Elgardo Silvoso founded Harvest Evangelism i Argentina to reach the whole nation for Jesus. This team has developed a model for conqering cities for the Lord. A common unified prayer evangelism for all Gods people is the most important tool. In 1994 Edgardo Silvoso published the book: “That None Should Perish”. In this book he presented “Plan Resistencia”. This is a plan to liberate the Argentine city Resistencia from the grip of the devil. In the course of two years the number of Christians multiplied to four times as many, and other great changes had happened in the local community. The strategy which is presented, is built on biblical principals. This book and the author is previously mentioned in Den Profetiske Røst (The Prophetic Voice) nr. 2,1999 page 8,9, and nr. 3, 2000 page 24.

Back to the bible

In the book “Prayer Evangelism”, published in 2000, Silvoso tells about new victories for the Kingdom of God. Silvoso calls to account Christian thinking in grooves and gives a convincing presentation of biblical truths which for centuries have been hidden, misunderstood and neglected. “Back to the bible” might be used as a motto. The book gives an overwhelming empirical foundation for what happens when Gods principles are being followed. It simply gives directions for how a city can be conqered for the Lord. I believe these books by Edgardo Silvoso are some of the most important books written in our time. This is confirmed by statements from Christian leaders all over the world, of which more than thirty are quoted on the opening pages of "Prayer Evangelism".

A breakthrough in San Nicolas

With the documentation of real events spicing the book, it is very inspiring and encouraging to read. One of the stories is about Silvosos own home town, the city of San Nicolas. During the 60'es and the 70'es the city was happy and the kingdom of God was in progress. But because of sin in the church, the situation totally changed. The economy failed and the criminal activity got out of control. 360 conference participants from four different continents joined Silvosos team in Harvest Evangelism and the pastors and the elders in the city in a campaign that should go on for a week. The Christian leaders in San Nicolas took responsibility together. They understood that every main problem in the city had sin in the church as a root cause. A lack of unity and a lack of holiness were essential keys. They confessed sin and proclaimed the Lordship of Jesus Christ. This was accompanied with common meetings and TV- and radio programs. The believers were challenged to consecrate their homes as prayer centers for the neighbours, to have prayerwalks and to bless every home in the local community with the peace of God. The following Saturday an enormous outdoor prayer meeting was arranged, where the people in the city was invited to come and have intercession for their sufferings and problems. Here signs and wonders were manifested, and many made Jesus lord in their life. The week culminated on Sunday with a powerful communion service. The result was astonishing: Not one serious crime was committed in the city this week. Pastors that had caused division, humbly asked for forgiveness, and and there was reconciliation. The media opened their doors for the Christians. People in top positions asked for prayer and took the initiative to arrange prayer meetings in public buildings. Many people asked to be led to the Lord. Many of the 360 guests went home and started similar campaign weeks and had similar results. Silvoso has experienced/ studied not far from 70 breakthroughs in cities. I refer to the film “Transformations” and an investigation of 25 of these cities, which is previously described in Den Profetiske Røst (The Prophetic Voice) no 3,2000 and in a paper by Esther Lever.

Prayer Evangelism

Silvoso says that the devil has had great progress in distorting the truths of the Bible to the Christians. He says that we need to change even the preconceptions of our theology and our actions, a paradigm shift. Among other things he underlines the importance of the order and the weight of biblical teaching and action, not the least concerning evangelization. We can use as a model Jesus' own evangelization and His order to the 70 diciples when He sent them out in Luke 10. They were to go to the unsaved and, notice the order, speak peace to their homes, have fellowship with them, pray for their needs (“heal the sick”; “give the hungry food” (see also Mark 8.2,8 and Tim. 2.1) and then finally preach the word (“The Kingdom of God is at hand”). It is written that Satan has blinded the eyes of the unbelivers, so that they can’t see the truth. It also says that faith comes by hearing the word of God preached, but it does not say that everyone that hears preaching, receives the faith. Preaching seems to be a necessary condition for people to believe, but no sufficient condition (see Luke 8.11,12) And why should many people believe when they get a lot of theology pulled over their heads from a devided Christianity? No, but when people experience Gods Power and Gods Love, this can in a powerful way make them open up to recieve the preaching. And when the Christians stand together, Jesus high-priestly prayer is fullfilled, and the world will understand……(John 17.21-23). The teaching becomes credible. We are at the heart of prayer evangelism. Consequently: Be friends with people first, while you pray for them on your own. Then it is quite likely that you are allowed to pray for their needs openly. It is proven time and time again that there is a high percentage of such prayers that God answers. Pray also before you go out to evangelize! Perhaps you are even allowed to pray for peoples needs the first time you meet them. There are also many testemonies that hardened people get saved after “hidden prayer”, maybe over a long period of time. Prayer is a mighty weapon that God has given to us. But it requires consecration and also perseverance. Remember that in the starting-point there is resistance both in ourselves and in the spiritual world around us against the will of God and the works of Jesus

How can we conquer our city?

Silvoso has identified 17 different paradigm changes that are required in order to fullfill The Great Commission in our generation. They appear to be both biblical and confirmed in practice. We shall mention some of them:
1 - Only one church in the city. Compare with "the church in Jerusalem, in Rome, Efesos etc.". In Argentina today we have inter alia "the church in Resistencia" with a board of elders elected from among the about 80 pastors in the city. The old "churches" continue as congregations under the city church.
2 - United prayer evangelization is a key to conquer the city.
3 - Prayer for forgiveness on behalf of a group, family, church, country etc that we identify ourselves with (collective guilt). See the letter to the Efesians concerning examples of group definitions and the collective principle,e.g. jews and heathens in ch.2. See also Dan.9.15--.
4 - The church was not created in the upper room, but "in the marketplace". See Acts 2.
5 - All the ministries in Ef. 4 need to be restored.
6 - To love the lost is of the same importance as loving God.
7 - The Harvest is plentiful. See Mt. 9.37, John 4.35, John 3.16; Mt.7.13-14 is thoroughly explained in the book, so that there shall be no inconsistencies.
It is important to realize that the devil uses and distorts the Word of God in order to deceive us and prevent that the will of God shall be done through us. See Gal. 3.1.We must bring into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ, according to 2.Cor.10.4-5. Let us allow God to change us, so that we can change the world as his instruments! A more detailed report of Ed Silvosos book "Prayer Evangelism" is written in no 2,2000 of Den Profetiske Røst.