AFLC Evangelism and Discipleship Emphasis Month, January 2021, Introductory Video (Transcript)

-Pastor Randy Nelson, Director-

Hi! I’m Pastor Randy Nelson and I’d like to be among the first to wish you a “Happy New Year!” And not just because we are ready for 2020 to be over and a new year to begin, but because I love the picture that a new year gives us: a fresh new start, a new beginning, leaving behind the baggage of the past, and starting over with a clean slate. Which, really, to me is a great reminder of what Jesus came to accomplish. In Isaiah chapter 42, verses six and seven, God the Father says of Jesus, “I will give you as a covenant for the people, a light for the nations, to open the eyes that are blind, to bring out the prisoners from the dungeon, from the prison those who sit in darkness.” Jesus came to free us from the dark prison of sin and through faith, He brings us into the light of His kingdom, forgiving us of our sins through the redemption that He paid dearly for, by going to the cross in our place. And because He did, by faith in Him, we no longer need to be chained to our past and we no longer need to fear the darkness of this world, because a new day has dawned, and Jesus has come and His coming has changed everything! In Him we have a brand-new beginning.

As we begin this month of focus on the ministry of evangelism and discipleship, can you think of a better message to proclaim? Or one that is needed more? Over the next four weeks you’re going to be hearing this message of a fresh start and the different ways we are working to join you in proclaiming this message as well as to encourage, equip, and assist you in making and equipping disciples who make and equip disciples. In these short, three to five minute videos, you’re going to hear from a variety of our board members and friends of this ministry.

Next week, you’ll hear from Micah Johnson as he tells you about how we are even now encouraging congregations to begin planning evangelistic or disciple-equipping events for this next year, and to make use of our new speaker program. We are well on our way, now, to having more than 50 men and women, preachers and teachers, available to assist you in reaching your community or equipping your members to make and equip disciples who make and equip disciples.

The next week, you’ll hear from Pastor Matt Quanbeck about our plans for our interactive website, which will serve as a wide-ranging resource that will inspire, equip, and assist you in ministering in your own church or community, as well as a means for you to connect with other AFLC churches and members in praying for one another as well as in praise for what you see God doing.

Next, you’ll hear from Pastor Scott Stroud about how God is working even now in prisons and jails and about his new book that will show you how you and your congregation might join God in your community in making and equipping disciples who then make and equip disciples.

Finally, you’ll hear about how God is at work in our AFLC and how we are working together with our sister ministries to encourage, equip, and assist you and your congregation in meeting and overcoming the challenges that are threatening the Body of Christ today and are seeking to keep us from being the world-changing force that Jesus intends us to be.

We hope that you will be encouraged by the brief, three to five minute videos that we’re sending out each week. Each one will highlight these areas that we’re working on and we hope that you’ll make them a part of your weekly worship service during this emphasis month. We also hope that they will inspire you to partner with us as we seek to turn the tide in this spiritual battle that, sadly, has had the upper hand at discouraging many of our congregations, even to the point where some have withdrawn and are now sitting on the sidelines. It is time for us to stand up and proclaim to one another, and to all who will hear us, that Jesus has come as a light to the nations, to open the eyes that are blind, and to bring out the prisoners who sit in darkness…that He has come to free us from our sin, from our past, and from the hopelessness of this world, to give us a fresh new start, and a message that can and will save more lives than any vaccine ever will. If only we will proclaim it and live it out.

May God bless you and your fellowship of believers as together we boldly enter into this new year, lifting up the greatest hope and promise there is: our Savior, Jesus Christ.

-AFLC Evangelism & Discipleship
aflc.org/evangelism