What do you think of when you hear the word evangelist? If you’re old enough, you’ll probably think of Billy Graham. If you’re young enough, you may not know what one is. If you are in the middle, you may think of a person who annoyed you and told you that you were going to hell if you don’t accept the fact that Jesus is the only way to Heaven. They are vital to a church foundation.
What is Evangelism?
Evangelism is a term closely associated with Christianity. It comes from the Greek words euaggelion, which means Gospel or a good message, and euggelizo, which means to announce, declare, or preach the good news. The “good news” is the Gospel (which means good news) written in the books of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Those four books are eyewitness accounts of Jesus on earth. Within that is the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus. His death can bring us abundant life on earth and the promise of eternal joy in the afterlife.
What Does an Evangelist Do?
Evangelists spend their time outside the church walls in homes or public spaces, for example. Their heart is for those who don’t know Jesus. They have a gift that enables them to clearly explain who Jesus is and how He can impact their life. Evangelists don’t convert people to Christianity; that is the job of the Holy Spirit.
Evangelists shouldn’t be pushy or threatening; rather, they should show genuine concern for the person they are speaking with. If the person isn’t ready to take that step, the evangelist should know to back off. I do realize that is not always the case, and some are extremely pushy and nag people. While their motive is good, their gift needs maturing. This behavior often runs counter to what the Holy Spirit is trying to accomplish, often pushing a person away rather than drawing them near.
Accepting Jesus - Now What?
Once an evangelist has led someone to begin their personal relationship with Jesus, they help them connect with a church. It is now the job of the pastors and teachers to help them grow in their newfound faith. We will explore those gifts in the upcoming blogs!
Until next time under the palm, be blessed!
