A Path Straight to the Hedges

Evangelism in Developing Areas

About the Author

One exceptional legacy Børge Schantz left behind before he went to his rest on December 12, 2014, is this book. His honed experience as theologian, pastor, administrator, missiologist, and missionary, was put in this volume. Published in 2000 by the General Conference Ministerial Association of Seventh-day Adventists, A PATH STRAIGHT TO THE HEDGES is a user-friendly manual for witnessing to those on the margins of both rural and urban societies. Schantz’s soul-winning projects on four continents gives this book a wide range application. 

About the Book

This 165-page manual is written for those who engage in cross-cultural witnessing. And for those who are involved in indigenous pioneer evangelism, this is the guidebook. What Schantz has done is to propose well-tested evangelistic models that can be easily adapted to various cultures, situations, and personalities. With this manual, a properly planned evangelistic campaign can be pioneered in new areas with unreached people groups; existing churches struggling to survive in hostile environments can be strengthened; and it can be demonstrated that evangelism is not solely a question of money. 

Schantz’s penchant for organizational dexterity is evinced in the book’s organization. He began by appraising the biblical basis for world evangelism using the Pauline missionary template. Then he discusses the preparations for a campaign; the actual meetings with the daily particulars; and finally the post-baptismal care given to the converts. If you never flipped the Epilogue and Appendix pages of books, flip this one. In the Epilogue the experience of Philip and how the Holy Spirit used him was discussed. Then in the Appendix, ten lecture outlines are suggested for a series of public meetings. 

Schantz’s book is very practical, yet so thorough. It is very readable, yet quite detailed. It is very well studied, yet highly applicable to varied contexts. To all those who engage in short-term and long-term missions, this is the manual that enhances soul-winning success, try it! 

Reviewed by John Okpechi