Hundreds of churches in Zambia will undergo evangelism training next month in preparation to reach 100,000 Aids orphans with the Gospel in 2008.
Each of the 500 participating churches is challenged to identify 200 Aids orphans over the course of nine months, starting in January. The children will then be invited to church on Orphan Sunday - the first Sunday in October - when each child will be given a personal presentation of the gospel using the Good News wristband.
The Good News wristband is a wearable evangelism tool divided into five colour segments with Scripture references. Trained church members will use corresponding information cards to tell the children stories in the Bible and the meaning behind the colours on the wristbands.
"We have worked with the church [in Zambia] over the last four years in mobilising them for the event (Orphan Sunday)," said Gary Schneider, president of Every Orphan's Hope - the creator of the Good News wristband - to Christian Today. "They have been very effective in providing for the orphans, giving them food and clothing.
"And also, we have already tested this concept with about 5,000 children being reached already. So there are national committees and regional committees in place," Schneider said. "I think in our fifth year now the church is finally ready and prepared for such a large undertaking."
