Texas State Promoter

Mark 1:14-18 "Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, and saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel. Now as he walked by the sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew his brother casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers. And Jesus said unto them, Come ye after me, and I will make you to become fishers of men.

Jesus' parables and sermons were always exceedingly interesting because He illustrated His messages from common everyday happenings and objects. If Jesus were preaching in our day, His illustrations would be drawn from automobiles, airplanes, farm equipment and so forth. He always spoke the familiar language of the people. So when He said to His disciples, "Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men", they knew exactly what He meant, for they were either fishermen themselves or they had seen fishermen at work almost everyday of their lives.

Today, we are going to let the fishing tackle teach us soul-willing. "He that winneth souls is wise," the Word tells us. Jesus has no one but us to bring people to Christ. If we fall He has no other method. The "Go Ye" of the Bible excludes no follower of Christ.

As each officer of the GMA comes forward and is given her part of the fishing tackle, let us remember that each piece is very important to the other pieces AND to Christ.

President: You have been given the rod. That represents the Word of god. And, just as a good fisherman learns how to use that rod skillfully, so that he can cast where the fish are so we are to study to show ourselves approved of God, fishermen who know how to fish for souls. As our leader, you will need to have the Bible as your main equipment.

I Vice President: You have been given the line. Sometimes, we have know in our lives a very talkative person. Well, we may talk fluently, but if we do not use the line of prayer, we will fail in soul-winning. "Teach us to pray", was the request of Jesus' disciples one day. They did not ask to be taught to breach, but to pray. When you pray for souls, and for guidance and wisdom, you will not be denied.

II Vice President: You will need the sinker to make your task more effective. You must immerse yourself in God's Word in order to find inspiring programs and themes that will not only bring lost souls to Christ, but also draw the members of the GMA closer to Him.

Secretary/Treasurer: You have the reel. This stands for common sense or tactfulness. Now tactfulness does not mean silence when we should speak up. But, we have all known personal workers who tackle people with a tackle box full of "don’ts" and "must nots". Their approach is negative and they get nowhere. The gospel is positive, and it must be presented that way.

Reporter: You have the hook. Without the hook or the "whereby ye must be saved", you have nothing to hold on to. God tells us, "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved…", and "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life." Without these precious promises there is no hope for the future.

Historian: You have the bait. The bait also teaches us a lesson in soul-winning. You have a whole assortment of plugs, and you even have a bottle of minnows. In fishing for souls we must use LOVE as out bait. Loving patience will win then a argumentative, impatient spirit will lose.

Pianist and Song Leader: You have the net and creel. When you find a fish on your hook, what do you do? Just leave it dangling there! Of course not! You do not waste a minute getting it into your net and creel. So with souls that we lead to Christ, be sure to get them into Sunday School, into church and into GMA. Let your Counselor and your Pastor know about them. Don't be content until they are safe in the creel.

Read Matthew 4:18-19 "And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers. And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men."

Charge to all officers: As you assume the responsibilities of your respective offices, I charge you to remember that you are representing far more than the (name of your GMA). You are representing the Lord's work. Whatever you do that honors and glorifies the Lord's work will also honor and glorify Him who loved the church and gave Himself for it. As you accept the responsibilities of your office, will you each dedicate all that you have and are to Christ and His church? If you are willing to assume the sacred obligation of the office to which you have been elected, will you signify this by repeating after me the Allegiance of the Girl's Missionary Auxiliary.

(officers repeat Allegiance in unison.)

Charge to all GMA Members: As members of this Girl's Missionary Auxiliary the responsibility of the welfare of this work rests as much on you as it does on these officers. Without your cooperation, loyalty, prayers, and service the results of their work will be limited. These officers will be depending on you and Christ, who is the Head of the Church, is depending on you for your loyal support. If you are willing to take the same pledge you officers have taken, will you make it know by standing while we sing, "A soul Winner for Jesus"?