Press release from the Foundation for Evangelism, Jan. 5, 2017.

The Foundation for Evangelism (FFE) has announced that Rev. Adam Weber, lead pastor of Embrace Church in Sioux Falls, SD, is the recipient of its 2016 Distinguished Evangelist of the United Methodist Church Award.

Given annually since 1989, FFE’s Distinguished Evangelist Award recognizes an exceptional leader–either clergy or laity–whose ministry transforms the lives of those they mentor and shepherd. Photo: Adam Weber. Courtesy of adamweber.com.

“Our goal is to create a platform from which exceptional, innovative United Methodist leaders can serve as role models to inspire others seeking new, impactful ways to approach evangelism in the spirit of John Wesley,” said FFE President Jane Boatwright Wood.

In nominating Weber for the award, Rev. Rebecca Trefz, director of ministries for the Dakotas Conference of the United Methodist Church, wrote: “[Adam] believes that everything we do–from hospitality, to small groups, to personal interactions–should be focused on reaching ‘the next person’ for Christ. But it isn’t simply about reaching them for personal salvation. It’s so their lives can be transformed so they can, in turn, bring light and hope into the world around them.”

Weber’s success building Embrace is well documented. Outreach magazine identified Embrace as one of the top 50 fastest growing churches in the U.S. in 2013, and Weber’s role in that growth is clear. Weber began meeting informally with Embrace members in 2006. After completing a Master of Divinity degree at Asbury Theological Seminary in 2007, he was named pastor. During Weber’s decade of leadership, Embrace has grown to six campuses with more than 4,000 in weekly attendance.

“Beyond just what happens inside the walls of the church, Adam models an evangelistic faith in all of his life. He doesn’t preach or prescribe things to others that he isn’t doing for himself. Adam has a spirit of humility that acknowledges that he is a work in progress along with everyone else. It is this kind of leadership that makes others not only want to follow him as their pastor but also learn from him as a fellow disciple of Jesus Christ,” Trefz wrote in the nomination. Photo: Rev. Rebecca Trefz.

As Distinguished Evangelist, Weber will partner with FFE to achieve their shared vision of growing generations of Christ followers. Through participation in FFE’s international forums and platforms, such as its Evangelism Summit in Atlanta in January and the Leadership Institute (The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection) in Leawood, Kansas in September, Weber now will have the opportunity to reach a national audience.

The Foundation for Evangelism (FFE) exists to grow generations of Christ followers – clergy and laity – who are living out their passion for evangelism by inviting people into a life-transforming relationship with Jesus Christ. FFE provides grants and other resources to support Wesleyan evangelism in the United States, Germany, Russia, and on the African continent in areas such as Zimbabwe and Mozambique. Known for the E. Stanley Jones Professors of Evangelism supported at 13 United Methodist and Wesleyan-tradition seminaries around the globe, FFE partners with local churches, seminaries, agencies and ministry innovators to address adaptive challenges impacting Wesleyan evangelism.

Also this year, Weber's first book will be published. Talking with God is scheduled for release on March 21, 2017, and in it he will share his insights on personal interaction—prayer—with God. Weber says in introducing his book, "The truth is, prayer is simple. It’s like talking. Talking with a good friend. And the best part? Our God can’t wait to talk with us." You can learn more about the book by clicking here.