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The
Sojourner program was a dream of Paul and Peggie Scott. Paul was a
career Navy man and, as such, had been in many places where the
congregations of the Lord's people were small in number and struggling.
It was his dream to do something to alleviate the situation by helping
these congregations to become self-supporting and strengthen the Church.
While living in California they worked with congregations of all sizes
and conducted workshops statewide. At the time he retired from the Navy,
he was serving as an elder of the Pacific Beach Church of Christ in San
Diego, California. He still had the dream and hope of a particular type
of mission work, but had not fully decided just how this would be
accomplished. They moved to Lubbock, TX and attended the Sunset School
of Preaching to better prepare themselves. They worked for a short
period in Wyoming and Kansas. While in Kansas, Richard and Georgie Jones
joined them. They had an RV as did some others and an idea began to grow
that this would be the way to accomplish what had become known as "Paul
and Peggie's Dream." The Frazier Street congregation in Conroe, TX sent
them to a mission field in South Carolina where they worked for three
years. When they completed the work there, they went to Staten Island,
NY for a 3 month mission effort before returning to Texas. Another
couple shared in the dream with Paul and Peggie. They were Marvin and
Linda Hall from San Diego where Marvin was serving as an elder with the
Pacific Beach congregation. They left San Diego and attended the Sunset
School of Preaching to participate in a study course for which Paul had
made arrangements. In 1978 these two couples held the first workshop in
Weslaco, TX In January 1979 the group adopted their identifying name of
National Evangelism With Sojourners. The number has continued to grow
year after year. However, there is always more requests for help than
there are Sojourners to do the work.
The
Sojourner program of work was, for 13 years, sponsored by the
congregation in Conroe, Texas. Since 1991 it has been under the
oversight of the Elders of the Burleson, TX Church of Christ. However,
individuals are encouraged to remain under the oversight of their local
elders, whenever possible, and send them a report periodically to let
them know of their activities. The congregation at Burleson is very
active with an eldership of eight Godly men. Every effort is made to
maintain a scriptural mission of the Church of Christ and always do
everything to the glory of God.
The
National Evangelism with Sojourners is made up of dedicated,
mature Christians who have retired from their jobs in the work place
but still wish to have a fulfilling life in service to their
Lord. Some may wish to sojourn part time and some full time. The work
with the Sojourners is purely voluntary. It is necessary to have
a RV and be self-supporting. For those who have the desire and need for
special training, arrangements have been made for their attendance at
the Sunset International Bible Institute in Lubbock, TX for six months
where special studies are geared for the type of work they will be doing
in an effort to strengthen the Church. There are, also, workshops held
in various parts of the country throughout the year where there is
further training and a schedule of work is planned. The Sojourners go
only to congregations, camps or schools who have sent a written
request. They work in teams with a team leader who has had training for
working in this capacity. The sojourn in one place may vary in length
from two weeks to several weeks, dependent upon the need. Sojourners
have the security of traveling together, as well as the pleasure of
being with other Christians.
The
talents of the Sojourners are varied. Some are retired farmers, business
men or women, military, teachers, policemen, engineers, chemists, hair
dressers, secretaries, homemakers, college professors and specialists in
many other fields. Their greatest gift is their desire to work for the
Lord and to share their talents with others. Sojourners teach by
example, as well as instruction, making it possible for anyone to
participate.
The
spirit of National Evangelist with Sojourners is that they are "devoted
to one another in brotherly love." Some of the areas in which Sojourners
share their expertise with others are: |
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