Evangelism

Sharing the Gospel: How Every Believer Can Be an Evangelist

When we think about evangelism, many of us immediately feel uncomfortable. The word itself can sound intimidating, conjuring images of street preaching or going door-to-door—activities that might feel far outside our comfort zone. But what if evangelism isn't meant to be a one-size-fits-all approach? What if it's actually designed to work through your unique personality and experiences?
What Does Evangelism Really Mean?
Evangelism is simply sharing the good news of Jesus Christ. In Mark 16:15, Jesus instructs his disciples to "go into all the world and preach the good news to everyone." This command wasn't just for the disciples—it's for all believers.
The term "evangelism" refers to the spreading of the Christian gospel through public preaching or personal witness. It involves two key components:

Sharing what Jesus did for humanity
Explaining how Jesus has impacted your personal life

You can't evangelize without talking to people. Whether in a crowd, a small group, over coffee with a friend, or at the end of your driveway with a neighbor—evangelism requires connection.
Is Evangelism Only for "Gifted" People?
Many of us have been led to believe that evangelism is only for those with specific personalities or spiritual gifts. We see charismatic speakers who can easily lead crowds to Christ and think, "That's not me."
But here's the liberating truth: evangelism looks like you. It looks like your personality, how God wired you, and the unique gifts He's given you. You don't need to mimic someone else's style or approach.
God has equipped each of us to share the gospel in our own way. Whether you're an introvert or extrovert, whether you're eloquent or simple in speech—you have a story to tell about what Jesus has done in your life.
Three Important Truths About Evangelism
1. Evangelism is Both Personal and Corporate
We are called to evangelize personally, and as a church, we provide opportunities for people to receive Jesus. That's why we consistently give people the chance to say yes to Jesus during our services.
Once someone says yes to Jesus, they need support to navigate their new faith journey. That's why we have resources like the "I Said Yes" table and Foundations Class—places where new believers can ask questions without judgment and receive guidance.
2. Evangelism is for Everyone, and God Wants to Use Everyone
There are no exceptions to who can receive salvation—it's available to everyone regardless of background or past mistakes. Similarly, anyone can share the gospel. You don't need theological training or years of Christian experience.
You can get saved today and evangelize tomorrow by simply saying, "Yesterday I met Jesus and my life has changed." All you need to know is who Jesus is, what He did, and how it impacted your life.
However, it's important to note that it's hard to evangelize if we don't genuinely love people. Self-assessment is crucial: Are we being critical? Are we judging others? Are we holding unforgiveness in our hearts? Our motivation for evangelism should be love, not obligation.
3. Evangelism is Seed Sown and Watered, but God Brings the Increase
One of the most freeing realizations about evangelism is that you're not responsible for someone's "yes." Your job is simply to share the good news—the Holy Spirit does the convincing.
Some people get discouraged when they share their faith and don't see immediate results. But evangelism is often a process. You might be planting a seed that someone else will water, or watering a seed that someone else planted. God sees the bigger picture and knows the perfect timing.
A Biblical Example of Evangelism
In Acts 8, we see Philip being led by the Holy Spirit to share the gospel with an Ethiopian eunuch. Philip approached the man, used scripture as a connection point, and explained the good news about Jesus. The eunuch believed and was immediately baptized.
This story shows us that evangelism can be as simple as:

Being led by the Holy Spirit
Finding a connection point
Sharing the good news about Jesus
Leading people to their next steps

How to Receive Salvation
Romans 10:9 gives us a clear path to salvation: "If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved."
Notice that salvation doesn't require us to "clean up our act" first. Jesus accepts us as we are, and then begins the process of transformation. It's by believing in our hearts and openly declaring our faith that we are saved.
Life Application
This week, challenge yourself to share your faith with at least one person. The Holy Spirit may already be bringing someone to mind. Don't overthink it or feel pressured to have all the answers. Simply share what Jesus has done in your life and how it has changed you.
Ask yourself these questions:

What barriers have been keeping me from sharing my faith? Fear? Lack of knowledge? Not feeling "qualified"?
How am I doing at loving people the way God loves them? Am I being critical or judgmental?
Who is one person in my life who needs to hear about Jesus, and how can I naturally share my faith with them this week?

Remember, evangelism is for everyone, and everyone can evangelize. You don't need special training or a particular personality—you just need to be willing to share the story of how Jesus has changed your life. The gospel is for everyone, and God wants to use you to share it.