By Major Darlene Harvey
The mountaintop, life-changing experience of the National Seminar on Evangelism (NSE) is spreading across the nation now via seminars held in divisions. The Kansas and Western Missouri Division (KWM) hosted the first in the Central Territory this fall led by Lt. Colonels David and Naomi Kelly and Major Donna Leedom from National Headquarters. It has been their vision to take the NSE experience in Glen Eyrie, Colo., to more soldiers and officers across the country.
More than 300 adults and children gathered for a wonderful weekend of teaching on relational evangelism during the KWM Pilgrimage. Adults attended united sessions, while children and teens received age-appropriate training led by Majors Amos and Cyndi Shiels and Majors Joseph and Lois Wheeler.
Just Walk Across the Room by Bill Hybels focuses on relationship-building with the challenge for Christians to leave their comfort zones and go to where people are. Just like at NSE, the curriculum’s four themes served as focuses for united sessions which were opened by a praise team led by John Stewart and incorporated interactive teaching and videos. During the weekend delegates could visit a prayer room, organized by Majors Jim and Peggy Mungai, to make deeper commitments in their relationship with God.
Saturday focused on being willing to go wherever God calls. An international food fair raised $2,200 for World Services/Self-Denial and the evening program included a farewell for Major Evie Diaz, then divisional commander, who has demonstrated her willingness to follow God’s call internationally. She encouraged delegates to engage in friendships with those who are different than them in looks, actions and even beliefs so that they might have the opportunity to share God’s love.
Prior to morning worship delegates met as corps groups, just like at NSE, to make action plans with
goals for implementing evangelism at their corps. The seminar concluded with a time of commitment where delegates knelt at a table in the form of a cross and wrote names of people for whom they are praying to find salvation.
