670

In Luke 19:10, Jesus says, “I have come to seek and save people who are lost.” Jesus’ use of the word “lost” appears to be a term of endearment. Loving lost people seems to be a priority for Jesus. Shouldn’t lost people be a priority for Virginia Baptists as well? 670 is a five-year master plan that is currently being developed to help Virginia Baptists reach lost people with the Good News of Jesus Christ. However, before we move forward with this plan, we want to make sure that 670 will be received by Virginia Baptists as the Master’s Plan and not just a master plan. Therefore, we are asking the Virginia Baptist Family from all over the Commonwealth to join us in a time of prayer over the next four months.

What is 670?

In Luke 15:7, Jesus says, “…there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous people who need no repentance.” 670 is a five-year statewide evangelism strategy that will help Virginia Baptists reach the lost for Christ, thereby “Causing Heaven to Celebrate.”

Why 670?

In 2006, the population of Virginia was estimated at 7.5 million people. Did you know that only 3.1 million of those people indicated that they had a religious affiliation? This means that approximately 4.4 million people could potentially be lost.

The 2005 Annual Church Profile (ACP) indicated that there were 443,239 Virginia Baptists. This means that Virginia Baptists make up 14% of the 3.1 million who indicated that they had a religious affiliation. Since Virginia Baptists make up 14% of the religious population, shouldn’t we be responsible for reaching at least 14% of the estimated 4.4 million people in Virginia that could potentially be lost? That’s approximately 622,239 people.

What if God, through the Virginia Baptist Family, brought 623,100 people to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ over the next five years? Did you know that it would take only 670 Virginia Baptists with a passion for lost people to make this happen?

How does 670 work?

Year 1: Recruit and train 670 Virginia Baptists to reach 30 lost people with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. (Note: The term “reach” refers to sharing the Gospel and giving the lost person the opportunity to respond positively.)

Year 2: Disciple two people out of each of the original 670 groups of 30 to separately reach another 30 lost people with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. At the end of the year, each pair of disciples will have reached an additional 60 lost people (30 x 2).

Years 3-5: Repeat the Year 2 process for each subsequent year, with two people from each new group separately reaching another 30 lost people.

Summary of 670

Together 670 Virginia Baptists can set in motion a cumulative process through which 623,100 lost people can be reached with the Gospel of
Jesus Christ in five years as God blesses and multiplies their efforts. This diagram (below)illustrates the ripple effect that each of the 670 Virginia Baptists can have by reaching just 30 lost people and discipling two of them to reach another 30 lost people. Like a stone tossed into a pond, their work will create results that radiate and expand through the work of others in subsequent years.

Paul says in Romans 1:16, “for I have complete confidence in the Gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believes.” 670 is not about numbers, it’s about Virginia Baptists participating in a MOVEMENT OF GOD! This is why we are asking the
Virginia Baptist Family from all over the Commonwealth to join us in a time of prayer over the next four months.

Prayer Guide

The Chronicles Prayer - March 2008
The Prayer of Christ - April 2008
The Colossians Paryer - May 2008
The Ephesians Prayer - June 2008
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The Chronicles Prayer - March 2008

(A prayer for a movement of God in Virginia based on Chronicles 7:14.)

Lord, we, the Virginia Baptists, are your people who are called by your Name. We are humbling ourselves today. We are praying and seeking your face. We are turning from our wicked ways. Lord, please hear our prayers in heaven. Please forgive us of our sins. And please, Lord, heal our land.

The Prayer of Christ - April 2008

(A prayer for people who have no religious affiliation in Virginia based on John 17:20-24.)

Father, we are not just praying for the followers of Christ. We are praying for the lost people who will have faith in your Son, Jesus Christ, because of what the followers of Christ will say about Him. Father, we would like for all of the lost people to be one with us – just like we are one with You and You are one with us. When this happens, the lost people of every nation will believe that You sent your Son, Jesus Christ. Father, we would like everyone who comes to know Christ to walk with Him daily – wherever He leads them. Then, they will see the glory that You have given Christ, because You loved Him before the world was created.

The Colossians Prayer - May 2008

(A prayer that the Gospel will be heard in the heart language and worldview of the people being reached in Virginia based on Colossians 4:3-6.)

Lord, make a way for the 670 to spread Your message and explain the mystery of Christ. Lord, make Your message as clear as possible. When the 670 are with lost people, always have them make good use of their time. Help them to be pleasant. Help them to hold the attention of lost people as they share Your message. Help them to choose their words carefully. Lord, please help the 670 to be ready to give the right answers to anyone who asks questions.

The Ephesians Prayer - June 2008

(A prayer for the churches in Virginia out of which the 670 will emerge based on Ephesians 3:14-21.)

Father, we fall on our knees before You because every family in heaven and on earth receives their true name from You. We pray that out of the wealth of Your glory, You would strengthen us with power. Through Your Spirit in our inner being, allow Christ to make His home in our hearts through faith. As we are being rooted and grounded in Your love, we pray that – together with all of Your people – we might have the power to understand the length, width, depth, and height of Christ’s love. We know that Christ’s love surpasses all of our knowledge combined, so thank you for filling us with a perfect measure of Your grace. Now, to You Lord – who is able to do much more than we can ever ask or imagine and according to Your power that is at work within us – to You be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.