Lending an Evangelistic Hand

Story by Liz Bailey

Mountain View Conference’s (MVC) goal to “Tell Somebody About Jesus” has extended beyond their own borders. In August 2022, four pastors and one of their wives left their own districts and made their way across state lines and conference borders to Columbus, Ohio.

There they joined forces with pastors from the Allegheny West Conference (AWC) to assist them in their evangelistic series, “Impact Columbus”— Sharing Hope Revival, hosted by guest speaker G. Alexander Bryant, president of the North American Division (NAD). Although the pastors were from different districts, states and even conferences, they joined as one big family with one big mission.

Eddie Reyes, one of the four pastors from MVC, says, “It wasn’t just an evangelism effort for the community, but it was also spiritual growth for us.” Reyes pastors the Lewisburg and Rainelle churches, as well as the Marlinton company—all located in West Virginia.

Being part of this effort with other Bible workers and pastors throughout the NAD was perhaps the greatest blessing. Bible instructors paired with pastors to canvas Columbus by distributing flyers, visiting contacts and following up on already existing interests. Sharing with the communities, witnessing God’s power, and seeing people accepting His message inspired team members.

As the three weeks progressed, the team started referring to their meeting place as the “Canvas Cathedral,” feeling an ever-increasing presence of the Holy Spirit. Not only did they see a demonstration of what heaven will be like, they also experienced a reawakening of their first love experience with Jesus and a reminder of what God has called them to do. They were impressed and reminded that evangelism knows no boundaries or limitations, they said.

“What a powerful reminder that the church’s mission to take the gospel to the farthest corners of the earth extends well beyond our perspective territories,” shares Marvin C. Brown, III, AWC president. “We were absolutely thrilled to partner with my beloved friend and colleague, Pastor Tim Bailey, [MVC president], who graciously supported this collaboration, and the extraordinary staff, Miguel Bernedo, [pastor of the Parkersburg Spanish church plant and Spencer church], Jose Luis Espinoza, [pastor of the Clarksburg Spanish, Morgantown Spanish and interim pastor of the Elkins and Parsons churches], and his wife, Carmen, as well as D. W. West, [pastor of the Point Pleasant church], and Pastor Eddie Reyes. These men and women worked both prayerfully and tirelessly in tandem, joining hand in hand with us. To date, we have had over 90 baptisms and 20 professions of faith. … We look forward to future corporate evangelistic endeavors.”

West says, “It was a blessing to be a part of so many different lives that were changed for eternity. As pastors, we love when one person gives their heart to the Lord, but when you can be a part of several, it is just amazing!”

Reyes agrees, “We continue to fervently pray that this spirit of evangelism does not stop here, rather that it can spread around our conference and around the world.”