Partners In The Mission: Connecting All People to Jesus Christ 08/14/2007 a message from Dr. Bill Mackey, executive director Connecting all people to Jesus Christ is the mission of the Kentucky Baptist Convention and Kentucky Baptists Connect was initiated three years ago to help us put feet to this mission. We’ve seen many successes and many Kentucky Baptist Connect goals have either already been met or are well on their way to being met. But as we prepare to enter the final two years of the current five-year plan, we’ve seen only limited success with the primary goal of increasing baptisms. In fact, if KBC churches are going to reach the big goal of 25,000 baptisms a year by 2008-2009 it will require that each church increase baptisms by 20 percent each of the next two years. This isn’t to say the goal is far-fetched though. In fact, KBC churches did exceed 25,000 baptisms in 1951 and 1952 and did it with only about half the number of churches we now have. For me, the question is not “Can it happen again?” but “How can it happen?” Here’s a simple plan that could be used mightily by God to reach people. It would involve the following: Connect people to God through prayer. Spiritual plans require the presence and power of God (John 15:5). What would happen if Kentucky Baptists would regularly seek God in a concert of prayer? We can pray in groups, Sunday school classes and families. We can prayer walk schools, neighborhoods, businesses and churches. (Kentucky Baptists are already gathering for prayer on Sept. 11 to “Pray With One Voice” at locations in associations.) Connect to communities through servant evangelism. Every church can strengthen its image by conducting a successful, ongoing, servant evangelism emphasis in the community. Every church can conduct an effective outreach vacation Bible school. Find a need in your community and meet that need with increasing excellence. Upward Basketball has provided a great ministry. Seminars on wellness, rearing children, and financial freedom are other good starting places. Connect believers with skills to witness. There are so many excellent tools, such as “Witnessing Without Fear”, “Walk Across the Room”, “FAITH”, “Becoming A Contagious Christian”, “Steps to Peace With God”, etc. Connect people with the gospel through outreach events/church revivals. These can include block parties, vacation Bible schools, revivals and youth outreach events. Connect people to the church through baptism and discipleship. This has been the greatest challenge. Follow up will require special enlistment of workers and training. It seems to me that every church, with members who are serious about the Great Commission, can connect in prayer, servant evangelism, witnessing, harvesting and discipleship. I am grateful for those who experience this kind of connection and I pray that it will be true for all of us. Dr. Mackey's column appears weekly in the Western Recorder. To subscribe to the Western Recorder, call (502) 489-3535.