Evangelistic Methods in Burma

We have this assuring promise from our great Commander regarding His Word: "It shall not return unto Me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper." With this precious promise, the weakest of God's workers may go forward.

Here in the land of the pagoda, God's Word is powerful. Yea, it must not, it cannot, be other­wise. When our ministry is powerless, it brings reproach on our Redeemer. With defi­nite plans we must step forward.

First in importance in advancing in evange­lism I should place the preparation of Bible workers, We must work within small budgets in the mission field, and it is not often that a regular Bible worker is included in the corps of the evangelist. But there are willing church members. The layman's Bible training course affords a good preparation. Members finish­ing these courses are often able to give from one to five Bible studies a week. As an effort moves forward, these laymen may be ap­pointed to work with certain individuals. They soon catch your enthusiasm, and watch for every new step of advance on the part of the interested one. They will pray and work with you.

Next in importance comes the location. But alas, how often we search every street, to find that the one or two places that are suitable and well located are far beyond the budget allotted. However, we are now studying the possibility of a tabernacle. When this is pro­vided and placed on a prominent corner, it will go far toward meeting our objective.

In the field of newspaper advertising, we find that there is usually one paper that will give much free space. One small paper gave us one to two columns a week for write-ups. Along with this we have used a neat card, four by six inches, usually printed on both sides, to announce the topics of the coming week. These are ready for distribution at the Friday night lecture.

Within the first week, perhaps at the close of the first lecture, a large part of the audience will raise their hands when asked if they would like literature on the subject of the lecture. The ushers quickly place a name-and-­address card in the hands of all who respond, and gather these cards at the door as the meet­ing is dismissed. This procedure is followed al^- least once a week throughout the lectures. Later on, these address cards may be used to indicate definite decisions, such as keeping the Sabbath or paying tithes.

These cards are invaluable to the evangelist. He learns new names, and as fast as he can, visits the homes of these people, answers ques­tions, prays with them, and soon makes ap­pointments for Bible studies. In this way he learns to recognize certain people in the audi­ence, and is able to greet, some of them by name at the close of the lecture. From these weekly address cards, one may make a perma­nent report for each family, such as Elder Sbuler has suggested.

Once or twice a week we have the ushers wait at the door with a Present Truth on the topic of the evening. This causes people to rethink the subject they have heard, and per­haps causes some of them to find their neg­lected Bibles and read the texts for themselves. That is what the evangelist must pray and work for. It is then that the Holy Spirit has opportunity to mellow the heart and perform His work.