Currently, the SBC, as well as some other groups, are attempting to evangelize the hard-to-reach inner cities of America through "Set-Free Churches." The way these churches get started and operate are:
Step 1 - A group of evangelists go to a troubled area of the city where drug abuse and prostitution run rampant. They set up an event, a concert, which will be followed by preaching. They then canvass the area inviting everyone to "the party."
Step 2 - A crowd gathers at the concert venue (usually a temporary stage set up at a park or on a city block), where a Christian band plays Christian music. Following the music, a Gospel message is preached, an invitation given. Those who respond to the message with professions of faith are then given an opportunity to get on a bus that will take them out of the troubled inner-city area.
Step 3 - The bus transports the new converts to a "discipleship ranch," a camp or modular housing community where converts are given the chance to detox, and undergo a short time of intense discipleship training.
Step 4 - After the new converts complete their time at discipleship ranch, they return to their neighborhood to form the Set Free Church, where, under the follow-up care of the sponsoring church and with the help of volunteers, begin holding the public evangelism events that got the church started. The process repeats itself.
These churches are equipped to reach and rescue those who have been completely overcome by drug addiction and are without hope, and possibly homeless in the inner cities. They aim to help the overcome be overcomers.
What are your thoughts on this approach?
