Feb. 16, 2010
Every name has a soul.
The fourth annual SpringLife emphasis is approaching (March 7-May 2, 2010), and the connection between eternity and the soul takes on added importance.
SpringLife is the annual evangelism and discipleship emphasis for the entire Church. According to Jim Dunn, Department of Spiritual Formation General Director, each spring, Wesleyan churches use SpringLife materials to motivate congregations to do two things: share personal faith stories in Jesus with someone and commit to becoming a better follower of Jesus in the year ahead.
“SpringLife unifies the Church in being Christ’s witnesses along with becoming more like the Master Himself,” says Dunn. “Salvation and baptism serve as two key outcomes to SpringLife. All of it is to celebrate the resurrected life of Jesus in the heart of an individual believer as well as a congregation of sold-out followers of Christ.”
During those nine weeks, every Wesleyan is encouraged to verbally tell someone about his or her faith. One special initiative is the SpringLife “Week of Witness Challenge” (March 28-April 4), meant to encourage Christians to communicate their faith and invite others to Easter services during the week between Palm Sunday and Easter.
“SpringLife allows Wesleyans to give themselves wholeheartedly to something that matters deeply to the God we love and serve,” says Chris Conrad, of the Evangelism and Church Growth department. “In order for a church to be healthy and fit, it must involve itself in missional (evangelism) and discipleship activities.”
“It has helped take ‘fear’ out of evangelism,” a 2009 SpringLife participant said about the initiative. Another stated that “emphasizing to pray for others and making a commitment to pray every day develops great habitual lifestyles.” A representative from one Wesleyan church had this to say: “We are a very small church that has struggled for years, and it was great to have an [accessible] program that could be used by a small church. We always look forward to SpringLife.”
Resources are available for ministry to children, youth, and adults, including sermon series, small group and Sunday school lessons, event ideas, and evangelism training. Visit EverySoul.org for more information and resources and to interact with Christians around the globe by posting prayers, sharing ideas, and celebrating God’s work. Materials used are produced by both Spiritual Formation and Evangelism & Church Growth departments.
View the video of Cypress Wesleyan Church celebrating the transformation of lives.
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