“Operation Andrew”

Building Relationships with those who need Jesus Christ

Welcome to the “Operation Andrew” opportunity! What is it? Operation Andrew is a friendship oriented method in helping those we know come to experience a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. This overview is designed to familiarize you with the program and help you promote the participation of your people in the process. This information sheet is intended as a tool to guide your event planning. As the Pastor and/or Church Leader your personal involvement, initiative and loving motivation is a big factor in your congregation catching the vision of building relationships with new people who don’t know Christ or know Him but don’t have a home church!

Three ways your church can benefit from Operation Andrew:

  1. Your people can grow. As Christians we all share the “Great Commission” to go into the world and share the Gospel. Your involvement in Operation Andrew will challenge your congregation and present them with an opportunity to personally participate.
  2. Your church can grow. If each member of your church befriended and invited only one person who then attended your outreach event, to then have them accept Christ, your church would have the opportunity to disciple many new people and see lives changed.
  3. Your congregation will experience the power of prayer. They will see the results of their prayer in the changed lives of their friends and relatives. Seeing the power of God work like this can result in having their own lives changed.

How to get your people involved:

There are two steps you can follow to ensure each member of your congregation has the opportunity to get involved. First, designate one or more Operation Andrew Sundays. Second, on the designated dates, distribute Operation Andrew cards, and present a sermon on how to practically apply this method (sample sermon is included).

To participate in Operation Andrew:

  1. LOOK AROUND…for our mission field is where we live, work, go to school, etc.
  2. LOOK UP…because God is powerful and changes people through prayer. Pray each day for yourself and these important people, that God will give you the opportunities to share His love and your life with them. 
  3. LOOK OUT… for ways to initiate and cultivate friendships with people on the Operation Andrew card, earning their trust.
  4. LOOK FORWARD… and begin talking with each person on your card about attending the outreach at your church with you. Choose a specific date, pray, invite and bring them.
  5. LOOK AFTER…those who accept Jesus Christ or even begin to show interest in the Gospel, for they need your encouragement. Help them get spiritual opportunities through Bible study, church, fellowship, etc. Continue to love, pray and spend time with them, even those who do not respond to Christ.

Three ways to effectively motivate your people to participate:

  1. Set the example by being highly involved and positively enthusiastic yourself without making it a guilt oriented thing.
  2. Make the Operation Andrew cards available to distribute to every member of your congregation. Be sure and have plenty of copies available at all times.
  3. A suggested sermon outline is included with this information to help prepare for your Operation Andrew Sunday(s).

How to use the Operation Andrew Prayer Cards:

Distribute a card to everyone in your congregation. Encourage them to:

  1. List the names of people who come to mind for whom they can begin praying for.
  2. If possible, have them join with two others in a prayer group.
  3. Select the name of the first person they will begin befriending.
  4. Continue the prayer and befriending process until relationships have been sought with every name of their card.

Home Fellowships

This generation is very relational. Having new friends and acquaintances to our home for “non-spiritual” things such as coffee, food, a movie, etc., is a great way to build trust. Also doing activities outside the home such as sports, movies, shopping, dinner, etc., will deepen relationships.

An Operation Andrew Sermon(s):

A practical message from the Bible on how to apply the Operation Andrew program should be planned from the pulpit. The enclosed outline is a general idea and suggestion.

It is a fact that more than 80% of those who respond to the evangelist’s invitation to give their life to Jesus Christ were brought to the event by a caring friend who had been praying and befriending them. The following are suggestions on how to implement the Operation Andrew method:

  1. Start as soon as possible. More time means more prayer and time to initiate and build relationships.
  2. Encourage your congregation to carry their Operation Andrew cards with them and pray throughout the day for the people on their list.
  3. Pray for the people on their cards at designated times of prayer and fasting.
  4. Continue to review and give “How To” steps in applying the information and strategy given in this literature.

SERMON OUTLINE

This is a suggested sermon for use on “Operation Andrew” Sundays. The church should set aside a Sunday(s) for a special relationship/friendship emphasis using the Operation Andrew program.

TITLE: ANDREW, AN ORDINARY PERSON

TEXT: John 1: 40-42; 4: 7-42; 5: 1-7

OBJECTIVE: To motivate and move Christians out of their comfort zone to help and care for others around them.

ACTIVITY: Each person in the congregation will have the opportunity to place the first name on their Operation Andrew card. The cards should be made available to every person in the congregation by including one in each bulletin or handing them out at the front door as they arrive.

OUTLINE

Introduction: Jesus calls all of His followers to reach out as we go (Matthew 28:18-20).

  1. Andrew brought his brother to Jesus. (John 1:40-42)
    -Andrew met Jesus.
    -He told his brother the good news.
    -He brought his brother to Christ.
    -Peter believed.
  1. The Samaritan woman brought a city to Jesus (John 4)
    -She met Jesus.
    -Jesus met her needs.
    -She told others the good news.
    -She brought them to Christ.
    -Many believed.
  1. Some people have no one to help them in their need (John 5:7)
    -Many have had spiritual, emotional and relational sicknesses for many years.
    -Often they are forgotten or ignored.
    -Everyone wants to be well.
    -Jesus does not forget anyone.
    -Jesus saves everyone who comes to Him.
  1. Bring someone to Jesus.
    -Put the first name on their Operation Andrew card.
    -Pray for them on a regular basis.
    -Initiative and cultivate a friendship with them…coffee, dinner, movies, etc.
    -Invite and bring them to the church event.
    -Continue the friendship and encouragement…simply be a caring friend continually!

Conclusion: Most of the people (80%) who make a commitment to Jesus Christ at an outreach event attend the meeting because they are invited and accompanied by a friend.