AFLC Evangelism and Discipleship

08/25/2026

This should be of concern for believers as well as church leaders.

Skipping church is more than a scheduling choice. Here are 5 spiritual dangers of missing worship, what Scripture says, and when

08/21/2026

Our monthly newsletter regularly features testimonies, stories of God's work in AFLC congregations, and evangelism and discipleship resources to help your church navigate the opportunities and challenges of sharing Jesus Christ where you are. Sign up on our website here:

https://bit.ly/aed-email-signup

08/15/2026

"I grew up in a small country church. Missing Sunday worship, Sunday School, and confirmation was not an option. But my life after graduation consisted of looking at po*******hy, using profanity, drinking to the point of being an alcoholic, and a bit of drug use.

When our son was old enough to be in Sunday school, we started going to church. Eventually we found ourselves at Victory Free Lutheran Church in Park River, ND. As time went on, I found myself on the church council. There were times when I would be heading to the fridge for a beer, then realized I couldn’t have one because there was a council meeting.

The Holy Spirit started working on me. I began evaluating whether I was being the husband, dad, and church leader I should be. The answer was NO.

Our church participated in a Bible study called the 50-day Spiritual Adventure. That year’s title was “What to do when you don’t know what to do.” I thought, That is exactly what I need. At that time, I was serving in the North Dakota Army National Guard, and during the 50-day Spiritual Adventure, my guardunit was scheduled to go to Panama for our annual training. So, I brought my Bible and study guide with me and did the lessons on my cot. To bring my Bible to guard was not something I would normally do.

A short time later, my pastor at time started talking about an event called Promise Keepers. The theme for the conference that year was “The Making of a Godly Man.” Again, I thought, I think I need this. Several of us registered to attend the event. When Promise Keepers sent out the registration wrist bands, they also sent a cassette tape of the music that would be played at the conference. I would listen to this tape every day on my way to and home from work. On the tape they combined two songs into one: “It Is Well with My Soul” and “I Surrender All.” It got to the point that I couldn’t listen to that song without sobbing uncontrollably. Obviously, it was not well with my soul, and I had surrendered nothing. Coming under the conviction of the Holy Spirit is an extremely powerful thing..."

Read more in our August newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/4dbebbde664f/aflc-evangelism-discipleship-aug26

08/15/2026

Our call as disciples of Jesus Christ is to love God wholly, and to love our neighbor as we love ourselves, and the best way to love them is to point them to our Savior through caring, intentional, respectful witness to what God has done in our own lives. What if God's plan is to turn this situation into a great opportunity to share Jesus with those who are captives to a hopeless religion?
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1HJ1aHZsqf/

A massive Islamic gathering in Dearborn, Michigan, has sparked very different reactions. Some saw it as a display of Islamic influence in America. Others saw something else entirely: people who need to hear about Jesus.

Among those responding is Shahriq Khan, a former Muslim who now leads Christian evangelism and apologetics efforts focused on reaching Muslims. In 2026, Khan has spoken publicly about conducting evangelism training in Dearborn and intentionally engaging Muslims there.

His approach is striking.

No shouting.
No hostility.
No megaphones.

Instead, he emphasizes listening, learning, building relationships, and communicating the Gospel with truth and love.

That matters.

It is easy for Christians to look at a growing Muslim community and respond with fear. But Jesus calls His followers to see people differently.

Not as enemies to defeat, but as people to love.
Not as statistics, but as souls.
Not merely as a cultural challenge, but as a mission field.

Khan has described his approach as engaging Islamic beliefs through Scripture and biblical reasoning, particularly by beginning with the Old Testament and pointing Muslims toward the Messiah. His ministry, Christ Underground, specifically trains Christians to engage Muslims with apologetics and evangelism.

And perhaps this is where the Church needs to pause.

We can debate politics. We can argue about culture. We can discuss immigration, religious freedom, and the future of America.

But while Christians are arguing about Muslims, are we actually loving Muslims enough to tell them about Jesus?

Paul wrote, “I have become all things to all people, that by all possible means I might save some” (1 Corinthians 9:22).

The goal of Christian mission is not to win an argument. It is to win people to Christ.

Dearborn does not need Christians who hate its Muslim neighbors.

It needs Christians courageous enough to walk toward them, humble enough to listen, and faithful enough to say:

“We love you, and we want you to know Jesus.”

Perhaps the mission field is not always somewhere across the ocean.

Sometimes, it is across the street.

Credits: CBN News/Benjamin Gill

08/07/2026

Pastor Randy and Brenda are back on the road! Are they visiting a church near you, or would you like to add your congregation to the itinerary? Or if you're interested in a one-on-one visit, Pastor Randy will also be available to meet with individual pastors and church leaders midweek. Contact [email protected] for more information!

08/05/2026

Often the most powerful evangelism starts with a simple prayer:

"Who is one person you want to use me to reach?"

07/24/2026

Pastor Randy and Brenda’s first circuit of church visits this summer was such a blessing. Thank you to congregations in Sioux Falls, SD; St. Francis, KS; Loveland, CO; and Fairbury and Deshler, NE for providing the space and time to talk about how God is calling us to love our neighbors to Christ.

Next trip starts August 9 in Laurel, NE! Stay tuned for full itinerary coming soon.

07/17/2026

Welcome to our newest board member, Lowell Watt! Lowell currently serves on the evangelism committee in his local AFLC congregation, and he's also a member of the Christian Motorcyclist Association—so he's already involved in evangelism! "I think my willingness to serve on the AED Board," he says, "can be summed up in Proverbs 27:17 'Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.'"

We're grateful to have Lowell join us and help AED keep a sharp focus on our mission to encourage, equip, and assist congregations in making and equipping disciples who make and equip disciples.

07/11/2026

The gate to eternal life is narrow—but it is open. And Jesus is inviting you to come through it.

07/05/2026

If you missed RTF this year—or if you attended and want a refresh—visit our website to access Pastor Tom Parrish's thorough notes and PowerPoint from his 2026 session! You can also revisit his PowerPoint presentation from 2025 on getting people to ask you about Jesus.

Find these and other evangelism resources on our website:

https://www.aflc.org/evangelism/rekindle-the-fire/