Our Evangelism
Evangelism
To many people, the word evangelism has a negative connotation. The word brings up images of strangers knocking at your door, trying to browbeat you with unusual questions and sell you strange literature. However, the word evangelism simply means to share or make known good news. The Bible tells us the best news of all. It declares that through the death burial and resurrection of Jesus, God has delivered us from the power of sin and death (1Cor 15:1-4). Evangelism is simply sharing this good news with others.
Local Evangelism
It only makes sense to begin the work of evangelism in your own backyard. At Lost River we have a great interest in reaching those who do not yet know Jesus Christ. While we do not believe that everyone is to be an “evangelist” in a technical sense, we do our best to equip all of our members to share their knowledge and experience of Christ with others (Eph 4:11,12). We support two local evangelists and a third who divides his time between the local work here and traveling to China to spread the gospel abroad. If you live in the Bowling Green area, we would love to have the opportunity to talk with you about the difference Jesus has made in our lives. You might want to begin by checking out our web page entitled, “What must I do to be saved?”, or you can go to the “contact us” button.
Outside Evangelism
Sharing the good news about Jesus with those living abroad has been a part of our work for decades. The Biblical prophet Habakkuk said the day would come when “the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea” (Hab. 2:14). And with the Psalmist, our desire is that, “from the rising of the sun to the place where it sets, the name of the LORD will be praised” (Ps 113:3). We believe that the good news about what Jesus has done for all mankind should be made known on every square inch of the globe. We are honored to partner with good men in three different continents who are striving to preach the gospel. At this time our efforts are being concentrated in China, Italy, and the Americas. Please pray that God will bless these efforts to His glory and the good of the people where these works are being done.
Below is a list of the men we are currently supporting and where they are focusing their evangelistic efforts.
Durell Dobbins
328 Shady Lane
Alvaton KY 42122
dcdobbins@aol.com
Durell serves in the dual role of evangelist and elder here at Lost River. Durell's primary field of evangelism is in the country of China where he makes up to four trips each year.
Gianni Berdini
Trieste Church of Christ
Chiesa di Cristo
Via S.Francesco 16
34133 Trieste (TS) ITALY
Web site (Trieste): http://www.chiesadicristots.it/
email: chiesadicristots@tiscali.it
Monfalcone Church of Christ
Chiesa di Cristo
Via Romana 97
34074 Monfalcone (GO) ITALY
Web site (Monfalcone): http://www.chiesadicristomonfalcone.it/
Email: info@chiesadicristomonfalcone.it
Gianni is a native Italian, born in February 1952. His father (Rodolfo) was a gospel preacher in Aprilia (just south of Rome). Gianni now lives in Trieste, Italy. After graduating from John F. Kennedy High School in Rome, Gianni attended the University in Rome. In 1977, he came to the US and attended Florida College. Upon his return to Italy in 1980, Gianni completed his doctorate in architecture and then began preaching for the church in Trieste. The Trieste church numbered about ten people at that time. Now they have about fifty people. Gianni serves as the evangelist and also one of the elders of the church. About three years ago, he began preaching also for the church in Monfalcone (about twenty miles away) while continuing his work in Trieste. During this time the Monfalcone church has increased from five members to thirty-five. In both Trieste and Monfalcone, they have several gospel meetings each year, Bible classes for everyone, special Bible studies throughout the year, and private Bible studies with non-Christians.
Stefano Corazza
Via Pio Rajna, 24
00124 Rome (Italy)
home: 06-50934809
cell phone: 328-3926689
mail: corazza53@gmail.com
WEB: www.chiesadicristoroma.net
I have been preaching the gospel in Italy since 1980. I’m fifty-seven years old and married since 1979 to Antonella Berdini. We have two children: Valeria (27) and Paolo (26). My wife and I attended Florida College in the years 1978/79 and then we moved back to Italy to start our preaching activity.
From Rome (our hometown) we moved up to Udine (North-East, close to Venice) where we started a local work from scratch. The Lord has been gracious with us. We stayed 10 years in Udine leaving a church with about 30 people, with a native local preacher to keep on the work going. We moved back to Rome and we started working with the congregations of Pomezia and Aprilia church, trying to be of help and encouragement for the brethren.
In 2001 the church at via Sannio (where we are now working), where my father Sandro preached since 1957, invited me to take care of the local work. We accepted with joy and enthusiasm, being aware of the great potentialities, especially having a meeting place close to downtown of Rome, easily reachable through busses and Metro station. At that time the attendance was about 15 but the Lord has blessed our hard work and brought us to be more than 35 in Sunday attendance. There’s a lot to do but we are confident in doing the job at the best of our capabilities.
To preach in a Catholic Country as Italy is not easy, and for this we ask for your patience and prayers. Italian culture and daily life is pregnant with Catholic teachings and traditions. The priests control politic affairs, economical business, private and public school teaching. All is in their hands and almost nothing moves without their influence. Notwithstanding, there’s still someone that want to be aware of the gospel. So we continue to put all our strengths to reach them.
We distribute flyers, organize public gospel meeting, magazines advertisings, do personal work in inviting relatives and friends to hear the gospel. I have actually good personal Bible classes that encourage me to find new energies and hopes.
We thank you for your thoughts, support, fellowship. God may bless you all.
Stefano Corazza
Nathan Quinn
Phone # 402-304-5699
Email address quinners24@gmail.com
The churches address is
946 North 70th street
Lincoln, Nebraska 68505
Nathan is 30 years old, and has been preaching the gospel in Lincoln, Nebraska since September of 2003. Before moving to Lincoln Nathan attended Lost River where he endeared himself to the church. We have helped support him in his Nebraska work since he began. He is currently unmarried, he grew up south of Chicago where his family still resides and his dad works as a preacher. Lincoln is a growing city approaching 250,000. The congregation in Lincoln began meeting in 1989 with four people and through the years has experienced, slow yet steady growth. The church currently averages fifty people in attendance on Sundays.
Whit Sasser
3601 E. Newberry St.
Appleton, WI 54915
920.733.5009
wsasser@tds.net
www.appletonchurchofchrist.org
Whit was born in 1955 and raised in a family of Christians, with his father, Jim Sasser preaching in various places in the US as well as Nigeria and Australia.
Whit began full time preaching in his early twenties, beginning overseas in South Africa and followed by England for four years before locating in the States. After a few months in Atlanta, he moved to Wisconsin, where he has labored in four places, beginning two churches and presently working with the church in Appleton. Other than two years in New Hampshire, Wisconsin has been his home state.
When Whit moved to Appleton in 1993, the congregation had around 10-20 in attendance. The church now averages between 90-110. There are few churches in this state and in this part of the country. Whit says, “It feels like missionary work…and I like that.” Many of the members are first generation Christians and a lot of growth is needed. But, Whit enjoys the challenge.
Brother Sasser married a Wisconsin girl, Irma Krumrei in 1984 and to their union God has given seven children…four boys and three girls. The oldest, Whitney is married to Caleb Madrigal and has just given birth to their first grandchild.
Larry Sharpe
710 Meadowbrook Drive
Seymour, Indiana 47274
Church Ph# (812) 522-8814
Our times of services are 9:30 am on Sunday morning for Bible study, then 10:30 am for worship, and 6:00 pm on Sunday evening. Wednesday, we have Bible study at 7:30 pm. Eastern Time Zone
My name is Larry Sharpe and I am one of the many preachers Lost River supports throughout the U.S. and the world. I am very thankful for the help that God has given me through you. My wife's name is Laura and we have three children, Shane (18), Mariah (16), and Cass (13), Thanks to God my children are Christians.
We are a good mixture of young and old for a small group. We have an average attendance of about 60 on Sunday morning. My goal as a Christian is to be strong in the Lord myself and grow closer to Him. The Lord has been good to this congregation. Our aim is to love and worship our God in truth and in spirit with all our being, that this church may have, and leave a legacy of true Christianity unsoiled by the world and denominationalism. We hope God is glorified by our individual and collective service to His great name. The Lord has blessed us lately with some good things. We hope the church continues to increase, But whatever comes, whether richness or leanness, may God be magnified.
Thank you for your help in this work. May God bless richly your love and service to Him. We would love for any of you to visit with us.
In Christ,
Larry Sharpe
Tim Shepherd
7604 Chapman Highway
Knoxville, TN 37920
865-573-6638
chapmanchurchofchrist@comcast.net
James H. Baker
P.O. Box 4956
Philadelphia, PA 19119
215-514-2593
email: hereisjames@localnet.com
Gary Henry
106 Canton Court
Goodlettsville, TN 37072
317-484-1496
Dale Pennock
P.O. Box 266
Middlebury, VT 05753
802-545-4772
email: vtpenns5@together.net
Sakkie Pretorius
96 Scenic Rd.
Warne, NC 28909
828-389-8289
email: wpretori@tampabay.rr.com
Ney Rieber
6018 Bryant Lane
Waxhaw, NC 28173
704-243-3388
email: Ney1@alltel.net
Harold Underwood
6185 Defries Road
Canmer, KY 42722
270-528-5279
Harold was born September 29, 1949 in Hodgenville, KY. He has lived in his home state throughout his life except for a few years in the early seventies when he was drafted and served oversees in the US Army. Harold worked as a dairy farmer for several years to help support his family while preaching as well. In 1983 he left the farm and began preaching full time. For the past twenty-four years Harold has preached for the Green's Chapel church of Christ where he also serves as one of the elders. Harold and his wife Sue have three children, one of whom, went on to be with the Lord in 1991. They have been blessed with seven grandchildren.
Harold says the work in Greens Chapel has been, "peaceful, joyful and gone well." Harod now suffers with a debilitating disease, but true to form, he continues to labor in the work of the Lord to the greatest extent possible. If you are in the Hose Cave area of central Kentucky you are invited to worship with Harold and the good brethren at the Green's Chapel church.
David Thomley
5620 Green Apple Lane
Brentwwod, TN 37027
Home (615) 507-1999
Email: DavidT9559@aol.com
Bradley Shaw
314 Mud Lick School Rd
Tompkinsville, KY 42167
270-427-3276
cell: 270-427-6805
email: shaw@scrtc.com
Jason Dixon
880 Stratton Lane
Winchester, KY 40391
Phone (859) 771-5883
email: jaydixon1@hotmail.com
Hello, my name is Jason Dixon. I am 31 one years old and have been married to my wonderful wife Julia for 11 years. During those 11 years the Lord has blessed us with 5 beautiful children. Dawson 10, Jaley-Anne 8, Ethan 6, Isaac 4 and Lily 2. For the past 10 years my family and I have lived in Winchester, Ky located in Clark County just off I-64 about 15 miles east of Lexington.
Concerning our work in the Lord. I have been a barber for about 11 years but during this time I began preaching for the West Irvine Church of Christ in 2006. Irvine, Ky is located in Estill County which is about 45 min southeast of Lexington. After preaching nearly every Sunday for about 3 years I strongly desired to stop barbering and do the work of the Lord on a more full time basis in the Irvine area. I began seeking outside support in December of 2009 and with the help of the Lord, we have made a lot of progress in reaching that goal… We currently average close to 23 in attendance each Sunday and Wednesday. The Lord blesses me to preach each Sunday and teach our Wednesday night Bible Study. I also record a weekly 15 min radio show that airs each Sunday morning at 9:15 am on 1550 am wirv. In addition I prepare a weekly bulletin for the congregation that updates those who are sick along with
area Gospel meetings and other news of interest. The bulletin also includes a short 300 -500 word article. I also maintain our web-site which includes various resources for study and oppor tunities to contact us and set up studies. www.westirvechurch.com.
It is our goal to continue to share the message of the Gospel with our community in hopes of saving those who are lost. We believe in the power of the Gospel and are very optimistic and zealous as a group to grow. I believe the Lord will open doors for us if we put out the effort. I love my brothers and sisters at West Irvine dearly, they are strong and a great encouragement and help to all we do for the Lord. I am very thankful for the Lost River Church and the difference they have made not only in providing me with the opportunity to devote my life to the Lord’s work but likewise the opportunities they have provided to several other of my brethren. I pray nothing but blessings upon this congregation for the efforts they put forth in evangelism. Ultimately may all the praise and glory go unto our Lord.
With Christian Love, Jay Dixon and Family
880 Stratton Lane
Winchester, Ky 40391
(859) 771-5883
West Irvine Church of Christ
P.O. Box 83
Irvine, Ky 40336
(606) 717-0700
www.westirvinechurch.com
