Reconstructing Evangelism

I didn’t like evangelism.

Sounds like a non-Christian statement, I know. The traditional mindset of going to a public place or door to door and beating people over the head with a big black Bible was never appealing. Okay, so maybe not exactly beating people over the head, but you know what I mean. The “do you know Jesus?” unsolicited conversation just never felt right to me…

Now, don’t get me wrong. I 100% believe God can still use that kind of evangelism, and sometimes even specifically calls and gifts people with the skills to do it. I have heard and personally witnessed many stories of people finding salvation through traditional evangelism. It can absolutely be a useful tool! BUT, I don’t think it’s always the most effective way to minister to people.

Here’s why: God is relational. Jesus focused the majority of His time here on earth building relationships, primarily with only 12 people. He spoke the truth boldly, but most of the time, He walked with and simply loved others. The ever-wise Google states:

“Over his lifetime, a conservative estimate of the number of miles He walked was likely around 21,525 miles, almost the equivalent of walking around the entire world.”

I’m pretty sure He was getting His daily 10,000 steps in! With an average walking speed of 3.1mph, it adds up to 6,943 hours of walking. Jesus chose to spend the equivalent of almost an entire year simply walking with people. Some of my favorite conversations with others have been while walking or hiking. Those moments have strengthened my relationships and opened doors to conversations about testimonies and faith.

I believe that the image of walking with people captures the heart of true evangelism. A phrase we use on the World Race is, “Life is ministry, and ministry is life”. It’s a lifestyle perspective switch to living life together and loving people with the light of Christ. Evangelism becomes part of who you are instead of something you have to go do. There’s no pressure to say or do the right things. You literally just live with heart and hands open to God’s leading.

• Ask Him to bring someone you can show love to while buying your groceries… 
• Take a prayer walk through your neighborhood and ask Him to give you discernment of what to pray over each house… 
• Stop and encourage that mom with 4 crazy kids…

And when the opportunity comes up, absolutely YES, please clearly share the gospel! God will open that door. But, start by taking the time to show people that you care about them as human beings with complex emotions, skills, and passions. People don’t care what you know until they know that you care. They aren’t just poor lost souls to be saved.

To sum it all up… We are called to, “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations” (Matt. 28:19-20). Make disciples, not converts. Part of that does require the “go and tell” of typical evangelism. So yes, street evangelize if you’re called to it! Just don’t let it end there. Live with the mindset that all of life is ministry. 

Walk with people.

Get to know them.

Disciple them.

Love them.

Be a living example of God in the world.

And when the time is right, be prepared to boldly speak the incredible, beautiful truth of a God who loves us enough to sacrifice His beloved Son to rescue a broken world from its own sin.

P.S. I love evangelism now 😉