On Saturday 25^th April over fifty people, representing eight different Baptist churches, gathered at Warley Baptist Church in the West Midlands for a day of training in personal evangelism and mission.

The Heart of England Baptist Association and Saltmine Trust staged the event and invited churchgoers from across the region to attend.  Rev Adrian Argile (HEBA) and Rev Jon Turner (Saltmine Trust) taught the basics on how to share faith.  Topics covered included how to engage with your neighbours, share your testimony, and tell a good story.  The day also offered ideas on wider church mission and outreach so that delegates could host an evangelistic event suitable for those on the fringe of the church community.

Jon Turner stated, ‘I wanted to put on an event that was light-hearted in approach but serious in its goals.   Not everyone is called to be an evangelist but everyone is called by Christ to engage in evangelism.  However the task can seem daunting, my hope was that by teaching the basics of faith sharing, people might feel better equipped and more encouraged to actively engage in evangelism – the great commission of Matt.28:19-20 will only be fulfilled if everyone plays their part in mission and outreach.'

Adrian Argile says, ‘In recent years there has been a focus on ‘being the people of God’ which has been most valuable but regrettably this has been mirrored by a reluctance to share one’s faith. ‘First Steps’ was designed to give people confidence in the Gospel and confidence to share the Gospel story. Our prayer is that we will openly declare in word and action all God has done for us in Christ.’

Rev Terry Broadhurst of Bromsgrove Baptist Church also contributed to the day in his capacity as Mission Rep. for the Worcs. Group of churches in HEBA.