10 steps for implementing GPS
By: Chip Arnhart & Jerry Pipes

ALPHARETTA, Ga. (BP)--As Southern Baptists prepare to implement "God's Plan for Sharing: Across North America" in the coming months, the North American Mission Board offers 10 steps toward reaching the goal.

1. Pray. Mobilize your church to pray for all lost people in your community and your church's efforts to reach them.

2. Determine your territory. Determine which homes your church will touch through prayer and the "Find It Here" Gospel distribution. Check with your association to identify other participating churches so as not to overlap efforts.

3. Order "Across North America" materials. The first item you'll need is the Pastor/Church Preparation Guide. You can download this at www.scbi.org/gps or order a copy for a small fee by calling 866-407-6262.

Orders for plastic bags and Find It Here Gospel drop-in pieces have already been placed with the state convention. These can be picked up at your association's March 1 "Crossing Indiana" Tip-off Rally. (Click for details locations.)

4. Update your church's profile. Visit sbc.net and view your church's listing, and if necessary, correct your church's information. Churches can make changes to their online information anytime using their 7-digit SBC ID# (the same number used for the Annual Church Profile) by going to churchsearch.net.  Be sure the address listed is your physical address and not a P.O. Box. Those looking for church homes during this campaign will be sent to this website to find churches in their area.

5. Become an ERC Covenant Church. The information from individuals contacting the Evangelism Response Center is sent to Covenant Churches for follow-up. If your church is equipped and registered as a Covenant Church, then the contact information of people accepting Christ in your area will come to you. For more information about Covenant Churches call 770-410-6383 or e-mail erc@namb.net.

6. Provide your congregation with evangelism training. The Across North America campaign is an opportunity to equip your congregation to share the Gospel. Visit gps2020.net for ideas and materials to help you equip your church in evangelism. [NOTE: In Indiana training will be available in each association at the simultaneous March 1 "Crossing Indiana" Tip-off Rallies.

7. Prepare your church for company. Easter Sunday will be a day when many people come and visit for the first time. Remember, you never get a second chance to make a first impression. Be sure this isn't their last time visiting by preparing to welcome and incorporate visitors into your activities and services.

8. Keep it simple. Adding extra steps to this tested process only weakens the campaign. Across North America consists of four simple steps:

a. A three-week targeted media saturation taking place March 20 through April 11 (TV, radio, billboards, newspapers, etc.).

b. Participating churches prayerwalking their communities on the weekend of March 20.

c. Participating churches on March 27 distributing clear bags containing a "Find It Here" Gospel drop-in piece and an invitation to your Easter services to each home in your territory.

d. Participating churches conducting a five-week follow-up process after Easter.

9. Make Easter Sunday, April 4, special. Because of your prayers and hands-on work to distribute the Gospel, many lost people will be at your Easter Sunday services. Take full advantage of this time by clearly presenting the Gospel and providing an opportunity for people to respond.

10. Celebrate what God has done. Host a baptism celebration, reflect with thanksgiving on the changed lives, praise God for the number of believers trained and rejoice about the revival experienced in your community. Let God continue this transformation in your heart, your church and your community.
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Chip Arnhart is resource coordinator for the North American Mission Board's spiritual awakening team, and Jerry Pipes is the team's leader.
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