'Helping Christians talk about their faith'

The good news of Jesus is something we all have a role in sharing - that's the message from the Evangelical Alliance which recently launched the Great Commission, a new website to help Christians talk about their faith in Jesus

Great Commission is designed to inspire greater passion for evangelism and empower churches and individuals to be talking about Jesus in their communities. The site brings together more than 150 evangelistic tools and resources, as well as written reflections on evangelism and personal stories from Christians across the UK.

Lynn Green, general secretary of the Baptist Union of Great Britain, has shared her enthusiasm about this new online hub, 'We need to equip one another to share our faith and to be witnesses wherever we are.

'I'm really delighted about the Great Commission website. It's wonderful to see all the resources that are available there; things to watch, things to read, practical things to do – I love practical things! We want to equip every Christian and church in their witness, increase their confidence and help them.'

Gavin Calver, the Alliance’s director of mission and an accredited Baptist minister, has been excited to see thousands of people engaging with the site. 'Seeing people all across the UK come to faith in Jesus is what we’re all about here at the Evangelical Alliance. That’s why we’ve launched Great Commission to help inspire and equip the body of Christ here in the UK to be talking about Jesus confidently and effectively.

'It’s been brilliant to hear from Christians all across the UK who are being encouraged in evangelism through the new Great Commission hub.

'School chaplains and youth leaders, church leaders and heads of denominations have all been telling us they’re really excited about the range of stories, reflections and resources they’re finding on the site.'

Each week a new video is being released, sharing stories of how people across the UK have come to faith in Jesus, and how Christians are sharing their faith in their everyday lives. Churches are able to easily download the videos to use in services or small group settings.

Woolwich Central Baptist Church recently used a Great Commission video in one of their services to illustrate a children’s talk about the prodigal son. Lucy Olofinjana explains: 'Being able to easily download Joe’s story and hear how someone from the UK has turned back to God – experiencing His love and forgiveness after battling a drug addiction – was brilliant.

'It was also a great evangelistic opportunity as we had guests visiting for a child dedication that day.'

People are also taking the opportunity to share Great Commission’s weekly good news stories through social media.

Hilary Johnston, a charity worker in Kent, says: 'I look forward to each week’s new story of someone whose life has been changed by Jesus, and love the way I can easily share these short video stories on my Facebook page.

'Hearing other Christians talk about how they’re sharing their faith in everyday situations has also inspired me to look out more for opportunities to talk about Jesus with those around me.'

Visit www.eauk.org/great-commission to:

• Watch stories of lives changed by Jesus throughout the UK, and hear about how others are sharing their faith. A new story is available each week to share and freely download, reminding us that God is at work in our land.
• Read reflections that will encourage and stimulate you as you think, dream, pray and plan about what evangelism could look like in your place. These reflections come from Christians across the diversity of the UK Church, sharing the lessons they’ve learnt from their context.
• Find prayer reflections and resources to inspire you in prayerful outreach.
• Be equipped to act through quickly and easily searching the wide range of evangelism tools and resources already out there. More than 150 resources and tools have been categorised according to who you want to reach, what type of activity you’re interested in, or what time of year.

You can also easily share what you’ve found on the site by creating boards to save the stories, reflections and resources you’d like to show others. You can then give chosen individuals access to view these boards – whether that’s friends, members of your PCC, or your youth team.
 

Visit www.eauk.org/great-commission and keep up-to-date with the latest content via Facebook and on Twitter