Take It With You: John 4.27-45

I spend a lot of time encouraging people to get involved in mission, evangelism and ministry. To that end I...

• Lead mission trips inside and outside the USA.
• Plan special outreach events locally.
• Teach extensively on evangelism and outreach.
• Provide hands-on tools for sharing faith and inviting others.

I am all about providing an atmosphere that encourages ministry. Sometimes, however, I lose sight of the aspects of ministry that might seem more simple. I encourage others to share their faith, but sometimes do not explain how. So, here are some simple steps toward doing the work of ministry in your home, neighborhood, family or workplace.

How to do evangelism...

1. Make friends. Care about people. The most important thing to remember in sharing your faith is that you need to care about people. Your approach is to win them to Christ, but you must never abuse or take for granted the individual that God has sent you to. Value that person for who they are. Love as many people as you can, as often as you.
2. Be honest. Live and speak with integrity. Sometimes in sharing your faith you will be asked questions that you cannot answer. Do not be afraid to admit to another person that you do not know everything. Learn as much as you can, but if you do not know, say so. In addition, do not be afraid to share the hard parts of your faith. If a person asks what the Bible says about extra-marital sex, tell the truth. Do not be afraid of offending someone. And always be natural. Be yourself. Seekers can spot a phony a mile away. Be who God made you to be.
3. Dream. Pray about what could be. Do not assume that someone you know or love is uninterested in faith. Dream! God is working in some one's life and you are the one who needs to share with them. Pray that God will give you an opportunity to share. Pray that he will lead you and tell you what to say.
4. Listen. Listen to your friends and to the Holy Spirit. Be sure that you do not become so concerned about your presentation of faith that you fail to hear the needs of your friend. Allow the Holy Spirit to direct you in all that you say and do.