The first thing people think of when they hear the term “evangelism” is a man shouting on the street about sins and hell and punishment. But someone screaming “You’re going to hell” in an angry voice is not evangelism. Evangelism is spreading the gospel either through preaching or personal witness.
The guy on the street corner yelling at you isn’t preaching. God calls specific people to be preachers and equips them for the job. 1 Timothy 3:2-3 says, “An overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money.”
Preachers focus on sharing the Word of God, not their own. They care about the people they are speaking to and want them to grow closer to God. Preachers are easily approachable and have the wisdom to teach.
Evangelism Through Personal Witness
Evangelism through personal witness is something that every Christian is called to do. In Mark 16: 15, Jesus tells us, “Go into the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.” We do this by gently talking to friends and family about Christ. We don’t push our religion onto others, but we encourage others to come to Jesus.
Living like Jesus is the best way to witness. Sharing the gospel does not always include words, but can be actions and decisions that people notice. Evangelism is being God’s witness to others. What does evangelism look like in your life?
“As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.” (2 Timothy 4:5)
Dawn Zauner 