The JOY of Evangelism 

Last week was the most Challenging, Convicting, Restoring, Grace-giving week at DTS yet. 

For a very long time I cringed when I heard the word 'Evangelism'. Not because of it's purpose, but because of what religious people have made it to be. When I heard 'Evangelism', I thought of people on the street corner with a sign that says "Turn or Burn, and "Liars go to Hell!" I think of men with suits on, standing in front of Walmart with a Tract, and asking people, "Are you going to heaven?"

The worst part is, my whole life I never saw that there are plenty of ways to share the gospel that do not judge others; but the ultimate fear isn't how we present it.... We fear rejection of man. The way my speaker, Doug Tunney Jr. put it was this, 'Do we really hate someone enough to not tell them about our Savior?' Our enemy will literally tell you anything to keep you from sharing the Gospel. When you really stop and think about how important evangelism is, doesn't it make you want to jump up and shout it from the roof tops?!... Paul did. Acts 5:42 says, "And every day, in the temple and from house to house, they did not cease teaching and preaching that the Christ is Jesus." This is my desire, to live the Gospel of Jesus Christ everyday, so that telling everyone about my Savior will become a lifestyle. 

So one thing that was wonderful about our topic of Evangelism was that we did not just learn about it, we put it to action! We went out last wednesday and shared the Gospel. I was with two others, Cassie and Ty. We went door to door (just one of many ways to spread the word) in the Projects of Monroe, a neighborhood over. We did a "religious survey", to show that we care about there opinions. This survey would have lighter questions like, "Why do you think it is that most people don't attended church?" leading to a deeper question of, " Have you accepted Jesus Christ into your life?". 

This survey was most successful out of many tools we were given, because it opened up a lot of conversation doors that lead to wonderful questions and stories. 

There were three different women that really impacted me. One younger lady in particular was such a joy to pray with. She had accepted Jesus, believed that God will always provide, and has felt the love of Christ in her life before, but she had no motivation to do more. She had not seen that God longs for relationship, and a way to get to know him is reading the Bible. She doesn't go to church anymore because of rejection in the past. It was such a blessing to listen to her, to pray for her, to look her in the eyes and remind her that she is God's Beloved, and she has value. The lady was one of 8 people we spoke to in a 2 hour period... WOW. To know that I can impact that many souls in just 2 hours! Why don't we do this more often? We only fear what we do not know... 2 Corinthians 5:6 says, "So we are always of good courage. We know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, for we walk by faith, not by sight." 

His yoke is easy, and burden light. (Matthew 11:30)

So my encouragement to you is that you take this verse, and know that you have no need to fear. Because God is for you! 

I hope that this testimony of Evangelism is the start of many, because we can do ALL things through Christ who gives us strength!(Philippians 4:13)

Lots of Love from Charlotte,

In Christ,

Sarah