Imagine an intimate dinner party with guests seated at round tables, getting acquainted, eating, singing, praying and listening to God’s Word. This unique setting for a two-week evangelistic outreach has guests and church members excited about getting to know God and each other.

“The tables have been amazing!” say Cliff and Tiffany Merchant, Milpitas church members and table leaders. “This is such a successful way to have meetings.” Seated in groups of eight, each table had two Adventist hosts and six guests. The co-leaders were responsible for getting to know their guests, facilitating discussions, answering questions and home visits. Church members sat in chairs that lined the walls.

Hosted by the Milpitas and San Jose Central churches and held in the Milpitas fellowship hall, each evening started with supper for 200 to 250 people. Lead cook Kate Baroro joined by six to eight volunteers each day to prepare and serve great-tasting, healthy meals.

Then a two-part presentation allowed for discussion and a question and answer time at each table. Taj Pacleb, recently hired as an evangelist by the Central California Conference, was the guest speaker.

“I thought it was a great idea,” Pacleb says. “Church members feel ownership. They are not just spectators, but are actually involved. The guests are linked up with members instead of the evangelist. They are already in small groups, which can continue after the meetings are done.”

“I didn’t want to do it,” says Phea Mora, an assistant table leader from the San Jose Central church. She was nervous enough already, and that was before she found out about the home visitation on the nights off. At her table, Mora met Angela Perez, who had received an invitation in the mail. After accepting the Sabbath, Perez began requesting prayer for her family who were giving her a hard time.

Though wondering if they would really come, Mora joined in praying for the family. The father came on the night the anti-Christ was presented and was blown away. “I’ve been deceived and a veil has been lifted from my eyes,” he told Mora.

“God has slapped me in the face,” Mora says. “It’s like He is saying, ‘Don’t assume I can’t work these miracles.’ My faith has grown so much!”

Table leaders were selected in advance by Milpitas Pastor Robert Bernado, San Jose Central Pastor Antonio Cano, and Bible-worker Heidi Bryant. Selecting and training tables leaders was vital. “Much prayer went into making those teams,” says Bryant.

Matching members personalities and strengths, each two-person leadership team participated in five training sessions: an overview table evangelism, job descriptions, meeting objectives, principles of visitation, and how to get decisions and ready people for baptism. Role playing for practice made learning fun.

“The church members were actively involved every night, connecting with contacts and a complete circle of friends. It’s personal. It reminds me of Acts 2:42 all over again. I loved it!” says Bryant.

“The Lord really blessed. This concept was new for everybody,” says Bernado. “Our members were very excited about evangelism and felt empowered. Those friendships begun at the tables are still continuing.”

A weekly evening meeting, Soup and Salvation, keeps everyone connected with fellowship and Bible studies. And it’s also a great way for new members to invite their family, friends and co-workers. “New people keep coming in, and our newly-baptized members are already giving Bible studies,” adds Bernado. “This is discipleship!”