"... Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen. Matthew 28:18-20.

Evangelism, What Next?

This is a very important question. Often many ministries are ending up at Evangelism-preaching gospel by various methods and strategies. Then, what happens? The new converts, who accepted the good news are left to fend for themselves. And so naturally, after some days, the initial interest and zeal dies down and they are back to their old life. What happened to all the labor, prayers and resources used? Everything seems to be in vain! A waste!

The Lord Jesus said: "I have chosen you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should remain." John 15:16.

In order for the "fruit to remain", after evangelism, the new converts have to be discipled. This next stage after evangelism is known as "Follow Up". Actually, it is part of Discipleship. So let us see something about this important step in making disciples.

A. Scriptural Principle:

1.From Matt.28:18-20; Mk.16:15. Go, preach(evangelism) and teach(followup/discipleship).
2.The 13 N.T. letters are all follow-up letters-to encourage believers in the faith and to teach the Word clearly.
3.Acts 9:10-18. Ananias follows up on Paul who has just been confronted by the Lord and needed someone to guide him along further in the new way.
4. Acts 13:38-44. At Antioch, Paul & Barnabas, persuaded them to continue.
5.Acts 14: 21-23.confirming, exhorting to continue and even ordained elders for them to continue the work of discipling the new souls.
6.Acts 15: 36. Paul tells Barnabas of visiting the new converts to see how they were doing in their faith.
7. 2 Timothy 2:2. Paul's exhortation to Timothy to continue in the things he was taught and to pass them on to others.

B. Types of Follow-Up:

1. Personal Visitation: It was Paul's method too.To visit the new convert personally or sending someone to visit and encourage & teach the Word.
2. Postal: Through letters-sending literature, casettes, etc. e.g.: Paul's epistles.
3. Telephone: converse, encourage, pray and even counsel using the phone.
4. House Group meetings: Maybe the new convert can be invited to a small group gathering in a house-his or someone else's and some simple, fundamental lessons can be taught/ discussed.
5. New convert visits you: If he is willing, you can invite the new convert to visit you or the Church and there you can minister to him.

C. Characteristics of an Effective Follow Up worker:

1. A Spiritual Parent: 1Thess. 2:7-8. he should be like a parent to have love & care for the new convert.
2. A Spirit-led Counsellor:
3. A Personal Friend:
4. A Practical Example: 1Thess. 1:6-7.
5. A Prayer Partner: 2Tim. 1:3; Eph.1:16; Col.1: 3.
6. A Teacher of Truth:
7. A Generous Giver:

D. The Elements of Effective Follow-Up: Acts 14: 21-23.

1. Paul Strengthened the disciples:
2. Paul encouraged them:
3. Paul warned them:
4. Paul prayed for them:
An example: Paul==>Timothy (Acts 16:1-5).
Priscilla & Acquila==>Apollos (Acts 18:24-28).

"I thank my God upon every remembrance of you...being confident of this very thing, that He which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ."
Philippians 1:3-6.