Jericho 2005: July 2 - 9, 2005

What will happen?:

The Columbia Basin Baptist Association has expressed a desire to take the Gospel to the communities around the Columbia Basin area.

Strong commitments are being made to undergird the Jericho Project with prayer. Local church members will assume the responsibility for walking through and praying for every residential neighborhood in the target area.

Volunteers will assist prayer watchmen in ministering to the needs that are discovered. This will lead to acts of kindness, Backyard Bible Clubs, sports clinics, block parties, and other appropriate activities in order to present the Gospel to as many people as possible.

Cross Over style activities will be used to take teams to targeted neighborhoods. Opinion Polls will be used to open doors for presenting the claims of Jesus Christ. Every effort will be made to bring residents of these communities to a saving knowledge of Christ!

When is Jericho on the Coast?:

July 2 - 9, 2005 is the target date for the Columbia Basin Jericho. Volunteers will arrive on Saturday, July 2 for orientation. Temas will be assigned to local churches. Intensive efforts will begin in the communities on Monday, July 4. Discipleship and follow-up activities will begin on Saturday, July 9. Volunteers are free to leave for home on the 9th.

Neighborhood Prayer Walks

Under girding the project is Neighborhood Prayer Walking. Individuals are needed to walk or drive through their own neighborhoods between now and July 2005. These persons will be given neighborhood prayer lists, receive prayer walk training, and will become the eyes and hearts of God as they develop relationships and discover areas of need that can be adressed by other projects during the intensive week. Prayer walking will raise the spiritual thermostat of these neighborhoods, and will serve as a pre-evangelism activity. Prayer walking will intensify during the intensive week.

Children's Bible Clubs

Volunteers will conduct Children's Bible Clubs each morning Monday through Friday, July 4 - 8,. This innovative evangelistic resource is a fun, portable Bible club for children 3 - 6 years, and 1st - 6th grade. It will be sued for neighborhood outreach, in subdivisions, apartments, migrant communities, or parks--anywhere there is a need to share Jesus with children. The lessons include Scripture, Bilbe stories, memory, verses, and life application.

Vacation Bible Schools

Vacation Bible Schools will be conducted in a variety of locations, including existing churches and possible new-work locations. Volunteers from outside the Columbia Basin will provide the bulk of the leadership.

Acts of Kindness

Acts of Kindness involve small service projects aimed at providing ministry to individuals to show God's love or for local government entities where volunteers can impact the public good. Service projects can include picking up trash, pulling weeds, doing light repair jobs, manning free car washes, etc. The focus of the projects is creating goodwill and earning the privilege to share the Gospel. Volunteers will work each morning Monday - Friday.

Sports Clinics

Sports Clinics are designed to attract older children and teens, provide them with some skill development in their chosen sport and provide a platform for Christian leaders to develop witnessing relationships. Leaders will be recruited on the strength of their Christian commitment and their sports expertise.

Evangelistic Block Parties

Evangelistic Block Parties is an umbrella term for neighborhood gatherings where trained volunteers share the Gospel one-on-one with participants. Most block parties take place in backyards, cul-de-sacs, city parks, etc. In most instances, food, games, and music are available. Local volunteers determine the time and location during the Intensive Week.

Religious Opinion Poll Surveys

Religious Opinion Poll Surveys are at the heart of Columbia Basin Jericho. Local, state, and national volunteers will team together each afternoon or evening to conduct polls, share personal testimonies, and present the Gospel at the front door of as many homes as possible. Teams of two will be trained, assigned small neighborhoods, and provided all the resources needed to conduct the surveys. Advance teams will map the neighborhoods and prepare survey packets.

Who can participate?:

Youth groups, senior adult groups, cross-generational groups--all able-bodied volunteers can participate. Church groups are being recruited throughout the USA and across the Northwest Baptist Convention

Volunteers do not have to stay for the entire eight day event. Groups are encouraged to coordinate their arrival and departure through the Columbia Basin Baptist Association.

What is the cost?:

Volunteer groups are expected to cover their own transportation expenses. There will be a $ 25 fee per person to help cover meals and will include a t-shirt. Efforts are being made by the local churches to provide housing and two meals per day. This is a missions experience.

What do I do now?:

• Begin praying right now that God will direct the Jericho 2005 Task Force.
• Pray that members of target area churches will accept the challenge to Prayer Walk their neighborhoods.
• Pray for adequate numbers of volunteers so we can take the Gospel to as many people as possible during the week of July 2 - 9, 2005.

Who Do I Contact?

Gary Benefield, Director of Missions
Columbia Basin Baptist Association
2537 W. Falls Ave.
Kennewick, WA 99336
(509) 735-4622
cbbadom@aol.com