The overhead projector is in place, and the pianist is ready to play the opening hymn.
They have along their class packets which contains a lesson guide, gospel lessons, and more.
More than 100 people from four area churches have been meeting Monday evenings at the Grace United Methodist Church for Christian Life and Witness classes. The classes are offered through the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association in preparation for the upcoming Ralph Bell Crusade, "Celebration '99," slated for the end of April.
Teaching the class is Jim Somerville of Ontario, Canada, a member of the Association of Evangelistic Ministries.
Besides Paynesville, classes are being offered in Waite Park, Rice, St. Cloud, Annandale, Sartell, Little Falls, Albany, and Becker.
The classes offer an opportunity for area residents to gain insights into spiritual growth and effective witnessing. The four-class course is designed to be easy to understand.
The free series offers basic, down-to-earth teaching on subjects like Bible study, prayer, witnessing, and devotional life.
A benefit of the course is its ability to equip individuals to share their faith with others. It prepares people to present the gospel in a manner so they can learn to share with confidence.
Somerville has those in attendance at the weekly sessions open their booklets to the lesson. Week one was about leading an effective christian life. Week two discussed the christian life and the adversity people sometimes face in understanding God's plan for their lives.
Week three has the class talking about being a christian witness and some of the practical things a person needs to keep in mind to be a witness to others. The last session, March 15, will teach people what they need to do once they have shared the gospel with someone.
Doris Nehring, Paynesville, postponed her vacation plans so she could attend the classes. "I love the classes. Pastor Somerville has enough humor to keep our attention and everything he talks about is Bible based," she said. "His humor helps bring out the point in the lessons."
"The lessons don't use hard to understand theological messages, but everyday common sense," Nehring said.
Nehring really liked his description of fasting for Lent. Instead of giving up food, he gave up television during his stay in central Minnesota. Someville states ÔIt keeps the brain cleaner,'" she added.
Nehring is attending the classes to increase her direction and ability to witness to others. "It can't do any harm to attend the classes, but I feel it will help me in the future," she said.
Dick Johnson said the classes have helped him visualize himself. "The lessons have an eye opening awareness about them," Johnson said.
"It is great to see the mixture of people from the different churches attending the classes," Johnson added.
Johnson said the lessons provide an understanding of the Bible as it relates to life.
The first night the class was held, Carolyn Swyter was at the United Methodist Church for bell choir and decided to stay. "I enjoyed the class so much that I went back the second week," she said.
"I don't do the Bible Study or Sunday school routine, but I enjoyed the classes and found them refreshing," Swyter added.
Sue Brauchler wanted to take the class to brush up on her witnessing skills and to get a deeper relationship with Christ.
"I call it mental maintenance. Each one of us that calls ourselves a christian should be reading the Bible and praying on a daily basis. We all have to watch our mental attitude every day...we are a witness," Brauchler said.
Brauchler added. "This class helps me better myself and my witnessing skills so I can help at the Celebration '99 crusade."
People attending the classes will be able to volunteer their time to serve as counselors at the Ralph Bell Crusade "Celebration '99" April 28 to May 2 at the National Hockey Center on the campus of St. Cloud State University.
Each night at the crusade, people will respond to the message. All those inquirers will need someone (counselors) to stand beside them to answer their spiritual questions.
Counseling is done on an individual basis, and counselors are instructed not to attempt to influence a person toward a specific church.
Besides counselors, the crusade is also looking for volunteers to help with typing, ushering, security, someone to stuff envelopes, and to sing in the Celebration '99 choir. Volunteers do not need to be present every night.
Youth classes (for youth ages 14 and younger) will be offered on Saturday, March 20, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Hope Covenant Church, St. Cloud.