Jesus said: Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:18-20) Therefore, we are disciples sent out as Christ’s witnesses to make disciples.
A Gospel Outreach “GO” Team is a group of Christ-followers at Pineland who go into the community to pray, preach, and serve together. We bring the church outside of the four walls and into the community.
What is a GO Team?
Go stands for Gospel Outreach and also describes the actions of a group of believers who have a burden to reach the lost and exercise the spiritual gifts God has given us. Specifically we aim to actively pursue the lost and share the gospel in obedience to the numerous commands of scripture to GO.
What happens on a typical outing?
We meet 3 Fridays a month at 7 pm in Spencer Smith Park, Burlington or Jackson Square, Hamilton depending on the weather. We start and finish the evening in prayer together, recognizing our total dependence on God to bless our efforts. At a central area, in groups of two or three we look to get into Gospel conversations with people. This happens easier than you think with good Gospel tracts, which are a great way to break the ice and lead the conversation to spiritual matters. Many people are happy to stop and chat and those uninterested continue on their way. God is incredibly faithful and always blesses us with great conversations. It is not uncommon for several of us to be engaged in lengthy conversation simultaneously. An added bonus of Spencer Smith Park is a group of about 30 young adults who sing praise and worship while people pass by. It is a great atmosphere and a natural gathering spot as people stop to talk and hear the music. Christ is being proclaimed and lifted up in worship publicly, what a beautiful thing!
Who can be involved?
Although sharing Christ and His saving Gospel is the heart of the GO Team, there is certainly much more than that taking place on any given evening. There are many opportunities to use your unique Spirit given gift outside of a direct Gospel presentation. Scripture speaks of the Church as one body with many individual members, imagine that body moving outside the four walls each of us with different strengths, reaching out together. Prayer, acts of mercy, encouragement, a compassionate ear to hurting people, a chance to share your testimony and great fellowship happen all the time. Would you like to be apart of that?
How can I pray for this ministry?
I am so thankful for the many people who continually pray for the GO Team. I send out weekly updates via the prayer chain but here are some points you can pray through.
-The Spirit to work in the hearts of those who hear. Jn 6:44, Jn16:8, Eze 36:26
-The heart and conduct of those who participate in the GO Team Pr 4:23, 2Tim2:24-26
-An open door for the word, clear gracious speech, wisdom Col4:3-5
-Boldness Eph 6:19, Pr29:25
-Lord would send labourers into the harvest Lu 10:2