Up until a week ago, I perceived the evangelist as someone who traveled around and only shared the Gospel. He would preach that the world was coming to an end and that we must all repent before it’s too late. He would share about a new life, one much better than the one currently being lived by his audience, even if they were doing great financially, in heath, etc. I hate to bother people and feel bad for sharing when they don’t really seem into it, so I have always had a cold shoulder towards evangelists.
I’ve even heard that we must evangelize to everyone we come into contact with. We have to share the good news with everyone we know. It is our responsibility as believers. There seems to be that mentality that we have to build the friendship first, get the comfort level up and then hit em’ with the Gospel. It takes months worth of friendship and a lot of courage to come to that pinnacle moment when one of 2 things will happen: either they accept it and repent of their sins or they laugh and want nothing to do with you. The risk involved takes so much out of us that we fear and are terrified of the outcome.
I will take this moment and admit that I am not the most evangelistic person on this earth. I do love people and yet I’m terribly scared of them at the same time. I respect people and what they believe. I don’t want to be the “weird” and pushy person in their life. I can honestly count on one hand the amount of times I’ve evangelized to people. And 4 out of the 5 have been overseas away from home (a place where I work up the courage to pop the question and then leave). I run away! Even in college I took 2 courses on evangelism (Ya a pro, I know), but yet I still shy away. And with closest to me, I find it the hardest to share this Good News. Why is that?
On the World Race I have been told many things, some of them wonderful and fascinating, and others not so much. People have shared some things with me that were words from the Lord. And one of those was that I have the attributes and the heart of an evangelist. Scary, I know! I was kinda shocked at first, even a little bit offended. Not that I hated to hear those words, but merely because it made no sense to me.
Also on the World Race I have had the opportunity to hear from many wonderful speakers on many different topics. One of such topics was The Evangelist. Now the Evangelist is someone who gathers. Someone who announces the Good News or the Gospel, not telling people how sinful they are (the Holy Spirit will do that through conviction). He brings healing to the broken hearted, preaches deliverance to the captives, and encourages those who are believers.
The Evangelist not only goes to the unbelievers but also the church. He goes to perfect, complete, arrange, and adjust so that people can BE who they are intended. It’s about standing at the street corner speaking creative and persuasive words to convince people. He doesn’t stand at the pulpit with flowery messages; he goes to speak boldly and honestly speaking the Truth.
So I have laughed at myself many times this year. I have seen all of these things that people have shared with me come to fruition. I have shared the message of Jesus more times than I can count. I have been the reason that people have gathered together (not to be prideful, but it is true, honestly). Since being here in Malawi, churches have been asking us to teach, they have been asking us to preach the Word of God. People have traveled up to 40 kms just to hear us teach! (now riding an old-school, large fendered bike from the 80’s with 2 men riding together is no easy journey to make).
God has shown me that in my new found identity that I am an evangelist at heart. I have the words to share when they need to be shared. This is still a very scary concept to me as I’m learning how to love those around me and truly care for them. It continues to touch my heart that if I truly love someone, why would I hold back on the most amazing news to share with them. I’m continuing to press in and mature in this. It will take time. But as a follower of Christ, I know my call; Matthew 28:19-20, which Jesus says to us,
“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
