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Bob Pierson recently retired after serving as senior pastor of Christ United Methodist Church in Tulsa for 37 years, leading that mid-town congregation to grow from an average attendance of 200 to over 1,700. He was one of the founders of the Large Church Initiative of the United Methodist Church, a fellowship of 3,000 of the larger United Methodist churches across the United States, and he served for 15 years as chairperson of that organization. He chaired the Mission Evangelism Department of the General Board of Global Ministries World Division for 4 years.

He is currently serving as chairman of the Discipleship Ministry Team of the Oklahoma Conference of the United Methodist Church, executive director of Churches Uniting for Growth in Ministry, an ecumenical organization for leaders of larger churches that was founded by Dr. Robert H. Schuller in 1990, church relations director of Oklahoma Wesleyan University, and executive director of the Leadership Nexus Foundation. He is author of Needs Based Evangelism, published by Cokesbury.

He is presently serving as a consultant for a number of churches in North Carolina, South Carolina, Arkansas, Texas and Oklahoma. He is a regular speaker and teacher at conferences and in churches. Dr. Pierson often does one-day workshops on Needs Based Evangelism for local churches or conferences, providing information on church growth that is natural, systematic, and effective.

He is married and he and his wife Delia have 6 children and 5 grandchildren. Delia often does workshops with Dr. Pierson in the area of worship. She has served as the Worship Director of Christ United Methodist Church in Tulsa for 10 years and is presently vice-chair of the Worship Committee of the Oklahoma Conference of the United Methodist Church.

Needs-Based Evangelism – Becoming a Good Samaritan Church is a book written by Dr. Bob Pierson out of his experience in leading Christ United Methodist Church in Tulsa to successful growth over the 30 years he pastored there. Christ Church is a midtown church that does not naturally have any of the kinds of thing that help a church to grow, yet by using the simple techniques of Needs-Based Evangelism the church grew significantly to over 1,700 average attendance. The principles taught in Dr. Pierson’s book are used by most growing churches of any denomination. The advantage of using Needs-Based Evangelism techniques is that they are natural, and people who become members of the church and make a commitment to Christ will naturally become involved and take on leadership roles in the church.

Here is what others have written about the book:

“I have read a lot of books this year, but Needs-Based Evangelism is by far the best. As a compassionate coach, Dr. Pierson delivers a compelling vision for the way the church ought to be and a step-by-step plan to move a congregation in this fruitful direction. This book is a warm, inspirational, and enjoyable read. Can you tell I like it?” – Tim White, Senior Pastor, Washington Cathedral, Redmond, Washington.

“… usable ideas and important reminders abound throughout.” – Brian Bauknight, Minister for Oversight and Preaching, Christ United Methodist Church, Bethel Park, Pennsylvania.

“Sensitive to the needs and hurts of humanity, this book carries an intentional and faithful message for our churches.” – Walter Kimbrough, Senior Pastor, Cascade United Methodist Church, Atlanta, Georgia.

“Needs-Based Evangelism is a book that issues a compelling call to every compassionate Christ follower to simply do that Jesus did and love as Jesus loved. I highly recommend this outstanding book to you!” – Walt Kallestad, Community Church of Joy, Glendale, Arizona

“… a fresh examination of what Christ has called the church to be.” – Rhymes H. Moncure, Jr., Bishop, North Texas Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church.

“… will help breathe new life into many mainline congregations.” – Kent Millard, Senior Pastor, St. Luke’s United Methodist Church, Indianapolis, Indiana.

“… a methodology for mobilizing the church’s energy and commitment.” – Karen A. Greenwaldt, General Secretary, The General Board of Discipleship, The United Methodist Church.

“Tired of slick, Madison Avenue approaches that make ‘evangelism’ a dirty word? Needs-Based Evangelism is for you!” – Charles Crutchfield, Bishop, Arkansas Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church.

“… profound and far reaching …” – Frank Trotter, Senior Minister, Metropolitan Memorial United Methodist Church, Washington, DC.

“… should be in every pastor’s library and in the hands of laity who are asking how the church can be renewed.” – William B. Oden, Retired Bishop of the United Methodist Church.

“After forty years of pastoring, Bob Pierson is still on fire for the gospel and passionate about Christ’s ministry.” – Chuck Simmons, Senior Minister, Memorial Drive United Methodist Church, Houston, Texas.

“You will want your staff and leaders to become thoroughly versed in this book.” – Marv Vose, Senior Pastor, Sunrise Methodist Church, Colorado Springs, Colorado.

“A must read for all church leaders.” – Darryl Higgins, First Protestant Church, New Braunfels, Texas.

“… practical, down-to-earth suggestions that offer promise of kingdom advancement.” – Blair K. Anderson, Senior Pastor, Lord of Life Lutheran Church, Ramsey, Minnesota.

“… road tested, practical, and successful principles that have helped Bob Pierson’s congregation grow to one of the largest in United Methodism.” – Vance P. Ross, Associate General Secretary, General Board of Discipleship, Discipleship Ministries Division, The United Methodist Church.

“I heartily recommend this book to all.” – Jim Capps, Senior Pastor, Southwest Presbyterian Church, Indianapolis, Indiana.