They Tried It ... It Works!

Dan Collins had an idea, a burden. He felt that someone should capitalize on the interest created by literature evangelists as they visited the homes, and that someone should follow up the interests that developed as the result of people reading our books. . .

Dan Collins had an idea, a burden. He felt that someone should capitalize on the interest created by literature evangelists as they visited the homes, and that someone should follow up the interests that developed as the result of people reading our books.

The accompanying picture shows Dan explaining to A. L. Page and H. V. Reed, publishing department secretary and president, respectively, of the Colorado Conference, the program he uses.

He follows up any interests that are reported to him by the literature evangelists. He is also visiting those who have just completed the payment on their books. More than 99 percent of the people he contacts are happy to visit with him. He asks them how they are enjoying their books, if they have any questions, and if they have made any interesting discoveries. As he visits with them he attempts to further arouse their curiosity and in many cases arranges for a definite Bible study.

By this program of follow-up and teamwork, sixty-seven souls have been baptized in less than one year's time. Brother Collins is now employed by the Colorado Conference as a full-time Bible instructor, concentrating on the following up of these contacts. Our bookmen appreciate his work. They are happy to cooperate by supplying names and conducting group-canvassing campaigns in cities where evangelistic meetings are scheduled.

Just recently Brother Page took a group of literature evangelists into the city of Brighton, where in one week's time they sold $2,742.75 worth of literature, enrolled 52 persons in Bible correspondence courses, offered prayer in 174 homes, placed 48 large doctrinal books, in addition to 1,508 other pieces of literature. They also left announcements of the evangelistic meetings to start the following Sunday night. Result? Well, at this time the meetings are still in progress, but eight families who were contacted by literature evangelists are attending.

We need one another's help. Our bookmen are glad to be known as cooperators, or teamworkers for truth.

February 1970

Download PDF
Ministry Cover

More Articles In This Issue

First Things First

THE call to the church of today is to advance on all fronts. It is a new and vigorous appeal with a militant ring and an air of hopeful expectancy. What if this should be the hour of destiny, our day of Pentecost? Surely the times call for a power and a purpose in the hearts of God's people to meet the tragic need of a world's end.

Are They Necessary?

Seventh-day Adventists, like any other organization, do certain things so much and so long that they become traditions that are seemingly unbreakable. Among these is the use of Ingathering award ribbons. . .

Worship Him Who Made

THE last book of the Bible is a revelation from God given to the Christian church by Jesus Christ through the apostle John. Its purpose is to provide helpful foreknowledge concerning some of the most significant issues and events over the span of human experience from the beginning of the Christian era until the earth is restored to Edenic perfection and established as the administrative center of the universe. . .

The Pastor and Lay Missionary Activities

IF A pastor senses the need of leading the members entrusted to his care into a true witnessing experience motivated solely by the love of Jesus Christ, how does he begin?

"Willing to Communicate"

DAVID SARNOFF, chairman of the board of RCA, predicts the time will come when a person carrying a vest-pocket transmitter-receiver will connect by radio to a nearby switchboard linked to communications satellites and be able to see and speak with any similarly equipped person any where in the world. . .

The All-Day Bible Seminar

TAKE about two hundred people on a Sabbath morning, place them in a cozy lecture theater, subject them to about ten hours of practically nonstop Bible study, charge them a dollar or two for the privilege of being in attendance, and you have what we like to call a Bible seminar. Interestingly enough, this novel approach is effective in gaining decisions for truth. . .

Evangelists Are You Discouraged?

People have to be told of Christ before they can trust Him, and they must trust Him before they can call upon His name and be saved. . .

To Know God

THE heathen philosophical mind, whether it was that of the classical Greek, the Roman, or the Hindu, was quite sure of its ability to arrive at the ultimate truth of God and His being. This state of mind was quite foreign to that of the theocratic people. Throughout the Old Testament emphasis is laid on the reality of God, the fact that God is. The theocratic believer's conviction that a knowledge of God was possible, was possible in depth and to great personal benefit, was made clear throughout their history; but on the ultimate truth of God and His being the Hebrew mind did not speculate. . .

Running a Church Library

MANY of our evangelists and church pastors have long felt the need for organizing church libraries or reading rooms. They have found them a useful tool in arousing interest in our message. These church libraries also foster the spiritual growth of our church members. . .

Remove the Obstructions

It may seem absurd or at least short sighted. But it is true. Many of our brethren in other churches still do not know that Adventists are Christians at all. Some are actually startled when we tell them that ours is a fundamentalist, evangelical Protestant faith. They often believe that we live only to proselyte, seldom to love. . .

View All Issue Contents

Digital delivery

If you're a print subscriber, we'll complement your print copy of Ministry with an electronic version.

Sign up

Recent issues

See All