What does Evangelism mean?

This week I have been thinking a lot about what evangelism means. Jesus said at the Great Commission, “Go and make disciples of all nations;” but how does this fit into the 21st century? 

Through looking at the importance of Biblical evangelism and taking into account the history of the church, it can be understood that there is a responsibility both upon the wider church and the individual Christian to go and preach to everyone. The Bible teaches evangelism is essential; Christians are called to proclaim (1 Peter 2:9). However, Jesus did not specify exactly how the church’s evangelism should be carried out. So, we can look to Jesus and how He brought people to Him. 

In the circumstances in which He lived, He proclaimed about His Heavenly Father. He reached out to those who were lost. He drew alongside the people who were in pain; He loved those nobody else loved. We are called to the same evangelism; and we should pray God will give us the heart Jesus had for young people especially, and to show them that they matter. 

Youth evangelism should involve going and preaching to everyone. We are responsible to ensure that we as Christians are reaching out relevantly, intentionally and zealously into a broken world which needs the hope of change in Jesus. Through examining our local context of Swindon, I believe that this is all the more important; an intentional youth evangelism that follows Jesus’ commission: that is going where young people are and is preaching the Good News amongst a broken generation.  

Youth evangelism may be a difficult ministry to get the absolute right balance; but it is a chance, ‘with the eyes of Jesus, [to behold] in each and every young person a unique revelation of the presence of God’ (Yaconelli). 

Let’s pray this month for a zeal for youth evangelism. 

  1. Pray for an increased desire to share the love we’ve found
  2. Pray for new connections and new opportunities to reach out
  3. Pray for a renewal of Jesus’ mindset in our evangelism

Written by Jamie McNutt, Intern for Swindon Youth for Christ