An evangelist is someone called and equipped by God to share the good news of Jesus. Their main role is to lead people into the presence of Jesus to start following and serving him. They are people who can connect faith and people’s lives in a way that makes sense to people, whether through public talks or individual conversations. Evangelists spend much of their time with those outside the church and are always on the lookout for other evangelists they can raise up. It is more than being a good communicator or an engaging personality, it is about the gift of God working in and through the person.
There are lots of types of evangelists and a huge diversity of styles, methods and expressions of what it looks like to practice the role of evangelist today. Speaking to a large crowd at an evangelistic event is not the only way to live out this role.
Two very different people are described as evangelists in the New Testament. Philip in Acts 8 and 21:8 is described in terms which we would recognise as a classic itinerant evangelist being sent by the Holy Spirit to various places and people. From the brief description, he seems to be very much the extrovert, itinerant preaching evangelist. But in contrast to him, there is Timothy. He is a local church leader who is told to do the work of an evangelist by Paul so he can fulfil his ministry (2 Timothy 4:5). He is of a very different character to the maverick Philip. The sense that Paul conveys is of a more timid and nervous leader who needs lots of encouragement to fulfil his calling. And there are lots of models of evangelising as Jesus shows in his ministry as he engages with individuals, small groups and crowds, speaking, healing and asking questions.
If you believe God is calling you to serve as an evangelist, the best place to start is by speaking to your vicar, chaplain or an evangelist linked to the Archbishops College of Evangelists. Visit your diocesan website to see if they have particular training for evangelists and speak to your diocesan vocations or mission team.
The Church Army also trains, supports and licenses Church evangelists. Training to be a Church Army evangelist involves practical mission in your home context plus residential training weekends. Visit the Church Army website to find out more.
It is important you continually pray about your vocation throughout the discernment process.
We can reach out to bless the community through simple things
Church Army is an amazing opportunity to grow around a fantastic community, with some amazing leaders. It’s a chance to connect with people you just wouldn’t normally meet with, around the church as a whole.
Jesus says in the Bible, ‘love your neighbour’. Sometimes we can take a broad view of that, but I think it can be helpful to take a narrower view and think about loving the person who lives next door to you. Loving people on the street.
The current group I’m in has been playing with this idea. We just found out there are a bunch of Christians who live near us, so we’ve just been meeting and learning together and seeing how we can reach out to bless the community through simple things. Over the summer we offered our help for people with their garden or a lightbulb changing. So we can go over and help, but also chat to people about church and about Jesus. Simple things to bless the people around us.
The community aspect of it – you are amongst like-minded people of similar ages who also want to impact their communities. It’s a way to meet those people and be inspired and spurred on by them. We learn from each other and grow together. I think it just brings a huge breadth a wealth of experience right into your lap, which is not to be missed. And a huge challenge as well, which is just fantastic.
Chris Brees
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Ready to take the next step? Learn more about answering God's calling by getting in contact with your local diocese.