Perhaps 2007 should be named "The Year of Evangelism" for Arizona, as meetings are scheduled all over the state throughout the year. Launching this huge initiative are three seasoned Adventist evangelistic teams — Lyle and Peggy Albrecht, Dan and Gloria Bentzinger, and Richard and Mary Halversen.

Each team brings many years of experience. Their separate meetings in Surprise, Mesa and Paradise Valley netted more than 60 baptisms. Excited by the evangelistic fervor throughout the state, Arizona Conference President Duane McKey says, "This year could possibly be the most fantastic year for evangelism in Arizona Conference history for both Anglo and Hispanic churches. We currently have more than 200 homeland campaigns scheduled. And we have 13 meetings in Cuba, 34 meetings in the Dominican Republic, plus meetings in Ghana, Tanzania, Rwanda, Romania and El Salvador."

In the spring, 15 students from Southern Adventist University in Collegedale, Tenn., are scheduled to hold meetings in the conference, working through Southern’s Evangelistic Resource Center. ERC hopes to recruit 100 students for national and international campaigns this school year. Last year they had 60 participants.

Hispanic coordinator Jose Marin begins his first Arizona campaign in the Tucson area. A seasoned evangelist from the Texas Conference, Marin anticipates tremendous church growth throughout the Hispanic communities of Arizona. “We have scheduled five evangelistic meetings entitled ‘Jesús y la Revelación del Fin’ (Jesus and the Revelation for the End),” says Marin. “The whole idea is to reap the harvest here in Arizona. I also have two one-week revival series geared toward former Adventists and new interests. Entitled ‘Hijo, Vuelve a Casa ’(Son, Come Home), the series is based on the story of the prodigal son. Our first series will be in the Monte Vista Spanish church in Tucson."

Another Arizona Hispanic pastor, Enoc Marquez, has set his own personal goal of 225 baptisms this year. In 2006, Marquez baptized more than 100. By the end of the first two months of 2007, he is well on this way to that goal with 60 baptisms. To see what the Arizona Conference is doing with homeland and international campaigns, visit www.sharehim.org. Currently, more than 200 meetings are booked, and an additional 100 should be scheduled soon.

“We want to give every man, woman and young person in the Arizona Conference a first-hand glimpse at what a joy it is to lead someone to Jesus,” says McKey. “Whether nearby in a homeland campaign, or far away in an international campaign, we will do everything in our power to insure that those willing to participate will have the experience of a lifetime. If you’re interested, just ask! Believe me, soul winning is the greatest rush. The highest high. Just try it!"