Tri-Lakes Church 2005 Evangelism Report

2005 Archive: Why This Report Still Matters Today

The Great Commission serves as our unwavering foundation and calling for all outreach efforts at YouEvangelized.

This Tri-Lakes Church 2005 evangelism report isn't interested in sounding impressive—it's ordinary people choosing courage over comfort, one conversation at a time.

In 2005, my wife and I were sitting in church like everyone else, but it felt like God kept tapping us on the shoulder about the people who didn't know Christ.

And let me tell you—God wasn't tapping politely. He was knocking like a kid who needs your attention right now and won't stop until you look up.

We knew many Christians sitting in the church probably felt the way we did — but didn’t know how to share their faith in a clear, loving, biblical way.

It’s a real-time record of what happened when a local church decided to take Jesus’ command seriously and learn how to be witnesses — one step at a time.

Bringing this old report back to light—because believers today still face the same wall: they want to share their faith, but fear and uncertainty keep them quiet.

• People are still lost.
• Christians are still unsure how to start Gospel conversations.
• And the church still needs simple, biblical training that leads to real obedience.

Don’t file this away like an old newsletter—it’s meant for today, for you.

Think of it as a window into what God can still do today — through willing believers, simple tools, and faithful obedience.

This report is from our 2005 outreach efforts at Tri-Lakes Church in Branson, Missouri.

While the specific building we met in has changed hands over the years, the lessons we learned about organizing classes and getting a congregation excited about witnessing are still true today.

Starting the Way of the Master Foundation Course in Branson 

Meeting with our Pastor — July 6, 2005

My wife and I met with our pastor tonight after church — Pastor Mark Shorey.

He is interested in us teaching the Way of the Master Foundation Course at our church. 

We attend church at Tri-Lakes Church, which is in the Tri-Lakes Center in Branson, Missouri (the former Mel Tillis theater).

The plan is to begin the classes on Wednesday night, August 10, 2005. No pressure, right? Just launching something that could change eternal destinies. Totally casual. 😉

The congregation will sing praise and worship songs, then watch the 28-minute DVD, then we will split off into two groups.

My wife, Leann, and I will each teach a class. This foundation course will last for 8 weeks.

Go behind the scenes of Week 1: The Firefighter. 

If you are in the Branson area, you are invited to attend. Church and classes will begin at 6:00 p.m. Wednesday evenings beginning August 10, 2005.

Here are a couple of pictures of the church. 

This is Tri-Lakes Church in Branson, Missouri. We held evangelism training classes here.

This is the lobby inside Tri-Lakes Church where we held evangelism classes.

Thank God for this moment! Pray He’ll nudge hearts and open doors so we don’t miss a single chance to share our faith.

Whether it's a sincere chat with a coworker or a bold conversation on a street corner, we can be ready to share the Gospel wherever we go. 

Want monthly stories, simple ideas, and the occasional kick in the pants (the loving kind) to keep you from staying silent when God opens a door?

Equipping the Congregation for Biblical Evangelism

Introducing the Ministry to Tri-Lakes Church — August 7, 2005

This morning we set up a table at our church with many of the items from the "Way of the Master" ministry.

Brad St. Clair preparing to equip church members with outreach tools and study guides at Tri-Lakes Church.

My wife and I will begin teaching an evangelism Way of the Master Foundation Course class on Wednesday nights, beginning August 10, 2005, and continuing for 8 weeks.

An assortment of outreach materials and Gospel leaflets available for church members and visitors.

Our church is Tri-Lakes Church in Branson, Missouri. We were selling the Study Guides that follow along with the classes.

e had many of the gospel tracts from Living Waters and Way of the Master. 

Brad St. Clair introducing outreach tools to the Tri-Lakes Church community before our 8-week foundation course.

We had quite a few people come by the table and talk with us. We had an assortment of gospel tracts for people to look at.

We were also giving away the "million-dollar bill" gospel tracts to people. Those always go over well; folks love them.

Turns out fake money gets more attention than the real stuff—and it's worth way more eternally.

We had quite a few (I'd say about 8 folks) that came by the table that were from out of state. They were in Branson on vacation or visiting relatives.

Some of them even bought the Study Guides and were going to look up information about Way of the Master.

They wanted to go through the classes and get it going in their church where they live. Praise God!!

I knew that with us street witnessing in Branson that other Christians would get interested in evangelism and take it back home to their church.

It happens with believers who visit our church. They are seeing the active evangelism training and getting the info and taking it back to their home churches. 

We had a missionary couple that the church supports each month visiting from Thailand.

When they got up to speak, they told the congregation that they really need to attend the Wednesday evening outreach classes that will be taught.

Our members may not be evangelists to another country, but they are to be evangelists out in Branson and wherever they go, they said.

We had people saying they are looking forward to the class starting next Wednesday.

Training Future Soul Winners — August 31, 2005

Tonight at church, Pastor Mark Shorey asked if I would lead a new Evangelism Sunday School class once our current course wraps up in five weeks.

This is outstanding news that has us incredibly fired up!

This is our pastor, Pastor Mark Shorey. He is fired up for winning lost souls.

When we were discussing the Way of the Master foundation course previously, I let Pastor Mark know that I would be willing to teach an Evangelism Sunday School class. 

I'd do anything else I could do to get this biblical way of evangelizing out to Christians. Tonight, he made it public and told the congregation. It is very good news.

The Core Truth: Why This Matters Today

Here’s the core truth I don’t want you to miss:

There were no spotlights, no smoke machines, and no famous names—just ordinary people taking simple steps of obedience.

• There were no famous speakers.
• No big events.
• No complicated programs.

Just regular believers who were willing to learn, willing to obey, and willing to step out in love.

That’s still how God works.

• He doesn’t need perfect people.
• He doesn’t need expert speakers.
• He doesn’t need flashy methods.

He uses willing hearts and steady steps.

Your Turn: Taking the Next Step

You may not be in Branson.
You may not be in a church like Tri-Lakes.
You may not feel “ready.”  (Spoiler alert: nobody ever does.)

But you are in someone’s life for a reason. God created you and gave you a circle of influence, just like He did me.

• You have neighbors.
• You have coworkers.
• You have family.
• You have people around you who need the hope of the gospel.

So don't treat this like a documentary you watch from the couch—this is more like a treasure map, and X marks your spot.

Let it be an invitation.

• Learn.
• Pray.
• Take one small step of obedience.

nd trust that God can use even the smallest act of faithfulness to make an eternal difference.

A Simple Prayer for Your Journey

“Lord, open my eyes to the people You have placed in my life.
Give me a heart that cares.
Give me courage to speak.
And help me be faithful with whatever opportunity You give me.”

In Jesus' name, Amen.

Back to Top