Table Talk: The Table Coalition Unites Leaders Around Evangelism
The Table Coalition exists to bring together church and ministry leaders to collaborate over evangelism and ways to effectively reach cities for Jesus. By sharing resources, the partnership connects leaders from almost 100 Christian denominations and hundreds of thousands of local churches, local and national ministries, and prayer and discipleship movements. Dr. Billy Graham founded The Mission America Coalition (now known as The Table Coalition) in 1993 along with Dr. John Perkins and Dr. Bill Bright.
Why use the metaphor of tables? People gather around tables. They offer a place for community, conversation, fellowship, and breaking bread. They offer a place for biblical hospitality. A table holds power. Decisions are made around tables. Important documents are signed on tables. A table communicates belonging and all voices shared equally. And, people eat around tables. They walk away nourished and able to continue their day feeling stronger and ready for whatever comes next.
That’s what a table can do.
As a collaborative network of churches and ministries, the members of The Table Coalition believe that tables encourage conversations around evangelism. As a national network, The Table Coalition brings the Church together to collaborate, build networks, and unite around ways to effectively share the Gospel. When coalition members come together, they leave feeling heard and spiritually nourished so they can continue on the mission to which God has called them—a shared goal of strategically proclaiming the Gospel to cities around our nation.
A History of Gospel Proclamation
The Table Coalition, previously known as Mission America Coalition, unites the Church around evangelism. The U.S. Lausanne Committee originally launched the coalition, with Dr. Paul Cedar as CEO. To this day, Lausanne mobilizes Christian ministry leaders to collaborate around evangelism in the world. Their goal is to reach everyone for Jesus and to build churches that make disciples. They also strive to nurture godly leaders who can provide strategic and influential leadership, and for churches to influence culture in all areas.
The original leaders of Mission America Coalition took on the mantle of evangelism to unify the Body of Christ in the United States. In 2018, the organization changed its name to The Table Coalition. Now under the leadership of Minneapolis-based evangelist Nick Hall, The Table Coalition continues the call of the Mission America Coalition and Lausanne Committee to bring together people from the Christian Church to proclaim the Gospel and raise up godly leaders who will influence society for Jesus.
The Table Coalition remains the U.S. offshoot of the Lausanne Committee. Its members include the National Association of Evangelicals, InterVarsity, Movement Day, Pulse, National Day of Prayer, and Cru.
Hearing Diverse Voices
The members of The Table Coalition believe that the American Church can benefit from hearing voices from across all denominations. By learning from everyone, the Church will remain relevant to all communities and reach people from all backgrounds.
CEO Nick Hall believes that, by working together, churches can encourage revival and spiritual awakening in our cities. It’s about spreading the Gospel so that more people may know Jesus and learn to live for Him.
Pray, Care, Share
Rooted in history, The Table Coalition follows the model of strategically praying for, caring for, and sharing the Good News of Jesus with everyone.
Members encourage church and ministry leaders to first come together to pray for their communities and strategize how to reach cities with the Good News of Jesus Christ. Revival and Christ-like impact begins when people pray for their communities, interceding alone or in fellowship with other pastors and leaders. History bears this out.
Prayer alone won’t win hearts for Jesus, though. Believers also need to put their faith into action. The Book of James makes this clear by calling the Church to act on their faith. “So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.” (James 2:17) That’s why the members of the Coalition also care for people in their spheres of influence in Jesus’ name. This activity might look like having someone over for a barbeque or raking a lawn. It might look like visiting a hospitalized neighbor or giving an elderly person a ride to the grocery store. Care means nurturing one-on-one relationships. It means providing life-on-life care. It means sharing all things in common like in Acts 4. By acting out our faith, the people around us will know that the Christian faith is more than a belief system–it is also a lifestyle of caring for one’s neighbor and truly acting as the Body of Christ on the earth. As the old song says, “They will know we are Christians by our love.”
Prayer is powerful, and good works help people know Jesus’ character. But we also need to actively share the Good News. Many of us pray, others of us do good works for others in Jesus’ name. But often we stop short of the most important step: sharing the Good News about Jesus. As believers, we need to become more comfortable and confident about sharing our faith with others. This process begins by learning a relatable Gospel message and intentionally sharing it.
Our Gospel message may best be received in the context of our own life story. People need to ask themselves how their relationship with Jesus has changed their lives. The Gospel, plus our life story, can make a powerful impact. As we share, we’re fulfilling the Great Commission found in Matthew 28.
Need for the Gospel
As people go out and share the Gospel, they may find that people are more open to the Good News than they thought. Seventy-seven percent of respondents in a recent Barna poll indicate that they believe in a higher power. Seventy-four percent want to grow spiritually. And 44 percent were more open to God than they were before the pandemic. That’s good news for people engaged in evangelistic activities like the leaders of The Table Coalition.
We all have sensed the suffering from the burdens of the last few years in our nation. We survived a pandemic and unrest across the world. Jesus provides the answer to the problems people face. He offers hope and strength to the weary and peace to the brokenhearted. People need the abundant life that the Gospel provides. And it appears that people are beginning to realize this. They have tried all other solutions and are still wanting more. Jesus is the answer.
While many of the next generation have left the Church, there is a move of the Spirit particularly upon this age group in recent months. Jesus is becoming real to them as the Holy Spirit draws many to Himself. The Table Coalition welcomes activities that reach this population. Their leadership particularly wants to engage with next generation leaders who can guide the Church in America to its next chapter, so that the Church continues to have influence upon our nation for many years to come.
Praying for Revival
For many years, the leaders in The Table Coalition from across America have dreamed and prayed for the next Jesus Movement. With the revival at Asbury University in February 2023 and a new wave of hunger for the Gospel across other campuses and communities, they believe that God is answering their prayers.
Members of The Table Coalition heard about the revival and prayed for it to spread across the nation. Prayer groups broke out at Purdue University and other campuses in the weeks that followed. This move of God energized pastors and leaders as they prayed and strategized how to encourage this spiritual awakening on campuses and in communities across the nation.
Resources to Help the Church
The Table Coalition gathers resources that help the Church to evangelize more effectively. The Table Coalition shares these resources with their members to help stir up strategies for sharing the Gospel. These resources, such as articles or Bible reading plans, encourage our personal walks with God and help people put faith into action.
Many people find that holidays provide optimal opportunities to share the Gospel. During these seasons, people who wouldn’t normally be open to discussing faith topics become more engaged. Some of the resources help people discover ways to share Christian faith during conversations and in neighborhood or community activities.
Local Table Gatherings
While resources obtained online can help, in-person gatherings allow for organic, catalytic conversations around evangelism. Gathering around the table in person helps members of The Table Coalition hear about city-reaching campaigns in their area. Regional gatherings inform leaders about evangelistic efforts and help these movements grow. The community formed during these gatherings helps pastors and ministry leaders stay connected to one another. The higher goal is to send these men and women out to tell others about Jesus. It’s about acting, not just talking about it.
If you’re interested in having a Local Table Gathering in your area, let us know.
Yes, I want to host a Local Table Gathering
Come to the Table
Are you ready to engage in a community that will help you share your faith more strategically and effectively? The Table Coalition invites Church leaders to come to the table. Anyone from any age or Christian denomination, social background or affiliation, is welcome to come alongside other leaders across the nation to pray, plan, and strategize for how to reach their city for Jesus. The Table Coalition wants to hear your voice. They believe we are better together. The table is set. Come join them.
Learn more about The Table Coalition.
