What an incredible week we experienced at the Testify Witnessing Training Camp in Iowa! By God’s grace, more than 75 Christians were trained and equipped to confidently share the gospel of Jesus Christ. We gathered with one purpose: to glorify Christ by obeying His command to make disciples and proclaim the good news.
The heart of Testify Camp is not simply learning methods or techniques. It is about growing in our love for Christ and our compassion for lost people. As believers, we have been entrusted with the treasure of the gospel, the greatest message in the world! “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes.” (Romans 1:16)
Throughout the camp, attendees received practical instruction on biblical evangelism, gospel conversations, apologetics, and engaging people lovingly and truthfully with the claims of Christ. We spent time in God’s Word, in prayer, and then put what we learned into practice by taking the gospel into our community.
God’s Word Never Returns Void
One of the greatest encouragements during the week came through a surprise encounter at our gospel booth. A young man approached me with a smile on his face.
“Do you remember me?” he asked.
I looked at him and honestly couldn’t place him.
“I’m sorry,” I replied. “I don’t think I do. Can you remind me how we met?”
He laughed.
“You shared the gospel with me several years ago.”
My interest immediately peaked.
“Really? Where did we meet?”
He began describing the conversation and the location where we had met. As he shared the details, a memory started to surface.
“Wait a minute…” I said. “Are you talking about that one building where we spoke inside the fairgrounds? Were you and your co-worker driving a golf cart? ”
“That’s right,” he said. “You spent time explaining the gospel to me.”
Then it hit me.
“I remember now!” I exclaimed. “I actually took a picture of that gospel conversation!”
What a joy to realize that years earlier the Lord had allowed us to plant a gospel seed, and now He had brought this young man back across our path. He told me that He surrendered to the Lord Jesus Christ about two months after that encounter and has been growing in the grace and knowledge of the Lord ever since and that he loves to evangelize! His coworker turned to Christ about two months after him and is growing in the Lord as well, praise God!
I was reminded of Paul’s words: “I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth.” (1 Corinthians 3:6) We often do not see the results of our gospel conversations. Sometimes we never know how the Lord is working in a person’s heart. Yet God is always faithful to accomplish His purposes through His Word. “So shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose.” (Isaiah 55:11) Trevor’s story was a powerful reminder that every gospel conversation matters. We may not remember every person we speak with, but God does. We may not see the fruit immediately, but the Lord is always at work. The seeds planted through faithful gospel witness can bear fruit years later.
As we watched dozens of believers step out in faith during Testify Camp, we were reminded that evangelism is not reserved for a select few. Every Christian is called to be Christ’s ambassador. “Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us.” (2 Corinthians 5:20)
Throughout the camp, we saw believers overcome fear, engage strangers in meaningful conversations, and grow in confidence as they learned to communicate the message of salvation through Jesus Christ alone. The need is great, but the opportunities are even greater. Jesus told His disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few.” (Matthew 9:37) That is why we continue to equip believers and take the gospel where people gather.
Join Us at Riverfest and Evangelism Training to Reach Jews for Jesus
The next opportunity is right around the corner! We will be sharing the gospel at Riverfest, the Labor Day fireworks event on the Ohio River in Cincinnati. We would love for you to join us starting at 4pm. Whether you are experienced in evangelism or have never shared your faith before, there is a place for you on the team.
Before the outreach, we will host a special evangelism training event at Torch Community Church on Saturday, September 5, beginning at 10:00 AM. This training will focus specifically on reaching Jewish people with the gospel of Jesus Christ. We will explore how the Old Testament points to Christ, discuss common questions and objections, and learn practical ways to have loving and biblical conversations with our Jewish friends and neighbors. If you have a heart to see Jewish people come to know their Messiah, this training will encourage and equip you for gospel conversations.
Sign Up for the Kansas State Fair Testify Camp
The outreach doesn’t stop there. Our next Testify Witnessing Training Camp will take place at the Kansas State Fair from September 10-14. For five days, believers from across the country will receive hands-on evangelism training and immediately put those lessons into practice among the thousands of people attending the fair. There are few environments better suited for evangelism than a state fair. Every day brings countless opportunities to share Christ with people from all walks of life. Whether through one-on-one conversations, gospel literature, open-air preaching, or gospel booths, our desire is simple: to make Jesus Christ known.
The fields are still white for harvest. Let us go with confidence, knowing that Christ is building His church, His gospel is the power of God for salvation, and His Word will never return void.
We hope to see you at Riverfest, at the Torch Church training event, or at the Kansas State Fair Testify Camp as we labor together to make the name of Jesus famous.
