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Elijah Challenge
What a blessing!
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In early February we were privileged to host a powerful Seminar presentation by Pastor William Lau, called the Elijah Challenge, ‘The end time model of evangelism’. Several churches combined to benefit from the presentation of this man of God from the USA. The seminar was conducted over 3 night sessions (Thu/Fri/Sat) and a Saturday morning session. It was well supported with an average attendance of about 160.
Pastor Lau’s key message is that Christians can operate in the spirit of Elijah, doing the things God commands. His special focus is on healing, since signs and wonders were often used in New Testament times to confirm the evangelistic message.
Pastor Lau has taken the “Elijah Challenge” seminar to many countries, including Africa and Asia, where he has trained Christians to be bold in praying for needs. Once he has a team of ordinary Christians ready to pray for the sick, public meetings are organised to evangelise the lost.
The results have often been astounding, with many healings at the hands of ordinary church members. In many places the churches have grown significantly in number, such as doubling in attendance in just a few weeks.
The seminar ran from Thursday to Saturday, followed by Pastor Lau preaching at our two Sunday morning services and then at a special healing service on the Sunday night. On the Monday night a special outreach was organised at Rosy’s in Springvale.
Pastor William shared on how Jesus Christ ministered healing to the sick in the gospels, the scriptural basis for healing and the authority Jesus gave to His disciples in Luke 9:
“ When Jesus had called the Twelve together, he gave them power and authority to drive out all demons and to cure diseases, 2 and he sent them out to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick. … So they set out and went from village to village, preaching the gospel and healing people everywhere”.
Matthew 7:14 gave a great illustration which is still relevant today and based on this Ps William spoke about the four excuses we give why the sick are not healed. They are:
1. It’s not God’s will
2. It’s not God’s time
3. The sick person has sin
4. The sick person lacks faith
However, according to Matthew 17:20-21, Jesus answered,
“Because you have so little faith. I tell you the truth, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you. But this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.”
Jesus did not ascribe “blame” for the lack of healing to God or the sick boy. Rather he faulted the disciples for their little faith. What is the nature of this “mountain-moving faith” they lacked? It is a faith that moves mountains!
What is ‘The End Time Model of Evangelism’?
Ps William made the following comparison of ‘Current Mass Evangelism’ with ‘The End Time Model of Evangelism’.
The Current Model of Mass Evangelism
• Mass evangelism usually focuses on a single gifted preacher who performs most of the ministry in a big-budget, high-profile Crusade attended by tens of thousands of people. He (or she) can be a very powerful and anointed speaker. Many sinners may convert to Christ when the invitation for salvation is given.
• Outside of the industrialized West in undeveloped or developing nations, mass Crusades are much larger and involve an added dimension: miraculous healings of the infirm. But as in the West, the one anointed servant of God does all the preaching and the many miracles take place only as he ministers or prays for the sick. After the Crusade is over, the miracles cease and the excitement dies down. It is generally back to business as usual in the participating churches after the anointed servant of God leaves.
• Generally, only charismatic or pentecostal churches are involved in such healing Crusades, and evangelical churches choose not to participate. This potentially erodes the unity of the body of Christ.
• The primary goal of mass evangelism is the fulfilment of the Great Commission. This goes beyond simply preaching the gospel. The Great Commission also includes discipling the nations and new believers after they receive Christ. Therefore participating local churches should be growing if mass evangelism is performing its intended function. But this is not generally the case.
• Normally, only a tiny percentage of people accepting Christ at a Crusade actually ends up joining and being discipled in a local church. The rest are “lost.” The follow-up is very ineffective.
Testimony
“I was very blessed to have attended the Elijah Challenge Seminar. Pastor William Lau did a fantastic job in presenting the word of God in such a way which causes us as Christians to consider the biblical approach when it comes to making a difference in our Evangelism. I was very impressed by the miracles which took place right at the meeting. I would highly recommend this seminar to those who desire to see God use them to heal the sick” - Ps Ray Chee (Senior Pastor, Victory Family Church, Melbourne) |
The New Model of Evangelism
• In this model based on John 14:12, “ordinary” disciples of Christ will preach the gospel and minister miraculous healing if desired in low-budget, low-profile, relatively small (or even one-on-one) meetings. When the listeners see the miracles and hear the gospel, their hearts will be open to accepting Christ.
• The new believers will be followed up or discipled by the concerned friend, family member, business associate, or acquaintance who brings them to Christ at the meeting. Such personal follow-up of new believers will be more effective than the impersonal follow up after large mass crusades.
• This kind of evangelism involving miraculous healings and the demonstration of the Spirit’s power is through ordinary disciples and therefore not dependent on the presence of a specially gifted and anointed minister. As such, evangelism of this kind can be an ongoing and continuous feature of the life of every local church.
• This model of evangelism is not based explicitly on the charismatic gifts of the Holy Spirit but rather on principles gleaned from the ministry of Jesus Himself. Thus both conservative evangelical as well as charismatic pentecostal believers are able to preach the gospel and even work together according to this scriptural model.
• When every church is equipped with the new model of evangelism, the Body of Christ will be significantly closer to the fulfilment of the Great Commission.
The seminar concluded with an “Evangelistic Healing Rally” on the last night and the sanctuary was almost packed out. Again we witnessed a mighty move of God’s sovereignty and power as people came forward to testify of physical and emotional healing. We thank all our pastors and members who assisted in organising and putting this seminar together. Sincere thanks to pastors and members of other churches who have also supported this seminar.
Testimony
“I now see people with the confidence to confront the enemy. Like a fighter, our hands are weapons for laying hands and witness God’s wondrous miracles to bring the lost to Jesus. Thank you Ps Lau and FGAM, for your selfless generosity! I will pay it forward and train others for the Kingdom!” - Ps Joel Pinga, Pinoychurch |
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