CHURCH DEPARTMENTS

For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? (Romans 10: 13,14)

Members of Calvary Church regularly go out into the local area to witness that Christ saves sinners, and has saved us.

Every Thursday, a few members go out armed with leaflets from the Wordsowers. This group have produced a series of ten leaflets, each having both a simple explanation of a Christian belief, and a testimony from a born-again believer. The church's former system was to knock on doors and hand over a leaflet inviting them to our services. This was of great value, as we can now affirm that every house within a mile-and-a-half radius of the church has been presented with the gospel.

It was our new(ish) pastor who brought in the idea of using the Wordsowers materials. Each house has a leaflet posted on the first visit, and they are prayed for specifically. The week after, they are asked if they read the first leaflet and if they would like the next one in the series. If they are not interested, they are removed from the list. Otherwise, they continue to receive all ten, being spoken to on alternate weeks, but being prayed for continually.

There is widespread confusion about religious things throughout the world, and this area is no exception. We are always mindful that these people are visited by Mormons and Jehovah's Witnesses and, to many, we are simply one more group trying to recruit new followers. Some claim to be 'C of E' or 'RC', hoping that we'll smile and go on our way. We find, almost without exception, that they believe their 'respectable' living and church-going is pleasing to God. While they are familiar with the concept of God, they generally lack a personal relationship with Him. To these, we try to present the person of Christ, and the need to repent and believe the gospel.

Another barrier people erect to avoid facing up to the truth about God is evolution. This hypothesis has caused many to turn aside from God, despite its huge flaws. To these people we present God as the Creator, and attempt to show the weaknesses in the evolutionary ideas they believe. Answers in Genesis is a ministry which upholds the Bible from the very first verse, and their resources are a big help in countering such Godless ideas.

A group of Liverpool churches, including Calvary, arranges outreach in the city centre several times a year. Under the name Listen Liverpool, the churches hold open-air services where the preaching of the gospel is central. The week before the open-air, people from the churches involved meet for prayer and enjoy a fellowship breakfast together.

May the Lord be pleased to use all these efforts to save people from their sins, and thus bring glory to his name.