How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never hears? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? (Rom 10:14)
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. (Acts 1:8)
Jesus commands us to make disciples of all nations. Evangelism is part of that command. Without evangelism there can be no discipleship.
All Christians are, thus, called to evangelize, but not all Christians have the gift of evangelism. For many, evangelism is a struggle. It feels unnatural and requires much effort. But for some, evangelism is as natural as breathing. They are constantly sharing their faith and frequently seeing people convert because of their efforts. These people have the gift of evangelism.
Evangelists do not convert people. The Holy Spirit converts people. Jesus said that the sick need a doctor. Evangelists merely give sick people a referral to the doctor. They connect people to Jesus, clearly explain the message, and encourage faith and repentance.
Evangelists go where the lost are. They may attend the meetings of the atheist club at the university so they can build relationships with unbelievers. They may join a volleyball team in a city league so they can build relationships with unbelievers. They may invite coworkers to their home so they can build relationships with unbelievers. Most of the work of an evangelist takes place outside the church. Evangelists are energized by time with unbelievers.
Evangelists proclaim. It is necessary to live the gospel, but living the gospel without ever proclaiming Jesus is not evangelism. In fact, it is not even living the gospel, for living without proclaiming is not living.
Evangelists can have the boldness of a prophet but often with better relational skills. Evangelists care about people, and they see the realities of heaven, hell, and the gospel. They evangelize because they care.
Evangelists focus on the lost and are frequently pushing the church to give priority to reaching the lost both at home and overseas.
Importance of Evangelism
Evangelists are the multipliers of the church. They take the kingdom to new people. A church without evangelists becomes inward-focused and will die.
Strengths
- boldness
- care for lost souls
- often highly relational
- starting spiritual conversations
- are not offended by rejection
- clear communication of the gospel
- building friendships with unbelievers
- willing to contextualize the gospel to the culture
Weaknesses
- can make ministry decisions solely on the basis of winning souls
- can compromise doctrine or church health in order to win souls
- can neglect spiritual growth
- can judge others who are not as successful at evangelism
- can turn unbelievers into projects
- can put themselves in compromising situations in order to be around unbelievers
Examples of People with this Gift
Peter, Stephen, Philip, Paul, St. Patrick, John Wesley, George Whitfield, Billy Graham
Good Roles for People with this Gift
evangelist, missionary, outreach coordinator, missions board, any ministry focused on unbelievers
