Operation Andrew is just around the corner and we need your help!

It’s hard to believe we’re finally at the climactic moment in a long process. We decided to do Operation Andrew over a year ago and shared this burden with you in a Family Meeting. Over the summer, the elders and I held prayer meetings over zoom to prepare us for this season. In the fall, we scheduled numerous equipping classes designed to train you in the task of personal evangelism. Several participated in an all-day training for Operation Andrew on a Saturday in October 2025. Then we “launched” into the full program in January of this year.

Early in this process, I was encouraged to set some goals. “How many baptisms do you want to take place?” is kind of a strange question to answer. On the one hand, I want every person in our community to be saved and baptized as a follower of Christ! On the other hand, I’m (painfully) aware that an individual’s response to the gospel lies outside of my control.

We decided to ask, “If Operation Andrew resulted in 50 people being baptized, what would each step along the way entail?” To me, that meant at least 150 members of our church getting to step 2 (pray for someone every day and tell them you’re praying for them) with at least one person on their list. It also meant that at least 75 members of our church reached step 5 (invite your friend to an event at the church) with at least one person on your list.

It's been hard to keep track of where we’re at numbers-wise, but I have to say that I’m extremely encouraged by the stories I’ve heard from you regarding the folks you’re praying for. I know that we’ve received the names of dozens and dozens of individuals from your lists, and we have been praying together that God would open their eyes to see the ugliness of sin and the glory of Christ’s mercy at the cross. As I look back over the last few months, it’s obvious to me that God has already been answering these prayers. We’ve seen baptisms take place and there are more to come!

But now it’s time to shift into a different gear. Operation Andrew really kicks off on Saturday afternoon, April 18. Missionaries from International Commission will arrive for lunch, and then we’ll have an Opening Rally in the sanctuary at 1pm. Afterward, the team will meet to plan the rest of the week.

These folks are top notch, and they want to be busy sharing Christ in Mineral Wells. Our priority is the people on your list. Do you feel that any of them are ready for step 6? If so, we need to get an appointment on the calendar some time between Sunday afternoon, April 19 and Friday afternoon, April 24.

These missionaries would be glad to meet with you and your friend to have a conversation about the gospel and invite them to believe in Jesus for salvation. But it’s more likely to happen if we get it scheduled! Please reach out to Valerie Lindley as soon as possible so that she can schedule a time.

In addition to these appointments, our missionaries will be glad to join you in any evangelistic efforts throughout the week. Be creative and bold! Perhaps you’d like to invite your lost friends to a meeting of your community group? Missionaries can join you and share the gospel alongside your CG.

Perhaps a meal or meeting could be scheduled at your place of work for missionaries to come and talk about Jesus? Or maybe there is a ministry in town that could use an encouraging assist from one of the missionaries? Valerie can help you plan it so that we maximize as many opportunities as possible.

I want to challenge you to do two things. First, pray fervently for boldness to take the next step with the people on your list. They need to hear the message, and this is a perfect opportunity! I’d hate for us to miss it because we’re afraid.

Second, I challenge you to make a sacrificial commitment of your time during the week of April 18-24. We have three critical needs:

• Drivers
• Meal prep
• Host homes

If you can provide assistance in any one of these areas, reach out to me. Or, if you’d like to help but you’re not sure exactly how, I would encourage you to fill out this form on Church Center. We can match you up with a need to ensure next week goes well. We need all hands on deck!