Outreaches/evangelism events are just so exciting… to have so many people to preach to, the stories, prayers and ministrations that will take place… the souls that will be birthed into the Kingdom at one time. The fruits of your labour (prayers, planning, giving of your substance etc) pay off there and then. These events are awesome, and essential to the Christian individual and church as ways of preaching the Gospel to all nations.
However, I believe that we need to cultivate a culture of evangelism. We need to continue to train ourselves to minister to those we encounter on a daily basis; an every day effort as well as large planned efforts.
* Be an example ~ be the Message! The Word says to let your light SO SHINE (Matt 5:16), and your are a city that is set upon a hill that cannot be hid (Matt 5:14). Use your influence and be a light to your world, showing them the ways of the Master.
* Find a need and fill it! Read Acts chapter 8, how Philip approached the eunuch asking if he could help him understand the scripture he was reading. The same way you can express your abundance in Christ to those around you, which will (as an added bonus) build trust and an opening to tell them the Good News.
* Actively display your Christianity, and be approachable to others. Some people have never heard of Jesus, and others want to know more about Him, but don’t know who to talk to. Inspire others to find out what that ’something special’ is about you.
This is why I have started designing clothes, cups, bags etc, with short comments, which you can purchase at www.cafepress.com/christ_in_you1 These can help inspire questions from unbelievers (opening doors to minister), and spread the word that Jesus is the same ~ yesterday, today and forever!
Make it a priority every day to tell someone what Jesus did for them. Renew your committment to your individual evangelism, because it is not just the Pastor’s responsibility to bring other’s to Christ ~ and approach your church and find out what programs are running to reach out to the unbelievers in your area that you can participate in. You make a difference, and no-one can do things the way you can!
**BTW, I would love to hear about your personal and group evangelism efforts and outreaches! Testify and share what worked for you, inspire your brethren, and help them achieve as intensly as you have! Just leave it in a comment here…**
I remember last year, when I was going to Bible School in Hungary, we were doing evangelism in Budapest. We were doing our thing, sketch boards, personal evangelism [using the 'May I ask you a Question' method which rocks!] and then randomly, these three guys dressed up as the stereotypical native Americans came to a spot near us and started to sing, played these really big drums, and dancing around. Sadly they had microphones and speakers so we were drowned out, but many people continued to come to the Lord at that point. I thought it was really funny actually though.
Great post and approach, Angie! A group of women I have met through yard sales
and I have Bible Studies at different places, at random times. Anyone can come and it has grown and grown! The coolest part is that it hasn’t turned in to a ‘bull session’ and the Word of God is getting out. Every single instance we face can be related to Jesus and the Apostles’ teachings. It’s a blessing to have a physical group to fellowship with!!
In Christ’s Love.