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Many evangelists try to be up to date. But Alan Farley of Appomattox, Virginia, relies on the past to reach his audience. Farley, 47, heads Re-enactors Missions for Jesus Christ (RMJC), which takes him to as many as 25 Civil War re-enactments each year. Portraying a chaplain, he distributes authentic Civil War-era tracts, preaches on Sundays, and ministers throughout the re-enactment.

In 1979, a friend invited Farley, already a Civil War buff, to his first re-enactment. Farley "fell in love with it."

Farley's love for God intersected with his love of history in 1983 when the Lord encouraged him to provide church services for the re-enactors. The first year, the turnout was meager. The following year, Farley packed away his Confederate soldier's uniform and adopted a different persona—Civil War-era chaplain. Joined by fellow re-enactor and friend Harold Wyatt, Farley's ministry took off. "I told God I was going to do it to honor him, not as a game," he says.

Wanting to present his role accurately, Farley did his homework. He tracked down a copy of Southern army chaplain J. William Jones's 1887 book, Christ in the Camp. The book chronicles the great revival and awakening that occurred among Gen. Robert E. Lee's Army of Northern Virginia during the winter of 1863-64. By war's end, William Bennett, leader of the Methodist Soldier's Tract Association, estimated there were 150,000 conversions among the Confederate army, a number possibly matched by the larger Union army.

While reading Jones's first-hand account, Farley was amazed to learn that as many as 200 million evangelistic tracts were distributed among the combatants. Soldiers often mentioned these tracts, distributed by organizations like the American Tract Society (founded in 1825) and the U.S. Christian Commission (YMCA-sponsored), in their letters and diaries. If they were so powerful then, wouldn't it be fitting to use them in his current ministry? Farley wondered. But what were the chances of finding any of those original tracts?

After much prayer and searching, Farley was able to find some at research libraries, historical societies, and Civil War shows. As word got out, people began sending Farley copies of tracts they found in their homes. And so, RMJC's tract ministry was born.

Historic evangelism
Today, Farley has copies of 85 different tracts that were originally distributed among Union and Confederate troops. Titles include: "The Widow's Only Son Enlisting" and "Soldier! May I Talk to You?"

The Fundamental Baptist Home Mission, in Bessemer City, North Carolina, prints the tracts for a dime apiece. Because the texts are authentic and they are assembled in an historically accurate fashion (sewn or glued), the tracts are considered historical artifacts, which allows Farley to distribute them on federal property.

RMJC has distributed 750,000 tracts to spectators and re-enactors since 1984. People respect the message and admire the care taken in its presentation. Farley says, "If you look around after a re-enactment, you won't find our gospel tracts lying on the ground or in the trash cans."

During re-enactments, Farley also conducts Sunday morning worship services. He writes his own sermons, but keeps the tone of Civil War sermons he has read, using analogies relevant to the times. He sets up his tent between the Union and Confederate re-enactors, welcoming both sides to come talk and find spiritual counsel.

In 1991, Farley quit his heating/air conditioning job, so he could devote his full energy to the ministry. Fifteen U.S. churches support Farley and his family: wife Faith, daughter Katherine, 9, and son Benjamin, 7. RMJC now includes ten to fifteen other chaplains, all part-time participants except Farley, a member of Bible Baptist Church in Appomattox.

Farley says at least 700 people have come to Christ through RMJC's ministry and one church has been started. A group of nineteen people who became Christians at a re-enactment in Brazil, Indiana, in 1995, started a church in Clinton, Indiana, that now has more than 50 members.

With 50,000 re-enactors in the United States, there's still work to be done. Farley's up to the challenge. "I'm just going to continue doing what the Lord directs. If that means living in canvas tents and preaching in wool uniforms, I'll do it."

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