Homes of Peace Manual

An Accurate Strategy for Evangelism and Multiplication

Presentation

When you enter a house, first say, Peace to this house. [Luke 10:5]

As Christians, we believe that the family is a project of God, which is strongly expressed in the creation of humanity. In the book of Genesis, we can find the Lord our God first creating the man He called Adam. Noticing the Lord that Adam was “alone and sad”, He expressed that it wasn’t good for Adam to be in that kind of condition. For this reason, He decided to create a “helper suitable for him.” Therefore, God also created the woman, called Eve, establishing the first couple, and the first family. In fact, the family is a divine project, and when God makes the man and the woman, he creates the family, the home that becomes, finally, a place of fulfillment for all human beings. We can only be made full as men and women inside a family and a home. So, why not make our families and house “Homes of Peace”?

The proposal to every Christian aims to transform all families into “Homes of Peace.” We desire every man to achieve completion inside a home of peace, and that every home of peace may be transformed into an environment of relationships, the service of God, and the production of fruits as disciples sanctified by our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

It’s with joy that we’d like to encourage our brothers and sisters to develop this project in their communities of faith, called by us “Homes of Peace.”  It’s quite important to read and study this manual, challenging every member of our communities of faith to not only work but also transform their families into “HOMES OF PEACE”. Remember: We’ll be in prayer for this Evangelistic Mobilization as well as for all peace seeders in your church. Join us! We’re church TOGETHER!

In Christ,

Pastor Wesley Soares do Nascimento

1st Part

UNDERSTANDING OUR EVANGELISTIC CAMPAIGN

Homes of Peace is the name given by us to a very simple evangelistic strategy. which we understand to have been experienced by Jesus in His ministry. It’s a very accurate campaign of evangelism, based on the Bible, that has a very simple and easy application to tall people inside our faith communities.

The biblical narrative of Luke 10.1-24 works as an inspiration for us, and it’s the basis of all evangelistic campaigns. Traditionally known as the Mission of the Seventy, we find in this story quite precious lessons for our job. We consider fundamental the reading of this text in order to increase the understanding of our proposal. As you read this text, you’ll find out how wonderful it is to see Jesus sending His disciples, two by two, to go to the cities, getting into people’s homes, and leaving the peace of God to their members.

This evangelizing campaign can be better developed in churches that have already been experiencing the dynamics of discipleship in already consolidated small groups. We also believe that this strategy will achieve considerable success in Churches that aim to begin to work with small groups. In both cases, evangelism will promote the multiplication and opening of small groups and cells in the lives and mission of the local church.

One of the characteristics of the disciples sent by Jesus refers to the fact that they were inexperienced in their faith, once they were beginning their path with Jesus. This guarantees to us that all believers can effectively cooperate within a “Home of Peace”. All of those who believe in Jesus can be “Peace Seeders.”

Although their inexperience, the disciples sent had a simple and clear vision: “finding people who were willing to open themselves to receive the presence of Jesus in their houses, people who were in need of the Peace that only He was able to give.”

This will also be our mission as disciples of the Lord in this city (district, and neighborhood). We’ll go with the objective to seed peace, according to the narrative of Luke 10.6: “If someone who promotes peace is there, your peace will rest on them”.

In the same way that the seventy’s task was to find the “children of peace” and establish in their house a “home of peace”, we, also, will do the same task with fervor and the fear of the Lord in our lives.

Logically, all of this campaign of evangelizing action will not happen in only one day. The Mission of the Seventy lasted weeks and even months. The disciples, two by two, should search for open doors to establish the relationship, and the announcement of peace, preaching the Gospel of the Kingdom, the healing of the sick ones, and proclaiming the arrival of Jesus in their homes (inside people’s houses).

The results were celebrated with great satisfaction because all of them “returned with joy.” Jesus recognized that they caused great damage to the kingdom of Satan because the action of seeding the peace naturally shook the structures of the kingdom of darkness.

In the same way, we need to understand that when we embrace the challenge to find the “children of peace”, announcing the peace of the Lord inside these “Homes of Peace”, we’ll be confronting every kind of evil present in society. Therefore, we mustn’t lose heart, “because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.” (1 John 4.4) Certainly, the ones who embrace this cause will come back with great joy and jubilation for the victories achieved.

In our churches, pairs must be organized and inscribed by the pastor or designated group. These pairs will be called “seeders of peace.” It’s important to mention that the seeders of peace won’t necessarily be experienced members with long years in the church. They can even be newly converted to Jesus since they have already been baptized and integrated into the life and mission of the church.

We expect this project to be a blessing in the lives of people who will be reached by the message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, our Lord. And may it be also a blessing in the lives of our seeders of peace and churches.

1. Explaining better our strategy

Our campaign has got simple objectives because we have been pretty concerned about establishing tangible goals. We aim, in a very accurate way, to help in the task of gaining lives to Jesus and consolidating them as new disciples in the Kingdom through their homes.

We know that Jesus used to attend several places in Palestine in his time: the Temple Jerusalem (a place of worship), synagogues (places of teaching), and the Door of the City (commerce – a place for sales and changing of products). However, the places where Jesus mostly could be found were inside houses (“oikos” in Greek), that is, people’s homes.

Some key factors are fundamental in this project, for example: the commitment, and disposition to accomplish the missionary task and the passion of the Church. Without them, the campaign will not leave the paper. In our conception, through this strategy, we’ll be developing new small groups and cells, as well as multiplying the disciples of Jesus Christ.

All the process starts with the preparation of the community for the campaign. It’s important the involvement of all the community of faith and service. During a month, all the church will receive from its pastor the ministration of the Word, with a focus on the mission to be accomplished. Afterward, pairs will be formed, and then their training will be directed on how to act inside the homes that will be opened.

All of these projects must be managed by the Ministry of Discipleship, configured inside the local churches, and supervised by the Pastoral Ministry. The training of these pairs of peace seeders is made through the “School of Disciples”, ministered by the head pastor, or someone designated by him/her.

• VISION:

– Reaching homes with the message of the peace of Jesus Christ in the respective cities, aiming to gain lives to Jesus.

• VALUES:

– The peace is offered by Jesus, as the basis for Salvation;

– The Experience of the Kingdom of God as an environment to live this Peace;

– Communion in the home under the dimension of peace.

• MISSION

– Dialoging with people who live in the surroundings of our churches, in each district, offering them the opportunity to know Jesus, the Prince of Peace, and enjoy the peace that only He can provide us.

• STRATEGY:

– Organizing the church in pairs of leaders to be seeders of peace in the houses of the city.

– Getting the permission and welcoming of people who lead their homes, so we can manage eight weekly meetings, offering the peace of Jesus to all everyone in these houses.

• TARGET:

– Gaining lives to Jesus, expanding the Kingdom of God.

• GOAL:

– Reaching a family or home with the message of the Savior Peace of Jesus Christ, extending this message of Gospel to friends, neighbors, and relatives.

1.1 Schedule

Accomplish the campaign in both semesters of the year. We must highlight that the campaign happens within a maximum of 4 (four) months, besides a period destined for the spiritual and emotional consolidation of lives, as well as fruits.

An ideal schedule for the semestral development can be set in the following way:

• From March through June
• From August through November

P.S. Each campaign will have a structured schedule organized by the pastor of the local Church.

1.2 Mobilization

The Campaign tends to bear better results with the commitment of most of the members of the Church and consequently participation of all its leaderboards. The church needs a horizontal alignment (all the ministries, corporate groups, small groups or cells, and pastors) and a vertical one (the incessant perception of the Grace of God, biblical studies, and prayer), all of this in a structural action. It becomes crucial to put the heart (all intentions) in this vision. The small groups (or cells) can serve as barns for the identification of these leaders inside the church.

2. Phases of the Campaign “Homes of Peace”

As every process, the “Homes of Peace” campaign has especific phases. In each of them, there’s an image for better understanding. Besides that, we can also count on:

• Base text;
• Duration time of the campaign;
• Methodology;
• Specific targets;
• Goals;
• Strategies that can give us a safer direction in terms of practice.

2.1 First Phase: Dreaming

This is the phase of the conception of the dream in mind. This is the time to know the thought and orientation of God so the process can be produced inside the Christian life. It is a moment in which the Church will understand and comprehend how to develop the mission the Lord of Life gives to His Church in a better way. Therefore, we can come to the conclusion that the mission of God, in its purpose to save the world, has in the church a strong ally (Plan of Life and Church’s Mission). The mission of God is the mission given to every peace seeder.

Base Text to the first phase:

“For I know the plans I have for you”, declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future”. (Jeremiah 29.11)

God has and desires the very best for us. We must synchronize with Him. For sure, one of His purposes is to bless lives, consolidating them in His peace (Matthew 28.19-20).

It’s up to each one of us to motivate ourselves in Him, and therefore, reach success in the name of Jesus. In addition to it, in this phase of this campaign, it’s fundamental to bow down by our knees to the feet of Jesus, seeking to hear His voice, and allowing Him to fulfill our hearts with His will and anointing.

– PERIOD:

Obeying the schedule, the months of preparation will be February – the first semester; and July – the second semester. These are the months that are disposed previously to the beginning of the campaign itself.

All of this period will be focused on intense prayer and searching for the presence of God. During this time, we’ll be following the example of Daniel, that is, we’ll establish 21 days of fasting and prayer for the houses that will be reached, according to the reference of Daniel 10.2-3.

We’ll be adopting, as our purpose, the practice of Daniel (Dn 6.10), praying three times during the day: by the morning, as you get up; at noon, during lunchtime; and at the beginning of the evening. The especific hours can be defined, more precisely, by the members of the campaign. The ones who desire it can symbolically reach out hands toward the temple. Our relationship with God, in prayer, will help us in the principles of faith and will help us in the purpose of alignment, vertical and horizontal.

Meditations on the “Upper Room” Devotional Guide can be used as a spiritual food source during this period. For us, the dynamics of prayer will be of great value and importance, mainly for the good development of the mission of the Church.

– METHODOLOGY: how? And what to do during this period?

• Introduce the “Homes of Peace” Campaign to the Church, which can be in a service with all members present. It’s fundamental to share and stimulate the participation of everybody.
• Sign up the pairs of peace seeders who will search host homes.
• Train the pairs and hand them the “Homes of Peace Kits”.
• Search for relatives, friends, neighbors, backslidden believers or non-believers, as well as visitors to small groups and public services and events of the Church.
• Launch the Special Sending Service: on the last Sunday of the Month of fruit generation. The special sending service must be prepared, in which we’ll be celebrating the closing of the fasting period and the consecration of the pairs of peace seeders, and opening the campaign.

– SPECIFIC TARGETS:

In this topic, in special, it’s fundamental to make clear the targets to be reached, whether in personal terms or related to the number of houses. This is IMPORTANT: each Church must establish its target, according to its current potential, leadership, and the number of small groups or cells in its present structure.

– GOALS: measurable according to the reality of each Community.

• Sign up the pairs of peace seeders;
• Establish a minimum number of Homes of Peace;
• Conduct 50% (fifty percent) of people reached in the Homes of Peace to “The Rescue” –  which is a special meeting in our church that will make part of our strategy  – at the end of the campaign.

– STRATEGIES: what we’ll do to reach the target.

• Acquire the “Homes of Peace Kit” and hand them out to each pair of Peace Seeders;
• Apply the training for the pairs (first phase);
• Visit the established homes with the goal of dialoguing with the person responsible for that house, aiming to get permission for the “Homes of Peace” meetings and schedule days and hours for them;
• Establishing a day on the week to supply the pairs with prayer and words of encouragement.

2.2 Second Phase: Seeding

It’s time to seed! Sowing in the ground the seed that was generated in our lives, souls, and hands. After the fruit germinates in the heart of the community of faith and service, and mainly in the seeder’s heart, it’s time to go to practice. This is the seeding time. From a similar and complementary perspective, we could say that it’s time to go fishing and cast the net overboard!

The base text for the second phase:

Those who sow with tears will reap with songs of joy. Those who go out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with them. (Psalm 126.5,6)

– SCHEDULE:

• (eight) weeks – approximately 2 (two) months.

– SPECIFIC PROGRAMS:

• Start all homes;
• Launch the Families’ Party;
• Launch the Peace Celebration after all activities in the homes.

– GOALS:

• Bring at least 50% of the relatives involved in the Homes of Peace to the Families’ Party;
• Bring at least a friend per person involved in the leadership of the Homes of Peace and per each member of the families of the Homes of Peace;
• Conclude the campaign by subscribing to at least 50% of the families taking part in the “Rescue” or “IMPact” events.

– STRATEGIES: what we’ll do to reach our purposes.

• Hold an explanatory folder to the Homes of Peace Families about the “Rescue” on the penultimate week of the second phase;
• Have a prize draw in the Families’ and Friends’ Party;
• Have a special prize for the Home of Peace that bring more relatives and friends to the party.

– METHODOLOGY: How and what to do during this period?

• During the meeting of the Homes of Peace, the weekly gatherings of small groups or cells can be postponed so that we can have the total and exclusive dedication to this campaign; but this decision is up to the local pastor, the Pastoral Support Ministry, and the Discipleship Ministry;
• The leader of the Home of Peace must manage the actions in the meetings in such a way that the absences are avoided the most possible;
• We mustn’t stop the campaign because of holidays or any reasons.

2.3 Third Phase: Cultivating

This is the phase to cultivate and take care of the fruits coming from the seeding. This care is fundamental because it consolidates the emotional and spiritual lives of the people reached by the seeding. It’s about monitoring the new converted from the welcoming process until the integration into the dynamics of the church. It’s an opportunity to establish the basis for a new believer to grow healthily toward maturity.

The base text for the third phase:

Therefore, my brothers, be all the more eager to make your calling and election sure. For if you do these things, you will never fall, and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. (2 Peter 1.10,11)

– SCHEDULE:

• The frequency of the Homes of Peace meetings must be set by the Pastoral Support Ministry and/or the Discipleship Ministry, under the monitoring and direction of the chief pastor. It’s quite IMPORTANT: this is the period right after the end of the last ministering and/or the “Rescue” event.

– SPECIFIC TARGETS:

• Take the biggest number of people possible to the “Rescue” and “IMPact” events, proposed for the deepening of the experience with God;
• Consolidate the biggest number of people possible in Christ;
• Begin a first steps class, according to the instructions already highlighted to the church to meet the demand of the Homes of Peace.

– GOALS:

• Develop teaching practice for the spiritual formation and growth of the new disciples;
• Make new disciples and create an environment of Grace in the life and mission of the church so they can be integrated and live their spirituality in an excited and exciting way.

– STRATEGIES: what we’ll do to reach our purpose.

• The local church must keep monitoring the new disciples who come as fruits of the Homes of Peace Campaign, initiating a consolidation and discipleship of the newly converted ones right after the “Rescue” event;
• All the people responsible for the discipleship must keep a healthy and friendly relationship with people who come as fruits of the Homes of Peace and conduct them to the same level of consolidation;
• The small groups or cells that postponed their activities during the campaign must return to their weekly gatherings, right after the conclusion of the campaign. This way, they must integrate the new disciples into their routine;
• Have the Rescue event – which is an Evangelization Spiritual Retreat at the end of the ministrations of the Homes of peace;
• Have a moment of prayer and clamor for the lives of the Homes of Peace on a day that can be chosen by the pastor, setting a place for this in the temple.

– METHODOLOGY: How and what to do during this period?

• Elaborate a creative and friendly invitation for the small groups or cells;
• Hand them to all members of the families in the last ministration of the Homes of Peace;
• Confirm previously the presence of the new disciples in order to prepare them for the Welcoming Party;
• Provide and offer them a prize to make that a special date for them.

2.4 Fourth phase: harvesting

In this phase, we’ll be cropping the fruits. This is a moment of joy for the harvest! The consolidated fruit, that from the beginning was followed by the Grace of God, gives a significant step toward sanctification now. This is a time of celebration the gratitude for the fruits of the campaign of the Homes of Peace. And at the baptism party, we’ll express all our intense joy for the great salvation that those lives have achieved in Jesus.

The base text for the fourth phase:

Celebrate the Festival of Harvest with the first fruits of the crops you sow in your field. “Celebrate the Festival of Ingathering at the end of the year, when you gather in your crops from the field. (Exodus 23.16)

– SCHEDULE:

• Concluding phase of the Homes of Peace Campaign;
• This is this period right after the harvest of the fruits, right after the Rescue event. This is IMPORTANT: this period can last around 2 months. Each person reacts differently, as well as responds differently.

– SPECIFIC TARGETS:

• Receive at least a new member from each Home of Peace accomplished;
• Have the Baptism Party, according to the schedule Established by the Local Church.

– GOALS:

• Receive new members each campaign of the year;
• Have two Baptism Parties in order to celebrate the fruits, for those who have the Campaign of the Homes of Peace twice a year.

– STRATEGIES: what we’ll do to reach our purposes.

• Accentuate more and more in the life and mission of the Local Church the care and consolidation of the fruits;
• Lead the new believers to small groups or cells, which are already working, or open new ones from the Homes of Peace;
• Decorate the Temple in a vivid and celebratory way for the Welcoming Sunday.

– METHODOLOGY: How and what to do during this period?

• Focus on the families during the baptism party, which must be attractive and count on activities for all ages;
• Have, during the party, several activities, dynamics, and games that will be forever in the memories of the new converted and disciples. The Welcoming Sunday will be a day of great confraternization. We’ll have testimonies, congratulations, and celebrations during this service. Also, each pair will prepare a surprise for the people coming as fruits from their Homes of Peace;
• Close the service with a joyful meal at the social hall of the Church.