“Each One Reach One” is the soul-winning initiative of Northern New England Conference (NNEC) for the year 2022. This theme encapsulates the idea that leading someone to Christ is one of the most solemn and sacred responsibilities of every professed Christian. In the year 2022 we envision that every Adventist Member in the NNEC territory will be motivated, empowered, and encouraged to prayerfully make a firm commitment and tirelessly begin to work towards leading at least one person to Christ by the end of the year 2022.  

Leading someone to Christ is called Evangelism. Evangelism provides opportunity for the believers to respond to the command of Jesus; "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature." (Mark 16:15). The parable of Jesus about the Lost Sheep in Luke 15:4–7 (also in Matthew 18:10–14) is an illustration of heaven’s desire, Christ’s initiative, and Christian responsibility in seeking the lost and bringing them to experience salvation. The apostle Paul highlighted the importance of evangelism when he charged young Timothy; "And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also." (2 Timothy 2:2).  

Ezekiel 34:12 records the Heaven’s desire for the lost; “As a shepherd looks after his scattered flock when he is with them, so will I look after my sheep. I will rescue them from all the places where they were scattered on a day of clouds and darkness.”  Luke 19:10 records the initiatives of Christ; “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” Ellen White states that “For this He [Jesus] left the sinless worlds on high, the ninety and nine that loved Him, and came to this earth, to be ‘wounded for our transgressions’ and ‘bruised for our iniquities.’ (Isa. 53:5.) God gave Himself in His Son that He might have the joy of receiving back the sheep that was lost.”  The Christian responsibility is expounded in Matthew 28:18–20; “Then Jesus came to them and said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.’” The joy of Christianity is found in bringing others to Christ in faithful compliance to this commission of Lord Jesus! The words of Jesus echoes this truth; “I tell you … there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent” (Luke 15:7).

God has entrusted every believer with spiritual gifts to exercise (Romans 12, Ephesians 4 & 1 Corinthians 12). The Scripture affirms: “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 4:10–12). The purpose of these spiritual gifts is to serve one another.

The Spirit of Prophecy illumination of serving one another is noteworthy. “To save souls should be the life work of everyone who professes Christ. We are debtors to the world for the grace given us of God, for the light which has shone upon us, and for the discovered beauty and power of the truth.—(Testimonies for the Church, vol. 4, p. 53). “A distinct work is assigned to every Christian” (The Review and Herald, July 30, 1901). “God requires everyone to be a worker in His vineyard. You are to take up the work that has been placed in your charge, and to do it faithfully” (The Review and Herald, May 1, 1888). “Every true disciple is born into the kingdom of God as a missionary. He who drinks of the living water becomes a fountain of life. The receiver becomes a giver. The grace of Christ in the soul is like a spring in the desert, welling up to refresh all, and making those who are ready to perish eager to drink of the water of life.” (The Desire of Ages, p. 195). “God expects personal service from everyone to whom He has entrusted a knowledge of the truth for this time. Not all can go as missionaries to foreign lands, but all can be home missionaries in their families and neighborhoods” (Testimonies for the Church, vol. 9, p. 30).

Will you respond to the initiative of the NNEC evangelism team by working to lead at least one person to the saving knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ by the end of 2022? “Were every one of you a living missionary, the message for this time would speedily be proclaimed in all countries, to every people and nation and tongue.” (Testimonies for the Church, vol. 6, p. 438).