New SHP titles emphasize evangelism

Two new books focusing on evangelism are being released by Seminary Hill Press (SHP) at the Southern Baptist Convention annual meeting, June 12-13. These books will be given away at the Southwestern booth in the meeting’s exhibit hall and then be made available online at SeminaryHillPress.com.

The first book is titled Mobilize to Evangelize: The Pastor and Effective Congregational Evangelism. Written by Matt Queen, who occupies Southwestern’s L.R. Scarborough Chair of Evangelism (“Chair of Fire”), this resource is a practical guide for pastors who want to champion evangelism in their congregations. 

The book provides pastors with tools they need to understand and to assess how evangelism is conceived, practiced and perceived in their congregations, offering realistic ideas pastors can implement to mobilize their congregations to evangelize.

“This incredible book by Dr. Matt Queen is a helpful tool to get the church back to working as witnesses for Christ,” says Shane Pruitt, director of evangelism for the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention. “Matt is the real deal when it comes to setting an example for us all in sharing our faith. He says it, does it, and lives it. May the Lord use him and this book to teach us all how to mobilize to evangelize for the glory of God!”

SHP’s second book is titled In Praise of a God who Saves: 110 Stories of Everyday Evangelism. Written by Southwestern’s writing staff, this book comprises 110 stories—one for each year since the seminary’s founding in 1908—of the Gospel going forth through the witness of Southwestern students, faculty and alumni. Collectively, these stories detail the salvation of 1,479 people whom God has saved in the last three years through Southwestern’s evangelism efforts. 

“The stories and articles that form this book indicate a continued and discernible movement of God through the intentionally evangelistic efforts of Southwestern’s students, staff, faculty and administration,” says Matt Queen, who wrote the book’s foreword. 

“As you read these 110 stories, take a moment to thank God for the individuals, churches and communities that have been changed by the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Also, praise God for the testimonials of seminary students, staff and faculty you will read that attest to increases in professions of faith and baptisms resulting from intentional evangelistic efforts in churches that surround the seminary.”

Stephen Rummage, pastor of Bell Shoals Baptist Church and chairman of the SBC executive committee, says, “As a pastor and preacher, I’m always looking for compelling stories to include in my messages about believers sharing the good news of Jesus and lost people being saved. Even more, as a follower of Christ, I am personally challenged and convicted to be a more consistent witness when I read such stories. 

“This wonderful book accomplishes both of those purposes, and much more. Read it, and you’ll be convinced, as I am, that the ‘SW’ in SWBTS must stand for ‘soul-winning.’”

Seminary Hill Press is the publishing arm of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. To view more SHP titles, visit SeminaryHillPress.com.