Grace and Peace to you in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.

We had the pleasure of welcoming Douglas Montague back to Willow Road on the twenty-third of last month.  Pentecost Sunday, the birthday of the Church, was a very appropriate time to hear from someone engaged in foreign missions. It is exciting to listen to Doug talk about his experiences and inspiring to hear about how people in the countries Doug visits respond to the Gospel (Indonesia, where Doug and his family ministered for many years, has the world’s largest Muslim population according to Wikipedia). It is very satisfying to know that we are helping the Church of Jesus Christ to grow by partnering with Doug and Omega World Missions. Doug and the other missionaries affiliated with Omega World Missions are doing a great work.

As we think about Pentecost and the work of the Body of Christ we should not forget that we also have important work right here in Enid, America. That work may not be quite as exotic as Indonesia, South America or other foreign locals; but, it is as equally as important. Each of us is called to be a missionary and Ambassador for Christ right here at home. There are plenty of people right here in Enid who need to know about Jesus and it may well be that you are the person God is calling to introduce those people to our Lord and Savior.

Now at this point many of you are quaking in your boots, terrified at the prospect of being an evangelist. You may well be making a mental list of all the reasons you couldn’t possibly share the Gospel with someone else; however, evangelist D. T. Niles said it best when he said, “Evangelism is one beggar telling another beggar where he found bread.” Don’t worry that you are not a world class theologian or that you are not a perfect Christian. Look at all the great leaders of the Bible — Abraham, Moses, David, the Disciples. God was able to use them to achieve His purposes. Surely He can use you if you are willing. The secret of being an evangelist is simple:

1.       Make yourself available to God. Remember the words of the Prophet Isaiah, “Here I am. Send me.” (Isa 6:8)

2.       Make a friend. Be willing to invest yourself in people.

3.       Be a friend. The most fertile ground for evangelism is with people who know and trust you already.

4.       Bring a friend to Christ. Allow people to see Christ at work in your life, be open and honest about your faith (and even your struggles). A genuine Christian life is a tremendously powerful magnet. When people see the difference Jesus makes in your life they will want him to do the same for them.

5.       Forget about church membership or church growth. Evangelism isn’t about getting someone to join a particular church, it’s about growing the Kingdom of God. What matters most is helping the new Believer find family of Believers who will nurture him/her, teach them to serve and help him/her grow stronger in their walk with Christ.

God is saying, “Who shall I send?” (Isa 6:8) What is your response?