ARE YOU TRYING TO REACH A BELIEVER WHO NEEDS TO BE MORE CONNECTED?

We would love to help you! We are hoping this will be an easy step-by-step guide to help you as you reach out. First, let’s get on the same page, understand some key terms, and lay the foundation for how to reach the disconnected believers in our lives.

James 5:19 “My dear brothers and sisters, if someone among you wanders away from the truth and is brought back, you can be sure that whoever brings the sinner back from wandering will save that person from death and bring about the forgiveness of many sins.”

WHAT IS A SATELLITE CHRISTIAN?

A Satellite Christian is a term we have used to define the phenomenon of a sincere believer in Christ who has not (or is not now) fully succumbed to the gravity of Christ. This can be for varied and complicated reasons. Because we cannot wade through all the variables to determine the status of their faith, we have classified this type of faith as a Satellite faith.

Christians are not called to be Satellites. They are called to be grounded in Him. Colossians 2 says it this way.

6 Therefore, as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, 7 having been firmly rooted and now being built up in Him and established in your faith, just as you were instructed, and overflowing with gratitude.

Though these Satellites are not grounded as they should be, this shouldn’t alter their status as legitimate brothers and sisters until they have denounced their faith. Instead, it should inspire us to earnestly contend for a right faith and a saving knowledge that they are not ashamed of. Unfortunately, we often encounter Satellite Christians who are either ashamed or confused about the issues of Christian doctrine, the Bible, and the Church. Fortunately, this phenomenon is often avoidable and even capable of being rectified if Satellites are given proper care and attention.

A.C.E.S. : ASSESS, CONNECT, EXTEND, SUPPORT

The external ministry arm of ABF seeks to bring the satellite from A(SSESS) to C(ONNECT) in the A.C.E.S. process and to further E(XTEND) our resources by conducting check-ins as they receive SUPPORT where they ultimately ground themselves in Christ.  This is why we are arming YOU with the tools to reach the satellites in your life!

WE ALWAYS SEEK TO GROUND SATELLITES IN 3 WAYS:

  1. IN SCRIPTURE
  2. DOCTRINE
  3. LOCAL BODY

1. SCRIPTURE

God’s Holy Word contained in the 66 books of the Old and New Testament we call the Bible. Scripture is a necessary part of our walk with the Lord who guides our path in His Truth.

*2 Timothy 3:16 ”All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness

DO THEY HAVE A BIBLE?

Start with the free Youversion App or contact our ABF librarian for a free physical copy.

WHERE SHOULD THEY START?

Below we have listed a quick and easy way to understand the Bible.

ARE THEY IN A BIBLE STUDY?

2. LOCAL BODY

A gathering of believers where an individual can connect to God through fellowship, utilizing their unique gifting and be sharpened through the process.


*Hebrews 10:25- “let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.”

DO THEY HAVE A HOME CHURCH?

DO THEY WANT TO ATTEND ABF?

Invite them to join ABF services in person.

Invite them to check out ABF services online.

ABF RESOURCES

CONNECT THEM IN OTHER WAYS

A group to share and receive resources within the church body.

A group for discussion and updates for our digital community.
A Facebook messenger thread for updates and news for our satellites.

3. DOCTRINE

What we believe about who God is, His creation, and how He interacts with His world. Biblical doctrine is derived from the teaching of God’s character and His will for us as revealed through His Scripture.

*1 Timothy 6:3 “If anyone teaches a different doctrine and does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching that accords with godliness, he is puffed up with conceit and understands nothing.”

WHAT ARE THEY READING?

Books listed by category.
A place to access and share Christian reading materials

DO THEY NEED EDUCATION?

A survey to gain insight into what they believe and how they view the world.
A survey for believers to gain insight into what they want to learn more about.

DO THEY HAVE QUESTIONS?

A library of topics available on YouTube discussing things such as abortion, lgbtqia+, culture, doctrine, and more.

Invite the External Ministries Staff to join you in your outreach. Reach out to Heidi or Beth in-person, by phone, or email connect@abfpdx.org. We would love to meet and assist in connecting those you are reaching out to!