Scripture reading: Ephesians 6:12,18-20 NIV).
The Master Plan.
The overall plan of evangelism is to conduct evangelistic training, pray, rely on the Holy Spirit, go and witness, and leave the results to God.
Leaders Must Train People to Evangelize.
Leaders of the church and pastors should prompt their congregations to evangelize. Leaders set an example by evangelizing. Someone wrote, “Evangelism is more caught than taught.” In other words, persons catch onto evangelism by going to evangelize with more experienced witnesses. It is good to learn the basics of evangelism in a classroom, but most evangelistic skill is learned through practice. When an experienced witness evangelizes together with a less experienced person , the person participates in witnessing when he feels comfortable in doing so. The person will learn more with each household visited.
In many places, door-to-door personal evangelism produces many converts. In other places, other forms of evangelism may be more effective.
Churches that have strong outreach and discipleship programs often are the churches that grow. If a church has an insufficient number of people to support the work of the church, and to support the pastor or leaders, that church may be weak in evangelism. So the pastor or leaders may need to concentrate on outreach.
Pray. As with all ministry, the work should be preceded by prayer. Pray before going, while evangelizing, and after evangelizing. The Apostle Paul said that we should put on the whole armor of God to combat spiritual enemies. A key part of that armor is prayer.
12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
18And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints. 19Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, 20for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should. (Ephesians 6:12,18-20 NIV). -Elder Micheal Stewart