Engage 1:8

Engage 1:8 is named for the charge Jesus gave His apostles as He prepared to leave them. In Acts 1:8, He said "You will tell everyone about me in Jerusalem, in all Judea, in Samaria, and everywhere in the world." His followers were to actively engage with people in their community (Jerusalem), their country (Judea), other cultures (Samaria), and other nations (everywhere in the world) to tell them about Jesus.

Unfortunately, society has taught us that sharing our faith shows "intolerance" of other people's beliefs. The devil uses societies' teachings to convince us that it is wrong to proactively tell others about Jesus. Engage 1:8 helps us overcome this lie and fulfill one of God's key purposes for our life.

The Engage 1:8 ministry is actually an integrated part of every other ministry at Greenville Oaks. Ministry leaders encourage, train, and equip members to more clearly see how God works in our lives and in the lives of other people. Whether we are caring for a guest's baby in the nursery, visiting with a neighbor, or conducting health screenings in a third world country, Engage 1:8 increases our ability to see God and join His work by naturally sharing our own God story. There is nothing wrong with telling another person about something good in our lives.

As we become more fully devoted followers of Christ, we recognize how God has blessed us with a wealth of experiences that He wants us to use to help bring others into His family.  The Bible says, "Those who believe in the Son of God have a testimony of God in them" (1 John 5:10a GWT). As we learn to share God's love, we will fulfill our mission in the world.