Can meeting physical needs like hunger open doors to evangelism?
Hurst: Yes. The Assemblies of God doesn t just look at the physical need. But, giving food can become a bridge, demonstrating the care and concern of Christian believers. In every Convoy of Hope event, the gospel is preached as the food is distributed and hundreds come to Christ at each distribution. Overseas we work with local churches, empowering them to reach their communities. In Honduras, for example, churches grew greatly when the missionaries and Convoy of Hope helped pastors and congregations feed the hungry after a hurricane. Evangel: As the Assemblies of God grows and prospers, is there danger of our constituency losing its focus on ministering to the poor? Hurst: Not as long as we don t lose sensitivity to spiritual priorities. The two are connected. Prosperity need not hinder ministry; it will actually help it, if the focus is spiritual and directed by God s Word. Paul said to the Corinthians that God will enable us to have all we need so we will have “an abundance” for “ev
