Paul Doriani is always sharing and teaching. He teaches what he knows such as music to his grandson Samuel Alvey (R), the gospel through sermon, song and Bible study or how to witness on-on-one through the Evangelism Explosion (EE) method to collegians. Starting in January 2012, Paul will gather nine students, several of which are “baby” Christians from Lycoming College and Pennsylvania College of Technology to teach them how to witness in comprehensive fashion.
EE’s basic strategy for accomplishing its goal is expressed in its name. “Evangelism” correlates with the intensive aspect of EE’s strategy; that is, promoting personal evangelism through highly structured classroom and practical training. Paul will adapt the basic EE method to the local situation, teach and lead in the classroom and take the students on practical application outings around Williamsport and the two campuses.
“Explosion” refers to multiplication as a key component—not just winning people to the Lord one-by-one (addition). But training those won to the Lord to win, and then train, others. In the Book of Acts we read that the disciples “multiplied” and “multiplied exceedingly.” This shift from addition to spiritual multiplication offers the one real hope of sharing the Gospel with a world population that is, itself, continually multiplying.
This basic strategy is informed by four additional principles: (1) friendship, (2) evangelism, (3) discipleship, and (4) healthy growth. Each of the four principles applies to the intensive aspect of EE’s mission (evangelism), while the fourth principle (healthy growth) applies to the extensive aspect (explosion) as well, and in a special way. When the critical mass of a congregation is focused on evangelism, there is growth.
EE also stresses the fact that it does not want the Gospel presentation to sound “canned.” Paul will ensure those trained in EE will learn how to deal with unexpected turns in the conversation, objections to the message, and will come to understand the Gospel itself in a fuller way. EE was founded by the late Dr. D. James Kennedy in 1970. Several Knox Fellowship board members have taken the 6-day leadership clinic to learn how to establish this vital ministry in local congregations.
