Dear Saints,

Can God use High Schoolers to reach out to the world for Jesus Christ? You better believe He can!!! And it’s very exciting!!!

Recently I was asked by the Headmaster of a Christian School if I’d be willing to come in twice a week to teach an Evangelism Elective Class to a group of High Schoolers.

And I thought, “Are you kidding me? This is what I live for!

Honestly, I was a bit skeptical over whether or not 14-17-year-olds would have the spiritual and emotional maturity to take in the deluge of information I wanted to share with them. Would these kids just be taking the class because “they have to to get credit?”

I was astonished EVERY class at how mature the students were. They paid excellent attention. They participated in the discussions so well! They asked great questions. It was sooooo encouraging!

Here are some photos of the students, and how it went when I took them into the Subway in Boston to put their Evangelism skills in action!

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Here is the Syllabus I developed for our sessions (each session was an hour and a half):

1. “Evangelism is Great News”
   Evangelism is great news for Christians, yet many Christians see evangelism as a chore they know they must do, rather than a gift we get to do. Sadly, many miss the WONDERFUL BLESSING it is to be God’s ambassador. How amazing that God would include us in His plan to save others! It’s love in action.
    
2. “The Theology of Evangelism”
   Purpose: To warn of the danger of presenting a man-centered gospel, and to warn of the danger of making the gospel about “happiness” instead of “righteousness.” (The Bill Gates dilemma – he’s the richest man in the world with whatever he wants, but if he dies without Christ, he’ll go to Hell.) Our job is to plant seeds and we are “successful” if we do that, regardless of how people appear to respond. Show Hell’s Best Kept Secret video.
    
3. “Rubber Meets Road Evangelism”
   Practical, practical, practical! How do you share the gospel with anybody. How do you avoid “rabbit trails” and how do you keep the conversation on what is important. Vital class! Watch Way of the Master “WDJD” video. Give out “Evangelism Cheat Sheet” cards with WDJD and CCCTTTT. Kirk and Gang Members video. Hand out “Write Your Own Testimony” assignment.
    
4. “The Heartbreak of False Conversion”
   Many people have been hurt by the wrong gospel message. Changing the gospel hurts people. Not only that, but it inoculates the lost. And some of the people who are most against our message are those who think they’re saved. Watch Way of the Master “True and False Conversions” video.
    
5. “Real-World Apologetics”
   How do you answer skeptics, seekers, mockers? Ask good questions. Learn to notice logical fallacies. Learn that it’s okay not to know. Ask for permission to look into their question and to meet up with them later. Resources: “8 Reasons” video. Proof of God website, various tracts that show our fallibility.
    
6. “Answering Atheism”
   Show and discuss “The Atheism Delusion” video.
    
7. “Getting Off the Ground with Evangelism”
   After most people are trained in evangelism, their reaction often is, “Now what?” Getting started in an evangelistic conversation can be the most difficult part. How do you engage a stranger and swing the conversation form the natural to the supernatural? How to make evangelism a “lifestyle” and not an “event.” Resources: Gospel Tracts. “George Street” short video. Rope Trick. Bible Coloring Book trick. Paint Board example.
    
8. “Evangelism Road Trip”
   To watch evangelism in action and give opportunity for people to participate if they are so lead. Heading down to the Subways in Boston to be part of Open Air Campaigners outreach to people from around the world!
    

I didn’t get any photos of this, but it was REALLY GREAT that Kristen, a Chinese student, got to meet a BUNCH of Chinese people and share the gospel with them in their native Mandarin language. How exciting is that??? Kristen gave away all my Mandarin gospel tracts (which is a very good problem to have.) I was really excited for her because she’s a relatively new Christian and wants to share Jesus back home in China when she goes back. Please pray for her.

I praise God for this opportunity to partner with the Christian School to spend time teaching these young people how to make Evangelism part of their life. Hallelujah!

If anyone wants me to provide similar training for your group, please contact me so we can chat about it.

That’s it for this update. We love you and thank Jesus for you!

Thank you so much for your prayers, financial support, and notes of encouragement, without which we would not be able to reach the Lost for Jesus Christ!

Please contact us anytime and let us know how we can pray for you!

And please feel free to forward this to anyone you think would be blessed by it!

For Christ and His gospel,

Mark, Shelby, Vivienne, Juliana, Caleb, and Gabriella