by Gary D. Myers
Reprinted from Baptist Press, news service of the Southern Baptist Convention.
NEW ORLEANS (BP) — Don’t tell seminary professor Preston Nix that door-to-door evangelism in New Orleans does not work. Time and again, he has found that loving Gospel conversations, even during door-to-door evangelism, can and do lead to decisions for Christ.
The goal was to visit 100 houses in Gentilly with teams of three or four offering smoke alarm batteries, a 100th anniversary pen from NOBTS, and a Gospel conversation to all who would listen.
“It does not work … if you do not work it,” said Nix, professor of evangelism and evangelistic preaching at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. “But if you work it with a smile on your face, the love of Christ in your heart, and the Good News of the Gospel on your lips shared with kindness and conviction, you will be amazed at how many people will listen to you and respond to the message of the Gospel.”
During a recent servanthood evangelism effort in the Edgewood Park/Gentilly neighborhood near New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, six people trusted Christ as their Savior and 16 prospects were identified.
Gentilly Baptist Church began providing follow-up visits to each new believer and each prospect just days after the initial evangelism effort.
Nix planned the servanthood evangelism project for April 26. Called “100 houses — 100 minutes,” the goal was to visit 100 houses in Gentilly with teams of three or four offering smoke alarm batteries, a 100th anniversary pen from NOBTS, and a Gospel conversation to all who would listen. Nix felt confident it was possible to do all of this in an hour and a half if enough students and faculty members participated.<