Outpost Evangelism - Part 2

How It Is To Be Carried Out

By Dr. Thomas Jackson, Director

            In part one of this series of newsletter articles on outpost evangelism it was established what outpost evangelism is.  Also, it was established what outpost evangelism is not.  Outpost evangelism is not escapism.

            In this article, part 2, we will address how outpost evangelism is to be carried out.  We will let inspiration give us an understanding of how this method of evangelism is to be conducted.

     "In preparation for the coming of our Lord, we are to do a large work in the great cities.  We have a solemn testimony to bear in these great centers." Words of Encouragement to Self-Supporting Workers, pg. 5.2

     "The Lord is speaking to His people at this time, saying, Gain an entrance into the cities, and proclaim the truth in simplicity and in faith.  The Holy Spirit will work through your efforts to impress hearts..." {MM 299}

     "The cities must be worked.  The millions living in these congested centers are to hear the third angel's message.  This work should have been developed rapidly during the past few years.  A beginning has been made, for which we praise God.  Outpost centers are being established, from whence, like Enoch of old, our workers can visit the cities and do faithful service." RH July 5, 1906 par.8

     "There are souls in many places who have not yet heard the message.  Henceforth, medical missionary work is to be carried forward with an earnestness with which it has never yet been carried.  This work is the door through which the truth is to find entrance to the large cities, and sanitariums are to be established in many places." {CH 392}

     "Now is the opportune time to work the cities; for we must reach the people there.  As a people we have been in danger of centering too many important interests in one place.  This is not good judgment nor wisdom.  An interest is now to be created in the principal cities.  Many small centers must be established, rather than a few large centers..." {MM 300.1}

     "The message that I am bidden to bear to our people at this time is, Work the cities without delay, for time is short.  The Lord has kept this work before us for the last twenty years or more.  A little has been done in a few places, but much more might be done.  I am carrying a burden day and night, because so little is being accomplished to warn the inhabitants of our great centers of population of the judgments that will fall upon the transgressors of God's law." {MM 300.4}

     "More attention should be given to training and educating missionaries with special reference to work in the cities.  Each company of workers should be under the direction of a competent leader, and it should ever be kept before them that they are to be missionaries in the highest sense of the term.  Such systematic labor, wisely conducted would produce blessed results."  {MM 301}

"CITY MISSION"

Better Living Training Centers

• Health Food Stores
•  General Public Work
•  House-to-House Work

• Vegetarian Restaurants
• Cooking Schools
• Cooking and Health Instruction

• Clinics
• Health Evaluation
• Home Nursing Treatments

• Treatment Rooms
• Simple Treatments
• Christian Help/Work

• Lecture Halls
• Health Lectures
• Literature Evangelism

EVANGELISTIC MEETINGS                             BIBLE WORK

     "There is no change in the messages that God has sent in the past.  The work in the cities is the essential work for this time.  When the cities are worked as God would have them, the result will be the setting in operation of a mighty movement such as we have not yet witnessed.  God calls for self-sacrificing men converted to the truth to let their light shine forth in clear, distinct rays..." {MM 304.1}

     "The cities are to be worked from outposts.  Said the messenger of God, ...'Shall not the cities be warned? Yes, not by God's people living in them, but by their visiting them, to warn them of what is coming upon the earth." {2SM 358.2}

     "It would be well to secure a place as a home for our mission workers outside of the city.  It is of great importance that they have the advantages of pure water, free from all contamination.  For this reason, it is often well to consider the advantages of locations among the hills.  And there should be some land, where fruit and vegetables might be raised for the benefit of the workers.  Let it be a mission in as healthful a place as possible, and let there be connected with it a small sanitarium.  A place in the city should also be secured where simple treatments might be administered." {MM 308.3}

GOSPEL MEDICAL MISSIONARY EVANGELISM

Organizational Outline of "God's Design" for "Outpost Evangelism"

"OUTPOST CENTER"

Country Training Base

• Workers' Homes
•  Industrial Training

• Home Sanitariums
• Health Education and Conditioning

• Training Institute
• Medical Evangelistic Training

• Home Gardens
• Food Products

                 WORKERS       <---------->     GUESTS

     "We must make wise plans to warn the cities, and at the same time live where we can shield our children and ourselves from the contaminating and demoralizing influence so prevalent in these places." {Ev 76.5}

     Matthew 11:20: JESUS DID MIGHTY WORKS IN THE CITIES:

     "Let companies now be quickly organized to go out two and two, and labor in the Spirit of Christ, following His plans.  Even though some Judas may introduce himself into the ranks of the workers, the Lord will care for His work.  His angels will go before and prepare the way.  Before this time, every large city should have heard the testing message, and thousands should have been brought to a knowledge of the truth."  {MM 303.1}

     "Again and again it has been presented to me that 'there should be companies organized and educated most thoroughly to work as nurses, as evangelists, as ministers, as canvassers, as gospel students, to perfect a character after the divine similitude.'  There is a grand work to be done in relieving suffering humanity, and through the labors of students who are receiving an education and training to become efficient medical missionaries, the people living in many cities may become acquainted with the truths of the third angel's message.  Consecrated leaders and teachers of experience should go out with these young workers, at first, giving them instruction how to labor..."  {CH 541.4}

     "In every large city there should have been a strong force of workers laboring earnestly to warn the people.  Had this been undertaken in humility and faith, Christ would have gone before the humble workers, and the salvation of God would have been revealed."  {MM 302.5}

     "Medical missionary work is the pioneer work of the gospel, the door through which the truth for this time is to find entrance to many homes.  God's people are to be genuine medical missionaries, for they are to learn to minister to the needs of both soul and body.  The purest unselfishness is to be shown by our workers as, with the knowledge and experience gained by practical work, they go out to give treatments to the sick.  As they go from house to house they will find access to many hearts.  Many will be reached who otherwise never would have heard the gospel message.  A demonstration of the principles of health reform will do much toward removing prejudice against our evangelical work.  The Great Physician, the originator of medical missionary work, will bless all who thus seek to impart the truth for this time."  {CH 497.1}

     "Some should labor from house to house, giving instruction in the art of cooking wholesome foods.  Many, many will be rescued from physical, mental, and moral degeneracy through the influence of health reform.  These principles will commend themselves to those who are seeking for light; and such will advance from this to receive the full truth for this time." {Ev 527.3}

COMPANIES OF WORKERS:

     Luke 8:1-3, Jesus worked the cities with a company of workers which included both men and women.  Luke 10:1, Jesus went workers out by twos.

     "Calling the twelve about Him, Jesus bade them go out two and two through the towns and villages.  None were sent forth alone, but brother was associated with brother, friend with friend.  Thus they could help and encourage each other, counseling and praying together each ones' strength supplementing the other's weakness.  In the same manner He afterward sent forth the seventy.  It was the Saviour's purpose that the messengers of the gospel should be associated in this way.  In our own time evangelistic work would be far more successful if this example were more closely followed."  {DA 350.1}

     "When Christ called His disciples to follow Him, He offered them no flattering prospects in this life.  He gave them no promise of gain or worldly honor, nor did they make any stipulation as to what they should receive.  To Matthew as he sat at the receipt of custom, the Saviour said, "Follow Me”.  And he left all, rose up, and followed Him.' Luke 5:27,28.  Matthew did not, before rendering service, wait to demand a certain salary equal to the amount received in his former occupation.  Without question or hesitation he followed Jesus.  It was enough for him that he was to be with the Saviour, that he might hear His words and unite with Him in His work.

            So it was with the disciples previously called.  When Jesus bade Peter and his companions follow Him, immediately they left their boats and nets.  Some of these disciples had friends dependent of them for support; but when they received the Saviour's invitation they did not hesitate and inquire, "How shall I live and sustain my family?'  They were obedient to the call; and when afterward Jesus asked them, 'When I sent you without purse, and scrip, and shoes, lacked ye anything?' they could answer, 'Nothing.'  Luke 22:35

     "In every large city there should be corps of organized, well-disciplined workers; not merely one or two, but scores should be set to work.  But the perplexing question is unsolved, how they will be sustained." {MM 300.5}

     "Many today, if imbued with the same spirit of self sacrifice, could do a good work in a similar way.  ...Some can sustain themselves as canvassers; others like the apostle, can labor at some handicraft or in other lines of effort." {MH 154.3}

     "Calls for workers are coming from all parts of the world.  Means are called for to open new fields. Laborers need to be supported in many fields where it is impossible for them to be wholly self-supporting" An Appeal for Self-supporting Laborers, p. 26.2

     "Today the Saviour calls us, as He called Matthew and John and Peter, to His work.  If our hearts are touched by His love, the question of compensation will not be uppermost in our minds.  We shall rejoice to be co-workers with Christ, and we shall not fear to trust His care.  If we make God our strength we shall have clear perceptions of duty, unselfish aspirations; our life will be actuated by a noble purpose which will raise us above sordid motives." {MH 479-480}

     "Our heavenly Father has a thousand ways to provide for us of which we know nothing.  Those who accept the one principle of making the service of God supreme, will find perplexities vanish and a plain path before their feet." {MH 481.2}

            Let us respond to our compassionate Saviour's call for the finishing of His work.  Come and join us for our annual Gospel-Medical Missionary camp meeting August 27-30, 2014 where we gain an experience in fulfilling God's plan for finishing the work. Our theme this year is: "Reviving Thy Work".

            We have a wonderful and practical resource that you can purchase that will give you a more concrete insight into Outpost Evangelism.  It is entitled A Missionary Training Manual for Gospel Workers. Contact us to purchase your copy today.