Field School of Evangelism 2024
CORRALES, N.M. – On June 15, the Texico Conference of Seventh-day Adventist Church, alongside 10 local congregations from across Albuquerque, concluded a successful evangelistic effort. Participating host churches included the following Seventh-day Adventist churches: Albuquerque Central, Los Lunas, Temple Three Angels, Rio Rancho, Valencia, Albuquerque Rio Grande Spanish, Albuquerque North Valley Spanish, Albuquerque La Roca Spanish, Albuquerque Metropolitan Spanish and Albuquerque Heights.
These evangelistic efforts coincided with the annual “Field School of Evangelism” class hosted by Southwestern Adventist University’s (SWAU) religion department. Every year for six weeks, upper-division theology majors travel to a city within the union and participate in class lectures on modern evangelism dynamics, sermon development and practical skills for ministry in diverse settings. The students also learn about evangelistic strategies, finances, management, team development and more. The SWAU course includes classroom instruction and practical involvement in an evangelistic series. This year, we traveled to Albuquerque, where I assisted in teaching the course along with seasoned evangelist Stephen Brooks, Southwestern Union executive secretary.
Participating students (Samantha Lee Perez Mitchell, Martin Aaron Haro, Daniel Herrera, Alan Diaz, Josue Martinez, Marc McAllister, Jose Vargas, Rukundo Nsengiyumva and Desi Gomez) went to Albuquerque for this intensive six-week course. The students ranged in age and in both preaching and life experiences.
Brooks conducted the first evangelistic series at the Albuquerque Heights Church with the church’s pastor, Jerry Pinzon, from May 11 to 25. This gave the students the opportunity to participate in various evangelistic roles and activities, ranging from transporting people, greeting, registering participants, conducting children’s programming, providing audio-visual support and translating. The highlight for the students was learning firsthand from Brooks and witnessing the Holy Spirit work through baptisms and spiritual decisions among attendees.
Following Brooks’ series, students conducted their own two-week evangelistic series at local churches. Topics ranged from “How Can You Know the Future?” to “The Return and Second Coming of Jesus.” Sabbaths were marked with impactful preaching followed by nightly messages. The students had two days off, which they used for community engagement, including family visits and fellowship with church members. Throughout, the students received unwavering support and mentorship from the members of the congregations.
But life for these students extended beyond ministry. There was plenty of time for fellowship. The students agreed that the best fellowship was during special meals with various pastors and other leaders from the Southwestern Union and Texico Conference. Each leader offered wisdom, prayer, guidance and affirmation to the students. Additionally, the area pastors—John Abbot, Ricardo Castro, Heraclio Robles, Saul Flores, Leo Cummins, Rodel Liwanag and Joslen Lache—supported and encouraged the students in their appointed roles.
Southwestern Adventist University was not alone in this evangelism effort. The success of this endeavor was bolstered by support from the Southwestern Union, Texico Conference and Seminars Unlimited, who assisted with logistical and promotional support. I extend my gratitude to all who helped with this ministry endeavor, especially Stephen Brooks, Lee-Roy Chacon and the pastors and congregations who opened their doors and hearts.
In reflection, this summer was not merely an academic exercise but a profound spiritual journey, fulfilling Habakkuk 1:5, “Look at the nations and watch—and be utterly amazed. For I am going to do something in your days that you would not believe, even if you were told.” Many souls were baptized, and lives were transformed, demonstrating God’s faithful promise and the power of His gospel.
By Gabriel Perea
SWAU Associate Professor of
Theology and Religion
