After more than five decades in ministry and more than 1,700 revival meetings, veteran evangelist Keith Fordham has distilled a lifetime of experience into a new evangelism resource designed to help churches handle one of their most important moments — guiding people who respond to the gospel and helping them take clear next steps.
Check out more articles on evangelism efforts here.
Fordham’s new book, “I Have Decided,” is built as a practical tool for local churches, combining a training track for decision counselors with a guide that walks new believers through common commitments. The resource equips pastors, staff members, and lay leaders to counsel those seeking salvation, believer’s baptism, assurance of salvation, church membership, rededication, or a call to ministry.
“Most senior pastors know how to deal with people making decisions for Christ,” Fordham said. “However, some staff members and most church members do not.”
Strengthening ‘that gap’
Steve Foster, evangelism catalyst for the Georgia Baptist Mission Board and a contributor to the project, said the book is aimed at strengthening that gap in many congregations.
“I Have Decided by Keith Fordham is a wise and timely resource for churches and leaders who host evangelistic events,” Foster said. “Dr. Fordham helps pastors think carefully about what happens after someone responds to the gospel invitation.”
Fordham said the impetus for the project came through a conversation with Paul Allen, pastor of family and discipleship at Harp’s Crossing Baptist Church in Fayetteville, who expressed the need for fresh training material for decision advisors who help people respond in the moments after an invitation.
Two main sections
In a short video describing the project, Fordham said the resource is organized into two main sections. The first is a guide for training decision advisors, addressing spiritual preparation, suggested materials and practical instruction for what to do before and during the invitation, and in the counseling conversation that follows. It also includes guidance on follow-through to help churches ensure that those who respond are not left to navigate next steps alone.
The second section is written as an aid for personal commitment, walking readers through decisions such as receiving Christ, believer’s baptism, finding assurance, rededicating one’s life, joining the church, and seeking vocational ministry, including full-time, bivocational and volunteer service.
Foster noted that emphasis on follow-up is one of the resource’s central strengths.
“The book emphasizes that a decision moment is a beginning — not the finish line — and calls churches to prioritize follow-up, discipleship and long-term fruit,” he said. “With strong biblical grounding and practical guidance, it helps leaders move from counting decisions to cultivating disciples.”
The goal, said Fordham, is to strengthen the church’s overall readiness to walk with people who are taking spiritual steps. “Every deacon, elder, steward, Sunday school teacher, and layman needs this training,” he said, adding that the resource blends “both new and old proven advice.”
Step-by-step instructions
Fordham added that the heart behind the project is to help churches better navigate those moments when people respond, ask questions and begin steps of obedience.
“The book provides step-by-step instructions on training decision advisors to help those who respond make a commitment to follow Jesus, know what baptism is, understand the importance of church membership, and take the first steps in discipleship,” Foster said.
Fordham also highlighted the book’s section on assurance of salvation, and said he hopes it will help churches counsel people who struggle with doubt after responding to the gospel.
Contributors
The resource reflects Fordham’s experience in evangelism and input from a range of contributors, including Foster; evangelist Matt Queen; pastoral intern Dawson Romines; Allen; and others, including teenage artist Olivia Fordham, and accountant and Sunday school teacher Ginger Pope.
EDITOR’S NOTE — This story was written by Henry Durand and originally published by The Christian Index.
