A Personal Message to Assemblies 1980 — Peter Brandon

First of all, dear friends, I would like to say that we are really looking forward to this mission with you in Australia. We are praying that God will prepare the way and that we might really see a lasting movement of the Spirit.

Seeking Reality in the Mission

I think we're all tired of the superficial and the unreal and there's one word coming across these days and it's the word reality. And shall we pray that we might really see a deep, genuine movement of the Spirit that will have a lasting impact upon society in the respective areas where we're to work in Australia.

Thank you, Brother Peter. Now, what do you believe are the real essentials for a campaign such as we hope, with God's help, to carry out in Queensland?

Spiritual and Evangelistic Readiness

First of all, I would suggest that the essentials are as follows. First of all, God's people must be spiritually ready. Do you remember the words of the Apostle Paul when he said, I am ready to preach the Gospel to you that are at Rome?

He was spiritually ready, emotionally ready, spiritually ready and physically ready to preach the Gospel to the people at Rome. Now, we must be spiritually ready. There must be unity in the local church.

I believe this is essential. We must know something of what real consecration is all about and I'm going to share this with you when I come to the ministry. We must be a Spirit-filled group of people that are rejoicing in the Lord and in an atmosphere of praise and love that souls are born in.

And shall we pray that the Lord's people may be spiritually ready. Secondly, we want to be evangelistically ready and we want to be involved with people in our area so that before the mission starts, there will be a number of people that we are working on who are ready for salvation.

And I believe that if we are spiritually ready and evangelistically ready, the Lord will give us a harvest that will cause us to praise Him.

That's great. Now, on two occasions, at least, in your introductory remarks, you mentioned prayer. It's a vital thing. How heavy an emphasis do you put on prayer in your campaign?

Prayer as the Foundation of Revival

Well, I want to really put a Biblical emphasis on prayer. As we go through the book of the Acts, you'll remember that they're as much about prayer as preaching. In Acts 1, they were praying. Acts 2, the Holy Spirit came when they were in the attitude of prayer.

They continued steadfastly in the Apostles' doctrine. And then you'll remember, in the prayer. Acts 3, they were praying. Acts 4, when they had prayed, the place was shaken. Acts 6, you'll remember that the Apostle says, we will give ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the Word.

Acts 7, Peter went right into the presence of God when he was praying. Acts 9, it was said of Saul, behold, he prayed. Acts 10, Cornelius, he was praying and Peter was praying. And so we can see that Luke emphasizes the necessity of prayer.

Old Matthew Henry said, one of the early Puritans, when God sets his people a-praying, he is preparing a shower of rain. And I believe that's true. And I would suggest to you, my dear friends in the Lord, that we should meet in house groups and pray.

Let our sisters come together and call their friends together, so that they can pray down the blessing of God. Brethren should meet in homes and have their little prayer cells. And of course, we must make the normal prayer meetings effective, so that the Lord's people turn out to them and that there is fervent prayer.

Quite frankly, there is no meeting on earth that's so much like heaven than a good Holy Ghost prayer meeting. And when God's people begin to really lay hold upon him in believing prayer, God will work.

I remember, you know, when I first went into the Lord's work, just 31 years ago, catching almost the back leg of those great days when revival was moving in the assemblies. And there you would go to a meeting before the gospel meeting and there would be about 40 or 50 people on their knees, pleading with God to save souls.

No wonder the Lord blessed. Now may those grand old days come back when the Lord's people really labor in prayer that God would move in mighty blessing. Now forgive me repeating this. Wouldn't it be great if the Lord really took the mission out of our hands and we saw signs of revival from the presence of the Lord during these campaign days?

Well, if that's going to be so, may it be that the burden of prayer may be upon the people of God. Praise God, people. Peter, that's what we're looking for.

Evangelistic Involvement in Local Neighborhoods

Revival. Really turning to the Lord. That's what it's all about. And you mentioned being practically involved with people. How would you go about that?

Well, quite frankly, I think the best way to be practically involved is for each member in the respective assemblies to take on a parish. It may be just 30 houses. And ask the Lord as you visit those 30 houses to give you at least two souls.

Now I do not know the aggregate of the assembly fellowship. Supposing in Brisbane there are roughly 400 people in fellowship. Now there might be more, there might be less. I don't know. But supposing 300 people said, Lord, in the next year give me two souls.

Now supposing 300 people said that, Lord, in the next year give me two souls. Now just imagine our sisters and our brethren all going out in their little area, visiting, deliberately asking God to give them two souls.

I'm sure of this, God would give us a harvest. We've seen it in Britain. We've seen it in Canada. We've certainly seen it in South Africa. And praise God, we shall see it in Australia if God's people really get the vision.

Remember, the Lord's coming. Now I do want to emphasize this. The Lord's coming. And we've only got a few seconds left. And may it be that God's people in Brisbane will really get a burden for souls and take on 30 or 40 houses and ask the Lord to give them two souls.

And when the mission starts, the Lord may give you three.

That's a tremendous concept. And praise God for it. We hope that just that will happen. Now to meet people, to reach people, and to get people interested, there must be publicity. How would you go about that?

Publicity Through Personal Contact

Well, the best form of publicity that we know in this country, of course, you may be advanced on us in Australia. I mean, quite frankly, publicity in this country is not at its best. But what we do, a month before the mission, the first leaflet goes out.

An outstanding event in the area where the mission is going to be. And that's all we put on it. And then the next week, another leaflet is given out. An event that you must not miss. And then details are given.

And then the third leaflet is given out. Introducing the speaker and the meeting. And then the last leaflet is given out, which is a personal message from the evangelist. And by this means, it's building up contact.

I believe it's very good to have some leaflets in your window so that when the postman and the various people call, you can talk about the meetings to them by having a leaflet in your window or a notice bill.

Thirdly, I believe it's a good thing to contact people over the telephone. I believe telephone evangelism is vital. And then I believe another important factor is this, that we should really advertise in the area where we have been evangelizing.

So that if a man has got 30 houses and he's working there, that's where he should go doing his publicity work and bringing the people to the hall. I think good publicity helps. It doesn't bring people, but it helps the personal contact so that if you go into an area where it's well-publicized, you can say, have you heard about the mission?

Or have you heard about the mission that we may call God's answer to today's problem? Now, if that's well-publicized, then people say, oh, yes, I've heard about it. Then you can talk about it and it makes the personal contact easier.

Great. Now, we've talked about the essentials in preparation for a campaign. We've spoken about prayer, the practical involvement with people. We've now covered the publicity, which is going to bring us up to the point of a campaign.

Now, the conducting of the mission.

Reality and Simplicity in Conducting the Mission

In a conducting of the mission, I believe one word should come across, and that is reality. I believe we've got to be absolutely real with people. And perhaps the next word, simplicity. I think if we have a great build-up, lots of entertainment, it is very difficult to hold people if they are born again in that situation.

It's far better to have a simple approach so that you can carry on with the meetings after the mission is all over. Invariably, we start off with a theme chorus, one or two spiritual songs. Then we have a prayer, and then if there's a good soloist, he sings, or if there's a good duet, let them sing.

And then the scriptures are read, and then I have a chat with the congregation so as to break down any barrier of formality. And then I open the scripture and preach. Invariably, I preach for about 40 minutes, at the most 45 minutes.

And then I conclude quite abruptly. And the choir will probably sing. If you have a choir, I think it's good when the choir sings at the end. And then I have an after-meeting, and the after-meeting lasts approximately six minutes.

And I ask people who want to leave to leave, so that we leave roundabout, near on time. And then all those people who are interested, I ask to stay behind. And then I explain to them the point of contact.

And then there's a time of quietness, and then the meeting is over. During the end of that meeting, I may make a short appeal. I don't make a long appeal. But if the Spirit of God is moving, we shall see God's saving souls.

So two words come across as far as the mission itself is concerned, reality and simplicity.

Yes, we need that, and we need it in a big way. And praise God, I believe we're going to heaven. In the Brisbane area, because we're working towards it, and we're praying for it. Now, of course, you've brought us to the point where you're explaining to folk what God expects of them.

Counseling for Genuine Conversion

Councillors, no doubt, come in at this point. What would you advise to our councillors?

It is always wise to have a good body of councillors who are spiritually trained of God to lead a soul to the Lord. Now, this is what I would say. First of all, when people stay behind, make sure that there is conviction of sin.

I believe this is essential. Do not be afraid to let a man go without making a decision. As we all know, if all the people who had professed conversion in the last 20 years were in the church, every evangelical church in the world would be packed to capacity.

Two-thirds of the people who have professed conversion have wandered back in the world, and it is probably due to the fact that we lead a person to Christ before the time. We are not out for mere mechanical decisions.

We want to see people, praise God, born again of the Holy Spirit that will in turn make an impact on society. So, what I would say is to councillors, make sure there is real conviction of sin, and then take time to go over the scriptures with them.

Take time. Don't put too much pressure on them. We do not want the will bombarded constantly. If a man is spiritually ripe for spiritual picking, the councillor will know it, and it will be a great joy to lead them to the Lord.

Sometimes, my wife and I, we do some counselling, but it is far better for local people to do the counselling, because you are the people that are going to stay in Brisbane, or in Melbourne, or wherever, or in Queensland, and therefore it is absolutely essential that local people should get the point of contact.

Now, I have absolute confidence that you will have people already trained to do the counselling before the mission starts, so that when the blessing of the Lord comes, we are spiritually prepared for it.

Good. Now, we have had the counselling, we have got folks that have come to a knowledge of Christ as their Saviour through repentance, turning to God, but so often, people are left at that point. Follow-up, no doubt, is an essential part of any work that you do for God.

What are your thoughts on that?

Pastoral Follow-Up for New Converts

I think the pastoral responsibility is as important, in fact, don't be surprised, more important than the preaching. I believe if God is working in local churches, and there are local assemblies that are spiritually ready for the influx of new converts, that is the most important thing, that we should have spiritual assemblies to take the young converts to.

And here is a question I would like to put to you. Supposing God saved in Brisbane 500 people, it would mean that new converts would be coming into many local assemblies. And if the new converts followed you, what kind of Christians would they be?

If the new converts followed you, what kind of Christians they would be? So you can see that we must not put this responsibility of pastoral concern just on the shoulders of elders. Each person in each assembly must bear the responsibility of caring for new converts.

And I would say these are the secrets of really looking after new converts. Number one, open your home. I believe we can do more in our homes than we can do in the assemblies to care for new converts.

Because they can ask questions, they can get to know you, and it's in the home that we can do the Bible teaching to. Secondly, make the assembly meetings live and joyous. It's terrible for new converts to come out of a campaign situation into an assembly situation where there is a different level of spirituality.

And if our local churches are spiritually keen and joyous in the Lord, then it's in that atmosphere of Christian joy and love that they are built up in the most holy faith. Thirdly, have suitable ministry for them.

I remember taking about 15 or 16 new converts to a Bible reading and they were going through the 13th chapter of the Revelation. And they were talking about the beast. And can you imagine how new converts were totally confused as they were speaking about the beast and calling him the man of sin.

The first introduction was really their failure. Now do have ready certain ministering brethren who will speak on the basic facts of the Christian life. And then lastly, have some suitable booklets to give them so that these new converts can read literature that's going to really lift them as far as their spiritual living is concerned.

And one thing I would emphasize, if the local assemblies are in a spiritual condition and there is love and joy among the people of God, if God's people have learned to put the flesh to death so that in the respective churches where these converts are placed there is spiritual life, that in itself will be the means of encouraging these new converts in the Lord.

And may God give us a bumper harvest.

We say Amen to that. Now in our conversation relative to the people of God within the assemblies here in England and in Scotland no doubt, you have the opportunity of coming in ministry for a more prolonged period than you would be able to do in Australia.

We have, as I have mentioned to you, scheduled certain periods of ministry before your actual campaign starts. But within our own assemblies, those who will be actively taking part in this work, would you suggest maybe a series of ministry, I know this is somewhat off the cut, but a series in ministry which would build up to the point of launching out in the practical work of getting around the district and doing a job for the Lord.

Preparing Local Assemblies Before the Campaign

Would you mean by that Jim that I should do that work or someone else should do it before I come? Before you come.

Someone else should do it. Before you come to do what you could do here. Yes.

Oh yes, in this country I go in and out of one assembly and I am doing this with a number for three years. And I am giving preparation ministry such as the New Testament Christian, the New Testament Church, New Testament Marriage, New Testament Evangelism and so on.

So that we are building up strong local churches that are seeing blessing without the mission. But of course I couldn't do this in Australia, so if some local brethren who are gifted in teaching could prepare God's people for this, it would be a tremendous boost to the mission.

And if we are spiritually ready, God will give us a harvest. And I do want to emphasize that watchword, that the Lord is coming. Maranatha. Maranatha, yes. And we have only got a few seconds left before we hear the great shout.

Readiness for the Lord's Coming and the Final Harvest

We can see that the whole world is being prepared for that period of time called the wrath of God. And it may be that in these last days we are going to have a quick harvest and then the Lord will take us all away.

And may it be there in Brisbane, Melbourne, Queensland or wherever these missions are going to be, that God will prepare us for a real move of the Spirit of God that will do two things. Glorify exclusively the name of the Lord Jesus and extend the kingdom and build up His people in the most holy faith.

Tremendous. Now just a final word to the folk in Queensland, in Melbourne, then again in North Queensland and maybe even in Tasmania if the Melbourne brethren are going to spare them the time to have you down there.

Would you like to say a few words just finally?

Edification, Multiplication, and Spiritual Fruitfulness

I believe there is one word that the Lord is bringing to me of late. I haven't time to turn to the Scripture but in Acts 9 .31 the Word of God makes it quite clear that when the disciples were edified they multiplied.

And when God's people are edified and built up in the most holy faith and they are rejoicing in the Lord and they are spiritually involved with men and women in the world to win them for Christ and when in the local church there is a sense of the control of the Spirit so that there is power in that local church then God's people are edified.

And when His people are edified then God multiplies. You remember He said to that mighty man of God, Abraham Be fruitful and multiply. Blessing I will bless thee and multiplying I will multiply thee. May it be, brethren and sisters, ere the mission commences that we shall be edified and then multiplied.

The Lord grant it for His name's sake.

Thank you indeed, Peter. I know that so many in Australia are praying right at this time for your coming. There is preparation going on and for the Holy Spirit of God moving in as we believe in a mighty way.

We are looking forward to a real blessing in all of the assemblies that you are going to visit.