Navigating Missions- Three Points for the Evangelist

Three Points for the Evangelist

When I first understood the desire that the Lord had given me to be an evangelist; I felt like Christopher Columbus discovering America. It was exciting.  Not many around me had spent much time- if any- studying the role of evangelist from the scriptures. I was really moving into uncharted territory ten years ago. I still feel like Christopher Columbus hacking through the brush and around every corner there are new things to discover and learn. Recently, I was visiting missionaries in the Middle East and I discovered three new vital insights the evangelist plays on a global scale.

1. The evangelist must be willing to go where few will go.

There are hard places to live and dangerous places to travel to; however, the evangelist raises the banner of Jesus no matter the cost. Running head long into the battle with a meekness and control- that is given only by the Holy Spirit- is what you are designed to do. Nothing you have is yours; everything is a gift from your great king. You are leading the charge against the gates of hell and the kingdom of darkness. You are constantly encouraging, discipling, and training others to do the work of an evangelist. Notice in 2 Tim 4:5 “As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.”  You are to be challenging others to work in the harvest field along with you to bring home those who Daddy is calling.

2. The evangelist must be encouraging those who are ministering in the hard places.

Evangelist, you need to be an encourager. The missionaries know the language and how to bridge the context in which they live, but they just need encouragement. Dietrich Bonhoeffer said, “The physical presence of other Christians is a source of incomparable joy and strength to the believer.”[1] Just showing up and reminding the brothers and sisters of the importance of what they are doing and the importance of taking the Gospel to their corner of the world is enough.  “Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers.”  (1 Tim 4:16)  The integrity and the character of the evangelist’s life speaks volumes. This serves as a vital platform that proceeds them before they arrive physically. In return, people are attentive to their words when they arrive. Maybe they can’t speak the language but they can encourage the ones who can to bridge that cultural gap.

3. The evangelist must have a well-worn path of travel

You need to travel the same path encouraging and sharing the beautiful Gospel. The reality is that our encouragements fades over time and the Gospel urgency will need to be rekindled afresh next year. Therefore, you need to return to the same location next year to encourage the brethren to remain faithful. This shows that the evangelist needs to be training and raising up more evangelists because the earth is dark and many missionaries who are serving behind enemy lines need encouragement. Coming back to the same locations the following year shows the lost in that community that you are consistent and really believe in what you are sharing. It also gives the missionary something to look forward to on a yearly basis.

In close, the role of the evangelist is a vital part of the leadership structure of the local church and it needs to be seen as such. The evangelist should be sharing the truth, living a life of integrity, and encouraging  the church to do the same. It does not matter if they are in the Middle East or the middle of Manhattan.