Family, Social Class, and Evangelism: Developing a Strategic Evangelistic Plan to Engage the Middle and Upper-Class Families in the Dennery Community of Saint Lucia
Authors:   ,   Andrews University, Morian Dolston 
Published: June 2023

Problem In the St. Lucia Mission of Seventh-day Adventist traditional evangelistic tent meetings have resulted in a steady growth in church membership. However, the majority of converts added to the church has consistently come from the lower-class individuals of the society. Not surprising therefore, there has been a small increase in new members from the middle and upper-class communities. Arguably, the traditional approach to evangelism conducted by the Seventh-day Adventist Church in St. Lucia is not as effective in reaching the middle and upper-class subgroups as it is with members of the lower social class groups. The need to pay urgent special attention to all social groups including middle and upper-class individuals is an imperative because of the inclusive nature of the Gospel commission. Method The method that was employed to address the problem was a family life education initiative. A survey instrument (SI) was administered to collect data from the Dennery community. This information was used to guide the formulation of an evangelism plan that resulted in contacting 130 persons. The participants voluntarily received a survey that comprised five sections of inquiry. These areas include information about marriage and family life, health and family, social issues, and spirituality and the family. A total of 91 persons volunteered and completed the field survey. Fourteen interviewers administered the survey to the 91 participants over a period of seven days. In addition, a number of activities were planned and executed to engage members of the middle and upper-class. These data were evaluated and the findings helped to guide the development and execution of the family life education plan administered to engage the affluent family members in the Dennery community. The results indicated that the wealthy in Saint Lucia required a more creative and inviting approach. The outcomes showed that the family life education approach was a friendly and viable option for engaging the affluent social classes in St. Lucia. Results The execution of a family life education model of evangelism has generated a response to the Gospel from the affluent family members. More than one hundred persons responded to the initiative by participating in more than three of the events, four were baptized, one couple were married and others have become the new advocates for this family life education initiative. Conclusion From the outcome of the project, the family life education approach offered to the middle and upper-class families has proven to be a viable option. This approach: (a) engaged the rich and wealthy families, (b) was a relationally viable option, (c) did effect transformation, (d) was a creative way of presenting the gospel, (e) engineered a culture of inclusion of the rich, (f) saw greater participation of the membership in the work, (g) has a natural discipling component, and (h) has helped the voice and service of the church become more audible and attractive. This plan has effectively engaged the wealthy middle and upper-class families.