritual, the type of person who always places prayer, and reliance on God above everything else.  Truthfully, that's not who I am (yet).
 
However, I truly appreciate the faith demonstrated by ministries that trust God through prayer as their most valuable asset.
 
So what's the answer to my first question?  Prayer!
 
Photo of Memorial

To help meet that need, we've started a monthly Prayer Partner Newsletter.  In each issue we'll include a Praise Report, Prayer Requests, and a Wisdom Wanted section.

If you'd be willing to learn about our needs and take them to the Father in prayer, click the "Join Our Mailing List" link below.
Join Our Mailing List
To find out more about supporting the work of Share the Savior, click here and visit our Support page.