Proclaim module trains pastors and lay leaders in leading people to decisions

COLUMBIA, Md. — Thirty-one pastors, lay leaders, and theology students attended the third module of Proclaim, the Chesapeake Conference’s year-long evangelism training program, on Sept. 22-23 at the conference auditorium in Columbia. The module focused on personal appeals, under the theme “Leading People to Decisions.”

Four presenters led the sessions: David Klinedinst, Chesapeake Conference evangelism and church growth director; John Rengifo, Chesapeake Conference ministries director; Shawn Paris, Chesapeake Conference camp ministries, missions, and Adventist Community Services director; and Javier Scharon, associate pastor of Bell Branch church in Gambrils, Md., and Connection Community in Laurel, Md.

Proclaim equips pastors and lay leaders in proclamation evangelism through a series of modules held over 12 months. Participants learn everything from building a culture of evangelism to following up after an evangelistic series.

“The Proclaim cohort is a powerful [cohort/coworker, confirm] that lasts for 12 months, where we are discipling pastors and lay leaders in effective forms of evangelism, all the way from creating the culture of evangelism to following up after an evangelistic series,” said Klinedinst. “It allows many of them to go back to the local church level and implement not just a one-time seminar, but a 12-month discipling process.”

Theology students from Washington Adventist University in Takoma Park, Md., also attended. The students earn additional academic credit for participating in the seminar.

Proclaim continues with the last module of the year in December, focusing on “Follow-up, Retention and Discipleship.” Pastors and lay leaders who want to learn more can visit here.