USA Missions to Continue 3G Outreach Initiative into 2016
In its December board meeting, the Church of God USA Missions Board reaffirmed the 3G Outreach Initiative to continue through the year 2016. The twelve-month calendar year program focuses on the Three Great Statements of Jesus: The Great Commitment (Prayer), the Great Commandment (Care), and the Great Commission (Share). It is a month-by-month list of suggestions for the implementation of each of these 3Gs by the local pastor and congregation.
Each month of 2016 begins with a “Day of Prayer for the Lost,” which is typically the first Sunday in each month. On this day, churches are encouraged to pray for the unsaved and unchurched—both within each church’s own sphere of influence, as well as throughout the nation and the world. Basing its concerns upon recent statistics, USA Missions leaders believe that evangelism must be the central thrust of a relevant church. “The Church of God must never back away from its primary purpose, which is evangelism,” said Dr. Wallace J. Sibley, Third Assistant General Overseer and the Division of World Evangelization Executive Divisional Director. The statement is certainly appropriate to a nation in which fully forty-four percent of the population says its spends little to no time seeking “eternal wisdom.” One in three Americans (125 million) is virtually unchurched—meaning they have not attended a religious service of any kind for the past six months with the possible exception of having attended a funeral or wedding.
Fully endorsed by Church of God General Overseer Mark Williams and the International Executive Committee, the 3G Initiative was introduced to state administrative bishops and state U.S.A. Missions/Evangelism directors in the fall of 2014, and implemented in January 2015. Scores of local churches bought into the initiative and have used its guidelines to challenge local members to participate in its outreach efforts.
“The 3G Initiative is not merely a promotion of USA Missions products and ministries,” says Dr. James E. Cossey, Executive Administrator of USA Missions/Division of World Evangelization. “Rather,” he continues, “it links arms with other divisions and ministries such as prayer and discipleship ministries, as well as events and emphases promoted by the International Executive Committee and the General Church. Examples of this cooperation include the January emphases on the 21 Days of Prayer and Fasting emphasis (January 10-31) in partnership with Church of God Prayer Ministries (www.praycog.org), and Sanctity of Human Life Sunday (January 17) in partnership with Women’s Discipleship (www.womenofpowercog.org).
A brochure outlining month-by-month suggestions for implementation of the 3G Initiative can be reviewed or downloaded from the website at www.usamissions.com. Each month, the Friends of USA Missions newsletter provides updates and suggested resources for the implementation of the upcoming month’s emphases. Anyone not currently receiving the Friends of USA Missions newsletter can subscribe to the free email newsletter by contacting [email protected] or [email protected], or by calling 423-478-7103.
