I realized recently that most people don’t know the basics of evangelism. Evangelism has become this big scary word in the Christian faith. Barna research recently released that 1% of believers claim to have the gift of Evangelism. I think many of us have talked ourselves out of the ministry because it can be “awkward” or “challenging.”

Why Evangelism Matters

Jesus said “I came to seek and save the Lost.” – Luke 19:10
As a follower of Jesus – we should try to be more like him. Yes, Jesus did many things on earth but his main motivation was to seek and save.

Evangelism is motivated by our love for God and love for people. The love for others isn’t something you need to muster up or feel guilty about if you don’t. The more time you spend with God, the more you will love others. It’s a natural overflow. So, to break this down simply – if you don’t feel compelled to share Jesus with others – it’s worth asking God the question of “why”?

What is Evangelism – The Role vs. The Ministry

The Role
An Evangelist is part of the “5 fold ministry”
“So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers,12 to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.” – Ephesians 4:11-13

These roles are given to the church (the body of Christ) in order for us ALL to complete the Great Commission.
“Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.” And they went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word through the accompanying signs.”– Mark 16:15, 20

If someone is in the role of Evangelist they naturally are able to share the gospel and connect with the lost and see them saved. They equip ALL believers to participate in spreading the Good News. They love eat and breathe the passion of seeing the lost saved.

The Ministry

Paul exhorted Timothy to “do the work of an evangelist” – 2 Timothy 4:5 even though it was not his primary role.

Sharing Christ is a call for all believers. Somewhere along the way people confused the role of an evangelist with the ministry of evangelism. We are all CALLED to evangelize. The church is gifted with evangelists, and their job is to equip all of Gods people to do evangelism.

It is a ministry that everyone CAN and SHOULD do.

Evangelist Reinhard Bonnke in an interview was called a healing Evangelist. His response was “ I am not a healing Evangelist. I am a salvation Evangelist. What does it matter if they are healed and walk with no crutches straight to hell.” This was incredibly challenging to me. Evangelism has eternal effects. The people that we share the gospel with – their eternal lives are at hand.

WHY are we ALL called to Evangelize?

“All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: 19 that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. 20 We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. 21 God made him who had no sin to be sin[a] for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” – 2 Corinthians 5:18-21

We are all given the Ministry of Reconciliation

We are ALL ambassadors for Christ – The Holy Spirit has given us power and authority from heaven to represent Christ on earth.

“13 for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”[a] 14 How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?” – Romans 10:13-14

Fear says “You can’t do it” – The devil knows there is life in your words if you would speak up. When we partner with Jesus we overcome fear. Each time you share your story and what Jesus has done in your life, you overcome your fear of rejection. Your testimony has power because it can’t be argued. We are not lawyers for Christ but witnesses. A witness in court says “This is what I know, this is what I saw” and they aren’t responsible to have all the answers!

How to know if you’re ROLE is an Evangelist

Boldness and Skill at sharing Faith
Share faith as a natural part of a conversation
Able to teach people how to share their faith
You are constantly praying for and thinking about the lost
You are thinking of ways that the church can reach the lost

Any questions or things you wish you knew about Evangelism?