Editor’s Note: From time to time, we post articles written by our pastors to serve the women of Covenant Fellowship Church. We’re grateful for Jim’s wisdom and practical encouragement in this piece about reaching others with the gospel.
My frequent travels to other churches show me how God is at work around the globe, but they also fill my heart with joy for all he is doing here at Covenant Fellowship. It’s a privilege to serve the Lord in this local church and to address you ladies here on the Together Blog.
I couldn’t be more grateful for you! Your love for Christ shines brightly in the ways you serve the church, give generously, study the Word, pray expectantly, open your homes and lives to others, trust God during trials, love your families, and worship the Lord with passion and conviction. You make pastoring a joy.
As an evangelist, I’m also deeply encouraged by your desire to reach the lost. Names and faces fill my mind of women who serve in the Bridge Course; teach in the prison; minister the gospel to those dealing with grief, divorce, and addictions; disciple kids; invite people to church, and so much more. Your example inspires me.
Yet I know from talking with many of you that reaching out with the gospel is still difficult. It’s still difficult for me. None of us wants to be judged, stereotyped, or rejected. It’s much easier to play it safe and keep quiet, but thank God that’s not what Jesus did, and it’s not what he calls his followers to do. He has something far better for us than that and promises to be with us in it all (Matthew 28:20).
Let’s assume you’re busy, intimidated, and hesitant to step out, but you want to obey Jesus and share the good news with others. How can you take a little step of boldness in love for the Lord?
1. Ask God to fill you with his Spirit.
In the book of Acts, we see the disciples hiding behind locked doors because they were afraid to be the witnesses God called them to be. So the Lord sent his Spirit to fill them and give them a boldness to overcome their fears, and he does the same for us. He didn’t fill only the outgoing people with his Spirit; he filled all of them. God delights to empower each of us to overcome fear and step out in obedience with the good news of the gospel. Let’s ask God to fill us daily and show us the opportunities right in front of us.
2. Start where God has placed you.
God has sovereignly placed us exactly where we are, in the homes, jobs, neighborhoods, families, carpools, and friendships we have. Sometimes we can view non-Christians as inconveniences rather than image-bearers who need the gospel. It’s easier to surround ourselves with people who are like us. But when we remember how God poured his grace into our lives, we will begin to reach into these networks of relationships with the love of Jesus so that others can experience the joy we’ve found. Think about who God has sovereignly placed in your life. Jot down their names and begin praying for them.
3. Build friendships with creativity and consistency.
One of the best ways to reach people with the gospel is to build friendships with them. This breaks down stereotypes and caricatures of Christians and builds trust in a society that doesn’t trust us. People should feel our care, pursuit, thoughtfulness, and love. Offer to babysit for a mom in need. Do the hardest jobs at work. Invite someone to coffee. Make a meal for a neighbor. Write a note of encouragement during a time of difficulty. These acts of thoughtfulness often have a surprising effect on people. Consider also how you can include neighbors or co-workers in your regular life. Take a walk together. Watch a movie. Share a meal. These activities may seem mundane, but they build bridges for the gospel.
4. Use the resources the church has created to help you.
You’re not doing this alone. The corporate witness of the church enables people to see that the power of the gospel has transformed many lives, not just yours. Consider some of the ministries that could help you reach out to people and expose them to our love for one another:
- Community outreach ministries like Griefshare, DivorceCare, CancerCare, and Celebrate Recovery care for people in our communities at their point of greatest need. Many around us are hurting and lonely, and these ministries bring the comfort of Christ. Consider inviting a guest and attending the first few weeks with them.
- The Bridge Course walks unbelievers through a clear and logical presentation of the gospel. Many people who won’t come to Sunday morning church will attend a course like this that’s designed for them. Bridge is an ideal way to expose friends to the gospel and take advantage of our corporate witness.
- The local church is the most powerful demonstration of the power of the gospel on earth. Statistics have shown that people are much more interested in coming than we are in inviting them. What are we waiting for?
- Bridge videos have become an increasingly helpful tool. As our society shifts away from attending church on Sundays, it is often easier to invite someone to one of our community outreach ministries or the Bridge Course. But even attending those events can be a difficult step for some. Because people are so accustomed to viewing their phones and devices, we have found great success in sending people links to the Bridge videos, which speak to a variety of topics and questions. Consider sending someone a talk you think would encourage them and tell them you’d love their feedback. bridgecourse.org/talks
I am so encouraged by all that you are doing to reach out to those around you. In 1 Thessalonians 1:8, Paul says, “For not only has the word of the Lord sounded forth from you in Macedonia and Achaia, but your faith in God has gone forth everywhere.” That is true of you. As I travel to other churches, I often find myself sharing about all the ways the gospel is going forth through you. Your reach is broader than you know.
I’m praying for you! Please reach out to me if I can encourage or help you in any way.
-Jim Donohue
