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| This is Pastor Mark Finely and Christopher Holland |
By Ekpor
Temple
Today, in 2023, marked
Day 9 of the Almost Home series, with the topic “The Greatest Cover-Up in History.” In this article, we shall explore
why the choice of the Minister and his transformational messages are essential
in every evangelical outreach. This is one of the key lessons we can take from
last year’s Hope
for Africa and Almost Home evangelistic series held in Nairobi and
Port Harcourt.
As we continue
the annual remembrance of the Almost Home Hope Channel International
evangelism, remember: reading this article alone won’t make a difference or
transform our churches. It requires you, the reader along with our leaders and
members to intentionally apply the lessons shared here within your churches.
Our greatest joy is to steer the church toward digital transformation with
well-thought-out strategies that lead to soul-winning.
So who is the “preacher man?
A minister is not just a messenger but a bridge between the divine and the human, the channels through which God brings his word to life and grace to the forefront. The effectiveness of an evangelical like we in Nigeria saw during the Almost Home series depends largely on the minister’s ability to communicate the gospel in a way that speaks to the heart. Ministers chosen for such missions must possess a deep understanding of the gospel, a passion for community service, and the skills to connect authentically with their congregation. They should embody the message they preach, as their lives and actions often speak louder than words.
After expending
on the resources, preplanning and putting every arrangement together, the
choice of who delivers the message to the congregation should be prayerfully and professionally selected. Let me demonstrate how Pastor Mark Finley and Chris Holland’s
approach aided the successful output of the Hope for Africa and Almost Home
campaign in Kenya and Nigeria respectively.
Firstly, Both Holland and Finley have a gift for breaking down complex theological concepts into practical, everyday lessons. These pastors delivered focused, powerful messages rather than overwhelming the audience with too much information. They use stories, illustrations, and interactive elements that hold the congregation’s attention. Their messages are not only spiritually profound but also easy for the average person to understand and apply in their daily lives.
They made their sermons more practical and relatable, spoke directly to the challenges faced
by their congregations and used clear outlines
and a logical flow of thought, so the message builds progressively, ensuring
listeners and viewers can follow and take meaningful action.
Secondly,
People are more likely to embrace the gospel when they feel, seen, heard, and
understood. The ministers in these series invested time to interact with the
audience, listen to their concerns, and address their questions. This approach
fostered a genuine sense of trust and connection, showing that evangelism is not
just about preaching but about building relationships. Pastor Finely and Holland connected on this level created a lasting impact that continues long after the
event.
In Nigeria, Pastor Holland carried the viewers along: Many testimonies from downlink centers clearly showed that our members and friends enjoyed the ministration and are in love with him. Needless to say, he understands the psychology of the teeming congregations at the down link centers. This is clear in his greeting patterns, sense of humour, the manner to which he describes the “WHAHALA MAN” the (Devil).
This style
of simplifying
yet deepening the message can be a great lesson for our
pastors. Union and Conference leadership should encourage our pastors to be
research oriented, and adopt more engaging sermon techniques rather than
sticking to traditional pulpit styles.
Thirdly, Both Chris Holland and Mark Finley are known for their exceptional stage presence and ability to keep the audience engaged throughout their sermons. Their use of body language, pacing, and visual aids enhances the delivery of their messages, making complex biblical truths more . both pastors are known for their powerful and well-structured appeals during their sermons. Their altar calls are typically heartfelt, compassionate, and backed by a sense of urgency without manipulating emotions and pressuring the congregation. This created an environment where people feel moved to respond to the message.
Similarly, instead of
relying solely on public preaching, they prioritize visiting communities,
homes, and individuals, offering a personal touch that makes people feel valued
and listened to. During the period, I heard, Mark Finley often
visited homes in Nairobi and interacted with individuals to understand their personal
struggles and tailor the gospel to their needs. This personal approach fosters
trust and made the gospel feel more relevant to the individual’s life.
In Port Harcourt, Nigeria, Chris Holland’s relational focus places a strong emphasis on building relationships before presenting the gospel, which encourages openness. Within the period, the preacher honoured invitations from the high and mighty in government, Honourables and vulnerable men and women in Port Harcourt. He was invited to the Palace of the Kings, visited the Chief Justice of Rivers State, and the Vice-Chancellor of the Rivers State University, Port Harcourt etc.
Usually white men have strong preference on
their type of meal to be provided, but what Pastor Holland said in one of the
night has proven that he is a Nigeria by Association. He loved our delicacies,
especially “FUFU and Soup” ( pounded meal made from Casava) mostly cherish and
popular in Nigeria.
Fourthly, Holland and Finley made efficient use of media platforms to extend the reach of their evangelistic efforts. Their ministries have been integrated with Hope Channel broadcasts, social media, and digital marketing, showing that evangelism in the modern age requires the church to be visible where people spend most of their time (online).
They worked with dedicated teams for production, collaborated tech-savvy strategies to ensure quality deliveries via live streaming services, creating devotional content for social media, and engaging with people through digital platforms like YouTube or WhatsApp. Unfortunately, our local pastors are really struggling to embrace technology and expand the church’s online presence. in Nigeria, majority of our pastors and leaders love to be promoted digitally, but pay lip services to the acquisition of modern digital equipment for the ministry. I wish the truth revealed here will help them to wake up.
Moving Forward:
Dear reader, the success of the Hope for Africa and Almost Home series stresses a pivotal truth in evangelism: Evangelistic outreach is more than a gathering; it is a transformative journey for both the speaker and the congregation. When leaders embrace this mission with a spirit of humility, authenticity, and relevance, they create fertile ground for the gospel to flourish, guiding people toward a lasting relationship with God. Let us carry forward the insights from the Almost home series in Nigeria as we continue our mission to bring hope, faith, and transformation to all because, we are “almost home.”
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