Cultivating a Culture of Evangelism - Part 6

1. Purposefully utilize compassion/benevolence ministries - God is generous to those who are generous to others.  We should always be willing to help those who are in need.  And by saying “help” I do not intend to say that we should hurt people with a false enabling type of help which is really no help at all.  We should provide ministries for those in need and yes many times that extends beyond “needs” but we have this beautiful opportunity to meet people in their time of need and share with them the One who is able to meet every need.  Too often well-meaning Christians start benevolence ministries to help others in their community and they provide clothing, meals, and other wonderful things but they fail to provide the gospel.  What good is it to fill a man’s stomach and still allow him to go to Hell?  Why put clothes on his back and not help him to know that Jesus bore the burden of his sins?  Include gospel tracts in food packages, give out Bibles to those who need clothing, and make sure to share Jesus with those who are coming to you asking for help.  Be purposeful and utilize these unique opportunities to preach the gospel to the poor. 
2.   Preach, Preach, Preach Evangelism - In some churches there has developed a false sense of dichotomy between discipleship and evangelism which should not be.  Evangelistic preaching will always involve teaching the Bible and discipleship will always include the presentation and application of the gospel.  Christian preaching necessitates teaching the Bible and taking people to the cross and empty tomb.  No matter how many years you have known Christ you still need to hear the gospel every single day and no matter how new to the faith you might be you need to be taught the Scriptures.  Moreover, evangelistic preaching will always keep the beauty of the cross before the people of God and empower them to display that beauty to others in their daily interaction.  Include as illustrations in sermons testimonies of faithful saints in their witnessing and genuine stories of conversions.  These examples will encourage and embolden the saints of God in their personal evangelism.  I was once asked why I always preached evangelism to which I responded, “What else is there?”  Considering “evangelism” literally means “good news”, I have nothing else to preach. 

Cultivating a Culture of Evangelism - Part 5

1. Knock on Doors - The response to the gospel was tremendous when Peter preached Jesus at Pentecost.  “About three thousand souls were added” which was certainly a miracle of the most spectacular kind.  We should also note what the believers were doing in these evangelistic efforts as they were “breaking bread from house to house.” (Acts 2:46)  Paul mentions that his ministry involved “teaching publicly and house to house.” (Acts 20:20)  The ministry of Jesus involved proclamation to the multitudes but He also went personally from house to house visiting with people.  Some may think that this idea is outdated or only limited to cultures which “still” accept the practice and we must admit there are challenges to this method in our day of gated communities and neighbors who don’t even know one another much less a stranger knocking on their door.  However it strikes me that even the entrepreneurial experts on the show “Shark Tank” highly respect a start-up entrepreneur who is willing to go door to door with their product.  I would suggest infiltrating gated communities and apartment complexes from the inside by establishing a Bible study/cookout in the home of one of the members of that community and invite their neighbors.  I know, I know, you may not have the people whose doors you knocked show up at a worship service but here is one thing I have certainly learned:  God blesses the going.  You may not have many, or even any, of the people whose doors you knocked show up but people will come and God will send them because you have been faithful to go and try.
2. Use Service Projects - One simple way to effectively visit people by knocking on doors is to offer to serve them in some way.  Introduce yourself as being from your church and let the person know you are wanting to be a blessing to the community.  Ask them if there is anything that they may need done around the house or in their yard.  You may change light bulbs, mow yards, clean up brush and trash, or wash windows.  Anything to help build relationships and show Christian kindness to those in our communities.  In every church there are some people who want to help do ministry but are more introverted and find it difficult to talk to others comfortably.  This can be a good way to help them engage in ministry by doing service projects and then that provides the more outgoing people a bridge to be able to share the gospel with those served.  I would advise against getting so caught up in doing good deeds that you fail to share the gospel.  Rather use this as an opportunity to share Jesus with the people you are helping and it will be a blessing to everyone involved.  

Praying for Kenya

Dear East Africa Partners, 
Our hearts are very heavy today with grief regarding the many faithful followers of Christ who have been murdered by the al-shabaab terrorists in Garissa, Kenya. It is a tragedy beyond measure and our prayers are fervently being offered on behalf of the victims and their families. We honor those who follow Jesus no matter the cost and we seek to follow Him in the same manner. Especially during this Resurrection season we rejoice with our dear brothers and sisters in Christ who have overcome "by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death". (Rev. 12:11) Jesus is alive and so are all those who walk with Him. We will continue to be committed to the gospel work in Kenya as long as God allows and appreciate your prayers for our upcoming trips and the national leaders with whom we work. Garissa is about 250 miles away from Nairobi, 500 miles from Busia, and 350 miles from Taveta. There have been several terrorists attacks in Garissa area over the past few years and we have not been affected by this at all in our work. God has ordained our days from beginning to end and we fully trust Him with the lives He has entrusted to us for His glory. Please contact me if you have any further questions and please continue praying for those in Kenya who are facing such persecution in these days. 
Onward and Upward,
Richmond