Lay Liberation – The Dream in Your Heart

For nearly 20 years Living Word has gone to the mission field, conducted street witnessing and organized servant evangelism and community outreach.

Recently the Holy Spirit has impressed me with the fact that we aren’t tapping our full potential. The vision for outreach has been limited by what the Outreach Department can organize, lead, fund and staff.

In order to grow our influence we need to decentralize ministry. The church needs to experience what I call a ‘lay liberation movement’. In order to do that our staff must recruit, train, equip and motivate outreachers to function on their own.

Eric Rolland is a Living Word outreacher who uses his passion for golf as a stage to present the gospel. In addition, Eric is using the promises in God's Word to achieve his dream. Although 34 years old, which is older than most PGA rookies, Eric is preparing himself to attend the PGA Tour Qualifying School.

“Pastor Mac [Hammond] has taught us to follow the dream in your heart,” Eric said, “so I am preparing myself physically, mentally, and spiritually to achieve my life’s ambition to be a professional on the PGA Tour.”

Eric is an active member at Living Word Christian Center in Brooklyn Park. In addition to street witnessing with Pastor Nick Kinn, he is one of the Living Word members who helps teach swing fundamentals to the junior golf team at Crest View Elementary School while incorporating life principles of determination and patience.

Eric is compelled to share the gospel with professional golfers. He uses relationships developed through the pursuit of his dream to lead others to Christ. Eric credits his training though Living Word street winning for the boldness to witness.

It’s another example of homegrown outreach. Like my mom used to say “homegrown is always better than store bought”.