The Witnessing Ministry class had a humble beginning. In August 2003, two members of Highland Oaks Church of Christ—Amy Pomykal and J. W. Jirik—approached Juanell Teague asking for assistance in giving their witness. Although Juanell is a coach to the speaking industry, she is not a “platform coach” and does not help people improve their “platform skills”. Nevertheless, Juanell had been asking for opportunities to serve and recognized the opportunity. Seeing God’s intervention and choosing an act of obedience, she began the class without even a vision, much less a plan. Juanell asked James Teague to join the class and, together with the two inquiries, the class of four began to meet. The class—initially named Room 138 for the room in which it met—met on Wednesday nights, one hour before church. Initially, Juanell passed out tapes and books and tips. She did not intend to grow the ministry, but only to help those who had asked.  In the months since, the class has grown to fourteen.

As the class has evolved it has developed a routine and a structure. As the class members give their witness, they also receive review and critique from their colleagues. Students have experienced an increase in their self esteem and have experienced emotional healing, cleansing and growth.

Initial members assumed increased roles as volunteers for particular duties of the class. For example, Barry Eggleston began scheduling and video taping the class. Doris Faith assumed responsibilities for class communications. J. W. Jirik wrote a book outline of Never Be Boring Again by Doug Stevenson and contributed his own story to this manual. The class now sees more potential. Additional classes are being planned. And, the possibility exists to develop a speakers bureau for Christ to permit members to deliver their witness to other venues.
 

This Manual, together with a Class Covenant, was written in March and April 2004 to encapsulate the initial lessons of the class and to provide a foundation on which other classes can be built. Juanell Teague, Barry Eggleston, J. W. Jirik and Doris Faith (together with a writer, James S. Huggins) developed this manual.