Evangelism is a top priority in the Arizona Conference under the leadership of President Duane McKey. A desire to see the work finished in Arizona is paramount in every facet of his ministry. He often concludes his sermons with a personal, heart-felt invitation, “Let’s get off this old ball of mud and go home!”

The Arizona Conference wants to equip members for service. Many Arizona pastors and laymen have taken advantage of an opportunity to participate in one or more Global Evangelism trips where they can conduct their own meetings using specially prepared DVD sermons.

Equipped with a laptop computer and a small video projector, these men and women have experienced first hand the thrill of presenting the gospel. At the conclusion of their meetings, when calls for decisions are made, the personal satisfaction of leading someone to Christ is often an overwhelming, emotional experience.

McKey’s purpose in encouraging these mission trips is two-fold. First, he wants everyone to have the opportunity to become involved in soul-winning. And most important, he wants them to bring that enthusiasm back to Arizona.

Already, 30 people have participated in Global Evangelism trips. When these individuals go to other parts of the world to hold their own meetings, they have the opportunity to see, feel and by touched the fire of the Holy Spirit — then they bring that fire home to Arizona.

One “on fire” couple, Tim and Julie Mann, are members in Yuma, Ariz. They went to Guatemala earlier this year and had a great experience. As soon as they got home, they were ready to plan their meetings here. They went to northern Arizona to hold meetings for Native Americans.

Another lay couple, Bruce and Carol Powers, who recently held meetings in Africa and Guatemala, also held meetings in northern Arizona among the Native Americans. In total, there were 14 baptisms among the Native American people.

With 850 meetings being held throughout Arizona, this may be a record for the North American Division. Under the leadership of Hispanic coordinator Omar Grieve, lay people are opening their homes and holding DVD meetings. They are “on fire” to present the Good News to their families, friends and neighbors.

One of Arizona’s “on fire” pastors, Enoch Marquez, continually holds evangelistic meetings throughout his districts. By end of November, his baptism total had already reached 142. During his meeting in the Shaloam church, he baptized the Rodriguez family. As Alex Rodriguez surrendered his life to Jesus in baptism, he became the 15,000th member in the Arizona Conference. McKey presented him with an English-Spanish Bible and gave the family a copy of Seventh-day Adventists Believe, which explains the fundamental doctrines of the Church.

In March, Shawn Boonstra will hold the Net 2006 meeting from the Celebrity Theater in Phoenix, Ariz. Currently, the conference is holding weekly training seminars for visitation, and members seem excited to have a part of reaching all of Arizona and the North American Division via satellite technology.

McKey is enthusiastic about the work of Arizona pastors and laymen. “Our prayer is to pass the 16,000 mark in 2006 as we join together to finish the work in Arizona — and other parts of the world — so Jesus can come!”