I just talked to Todd and he passed this on to me (see release below). I will comment more on Todd and Alpha later, but now, I am off to interview Tim Keller for an upcoming podcast... More soon on both topics.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Name: Elaine Hansen
Phone: 1-513-829-4734
E-mail: Elaine@conversationalevangelism.net
Three Is Enough Groups - Spirituality For the Sake of OthersTodd Hunter, former CEO of Alpha USA, launches new ministry to focus on spiritual transformation
Boise, ID, April 2, 2008
Effective April 1, Todd Hunter (51) transitioned from his role of National Director at Alpha USA to launch a new ministry focused on helping pastors and lay leaders reach a generation that has become disenfranchised from the church.
Under the new non-profit, Society for Kingdom Living, Hunter will develop his writing, speaking and professional activities in the areas of conversational evangelism and the 21st century church. Hunter has a passion for evangelism but is convinced that Christianity in America has a massive image problem that stymies most attempts at evangelism. With the basic premise that Christianity needs to be re-practiced in order to help make followers of Jesus in this generation, he is developing resources and events that include writing a series of three books, the first to be published by InterVarsity Press, developing conferences, and teaching at key seminaries.
Hunter will begin this ministry by teaching and consulting on Three Is Enough Groups. These groups are designed to show people how to undo un-Christian faith by showing them that heaven is not the goal of Christianity - it is simply the destination. Being the servant - otherly people of God - is the goal.
Through his writing and teaching, Hunter will encourage churches and lay leaders to begin forming Three Is Enough Groups to help individuals pray, grow and serve. Keeping the groups small and focused insures that evangelism can happen anywhere, in the midst of people's busy lives. Meeting in their most natural places of community - the workplace, school, or at the local coffee shop - Three Is Enough Groups will go on the Journey Inward of spiritual transformation and the Journey Outward of serving others. This will be done through the power of the Holy Spirit, for the sake of others - the least, the last and the missing.
Hunter will continue to be a consultant to Alpha USA and will remain on the Board of Directors and Executive Committee. He will have an active role in promoting Alpha, teaching on Alpha's practices, building relationships and advising the organization on strategy.
Posted on April 2, 2008 at 9:07 AM ~ 3 Comments
Tagged with: alpha, hunter
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This is brilliant. Small intimate gatherings vs. Corporate masses. The first will win every time. The vast majority of real "evangelism" is done in the following places: in a front yard raking leaves, at a t-ball field, over a cup of coffee in a kitchen, on a roof cleaning gutters, at a gas station counter paying for one's fuel. And its done without a curriculum or a cool acronym. It's done by people who care about other people and have some semblance of social skills. This is what I call Guerrilla Evangelism, sort of like Guerrilla Marketing for small businesses.
Guerrilla Evangelism is also buzz evangelism, just like buzz marketing. It's being so passionate and excited about something that you can't help but tell your friends. Like when you were a kid and you went back to school after Christmas break. My friends and I would be stoked to talk about what we got. Well, this is Guerrilla Evangelism.
This is word of mouth advertising for Jesus, aka evangelism.
A marketing book that correlate with this idea: Permission Marketing by Seth Godin
I knew Todd way back when he used to be really famous... :)
God bless him...
As I have had more time to think about Todd Hunters Three Is Enough stragety, It is becoming more clear that this might just work. I think in light of the coming revival that we are seeing in Florida with Todd Bentley at the moment and the expectations of California becoming a revival hot zone, this would seem to be a good match.
After all it is simple, non confrontational, relational and provides a long term friendship - growth and discipleship format.
Three Is Enough could be a real opening and addition to the coming waves of revival because it provides a safe way to introduce people to a personal relationship with Christ - but goes even further by allowing the real person of a Christian to be seen both during the hard times and good times. This is important because it is during the hard and difficult times in which God provides and we present our true faith and hope in Christ that gives people without hope or faith a question mark in their head asking themselves, "How come this person is falling apart and can still stand - though leaning a little - in the face of this adversity?
Nothing shows Jesus at his brilliance than when a suffering servant is true and faithful and then comes out of the fire ultimately un-touched by the smoke.
This Three is enough idea provides that place for observation of us through the entire process - providing an opportunity for someone who has no faith - something to hope for themselves.