Cell Ministry Manual PDF

Cell Ministry Manual TABLE OF CONTENTS Foreword 1. Introduction – Understanding Your World: Urban and Rural Context 2. Chapter 1 – The Lay Christian on a mission 3. Chapter 2 – The Cell Unit 4. Chapter 3 – Cell Leadership 5. Chapter 4 – Soul winning activities 6. Cha...

Cell Ministry Manual TABLE OF CONTENTS Foreword 1. Introduction – Understanding Your World: Urban and Rural Context 2. Chapter 1 – The Lay Christian on a mission 3. Chapter 2 – The Cell Unit 4. Chapter 3 – Cell Leadership 5. Chapter 4 – Soul winning activities 6. Chapter 5 – Leadership Development 7. Chapter 6 – Soul winning Prayers 8. 8. Conclusion ___________________________ FOREWORD This special edition of the cell ministry manual has been revised for all Christian Workers. It shows a pattern of growth from being a new convert to being an active lay minister, which should be the desire of every Christian. The thoughts progress from urban psychology through leadership development to details on the essence the essence of the cell ministry in growing a mega church. This handbook shows you a pattern to follow in order to make a success of soul winning and developing the souls for lay ministry through the cells. Since we are living in an age where several distractions and pressure tempt the Christian to shy away from Christian commitment and ministry, here is a material that will challenge you to a vibrant life of spiritual Christian ministry. Knowledge is power, it is said. Thus we expect every committed Christian to get into active and vibrant organized evangelism. Pastor Chris Oyakhilome November 2006. ___________________________ INTRODUCTION Understanding your World: Urban and Rural context There are basically four different church structures or models namely: 1. Fortress Model – this church structure describes the gathering of Christians where no evangelical activities go on, the members of the church were probably born in the church, new members come in only when a member of the church marries from outside the spouse becomes a member of the church or a couple gives birth to a new born baby. The fortress model church is a family church of very few people; they all know one another. 2. Come all ye Model – this model describes a situation whereby members of the church take on responsibilities in the church based on their profession or skills. A schoolteacher for example may be made to serve in the children’s church, this however is not a guarantee that the teacher is called to minister to children; serving in the children’s church is only necessitated based on professional qualifications. 3. Athletic Model – in the athletic model of church structure, the Pastor seems to do everything. He is like the champion of the church whom the members are cheering on. He does not train others to take on responsibilities in the church because he believes that ministry is only for the clergy. 4. Expeditionary force Model – in this model of church structure, the members are seen and regarded as missionaries to their various spheres of contact, whether it is to those in their profession, or those whom they live with, just anyone that they come in contact with regularly is seen as a potential convert. Here, the members are encouraged to share the gospel with those they come in contact with regularly and bring them into the church. Among the different church structures, the expeditionary-force model best describes the ministerial strategy of Christ Embassy. This model may be regarded as the “go” system, which regards the church members as ministers to their worlds of relationships. As Ray Bakke compares, in the “come all ye” structure, a banker, for example, might teach Sunday school and serve on the church finance committee. He would experience the corporate program of the church as vicarious ministry. But in the expeditionary force model, the same banker would identify a mission field within the bank, perhaps running a bible study with his colleagues or even planning resources to help build or sponsor needy areas of the church outreach program. Most importantly he sees his professional field as a mission field. The expeditionary force structure legitimizes the call to lay mission; thus affirming members’ personal vocation as their ministry. As Bakke rightly puts it, ‘the pastoral task in this regard then, is to help these members, identify, plan for and equip them for their diverse ministry opportunities’. Ministry in an urban environment poses as a huge challenge to the faith of many who hitherto have been successful in their past evangelical involvements at school, their smaller towns, or their structures of the urban city. This has resulted in phenomenal ‘spiritual burnouts’ that have plagued many Christians. To be successfully and meaningfully involved in urban evangelism, you must understand the problems and structures of the city. Most urban people suffer from  1. Psychological overload. 2. Social isolation. 3. Social invisibility. PSYCHOLOGICAL OVERLOAD This refers to activities, calls, and urban stimuli that crave our attention-such as the bombardment of sales messages, lots of casual relationships that have very little personal touch in them. As a result of these overloads, urban people tend to develop mental filters to enable them choose what they accept and opt out of others. They are constantly moving in and out of neighborhoods and relationships. This is the reason door to door evangelism produces very little result. People are tired of casual relationships that they believe are of no personal benefits. Their survival sometimes even depends on their ability to escape or reject further communication. Thus urban people generally become hostile to strangers especially when they feel you want to convert them to your way. SOCIAL ISOLATION There are four basic relationships and these are: a) Biological-family and extended family relationships. b) Geographical- those we know or relate to because of where we live. c) Vocational- the people with whom we work. d) Recreational- those with whom we play or spend some leisure time. In rural areas, we generally have the first two kinds of relationships. We recognize very well those who are related to us by birth and those who live around us. The system is much slower and affords us the opportunity of seeing and meeting with these relatives from day to day. The relationship is closely knit. The situation is different however, in the urban cities. People are more generally identified by their vocation. Urban dwellers hardly relate with you except as it identifies with your job, business or whatever career you are involved with. This is not usually planned by the people, but is one of the results of urbanization. For this reason, unemployment tends to be much more than an economic crisis. It is a social crisis. The economic consequences of unemployment definitely create such hardship that may lead to poverty and self-degradation. But the effect of the consequent social isolation of the unemployed is much more disturbing. It cuts deep into the very fabric of the individuals self value. He becomes unknown or unidentified; he is more or less a non-essential in society. This social isolation creates another cadre of un-reached many in our cities. This is one reason, among many others, why as much as the Christian can; he must see to it that he is not unemployed. He may have a business, and he must be creative. He must find a medium of communication in the world. The bible encourages every Christian to work. SOCIAL INVISIBILITY One of the major features of urbanization is the tendency for the people to develop filters. They cut away from relationships that have no economic advantages. This is largely caused by the high standard of life, and the consequent financial responsibilities. Moreover, the cities are full of people who generally have migrated into them for economic opportunities. This has created enormous social vices as well. The general feeling is that of high insecurity. Urban dwellers tend to shut others out of their lives. This results in social invisibility. You may live next door to another who you have never seen, or known his name. People live in the same apartment buildings, estates, and the likes that may never know each other. This is further enhanced by the work hours of the working class. They have to get to work early, and return home late at night. The little extra time could only be spent with the immediate family and for rest rather than socializing with neighbors. Social insecurity has become the bane of urban city dwellers. This has resulted in all kinds of security systems, alarms, fences, and the psychological filters that have thus, developed in the last few years. These observations must be carefully considered in the evangelization of the cities. Ray Bakke observed, “urban people protect themselves from casual and superficial relationships, because urban life is socially mobile, with many people passing in and out of their lives”. This testifies that as humans with the need to love and be loved, they need some continuing relationships. They want and hunger for fellowship, which is of high quality and lasting. Chapter 1 THE LAY CHRISTIAN ON A MISSION Jesus said, “Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel…” He expects us to go to our entire world – the business world, family world, academic world, residential world, professional world, etc. to be his witnesses. The believer is the communicator of eternal life to his world. He is the custodian of the divine life and the word of God. He is the steward of the divine mysteries of the kingdom. As a believer, you have been sent on a mission. “All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Jesus Christ and gave us, the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation”. (2 Corinthians 5:18-19 NIV). You are on a mission of reconciliation. It is your divine responsibility to bear the message of reconciliation to your world. God’s idea is for you to see your profession, place of work and surrounding or neighborhood; wherever you spend the greater part of your day, as your mission field. You are a missionary to your world. This is not optional: it is the calling and privilege of every Christian. Many Christians, in attempt to carry out this work, begin by calling all the believers of different backgrounds together at their place of work. Thus, the ministry is not evangelical, but just another gathering for believers of divers backgrounds. This will not yield the God-sought results. What you are expected to do is not to call those who are already Christians there together, but to begin an outreach to the lost. You may first call one or two believers who attend the same church with you if there are and share the vision. Otherwise you must do it, beginning alone with the Holy Spirit. When you begin, reaching out and leading others to Christ, and teaching them the word of God regularly, and continuously, revival will sooner or later break out among the believers who have been there before. To minister effectively as a missionary in your world, you need to acquaint yourself with some of the likely problems of those you may be dealing with. This is vital, as you will be required to give them scriptural solutions to their problems without being mean or confrontational. 1. Social commitments. 2. Social insecurity. 3. Suspicions, fearful and reserved dispositions 4. Marital problems 5. Financial difficulties. 6. Deep involvement in various sins and vices 7. Argumentative, critical and analytical tendencies 8. Occultic involvement 9. Demonic harassment 10. Class consciousness 11. Cultural bias. 12. Health problems. In reaching these prospective converts, you must observe the following: 1. Courtesy and good manner of speech. 2. Basic hygiene 3. Decency and cleanliness 4. Prayerfulness 5. Knowledge of scripture on salvation 6. A good reference bible 7. Illustrate with relevant and suitable situations. 8. Acknowledge the individuals right to good living standards and progress or good ambitions. 9. Never deviate from your main purpose of lovingly sharing the word of salvation. Chapter 2 ___________________________ THE CELL UNIT The cell ministry The biological definition of a cell A cell is the smallest structural unit of an organism that is capable of independent functioning, consisting of one or more nuclei, cytoplasm and various organelles; all surrounded by a semi - permeable cell membrane The functionality of a cell in Christ Embassy is derived from the meaning of a cell given above. Structural – means the cell is more than a number in the church, it has a structure and it has its functions. To call it a structural unit means all it’s elements are organized. Independent functioning – being capable of independent functioning lets us know that the cell can carry out it’s own activities as designated by the kind of life that it has i.e. it’s purpose. Surrounded by a permeable membrane – this is like the skin and this is what actually separates the cell and protects it from others. With the semi – permeable membrane, the cell is protected and separated. From the explanations given above, A Christ Embassy cell has all that it requires to function. We said a cell is the smallest structural unit of an organism, though it has all it needs to function, it must remain within the organism to continue living. A Christ Embassy cell can therefore not function separate from the mother church. It must stay connected to its source. The cell as a missionary unit The cell system of Christ Embassy is an avenue for Soul winning and Soul development. The cell units are also designed to encourage fellowship amongst brethren, which is necessary for the nurturing of their faith. Jesus said, “By this shall all men know that you are my disciples if you have love, one for another”. After a believer has started to win souls in his mission station, two or three or more of them already form a cell. From now, they must begin to fellowship, love and help one another. They must now, as a group commit themselves to reach others. They can discuss prospective converts, pray for them, meet them at the point of their needs and invite them to the cell meeting where they find an oasis of love in a troubled world. All the members must regard the cell, as a missionary squad or unit. It automatically has become God’s house or operating headquarters in that place. The cell meetings are required to be evangelistic. The message and testimonies should lead new comers to Christ. Members of the cell must be encouraged to look around for prospective converts that would be invited to the meeting. Steps to winning prospective convert to the cell The first step would be to develop a relationship between that prospective convert and the members or a member of the cell. This doesn’t need to take a very long time. It just needs sufficient communication to warrant the expectation to honour an invitation or to open a good discussion on any good subject without an argument. The next step will be to bring this person to the cell group. During the meeting, as the newcomer witnesses the love among the members, hears the testimonies, the message, and observes the commitment of the members to the lord in prayers, the power of the Lord will come upon his heart. It is obvious that he will commit himself to the lord and receive eternal life. After this meeting, he must not be left to himself. The leader should personally get introduced to him or her, and then ask him how he felt about the meeting. Does he have any questions, and probably ask a few personal questions like, “Do you know now that Christ lives in you? Would you like to share your testimony of salvation with others?” then encourage him to come to the next meeting. He should then be introduced to the rest of the members as a new member. It is important to say here that he may still need to be brought to this next meeting by one of the members. This will let him know that his coming really matters to others. During this meeting, he must not be made the subject of discussion. He should feel free to participate like everyone else. After the meeting the leader or assistant should ask him, if he had any personal problems needing prayers. If he does, then he or she should pray with him there, expecting answers. In this way, he would feel really cared for. The cell and the mother church 1) The cell is the basic fellowship and outreach unit of the mother church. Thus it depends on the mother church for its effective functioning. The programs and activities of the cell are based on the guidelines given by the mother church. The cell leader is therefore a delegated official of the pastorate, transmitting the leadership and the pastoral ministry of the mother church to the basic unit of the church. It is vital therefore that the cell leader stays in close communication with the pastor. 2) The cell ministry is the operational system of follow up of converts and new comers in the church. As equally important is the evangelical program of the church, which is done through the cell groups. This means that the evangelical functions of the cell are the church’s programs. When souls are won through the cells, it is therefore imperative that the cell leaders notify the mother church through the appropriate quarters. The follow up reports on members should also be made available to the church for necessary action. NOTE: the cells in all the departments of the church are full members of the mother church. They are neither autonomous nor interdenominational. Therefore it would be wrong to address, organize, relate to, or parade them as such. New comers to, and members of the cell must be duly encouraged to attend main services at the mother church sometimes, for some people with special cases, this may not be immediately possible due to parental pressures, marital problems, and distance. But with careful persuasion and encouragement they would do it. Cell Meetings and other activities Cell activities are a contributory factor to the cell growth. Therefore, we must give the activities that go on in our cells due consideration. These activities and meetings have been designed for different purposes, but for the benefits of the cell members, the mother church and the ministry at large. Some of such activities and meetings include the following: 1. Prayer Chains. 2. Outreaches. 3. Cell Meetings. a) Prayer and planning meeting b) Bible study meeting c) Outreach meeting d) Fellowship meeting 4. Special dates for the cell members can be used as a form of outreach, to win souls or in-reach meetings to further strengthen relationships amongst cell members. 5. Follow Up and Visitations  6. Publicity of church and ministry programs Prayer chains In a cell, one of the most important activities needful for cell growth is prayer. The importance of the existence of prayer chains cannot be over emphasized. It has been noted that people become close to the people they pray with. It is the same in this case. The purpose of cell activities is basically to give every member of the cell an understanding that everyone is responsible for and to another and for cell growth. Prayer points include: a. Praying for the nation. b. Praying for the church. c. Praying for your pastor. d. Praying for your PCF, PCU or Cell. e. Praying for the plans and objectives of the cell. f. Praying for the members of the cell and their individual needs. g. Praying for the advancement of the gospel in the area that the cell is located. The prayer chain could hold within a particular time belt in a day, but must be organized in such a way that every one can participate. For example a 3-hour belt everyday between 6pm – 9pm meaning the prayer chain runs at closing hours. This is to give every member of the cell an opportunity to participate in it since in urban cities some people close from their offices from about this time. The mode of operation of the prayer chain is very simple; every one praying in his own closet at a particular time for a particular prayer point. It could be patterned in a way that everyday; the emphasis will be a particular prayer point with different sub-points under it. Each cell member will be faithfully and actively involved in it for the space of between 10 -30 minutes as the case may be. Depending on the number of cell members, prayer topics can go from major to every seemingly minute detail. The prayer chain could start up with a small group, when others see the results, they will love to participate. Be sure that it will succeed, when you put it to work, because everything patterned according to the plan of God always works. The bible instructs, “Men ought always to pray and not faint.” Luke 18:1 Outreaches This kind of outreach is slightly different from the 3rd meeting of the month, which is the cell outreach. Here we are looking at the cell being an extension of the main church to their neighbourhood. This will involve activities like the free distribution of Rhapsody of Realities. It will also include the cell members participating in partnership giving for the purpose of reaching the world through our television networks, outreach to our inner cities and the destitute especially children. The cell leader must mobilize all his members to participate in these outreach activities. They ought to give financially towards all of these. Cell meetings The cells have different types of meetings. However, every cell meeting has in it a few minutes of bible study. This is to help achieve our objective of nurturing God’s people and growing them in the word of God, it is to make them sound in doctrine. Also the order of activities for every cell meeting is usually outlined in the cell register and should be followed by the cell leader. To help accomplish the definite aims of the cells, the weekly meetings are structured in the following manner: 1st Meeting – Prayer and Planning Meeting [Duration: One (1) hour] This meeting is very important for the cell because it is through this meeting that the Cell members get acquainted with the goal of the Cell for the month, their various areas of involvement and then pray towards the accomplishment of the goal as a body. Before this meeting, the cell leader ought to have prayerfully outlined the monthly goals of the Cell; the goals are usually communicated during the monthly briefing for all leaders. The cell leader should have also outlined a definite workable schedule of the actualization of all such goals. You cannot afford to miss this meeting or even shelve it for any other activity, it is very important. A schedule of activities for the month should be prepared listing out the goals and objectives, what needs to be done, when should they be done, how will they be done, who will do what? A budget should also be drawn up for expenses that need to be made, and how the money will be raised must be properly communicated to all the members of the cell. 2nd Meeting – Bible Study Meeting [Duration: One (1) hour] Remember that we said there are a few minutes of bible study in every cell meeting; this meeting however is the main bible study day for the cell members. As a Cell, you could organize for this meeting specially, with small well- designed invitation cards. Bible study is educative, informative and inspiring even for the unchurched, so endeavour to have at new people coming in for this meeting. This meeting is also very vital in that it is designed for the building up of the brethren. Every month, the coordinating office will make the bible study outlines for each week available. The coordinating office also works with the Pastor in organizing the bible study preparatory classes for cell leaders and bible study class teachers. The cell leader must therefore encourage the bible study class teachers to attend the This group teaching will hold for 30 minutes after which all groups come together for a recap and a question/answer session. The meeting is concluded with announcements and closing prayers. 3rd Meeting – Outreach Meeting [Duration: Two (2) Hours] This is a very important meeting in the Cell, because it is directly responsible for Cell growth. This meeting holds on the 3rd week of the month, giving the Cell enough time to plan for it and execute it properly for the right results. It is designed for soul winning. In all your meetings you should ensure that people who are invited get saved and filled with the Holy Spirit. This kind of meeting is a little different; it should be the result of the prayer and planning meeting. Now the cell is corporately going out for soul winning, and it can be done in different ways. E.g breakfast outreach, dinner outreach; musical outreach etc. A direction is usually given for each month from the coordinating office. The most vital thing is that this meeting must be oriented towards soul winning. You must ensure that souls are won and the presence of the Holy Ghost is manifested. For any kind of outreach, necessary things must exist before the target date. It is expected that al your cell meeting are very well organized, you must however give the outreach meeting an air of occasion. You must ensure that you have good sound, power supply, good video ( when required), first timers and new convert cards, other materials for new souls that would be won such as Now that You are born again, Rhapsody of Realities and relevant audio and video tapes or CDs. 4th meeting – Fellowship Meeting This meeting is characterized with testimonies for the month, celebrations, breaking of bread. It is a time to get acquainted with one another and especially the new members won during the month. It can hold either at the cell level or the PCU level. Special occasions The cell must take advantage of the members’ cell special days to reach more people. It could a birthday, wedding celebration or other occasions. You must be wise to take advantage of such times to win more people. It is recommended that our ministry books and tapes be used as souvenirs at such occasions. Follow Up and visitations These are vital aspects of the soul winning activities of the cell. The cell leader must organize for the members of the cell to be vitally involved in this. The importance of follow up and how to go about it are outlined in the details in our book – Follow Up Dynamics. Publicity of church and ministry programs The cell is responsible for publicizing the church and ministry programs at the grass roots. Once an announcement is made, the cell leader ought to swing to immediate action in his catchment. The church and the ministry largely depend on the cell to take information about our programs to the grass roots. All the members must therefore be mobilized for personal invitations through one on one contact and awareness through street and neighborhood storms. The cell leader must take this very seriously every time the occasion arises. He must also understand that his feedback to the mother church on responses of the invitees is of utmost importance. The cell structure 1. Cell organization and distribution in PCFs/PCUs/Cells. In all the above-mentioned fellowships of the church, most of the cells are structured thus: a. Vocational-Geographical b. Residential-Geographical c. Strictly vocational d. Age group non geographical e. There may also be specialized cells. This is to be determined by the pastorate.  2. Cell meeting venues The place of meeting for every cell is determined by the structure of the cell itself. However, we advise that all our cell meetings hold in decent places such as hotels, conference centers, and restaurants. The use of schools is discouraged, in cases where homes will be used; it is necessary to get your PCF leaders approval. 3. Starting a new cell A cell can be pioneered in different ways, it can start afresh, it can come out of an existing cell, it can be started as a result of an outreach where souls were won or other evangelical activities; a. Cell formation by ‘Mitosis’ (Cell division) This type of cell formation is very healthy, because it comes from a normal growth process. Every cell in this church has the capacity of growing and dividing as often as possible based on its vision and leadership. Once a cell has more than 50 consistent members, it is due for division b. Cell formation by Outreach This Cell formation is as an end product of an outreach program. At the end of an outreach meeting, souls won can be grouped to form cells with assistant cell leaders who have met the requirements to be cell leaders. c. Cell formation by pioneering This can occur when a committed member, either due to relocation, LMC fieldwork or special interest in an area, is permitted to pioneer a cell in an area. Such a member should of necessity be qualified to be a cell leader. 4. Growing into a Pastoral Care Unit A PCU automatically emerges from three (3) existing cells, which have developed from a single cell: with the original leader becoming the PCU leader. 5. Building a new Pastoral Care Fellowship A PCF will be mandated to give birth to another when it has fifteen (15) PCUs. For example, Diplomats is a pastoral care fellowship. On it’s attainment of 15 PCUs; it is expected to give birth to another PCF that may be called ambassadors. Diplomats will relinquish 3-5 of its present PCUs for Ambassadors to start off. The credit for giving birth to Ambassadors goes to Diplomats, nevertheless, Ambassadors is independent of Diplomats. The appointment of the new PCF leader will be based on suggestion by Diplomats President but ratified by the Pastorate. With this development, the Diplomats leader’s status also changes. Also note that the leadership of the cells, PCUs and PCFs must be duly approved by the pastorate (see qualification of Cell Leader). Chapter 3 ___________________________ CELL LEADERSHIP The Qualities of a Cell Leader A leader is one who shows the way; one who guides and directs. Leadership is the process of guiding, directing and commanding others to achieve a desired goal or vision. In your cell, you are leading, guiding and directing people to accomplish certain things. The ability with which you do these, decides how far your cell will go. Your ability as a leader determines what you can produce and accomplish. We need to recognize that leadership is the key to fulfilling visions and producing results. A leader is one who knows where he is going and carries others along with him. Leaders are consumed with getting things done and accomplishing their goals. Leadership is developed not discovered. It is not something that leaders have but something they become. Leadership is a process. An understanding of leadership builds on five fundamental ideas. 1. Leadership moves the group towards its goal. 2. Leadership builds on meaningful relationships with persons. 3. Leadership motives the group members to achievement. 4. Actions or attitudes that obstruct the objectives of the group do not constitute leadership. 5. Leadership is more than holding an office, but it is responsibility. Leadership Characteristics Passionate - A leader has passion for God, for souls and for excellence Bold - He is not afraid of making mistakes. He uses his mistakes to make proper adjustments and continue on towards the vision and fulfilling the goal. He is not afraid of bearing responsibilities. He takes deliberate steps in order to achieve his goals. Meticulous - He is a thorough organizer and a keeper of meticulous records. Visionary - He is committed to the vision. Another word we could use here is ‘persistence’. A Leader deals with problems rather than giving up on them. They are like a pit bull terrier that doesn’t know how to stop. Committed - With a Leader, there is no such thing as failure. There is no way that this can stop because he is committed, he is going for it and he is not going to quit. This is his mentality. Focused - A leader is focused. He enjoys his work. He is not ‘suffering through’. He is not doing what he has to do, but what he wants to do. He does not allow anything to distract him. A leader enjoys and actually has fun doing what he does. Motivates - Leaders are motivators. They motivate others to get involved with the business. Leaders attract others. They believe deeply in the possibility of progress. They never see anything as impossible. They know that they have the capacity to achieve their goals. So as a leader, expect great things from God. He will honor every effort done in His name. In the work of the Church, we need to expect great accomplishments. Producer - Leaders are producers. They get results. They do not have excuses because they do not allow anything to stop them. A leader is a man of action and one always ready for the top. The Responsibility of the Cell Leader The Cell leader (PCF, OF, PCU leader) has a role to play in the achievement of the vision of the church. Our main goal is Soulwinning and soul development. Therefore everyone in the leadership capacity is responsible for the achievement of this goal. As a leader, you are responsible for the growth of your cell, its expansion and the development of your members. You must have great concern for your cell and members; their absence from a meeting should affect you. The Apostle Paul had great concern for the Israelites. In Romans 9:1-3 he said, “I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience also bearing witness in Holy Ghost, that I have great heaviness and continual sorrow in my heart. For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh.” He said he wished he could be accursed from Christ for the sake of his brethren. He had genuine love for them. He wanted to see them grow unto maturity. He did not deny his responsibilities. He knew that the spiritual growth and development of the brethren depended on him. He was addicted to them. This is the kind of attitude we should have for our cell and brethren. You must have a strong drive for your cell members. Your responsibility is more than holding cell meetings every week or organizing programs. Those are just strategies in accomplishing the goal. Follow up is a vital part of the cell system. It involves the conversation, the maturing and the multiplication of the fruit of evangelism. Colossians1: 28 must ever be our two-fold commission;’ we proclaim him, admonishing (that is evangelism) and teaching every one with all wisdom (follow up) so that we may present every one perfect in Christ. The early Christians were not only concerned with the winning of the lost, but also with their establishment in the faith, attachment to local fellowships (i.e. cell systems) and spiritual growth. We follow up a new convert in order that God may be glorified, as Christ is being formed in him, uniting him in the local body of believers and eventually reaching to others through him. Our aim in follow up should always be not merely to win lives to Christ, but also to train those who will go out and win others. We believe of course that those whom God save, God is well able to keep (Jude2 1:24) yet we see in the book of Acts how the Apostle Paul nevertheless showed deep concern for those who had come to Christ through his ministry, and felt a personal responsibility for them. Your responsibilities should include visiting both the new and the old members. Everybody on earth needs attention. They want to be recognized, they want to be loved. Some people may never have had somebody come to spend sometime with them in their homes. A brother once came to church for the first time and met a sister. The sister told him she would see him the following day at a particular time and he went home. The man did not expect her to visit because he felt that it was just one of those empty promises. Lo and behold, as he was just about to take a nap, he heard a knock on his door and indeed it was the sister. He was overwhelmed that someone could spare the time just to see him. He felt cared for and is now committed in church. In fact, he is presently a Chapter Pastor in this ministry. So you see follow up is important. Record keeping Record keeping entails the storage of vital information at one’s disposal for reference purposes. Information is obtained from human memory, taken in form of printed matter or electronic gadgets and pictures. Information stored or preserved is used for the benefit of all for the now and the future. In Church, record keeping by Cell leaders is very vital. It depicts good organization, purposefulness and foresightedness. It goes to mean therefore that the aforementioned leaders should have records of their dealings with the brethren under their charge, the Coordinating Offices and other organs of the Church. Records such as membership list, attendance at cell and other meetings, programs, testimonies, financial dealings, goals and objectives, correspondence, memos and the like should be kept for use. Record keeping helps to maintain good contact with the various organs of the Church and this ensures progressive advancement in the scheme of things. It helps to monitor the effectiveness of the entire system and those involved Reporting and the use of Cell Registers Records are kept for the purpose of reporting them or making information available. The cell register is an information or report booklet for all the cell groups. Every Cell leader is required to purchase and put this to use. It has provisions where all the information about the cell should be recorded, including their weekly meetings. This report book supplies the information with which the coordinating office monitors the Cells. It is therefore required that every Cell Leader in Christ Embassy get a copy of the register, use it to supply information appropriately and submit on a weekly basis to the coordinating office, since meetings hold weekly. It is collected back after assessment upon the signing of the PCF submission notebook indicating that the register has been submitted and assessed. Each Cell register is designed to cover a quarter. This means that for every quarter, the Cell leader should buy a new register. Cell leaders should not attempt to keep using a particular register when the period of its use has elapsed. Vital information on the use of the cell register is contained in the first page of the report booklet. It is important to note that non-members of the church that attend the cell meetings are not to be listed on the cell members’ personal data page. They could however be listed as visitors, in the weekly attendance page, such people should not be given any leadership position in the cell no matter how long they have been coming, they become members of the church and attend services regularly for them to be listed as members or given any responsibilities in the cell. Monitoring through the feedback system By feedback we mean to revert or report back to the Coordinating Offices, all that it requires and needs to know concerning the brethren. Please ensure that your report forms are properly filled and sent to the Coordinating Offices. With a good feedback system, the Coordinating Offices can properly monitor the Cells and thus be able to able to give practical advice based on adequate information received from you. The Commitment of Cell Leader Having a responsibility and being committed to that responsibility is two different things. You could have a responsibility without being committed to it. The word ‘commitment’ means to entrust, to put into charge or trust. Your commitment to your responsibility is very vital. Commitment is from the heart. You have to decide to be committed to your responsibility. The Apostle Paul made a statement in 1 Timothy1: 11. He said, “According to the glorious gospel of the blessed God which was committed to my trust.” He recognized that the gospel was committed to him and he took the responsibilities very personal. Become more committed to your cell members, to the work you are involved with. Get in touch with what is really happening to your members. Be informed. Proverbs 27: 23 says.” Be thou diligent to know the state of thy flocks, and look well to thy herds.” How much time do you really spend talking with your members? You don’t necessarily have to sit down in a counseling appointment. Get interested in them, find out what’s happening to them, how they are doing in their jobs and in their families. Find out what their needs are and help them meet them because, by this shall men know that we are the Lord’s disciples if we have love one to another (John 13: 35). Chapter 4 SOULWINNING ACTIVITIES DISCIPLESHIP Christ has given His church a clear goal to achieve. Many Christians believe that the goal of the Church is to make converts. This is only partly true. The goal of the church is not to simply make converts to Christianity, but to make disciples of Jesus Christ. WHO IS A DISCIPLE? A disciple is a learner and disciplined follower of Jesus Christ. He is a person who seeks to become like the Master in every aspect of his life. He must take up his cross and follow Christ Jesus (Mathew 16:24-25). He must die to his old way of life and become alive to the new life in Christ (Galatians 2:20). He must bring forth the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). Like Paul, the disciple must hunger to know the Lord In a deeply personal way as his Lord, to know Him in the power of His resurrection and in the fellowship of His suffering (Philippians 3:8-10). Thus the gathering of the brethren is vital to the church to fulfill its goal of making disciples of men. Jesus had a master plan. One of the keys to this plan is meeting through cell groups. During His three years of ministry here on earth, Jesus ministered to multitudes of people. There was however another equally important aspect of His ministry. He gathered twelve men (Laymen) and called them to follow Him (mark 3: 13-19). He then proceeded to pour Himself into them. He taught them, ate with them, worked with them, traveled with them. He prepared these twelve men for when He would leave the world. It would then be up to them to preach the gospel and establish the church. These twelve men made up the first cell group in the history of the church. Jesus Christ calls us to follow Him. He is our great example in all things. The Christian must seek to imitate His lifestyle and to practice His teachings. We should also seek to put into practice His plan for winning the world. A key aspect of Christ Jesus’ plan is the use of small groups in discipleship. The example of Jesus in using a small group to intensively train and equip disciples is the first reason why the church needs them. The early church provides us with an example to follow as well. The Holy Spirit has through the example of the early Church set down for us in the New Testament God’s ideal pattern of church life. The twelve apostles founded the early church. It had the advantage of the first hand understanding of the teachings of Jesus Christ. Even though the practices of the early church were related to a particular time and culture far removed from ours, they still provide us with a model to follow as we draw out specific principles and reapply them in our culture and time. From Acts 2:24-46, we discover that the early church met in two separate gatherings. There were the large group meetings in the temple to worship God together and to listen to the teachings of the apostles. There were also cell group meetings in homes for fellowships, shared meals, prayer and breaking of bread. In other places in Acts we read of the early Church meetings in homes (acts 5:42, 12:12. 20:20). In four of Paul’s letters we read greetings sent to “the Church that meets at their house”. (Romans 16:5, 1 Corinthians 16:19, Colossians 4:15, Philippians 1:2). The early church made extensive use of the cell groups to provide the instruction and fellowship necessary for future discipleship. The early church frequently faced strong oppositions. It lacked all the marvelous communication tools available to us today. Despite these factors, however, it grew at a tremendous rate because it effectively made disciples through small groups. The modern emphasis upon these cell groups’ ministry therefore is not simply another fad, rather the restoration of the church to a New Testament principle. The example of the early church is the second reason why the church today needs cell groups. Christianity is a lifestyle not simply a set of teachings. Jesus said, “go and make disciples of all nations…teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you” Mathew 28:19-20. Becoming a disciple means learning not only to be content with Christ’s teachings but also how to live in obedience to those teachings. A lifestyle is learned not from a book but from another person’s life. The apostle Paul said, “Follow me, even as I follow Christ Jesus”. Therefore relationships are essential to learning the ‘Jesus Christ life’. This is how Paul trained young men for God’s work by taking them with him on his missionary journey. This was also how Timothy was instructed to teach the gospel to others, by being an example to them; ‘set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity’ (1 Timothy 4:12). These cell gatherings provide an ideal place where close personal relationships between believers can be formed and where effective discipling can occur. The need to grow through relationships is the third reason why the church needs cell groups as a vital root for discipleship. FOLLOW-UP The Goal of follow up is to make disciples. Our Lord Jesus Christ said, “Go ye therefore and teach all nations…teaching them to observe whatsoever I have commanded you” (Mathew 28:19-20). He wants for us to disciple all nations but the work of discipling is not complete until the one being discipled comes to appreciate and do the same things being done by the master. Soul winning is our number one commission. “Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye ask of the father in my name, he may give it you” (John 15:16). “And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation … now then we are ambassadors for Christ” 2 Corinthians 5:17-20. God has given us the ministry of reconciling other people back to Him. Discipling continues until our disciples come to appreciate this ministry and be fully involved with it as well. And in order to achieve this, a decision must be taken for follow up. Follow up involves praying for the convert, visiting him, writing or calling him on the phone as the case may be. It also includes introducing him to and involving him with other Christians and Christian service to the extent that he is positively influenced to have a deep desire for God and the things of God. Follow up occupied an important part of the ministry of Paul. After he and Barnabas had made disciples in many cities, they later took time off to go and visit them to the end that they might be established in the faith (acts 14:2-23). His epistles constituted a form of ‘follow up’. Through them he taught the disciples important Christian’s doctrines and made plain to them, the ways of God whist answering their questions and solving their problems. Every Christian should pay serious attention to ‘follow up’. Every fruit you bear should matter to you so much that you want it to remain. Don’t just ‘follow up’ people; go further by getting them interested in ‘follow up’ and encourage their desire to follow up others. That way, you will be ensuring their productivity and stability in the faith, because he that watereth must of a necessity be watered also. Raise your members to be involved in follow-up as you are, so that the bulk of the work does not rest on you alone. Because it is not a one-man job, you’ve got to expand your follow-up base and get others involved and you will surely be assured a greater result. VISITATION Just before our Lord Jesus Christ ascended to heaven, he gave to his disciples the great commission: “go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature, he that believeth not shall be damned” Mark 16:15 The plan of God for us in affecting our world was simple. It is simply winning the person next to you, and then he wins the one next to him, and so on until the whole world is reached. The ministry of visitation was foreshadowed in the Holy Scriptures. When our Lord Jesus Christ began his ministry, he visited the people in their homes; one of his first miracles was performed in a home (Luke 10:5). Although ‘the gospels’ give only brief sketches of Christ’s life, we see that visitation was one of the most important aspects of his ministry. Christ’s calls were never mere social visits, but he used the time to impart spiritual instructions. Thus, his visitations were always purposeful. After his ascension during the time of the early disciples, they committed themselves to teaching the word of God, prayers and breaking of bread during their time of visitation (Acts 2:42-46, 5:42). Paul, one of the foremost apostles, when bidding farewell to the church at Ephesus, called their attention to the fact that he had been faithful in teaching the people publicly and from house to house (Acts 20:18-20). Church history tells us that the spread of the gospel in the early centuries, despite intense persecution was extremely rapid. This tremendous growth was largely the result of their visitation programs. Materials needed for visitation In embarking on a visit to a person, you must bear in mind that you are carrying the church to his office or home. Thus, you must at least have:  ! A bible ! Your cell invitation card (to any of your cell meetings) and our church invitation card. ! A copy of our daily devotional, Rhapsody of Realities from which you can share the word of God for the day with the person. If possible go with an extra copy you can leave with the person. ! Special literature designed with the name of Church and address. These materials really enhance the value of the visitation program. Who do we visit? 1. Those members who attended Church regularly or who have been considered members of the church but have ceased attending. 2. Those who you prayed for and invited to the church i.e. First Timers and New Converts. 3. Those who attend Church services only but not cell meetings. 4. Those who want to get saved and filled with the Holy Spirit. Getting Started… Personal visit Visits are indispensable for effective follow up. Man has a deep need for attention and you can win him if you are “there for him”. So utilize this principle. Pay someone a visit and strengthen him in the faith. Also, through this you establish a relationship with him, which will make it easier for you in following him up. Your visits must be very purposeful. Never leave his home without putting a smile on his face. Give him hope and cause him to be inspired to live the Christian life Use of phone You can use the telephone to fix appointments and find out how he is growing in the faith. Again, the phone can be a medium for strengthening and encouraging the new convert and also for establishing a cordial relationship with the convert. However care should be taken not to stay too long on the line. The use of text messages have also encouraged soul-winning activities, you can take advantage of this Use of letter Some people have not had anybody write to them a long time. The use of correspondence is very important. Letters should be written to converts, both to encourage and to strengthen them; it is also one of the ways of establishing relationships with them. The aim is purely to affect them positively for the Lord. Go in twos In cases of the opposite sex, it will be wiser to visit in the company of some other brother or sister as the case may be, more especially as your convert may not have matured in deep Christian  commitment. Starting a Conversation Be positive in your disposition, no matter the state you meet the person. Let your greeting be warm Be cheerful Make compliments but don’t flatter Make your converts feel at ease with you. This will enhance good communication. Respect and acknowledge his parents/source or brothers/sister What to say Speak nicely Depend on the enabling of the Holy Spirit on what to say, yet don’t be frigid. Find out if he has received the Holy Spirit since he first believed or if he desires to. Avoid religious and doctrinal subjects because it leads to arguments. Get more information about your convert-his names, his occupation, his likes, his hobbies, his birth date etc. Remember people love it when you relate to them personally for it gives them an identity. Plan your time: don’t overstay. Your first visit Take someone along with you on your first visit and introduce yourselves. The second person could always visit him/her when you are not available. Make your visit lively and always end in prayer. Don’t be offensive and do not end in an argument. Be purposeful in your visit: remember that the idea of visitation is to take the church to his home. Encourage him to be in church for the next service. If necessary, offer to pick him up. Remind him of the next time you will visit him or fix an appointment. You can share with him/her lessons on the day’s devotional. Your second and subsequent visits Remember to take your partner with you. Plan your second visit with a bible discussion for you and your convert. Get your convert acquainted with the need of identifying with PCU/Cells of the church. Continue these visits till your convert becomes fully involved in the church and joins you to follow up others. When disciples have been made, then leaders can be raised and more people will be doing the work. Chapter 5 ___________________________ LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT One of the most important visions of this Ministry is training people, to get every member of the Church to be actively involved in the work of the Ministry. Thus we have structured the cell ministry for greater result, especially for leadership development. In every growing system, to maintain and be able to handle growth, a regular expansion of the leadership base is vital. Leadership development must start at the Cell level, where the cell leader knows the members more than everybody else. Our Cell Ministry policy for leadership development starting from cell membership is outlined below Cell Member Bible Study Class teacher Assistant Cell leader Cell leader PCU leader PCU coordinator PCF Leader Deaconry / Lay Pastor Group / Church Pasto Cell Member A cell member is a new convert or Christian who has joined Christ Embassy. Each Cell member is to be developed for leadership after being committed to the cell for a period of at least 3 months. Bible Study Class Teacher In the space of 3 months, a cell member must have a Soulwinning record of at least 3 committed members to the cell. This qualifies him to be a Bible study class teacher within the cell. This means that at every bible study meeting, he teaches a number of 3-5 people with the bible study outline that is produced by the church for all leaders on a steady basis. Assistant Cell Leader With growing commitment of the bible study class teacher and increased class membership (this means that he must be able to win more souls into his class), he becomes an assistant cell leader. There could be more than one assistant cell leader in a cell at a time. When a cell reaches a size of division [fifty (50) members in attendance for more than 4 consecutive meetings], then the first Assistant cell leader becomes the new cell leader. Cell Leader The cell leader, who pioneers the new cell, continues with the vision of the system by winning and discipling souls. If a cell leader pioneers up to three (3) cells, he is qualified to become a PCU leader. Pastoral Care Unit (PCU) leader A cell that has produced about three (3) cell units becomes a pastoral care unit (PCU) with the erstwhile leader made a PCU leader. Please note that the PCU leader should attend the cell meetings of all the cells under his PCU (visiting a cell twice a month) and observes their activities and gives feedback to his PCU coordinator. A PCU leader with five (5) PCUs is qualified to be a PCU coordinator. Pastoral Care Unit (PCU) coordinator As the new PCU continues to grow and expand, it could divide into more PCUs and the original PCU leader becomes a PCU coordinator. The PCU coordinator is a leader among several PCU leaders, in his group. Pastoral Care Fellowship (PCF) leader He is the President of the Pastoral Care Fellowship and oversees the overall activities of the PCF as a body. All other leaders are under his authority. Note: Please note that all cell leaders should ensure the participation of their bible study class teachers in programs for cell leadership (such as Cell Leaders’ refreshers course and cell leaders’ training conference). These programs are designed to acquaint the cell leaders with our doctrines and train them in leadership. Chapter 6 ___________________________ SOULWINNING PRAYERS “The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he that winneth souls is wise” (proverbs 11:30). For effective soul winning, great interventions through prayers are inevitable. God has given us the mandate to win people for Jesus Christ. He told us to go into the world i.e. our sphere of contact to win people and turn them from the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of light. But we have to recognize that there is a god of this world, who is ruling the whole system and preventing people from receiving the gospel of Jesus Christ. The bible says that: “But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost; in whom the God of this world had blinded the minds of them which believe not lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God should shine on them” (2 Corinthians 4:3-4). The word of God brings to our knowledge the existence of the god of this world that is responsible for the blindness of the hearts of people and preventing them from believing the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. Since we are aware that we have a common enemy, we have to stop him from carrying out his evil plans and this is done through prayers. The word ‘wiles’ in Greek is ‘methodias’ which connotes the method through which a thing is done - the different means, plans and schemes used to deceive, entrap, enslave and ruin the souls of men. The devil has various methods used in ruining peoples’ lives and that is the reason why we should stop him and render all his schemes ineffective. Furthermore, the bible never told us that we should not wrestle at all but points out whom we are wrestling against: PRINCIPALITIES, POWERS, RULERS OF THE DARKNESS OF THIS WORLD AND SPIRITUAL WICKEDNESS IN HIGH PLACES. Now the word ‘PRINCIPALITIES’ refers to ‘territorial spirits’. Principalities are not bigger, stronger and more evil than other spirits in the kingdom of darkness. They don’t necessarily have four more heads and ten more eyes. Principalities are simply beings with broad areas of influence in Satan’s kingdom. These powers of darkness are the spiritual rulers of the world, who energize the ungodly, oppose God’s will, and frequently attack the believers of this age. They constitute a vast multitude and are organized into a highly systematized empire of evil with ranks and order. So what is prayer? Since we are aware of this, the bible encourages a persistent prayer life. Prayer is not just mere recitation of words; it is a relationship with God. Prayer is a personal connection with God. It also revitalizes the one who prays. Prayer is doing battle with the invisible forces of darkness. The bible says that the people who know their God shall prove themselves strong and shall stand firm and do exploits for God (Daniel 11:32 Amplified Bible). God expects us to do great exploits and this is only possible by having a clear revelation of who He is. Knowing God from this context is far more than having a general knowledge of God. It talks more about a revelation of who He is and this is a result of having a personal relationship with Him. A relationship is built. It does not happen in a day. It is gradually developed. You can develop a personal relationship with Him through prayers. Types of prayers There are different kinds of prayers. In 1st Timothy 2:1, the Apostle Paul passed a message across to us, he said, “I exhort therefore that first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions and giving of thanks be made for all men”. INTERCESSORY PRAYERS For effective soul winning, the prayer of intercession is required. The word “intercede” comes from the Greek word: ‘entugchano’ which means to act as agent or manager in all phases of salvation and dealings with God. An intercessor is one who stands in the gap between God and man and brings the request of the people to God in prayers. For effective Soulwinning, the prayer of intercession is very vital. The Bible encourages us in the book of Psalms 2:8 that, “ask of me, and I will give you the nations as your inheritance, the uttermost part of the earth as your possession”. (Amplified Version) God is instructing us to ask for the salvation of the people. He wants us to come before Him to ask. We have the responsibility to ask Him for the souls of men because he said in his word that “behold, all souls are mine; as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is mine” (Ezekiel 18:4). Prayer is very necessary because we cannot achieve much without it. The book of Ecclesiastes 11:3 says that: “if the clouds be full of rain, they empty themselves upon the earth.” The clouds have to be full of rain for anything supernatural to happen. We have to saturate the atmosphere with prayers. Dynamic Soulwinning comes through strong intercession. We have a perfect example from the scriptures in Matthew 14:23 how our Lord Jesus Christ set aside time to spend in the presence of God. He sought the face of God for directions and for the best strategy in winning people. We should also follow that example. As we spend time interceding for the lost, God will give us the best strategy to reach out to them. Remember in John 21:6, when He told his disciples to cast their net to the RIGHT SIDE of their ship. Why did He specifically say the right side of the ship, because He knows exactly where the fishes are. So also, it is important to receive direct guidance from the Lord in all our work. If we live and spend our lives without the presence and guidance of the Holy Spirit, then all we do becomes empty failures and wasted effort. Hence, the importance of prayers cannot be over emphasized. Perseverance in prayer is very important. You do not give up until you have achieved your goals. A minister of God once said that he who looks at the sun does not see the shadows. How true that is. You must keep your eyes on the vision. Jesus gave a parable to His disciples and told them that men ought always to pray and not to faint (Luke 18:1-8) He was frequently concerned that His disciples pray continually in order to accomplish God’s purpose for their lives. To faint is to give up or loose heart. He does not want us to relent in the things we do. We must persevere in prayers with regards to soulwinning until we have achieved our set goal, which is building the Cell. Here is our final lesson on prayers. It sums up all the other lessons. We must be determined to get the answer. The parable on importunity in Luke 18:1-8 tells us that there will be difficulties; there will be times when it seems that prayers are not going to be answered. Yet, we are not to be discouraged, but to persevere the more, never giving up until the answer comes because in the end, the answer is sure to come. Jesus Christ concluded his lesson with these words: “And I say unto you, ask and it shall be given unto you; seek and you shall find; knock and it shall be open unto you. For everyone that asketh recieveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened” (Luke 11:9-10) There must first be a seeking; asking and knocking before anything supernatural can happen. THE IMPORTANCE OF PRAYER IN RELATION TO SOULWINNING SOULWINNING INVOLVES PEOPLE BEING BIRTHED INTO THE KINGDOM OF GOD. This birthing involves people being delivered from the dominion of darkness and being literally transferred into the kingdom of God’s son (Colossians 1:13). This term ‘dominion of darkness’ means that the darkness (or the kingdom of Satan, ‘the god of this world’) has a sovereign and organized hierarchical authority structure. The people under this oppressive and ‘hell bent’ domain are therefore citizens or subjects of the dominion of darkness. Every sovereign government or authority (whether physical or spiritual) has the right and power to defend its territory and citizens while at the same time pursuing the consolidation of its clout and furtherance of its goals. Satan’s kingdom is no exception to this rule. The kingdom of darkness is diametrically pitched against the kingdom of God. This will continue until the time the lease to run the affairs of this world (which Satan usurped from Adam) runs out. The existence of this lease (a contract by which one conveys real estate for a specified term) is common knowledge in God’s kingdom as well as that of Satan. This knowledge was what gave demon spirits the impetus to ask the Lord Jesus, “What have we to do with thee, Jesus thou Son of God? Art thou come hither to torment us before the time?” Matthew 8:29. John ‘the beloved’ writing in the book of Revelation gives us a clear insight into Satan’s awareness of the fact that his dominion will legally expire after a certain period of time. “Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabitants of the earth and of the sea! For the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that the hath but a short time” Revelations 12:12. From the witness these verses of scripture in Matthew and Revelations give, we know that the tenure of Satan’s dominion is not up (even though his time is getting shorter by the day). When his time is up, the ungodly systems of government, economy and religion in this world will be visibly taken over by the Prince of Peace and the Lord of Lords-Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour. Then indeed will be fulfilled the prophetic statement, “the kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever” (Revelations 11:15). However, for now this spiritual principle taught by the Lord holds sway. “And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of Heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force ” (Mathew 11:12). Soulwinning which is the prime area of contention between the kingdom of God and that of Satan is not exempt from this principle of the violent take it by force. In fact it is the area that needs the greatest violence and force combined. Jesus illustrating the conflict involved in ‘snatching people out of the fire’ or freeing souls from the authority and influence of darkness said, “…how can one enter into a strong man’s house, and spoil his goods, except he first bind the strong man? And then he will spoil his house” (Matthew 12:29). Prayer is a key factor in soul winning and its importance cannot be overemphasized. The fact is that without necessary prayer for lost souls, there can be no genuine experience of salvation. This is because Satan and his cohorts do not just loose anyone to as much as even perceive the truth regarding salvation and God’s kingdom-, which is personified in Jesus Christ, the Lord of Glory. Satan is only compelled to relinquish his hold on souls when a power and authority superior to his invades his territory and sets the captives free. The word of God states that. “…The yoke shall be destroyed because of the anointing” (Isaiah 10:27). In the context of soulwinning, the yoke being destroyed by the anointing means that oppressed and sin- bound souls (which are the case in the life of everyone that is not born again) can be liberated by the power of God alone. In reference to prayer, James wrote “…the earnest (heartfelt continued) prayer of a righteous man makes tremendous power available (dynamic in its working)” James 5: 16b (Amplified Bible). The gospel which is the power of God unto salvation has to be preached with convicting power, dynamic in its working. Writing to the Thessalonians about the mode of their salvation Paul wrote: “knowing, brethren beloved, your election of God. For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance…” 1 Thessalonians 1:4-5. We find three points mentioned by Paul concerning the salvation of these Thessalonian Christians (of whom the apostle testified that he knew or recognized their election/selection by God). a) The gospel came to them in (inherent) power. b) In the Holy Ghost. c) In much assurance (great or full conviction). Some people have heard the gospel preached without being convicted of the need to make Jesus their Lord. This can however be checked when prayer and intercession are made on their behalf to God. Apart from the fact that prayer makes tremendous power available to convict people concerning Jesus who is the way, the truth and the life; prayer is the avenue through which ‘the strong man’ can be bound, his strongholds pulled down and his blinding power over the unsaved broken. The word of God informs us that, “the whole world lieth in wickedness” “And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us understanding that we may know Him that is true…” (1 john 5:1-2) also see 2 Corinthians 4:3-4. For the unsaved to be born into God’s kingdom with an understanding and knowledge of him that is true-Jesus Christ, someone would have to travail in prayer. The prophetic book of Isaiah states that, “…as soon as Zion travailed, she brought forth her children.” Isaiah 66:8b. Travail is the same word used by the apostle Paul in relation to his “labouring in Prayer” that Christ may be formed in the Galatian Christians (Galatians 4:19). This does not refer to physical laboring but rather to real soul travail (spiritual toil), which results in genuine births into God’s kingdom SOME REASONS WHY PRAYER IS ESSENTIAL TO SOULWINNING 1. Prayer brings about sensitivity on the part of the soulwinner. It gives thsoulwinner a genuine desire to see a sinner come to the knowledge of the truth. 2. Prayer ensures that those that give their lives to Christ are rooted and subsequently grounded in Jesus i.e. it sets them on the part of becoming true disciples and not just followers of Jesus or church members. 3. It moves the hand of God to send laborers into the harvest i.e. the world, to reap souls. This makes for a larger and mightier array of soulwinners. Matthew 9:37-38. 4. When the laborers, machinery and all the other resources required to win souls are put in place, the whole exercise would be futile if the grace of God is not harnessed through prayer, as the scriptures declare “except the Lord build the House, they labor in vain that build it…” psalm 127:1. 5. It is the major key to success in soulwinning. It penetrates the deepest recesses of the unsaved soul by the working of God’s power and tears the veil shielding the sinner from the eternal truth. CONCLUSION As a cell leader, you must magnify your office. Understand that your responsibility is a sacred one and treat it as such. The cell is place of power, where the Spirit of the Lord is alive, however if you must witness that power in your cell meetings, you must be conscious of it. Ensure you prepare prayerfully for your cell meetings; don’t find yourself rushing into the meetings unprepared. Be enthusiastic about the work, show your excitement and your members will catch the fire from you. When you witness a miracle in the cell, make sure you testify, for a example if a soul gets saved, don’t treat it as common, if someone gets filled with the Holy Ghost, don’t treat it as common. Celebrate the miracles. Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Remember, you are the light of your world; a city that is set upon a hill cannot be hidden. That means you cannot be hidden, your cell cannot be hidden, many will be drawn to your light. Keep shinning! November 2006.