How Does the ERC Work

How do Respondents contact the Evangelism Response Center?

Seekers contact the ERC through toll-free telephone numbers and Internet addresses that are shown on television programs, radio ads, printed evangelistic materials, magazine articles, and billboards.  Through an innovative technological system, these contacts are routed directly and anonymously to the home of Encouragers who log on to receive calls or Internet contacts.  Callers may imagine a telephone bank full of people in one place receiving their calls.  They may think of people in a room full of computer terminals receiving emails.  In reality though, Christians across our land are sharing Christ while staying at home. 

The Evangelism Response Center works through an effective Follow-Up Network

The work of the Evangelism Response Center  is not complete when a person prays to receive Christ.  Many callers leave their name and address, desiring to be put in contact with a local church.  The ERC includes a network of Southern Baptist follow-up churches called “Covenant Churches,” who follow up on each decision within three hours to three days of receiving the name and address of the respondent.  The goal of follow-up is to preserve salvation decisions and to lead the person to grow in discipleship.