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50 Golden Days – Harry Denman – Holston Conference 2010

Witness Team Challenge 2010

The following is a letter written by Harry Denman in 1949

Dear Friend:

This letter is to ask every pastor not to observe Pentecost on June 5, but to meet the conditions so that every church will have a Pentecost on that day. It can be done if we will organize our church to witness to the fact that Jesus is Christ and that he is alive and can save persons from sin and death.

Easter to Pentecost

Fifty Golden Days of Evangelism

EASTER, We celebrate the resurrection of our Lord and Redeemer. We have a living Christ. This is the beginning of evangelism. Why shouldn’t every church organize visitation teams to visit one night each week during this period and secure thousands of first commitments for Christ and his church, to be received on Pentecost Sunday, June 5?

FAMILY WEEK. May 1-8, This is a splendid time to visit young families and secure their first commitment for Christ and his church and establish a Christian home. What holy days they are, Easter to Pentecost, Including Family Week!

There were One-hundred-twenty in the Upper Room. They were all filled with the Holy Ghost. Three thousand were baptized that first Pentecost. How many will be baptized in our churches on Pentecost Sunday 1949?

Let us pray and work daily that every church will have a Pentecost.

Your Friend, Harry Denman

Shepherds, May 1949

Source: The Prophetic Evangelist


In memory of Evangelist Harry Denman, the Witness Team is presenting a challenge to all United Methodist Churches in the Holston Conference.

Easter Sunday is April 4th, 2010 and Pentecost Sunday is May 23. There are 50 days between Easter and Pentecost. We are presenting the challenge to each church to organize visitation teams to visit and knock on doors in your community one night each week during these 50 days with the intentional purpose of inviting people to church.

In his book “The Unchurched Next Door”, Thom Rainer and his group conducted a scientific survey and found the following results.

  • 82 percent of the unchurched are at least “somewhat likely” to attend church if they are invited.
  • 8 out of 10 unchurched persons said they would come to church if they were invited.
  • Only 21 percent of active churchgoers invite anyone to church in the course of a year.
  • Only 2 percent of church members invite an unchurched person to church.
  • Very few of the unchurched have had someone share with them how to become a Christian.
  • The unchurched would like to develop a real and sincere relationship with a Christian.

“For years I have been asked how churches can grow. I have consulted with hundreds of church leaders across America, leaders who sincerely desire that their churches reach people. “Why aren’t we reaching people?” I am often asked. “Why is our society so resistant to the gospel?” many inquire.

“After nearly a decade of research and almost fifteen years of consulting with churches, I am becoming more and more convinced that the answers to most of these questions can be found in the mirror. Nearly 130 million people in the United States alone would come to church if they were invited. And if they came, many would hear about the Savior who offers the only way of salvation.”

Thom S. Rainer, The Unchurched Next Door

When is the last time you invited an unchurched person to church?

The Witness Team will offer suggestions for the teams of people in your church who will be visiting the homes in your community.

We will provide you with computer models of door knockers to leave at the homes where no one is available, post cards to make follow-up contacts and many other tools for reaching your community for Christ. We will make these tools available on the Holston Conference web site in the near future.

There will be a reporting tool on the web site as well as a phone number that you can call to report the number of visits made by your church as well as the visitors who attend your services.

Please e-mail us to let us know that your church will participate in “50 Golden Days of Evangelism 2010”. Someone will then contact you with further information.

Let us pray and work daily that each of our churches will have a Pentecost Sunday on May 23, 2010.

If you have questions, please contact Rev. Ronnie Collins of The Holston Conference Witness Team 276-728-2434 or ronnie24317@yahoo.com

January 3, 2010 Posted by | Holston Challenge 2010, Uncategorized | Leave a Comment

This Day In The Life Of Your Pastor – January 2nd, 2010

  1. “It’s all or nothing you can’t have it both ways You are for me or against me” Jesus about 11 hours ago from web

  2. every time I preach this year, I want to preach as if it could be my last time and understand that everyone needs to hear and understand Him about 12 hours ago from web

  3. Matt 6:12 (pray) 4give us our debts, as we also have 4given our debtors. “Does this mean if there R those we haven’t 4given we R N Trouble? about 12 hours ago from web

  4. “Peacemaking requires people who work tirelessly for a just society that mirrors, however obliquely, the kingdom of God.” James Howell about 12 hours ago from web

  5. Violence begets violence http://imagebearer.wordpress.com/2010/01/02/violence-begets-violence/ about 13 hours ago from web

  6. Only one thing I seek http://imagebearer.wordpress.com/2010/01/02/only-one-thing-i-seek/ about 13 hours ago from web

  7. Blessed R the merciful, 4 they will be shown mercy. Matt 5:7 Those who pass along 2 others the mercy U have received. “This is Pro Active” about 13 hours ago from web

  8. “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.” Matthew 5:4 Those who are heart broken over their sin. Are you? about 13 hours ago from web

  9. Jesus presents 2 gates Everyone “has chosen” a gate to walk through Do you understand what each choice means? Matthew 7: 13-14 about 13 hours ago from web

  10. Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom. — Psalms 90:12 about 15 hours ago from web

  11. putting the sermon together for tomorrow night, a lot of work goes into 30 minute sermons about 15 hours ago from web

  12. “The desire of the early Methodists was to live in constant companionship and faithfulness with the living Christ” Rueben Job about 15 hours ago from TwitterBerry

  13. Wesleys intention for the Holy Club was to draw closer and go deeper with God about 15 hours ago from TwitterBerry

  14. “long as he lived, Wesley cont 2 respect & borow from Anglican Ch but was convinced much of primitive ch was overlaid with human invention” about 15 hours ago from TwitterBerry

  15. My wife is driving and I feel like I am on “Thunder Road” @ Carrowinds about 18 hours ago from TwitterBerry

  16. I am taking my card cheating wife to dinner @ Libby Hill, lol about 18 hours ago from TwitterBerry

  17. OK Ubertwitter wouldn’t work so I am trying openbeak. It is what use to be twitterberry about 18 hours ago from TwitterBerry

  18. playing Scrabble Slam with Misty and she cheats! about 19 hours ago from web

  19. downloading ubertwitter, hope it is as good as twitterberry about 20 hours ago from web

  20. just switched to the new blackberry that was sent to me, hopefully this one will last and handle the workload, lol about 21 hours ago from web

  21. @ vet with Sophie, time for shots and flea treatment about 23 hours ago from TwitterBerry

  22. Book Review: Jog 4 Your Life by Hayden Gilmore http://imagebearer.wordpress.com/2010/01/02/book-review-jog-for-your-life-by-hayden-gilmore/ about 24 hours ago from web

  23. had a great breakfast if I do say so myself. Biscuits and Gravy, Christopher always wants to eat biscuits and gravy with Pupa about 24 hours ago from web

  24. praying for the Bill Brewer Family this morning, Bill was an awesome man who loved God and understood prayer about 21 hours ago from web

  25. There are 2 paths before you and you can only take one of them. about 22 hours ago from TwitterBerry

  26. Living faithfully is a large enough task for today, so don’t worry about tomorrow. Matthew 6:33-34 about 22 hours ago from TwitterBerry

  27. I am going to add quality to my life this year by not worrying. Matthew 6:25-27 about 22 hours ago from TwitterBerry

  28. “Why R some so urgently saying the body is the temple of Holy Spirit so slow N caring 4 the function of that temple?” Hayden Gilmore about 23 hours ago from TwitterBerry

  29. Progress is 1 step at a time. Have patience and see it through. about 23 hours ago from TwitterBerry

  30. Samuel just hurt his foot and asked me to kiss it. I kissed it and Samuel says “thanks, now I can walk” maybe love is the healing? Gods love about 23 hours ago from TwitterBerry

  31. It is not in how far or how fast you run, success is in keeping at it. about 23 hours ago from TwitterBerry

  32. Nothing at all will be attempted, if all possible objections must first be overcome. Samuel Johnson about 23 hours ago from TwitterBerry

  33. Watching Thomas the Train, just spending time with my grandson, fixing breakfast when the family gets up. Too windy & cold 2 be outside 2day about 24 hours ago from TwitterBerry

  34. Christopher is having per-breakfast gummy’s. Don’t tell his parents about 24 hours ago from TwitterBerry

  35. Our grandson Christopher spent the night with us. He went 2 sleep watching trains on youtube & just got up wanting 2 watch trains. 5:23 AM Jan 2nd from TwitterBerry

  36. Did you know God offers forgiveness 2 U, only when U forgive those who sin against U? I know, wow! Matthew 6:14 5:13 AM Jan 2nd from TwitterBerry

  37. God says we are to love those who don’t like us, maybe they have done bad things to us. Are you doing it? Matthew 5: 43-48 if U R His U Must 5:08 AM Jan 2nd from TwitterBerry

  38. Blessed R those who mourn their sin, God will comfort us. Matthew 5:4 4:59 AM Jan 2nd from TwitterBerry

  39. Lord, help me remember that lies are like baloons. The more hot air I add to them, the bigger they get. 4:55 AM Jan 2nd from TwitterBerry

  40. Setting up the treadmill today , looks like the entire week is setting record cold temperatures 4:31 AM Jan 2nd from web

  41. Myrtle Beach Marathon 41 DAYS | 0 HRS | 1 MINS | 41 SECONDS 4:28 AM Jan 2nd from web

  42. Day 2 Reading through the NT in 90 Days http://imagebearer.wordpress.com/2010/01/02/day-2-90-days-to-read-the-new-testament-tniv/ 4:27 AM Jan 2nd from web

January 3, 2010 Posted by | Uncategorized | Leave a Comment

Day 3-90 Days to read the New Testament (TNIV)

Matthew 8

Jesus Heals a Man With Leprosy

1 When Jesus came down from the mountainside, large crowds followed him. 2 A man with leprosy [a] came and knelt before him and said, “Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.”

3 Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!” Immediately he was cleansed of his leprosy. 4 Then Jesus said to him, “See that you don’t tell anyone. But go, show yourself to the priest and offer the gift Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.”

The Faith of the Centurion

5 When Jesus had entered Capernaum, a centurion came to him, asking for help. 6 “Lord,” he said, “my servant lies at home paralyzed, suffering terribly.”

7 Jesus said to him, “Shall I come and heal him?”

8 The centurion replied, “Lord, I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. But just say the word, and my servant will be healed. 9 For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and that one, ‘Come,’ and he comes. I say to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.”

10 When Jesus heard this, he was amazed and said to those following him, “Truly I tell you, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith. 11 I say to you that many will come from the east and the west, and will take their places at the feast with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven. 12 But the subjects of the kingdom will be thrown outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

13 Then Jesus said to the centurion, “Go! Let it be done just as you believed it would.” And his servant was healed at that very hour.

Jesus Heals Many

14 When Jesus came into Peter’s house, he saw Peter’s mother-in-law lying in bed with a fever. 15 He touched her hand and the fever left her, and she got up and began to wait on him.

16 When evening came, many who were demon-possessed were brought to him, and he drove out the spirits with a word and healed all the sick. 17 This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah:
“He took up our infirmities
and bore our diseases.” [b]

The Cost of Following Jesus

18 When Jesus saw the crowd around him, he gave orders to cross to the other side of the lake. 19 Then a teacher of the law came to him and said, “Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go.”

20 Jesus replied, “Foxes have holes and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.”

21 Another disciple said to him, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.”

22 But Jesus told him, “Follow me, and let the dead bury their own dead.”

Jesus Calms the Storm

23 Then he got into the boat and his disciples followed him. 24 Suddenly a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. 25 The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!”

26 He replied, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm.

27 The men were amazed and asked, “What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!”

Jesus Restores Two Demon-Possessed Men

28 When he arrived at the other side in the region of the Gadarenes, [c] two demon-possessed men coming from the tombs met him. They were so violent that no one could pass that way. 29 “What do you want with us, Son of God?” they shouted. “Have you come here to torture us before the appointed time?”

30 Some distance from them a large herd of pigs was feeding. 31 The demons begged Jesus, “If you drive us out, send us into the herd of pigs.”

32 He said to them, “Go!” So they came out and went into the pigs, and the whole herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and died in the water. 33 Those tending the pigs ran off, went into the town and reported all this, including what had happened to the demon-possessed men. 34 Then the whole town went out to meet Jesus. And when they saw him, they pleaded with him to leave their region.

Matthew 9

Jesus Forgives and Heals a Paralyzed Man

1 Jesus stepped into a boat, crossed over and came to his own town. 2 Some men brought to him a paralyzed man, lying on a mat. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the man, “Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven.”

3 At this, some of the teachers of the law said to themselves, “This fellow is blaspheming!”

4 Knowing their thoughts, Jesus said, “Why do you entertain evil thoughts in your hearts? 5 Which is easier: to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk’? 6 But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” So he said to the paralyzed man, “Get up, take your mat and go home.” 7 Then the man got up and went home. 8 When the crowd saw this, they were filled with awe; and they praised God, who had given such authority to human beings.

The Calling of Matthew

9 As Jesus went on from there, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax collector’s booth. “Follow me,” he told him, and Matthew got up and followed him.

10 While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew’s house, many tax collectors and sinners came and ate with him and his disciples. 11 When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?”

12 On hearing this, Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. 13 But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ [d] For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”

Jesus Questioned About Fasting

14 Then John’s disciples came and asked him, “How is it that we and the Pharisees fast often, but your disciples do not fast?”

15 Jesus answered, “How can the guests of the bridegroom mourn while he is with them? The time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them; then they will fast.

16 “No one sews a patch of unshrunk cloth on an old garment, for the patch will pull away from the garment, making the tear worse. 17 Neither do people pour new wine into old wineskins. If they do, the skins will burst; the wine will run out, and the wineskins will be ruined. No, they pour new wine into new wineskins, and both are preserved.”

Jesus Raises a Dead Girl and Heals a Sick Woman

18 While he was saying this, a synagogue leader came and knelt before him and said, “My daughter has just died. But come and put your hand on her, and she will live.” 19 Jesus got up and went with him, and so did his disciples.

20 Just then a woman who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years came up behind him and touched the edge of his cloak. 21 She said to herself, “If I only touch his cloak, I will be healed.”

22 Jesus turned and saw her. “Take heart, daughter,” he said, “your faith has healed you.” And the woman was healed from that moment.

23 When Jesus entered the synagogue leader’s house and saw the noisy crowd and people playing pipes, 24 he said, “Go away. The girl is not dead but asleep.” But they laughed at him. 25 After the crowd had been put outside, he went in and took the girl by the hand, and she got up. 26 News of this spread through all that region.

Jesus Heals the Blind and the Mute

27 As Jesus went on from there, two blind men followed him, calling out, “Have mercy on us, Son of David!”

28 When he had gone indoors, the blind men came to him, and he asked them, “Do you believe that I am able to do this?”
“Yes, Lord,” they replied.

29 Then he touched their eyes and said, “According to your faith let it be done to you”; 30 and their sight was restored. Jesus warned them sternly, “See that no one knows about this.” 31 But they went out and spread the news about him all over that region.

32 While they were going out, a man who was demon-possessed and could not talk was brought to Jesus. 33 And when the demon was driven out, the man who had been mute spoke. The crowd was amazed and said, “Nothing like this has ever been seen in Israel.”

34 But the Pharisees said, “It is by the prince of demons that he drives out demons.”

The Workers Are Few

35 Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. 36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. 37 Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. 38 Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”

Matthew 10

Jesus Sends Out the Twelve

1 Jesus called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out evil [e] spirits and to heal every disease and sickness.

2 These are the names of the twelve apostles: first, Simon (who is called Peter) and his brother Andrew; James son of Zebedee, and his brother John; 3 Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; 4 Simon the Zealot and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.

5 These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: “Do not go among the Gentiles or enter any town of the Samaritans. 6 Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel. 7 As you go, proclaim this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’ 8 Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, [f] drive out demons. Freely you have received, freely give.

9 “Do not get any gold or silver or copper to take with you in your belts— 10 no bag for the journey or extra shirt or sandals or a staff, for workers are worth their keep. 11 Whatever town or village you enter, search for some worthy person there and stay at that person’s house until you leave. 12 As you enter the home, give it your greeting. 13 If the home is deserving, let your peace rest on it; if it is not, let your peace return to you. 14 If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, shake the dust off your feet when you leave that home or town. 15 Truly I tell you, it will be more bearable for Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment than for that town.

16 “I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves. 17 Be on your guard; you will be handed over to the local councils and be flogged in the synagogues. 18 On my account you will be brought before governors and kings as witnesses to them and to the Gentiles. 19 But when they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say, 20 for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.

21 “Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; children will rebel against their parents and have them put to death. 22 Everyone will hate you because of me, but those who stand firm to the end will be saved. 23 When you are persecuted in one place, flee to another. Truly I tell you, you will not finish going through the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes.

24 “Students are not above their teacher, nor servants above their master. 25 It is enough for students to be like their teacher, and servants like their master. If the head of the house has been called Beelzebul, how much more the members of his household!

26 “So do not be afraid of them. There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. 27 What I tell you in the dark, speak in the daylight; what is whispered in your ear, proclaim from the roofs. 28 Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell. 29 Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care. [g] 30 And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 31 So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.

32 “Whoever publicly acknowledges me I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven. 33 But whoever publicly disowns me I will disown before my Father in heaven.

34 “Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. 35 For I have come to turn
” ‘a man against his father,
a daughter against her mother,
a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law—

36 your enemies will be the members of your own household.’ [h]

37 “Anyone who loves their father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves a son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. 38 Whoever does not take up their cross and follow me is not worthy of me. 39 Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for my sake will find it.

40 “Anyone who welcomes you welcomes me, and anyone who welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. 41 Whoever welcomes someone known to be a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward, and whoever welcomes someone known to be righteous will receive a righteous person’s reward. 42 And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones who is known to be my disciple, truly I tell you, that person will certainly be rewarded.”

January 3, 2010 Posted by | Uncategorized | Leave a Comment

   

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