Message magazine is partnering with regional conference Personal Ministries directors and leaders of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in the Touch 10K Challenge to impact the lives of 100,000 people in major cities across the United States. On Sabbath, May 4, 2019, members from Seventh-day Adventist churches across the North American Division will take to the streets. Serving in our urban areas, they will touch the lives of people with prayer and a special edition of Message.
“Central to our effort is our desire to meet and touch people with the love of Jesus Christ,” says Carmela Monk Crawford, Message Editor-in-Chief. “Through this outreach, we hope to create friendships and relationships that will grow.”
What is Touch 10K?
The Touch 10K Challenge is an evangelistic outreach modeled by Vandeon Griffin, North American Division’s associate director of Youth Ministries, and former Personal Ministries director for the South Central Conference. As a pastor, Griffin led a similar effort in his local church. In fact, Griffin successfully mobilized members to make 10,000 connections in both Shelbyville and Gallatin, Tennessee. Two years later, regional conference administrators voted to support the model division-wide.
“This year we’ve upped the ante by seeking to make contact with 100,000 people in just one day — 10,000 in 10 major U.S. cities,” Griffin said. The goal for 10 cities has already been surpassed. Church leaders and members in 14 cities have already signed on. Cities participating include: Atlanta, Birmingham, Houston, Indianapolis, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Portland, Reno (NV), Riverside (Calif.), Sacramento, St. Louis and Tucson.
The Power Behind Touch 10K
Crawford says that Colin Brathwaite, Personal Ministries director for Allegheny East Conference, has been very instrumental. He and other regional conference and union Personal Ministries directors have been the coordinating forces behind the effort, she added. The team includes Leon Bryant (Lake Region), Gary Collins (Central States), Alvin Freeman (South Atlantic), Kennedy Luckett (South Central), Byron Dulan (North Pacific Union) and Virgil Childs (Pacific Union). The effort has also garnered the support of NAD Adult Ministries, and Literature Ministries.
Crawford, Griffin, Braithwaite, and all their partners hope many Adventists will go out into the community on May 4th to pray with people and distribute copies of Message. “What an opportune time to meet your neighbors and encourage people in your community,” says Brathwaite. “With the blessing of the Holy Spirit, we are hoping this will be a great experience for all who participate.”
To sign up, visit Touch10K.com.
