This is the final article in our short evangelism series, and I hope you have enjoyed it as much as I have enjoyed reliving some of the events.
I could share many, many stories with you about how God opened doors, how he had his hand of protection on our team when we were out on the streets. He was always there when we needed Him.
One of the funnier stories I want to relate to you is this.
One night I was preaching in a Gospel service, I had had a week of mission and the Lord had been moving. Every night this one young lad showed up, he was in his late teens, and had the potential to be disruptive.
It was one of those situations where you would ask yourself this question, ‘Do I allow him to stay in the meeting and potentially distract other people or do I ask him to leave?’.
As I prayed about it, I felt a strong urge from the Holy Spirit to let him remain.
I have to say, there was a bit of opposition to this decision, but I felt it was right.
There was no change in this lad during the week, in fact if anything, he got worse. On the Saturday evening, which was the last night of the mission, in he came and headed for his usual seat in the back row.
The only difference this time was that he had a newspaper with him and a bottle of beer.
Again, I took some flak for letting him remain.
He never said a word that night during the meeting he was too busy reading the paper and drinking the beer.
At the end of the meeting, I made an appeal for salvation, and he was the first person to the front of the Church. He was in tears and totally broken.
He gave his life to Jesus that night and has been a faithful believer ever since.
That week had been special for him, even though he had this hard exterior God was speaking. My theme for the week had been Gods love.
This young man never felt loved.
Every night he was coming back for more, but he was afraid to let his macho image slip. But every night the Holy Spirit got a stronger grip on him until on that final night God broke him.
I am so glad that we persisted, and so glad we listened to God.
The reason I share this story is this, what you see in a person is very often not the real person. What you hear is maybe not the most important thing.
As evangelists we have to listen to what that person is not saying.
Ask the question of God, what is wrong in that life that causes them to say those things and act like that, ask him to show you what the real heart behind this exterior wall is.
And do you know something? God will show you.
Let me close by saying this, the very fact that you have been reading these articles fills me with a sense of excitement. I have been in this ministry for nearly fifty years, and I am as passionate about it today as the day I started in Teen Challenge all those years ago. It blesses me, knowing that some of you folks are setting off on your journey as evangelists, to continue the work of the kingdom of God. What an absolute privilege we have in telling our stories.
What an amazing God we serve.
I think it is so easy for us to take for granted the ministry that God has given to us. The fact is that not everyone feels capable of sharing their faith, or their story.
We know also from scripture that the work of an evangelist is a specific work, there are those who are chosen.
“So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers…”
Ephesians 4:11
What an amazing privilege to be in this category, and what a wonderful privilege we get as evangelists to share our story. So I want to encourage you to get excited about what God has called you to do.
Take every opportunity you get. That may be in a home, with mates, in school, or at your work. It may be on door-to-door work or evangelism on the streets. Whatever form of ministry you are comfortable with, do it with passion.
Let people know Jesus is alive.
Let people see that Jesus is alive in you.
I would love to hear some of your stories, please contact me through Coaching For Christ. I will be praying for you, and may God bless you all.
Written by Willis McDowell
