CPE sees results in 1998

ABBOTSFORD, B.C.

Church Partnership Evangelism, a joint program with MBMS International in reaching non-believers around the world with the gospel of Jesus Christ, recently published a summary of its work in 1998. CPE workers from Canada and the US are sent out in teams with local Christian workers to evangelize door to door.

Jack and Louise Friesen of Abbotsford, B.C. introduced several churches to the CPE program. Using the CPE training program, The Friesens, along with Cecil Hunter, Del Reilly and Hal Chipman from Oregon, organized their own campaign.

Friesen summed up, "[Hunter, Reilly and Chipman] were so thrilled to see people come to the Lord that they wanted to go out every day. [They] had not seen anything like this. What seemed impossible in the noise and confusion on the city street God turned in a miraculous way. After five trips, more than 110 prayed to receive Christ."

Nick Dyck led a group of 28 North Americans, including a class from Bethany Bible Institute, Hepburn, Sask., that shared in numerous campaigns on Palawan Island. Dyck reported that the local workers had been well-prepared and that they had a number of good experiences. The churches requested two campaigns for next season.

In Odessa, 17 people indicated their desire to be baptized.

In Korovograd, a woman who was contacted during the CPE campaign did not make a commitment to Christ until six months later when she felt convicted.

India

Harvey Harder of Abbotsford, B.C. was witnessing to a group of women when a man appeared holding his hand on a large, painful lump on his neck. After the man accepted Christ, Harder anointed the tumour and prayed for God's healing. The next morning, the tumour was gone. This miracle of God touched the reluctant pastor and the villagers who came to hear God's message.

Katharina Brown said that although few people opened their doors in this middle class area, some were receptive to the gospel such as the shoeshine boy, people sitting on benches or in the dirt, or people relaxing in the park. Over 800 responded to accept the Lord.

In 1997, John Penner recorded 66 decisions for Christ, of those 42 attend church fellowship, 24 have been baptized and 18 are taking baptismal classes. Ten are actively involved in church ministry.

In 1998, of the 39 who made decisions for Christ, 20 are in group Bible studies. In a third area, almost all of the 58 who accepted Christ are coming for fellowship.

In January 1999, in a church near Sullana, the pastor noted that 29 converts were baptized and joined the church. In April, another 35 people were to be baptized, the congregation was planning to plant a new church and God healed a woman of her illness.

In February, 1,586 accepted Christ.

The number of campaigns in the past years:

1993: 3; 1994: 5; 1995: 8; 1996: 10; 1997: 14; 1998: 21; 1999: 23 are being planned

Some of the expenses in 1998 for CPE outreach:

Airfare: $349,301; Accommodation, local transport and food: $352,700; Bibles and preparation materials: $175,054.

from Connector, the newsletter of Church Partnership Evangelism

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