Early this August, Camp Hoblitzelle in the Texas Division was buzzing with Salvationists from all over the nation, including Alaska and Guam, gathered for the annual National Seminar on Evangelism. They gathered to be encouraged, inspired and trained, and to discover and practically put to use their evangelism styles.

Camp Hoblitzelle, according to one delegate, became “holy ground” as faithful Salvationists gathered to worship and shine the light of Jesus before others. It was a holy time when people met with Jesus and each other and the Holy Spirit’s presence was tangible. The camp setting proved peaceful and provided each delegate with great opportunities for fun, learning, adventure, reflection and fellowship.

Seminar faculty gathered a day before delegates arrived to prepare for the week and to spend a dedicated time of prayer together, praying for the delegates and a mighty outpouring of the Holy Spirit.

The theme for the conference was “Go and Tell Them.” Each delegate received a copy of “Contagious Faith” by Mark Mittelberg to study and work to understand their unique and personal style of evangelism and what it means to live a life of contagious faith.

The week started with a powerful worship time followed by insightful teaching from the author, Mark Mittelberg. Mittelberg’s teaching was clear as he challenged everyone in three ways:

1. Know our mission.
2. Take risks.
3. Find their natural style of evangelism. 

He went on to unpack five styles of evangelism: friendship building, selfless serving, story sharing, reason giving and truth-telling. 

On Sunday, National Commander Commissioner Kenneth Hodder preached a poignant message from Romans 10:14-15, challenging Salvationists with the importance and the urgency of sharing the gospel—because as believers we are called to this beautiful mission, which is to share the message of hope with a world in need. 

Towards the end of the service, Commissioners Kenneth and Jolene Hodder recognized and encouraged soldiers for their faithful service to the kingdom work and presented each soldier with a commemorative challenge coin.

Throughout the week, mornings began with continued worship powerfully anointed by the Spirit, followed by different faculty members preaching and unpacking each of the five styles of evangelism. In the afternoons, delegates gathered in small groups, or “mission teams,” to discuss and explore their style of evangelism. These mission team meetings were an essential part of the seminar, where delegates got to learn from not only the faculty members but also from each other.

Each evening program was deliberately planned to be both engaging and inspiring to all. On Sunday, Major Paul Cain led the group in a fun game night, which served as an example of an evangelism tool that taught delegates the importance of community and belonging.

On Monday, guests had a real treat, as they got to hear from Jon Lee, representing the “He Gets Us” online marketing campaign, followed by Brad Fogarty, the talent manager from the hit show “The Chosen,” which uses Camp Hoblitzelle as one of its primary shooting locations. Brad spoke about the series, but he also preached a memorable sermon on Jesus’ forgiveness and saving grace. He reminded us that there is power and truth in the Word and the Holy Spirit.

Tuesday, Major Jonathan Harvey and Major Ronda Gilger led the evening program with practical information and out-of-the-box ideas for evangelism. On Wednesday evening, Colonel Sue Betts gave an honest and authentic message and talked about the struggles of having an evangelism style not suited to one’s present situation.

Later in the week, the mission teams got to go and partner with local corps in leading children’s ministries, ARC ministries, shelter ministries, senior ministries and door-to-door street ministries, where delegates had the honor to participate and practice what they had learned.

The National Seminar on Evangelism concluded with a Thursday evening program led by Commissioner Jolene Hodder. It was an inspiring end to a powerful week as the delegates shared their testimonies of what they’d learned and experienced during their mission team ministry at the local corps. They celebrated the “God moments” and victories from the week.

There was a holy uproar that first week of August at the National Seminar on Evangelism. People left truly encouraged that because of what the Spirit had done within the Salvationists at Camp Hoblitzelle, revival is coming to a corps and community near all.

Everyone returned home knowing that the amazing, good news of the saving grace of Jesus Christ is not for believers to keep to themselves. In this world, people are hurting and lost, and The Salvation Army’s mission is to share the hope found in Jesus with them.