Phoenix Hosts Second Endurance Ministry Institute

Phoenix, AZ, 9-10 October 2009

“It was so…freeing!” said one participant after the two-day Evangelism Ministry Institute (EMI) in Chandler, AZ last weekend. She was referring to the freedom to share the Gospel in the context of her own personality – and the discovery that evangelism might involve just establishing a relationship with people and loving on them, rather than climbing up on the awards platform and shouting, “Repent or you’ll go to Hell!”

She had learned that her “witnessing style” was “relational” because God designed her as a warm, friendship-oriented person. She is similar to Matthew the tax collector in her ability and desire to introduce people to Jesus through social events and ongoing friendship. Other Christ-followers have different witnessing styles and they will share in ways she may not be comfortable with. But working together as the body of Christ, we can reach all those God desires us to reach. As the saying goes, “it takes all kinds to reach all kinds.”

Their own personal witnessing style is just one of the many helpful, biblical things attendees learned at the EMI last weekend. Some also gave rave reviews of the opportunity to compile and focus their testimonies into useful formats and practice verbalizing them in a friendly environment. Said one, “Exactly what I needed… Fantastic. Delivery and content were terrific.” Others appreciated the detailed information on who endurance athletes are and how awareness of “who they are” impacts our ministry to them.

So if the idea of sharing your testimony or the Gospel message scares you more than toeing the starting line of your first race, seize your next opportunity to attend an EMI – and get some of that “training for godliness” that “has value for all things”!

Keep an eye on FCA-E’s website, on the FCA-E National Yahoo Group (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/FCAEndurance/) or on www.donnadouglass.com/EMI.htm to hear about the next EMI. If you’re interested in bringing EMI to your huddle or region, see www.donnadouglass.com/EMI_files/host.htm or email Kevin Olsen.