Despite being a talkative extrovert, I’ve always struggled to share the gospel. I’m not ashamed of my faith, it’s just that evangelism has never been one of my strong points.

I struggle with reaching out to my non-believing friends without sounding too “Christian” and end up scaring them away instead.

I also associated the word “evangelism” with overseas missionary work like big crusades in Africa or preaching the gospel in small rural areas where local churches are few and far between.

But when COVID-19 hit and everybody was unable to travel, I realised I had been so blind to the rich harvest field right within our own local community! 

Indeed, I came to see that even though I’m not a missionary, I too can participate in the work of sharing the Good News right where I am!

That’s why when Joseph Chean from Youth With A Mission (YWAM) shared at Summit 2022 about how God led them to reach out to the community around them, I was all ears to pick up some tips on personal evangelism.

FROM OVERSEAS TO HOME MISSIONS

The National Director of YWAM revealed he was concerned when their global mission work took a big hit from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Being grounded in Singapore, however, brought about an opportunity for Chean and his team to impact the lives of those in their neighbourhood and beyond.

He shared that they were able to show love and minister to different groups of people in Singapore, particularly those in the sex trade and migrant workers stranded in Singapore.

Through this experience, God showed YWAM a specific 3B pattern for evangelism – Belong, Behave, Believe – which I found very applicable even for personal evangelism on a smaller scale!

3BS FOR EVANGELISM

1. Belong

Chean first stressed the importance of creating a culture of inclusivity.

“It’s not about looking at people as just people we can reach out to,” he began. “But about how we can create a place where people feel like they belong.”

I wonder: In our spiritual communities, does it sometimes get “too Christian” that it becomes hard for non-believers (or even other Christians) to join in?

It’s sobering to think about the other invisible barriers to entry that we’ve put up.

So, how can we create a wholesome and welcoming community for the people around us?

I think it’s about being authentic. We should learn to love without having holier-than-thou attitudes towards our friends.

Jesus did not discriminate. He had fellowship with sinners; eating and drinking with them. Likewise, the love we demonstrate through our actions should reflect Jesus’ example.

2. Behave 

Chean then shared how belonging to a loving Christian community can transform behaviour.

He recounted how YWAM invited an uncle from the street to stay with them, providing him with meals, accommodation and fellowship within a Christian community.

This man felt accepted in their community, and was able to experience the warmth of God’s love for the first time.

Even though he had not yet come to Christ, he started to display behavioural changes as he emulated brothers and sisters in his community.

Eventually, when he recognised the transformative power of God at work in him, he came to Christ, surrendering his former way of life and even joining YWAM as full-time ministry staff!

“Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.” (1 Corinthians 1:11)

My reflection is that we have to be living testimonies to our peers.

When we behave in a Christlike manner, we model Jesus. Such a life is attractive to others and will rub off on them.

Doing life together in this way, those around us will begin to experience the transformative power of God.

So, it’s important to watch the way we conduct ourselves. If we don’t practise what we preach, we end up being bad testimonies of Christ and hypocritical.

3. Believe 

Believing is the final B, concluded Chean.

“We must create a community where people around us in need of a saviour first feel the love of God, experience the transformative power of God, and eventually come to believe in God,” he affirmed.

Chean believes that opportunities to create such communities now abound in this pandemic period.

He also gave the example of how around 30 sex workers – of their own accord – came through the doors of YWAM’s headquarters in Geylang to ask for financial aid after COVID-19 disrupted their livelihood.

As I reflected on what I heard from Chean’s message, I’ve come to see that believing in Christ is often a process that doesn’t take place overnight.

How many times have I written someone off and not bothered to share the gospel with them anymore just because they didn’t accept it the first time I tried?

While it would be nice to see friends believe in Christ immediately, God doesn’t work according to our timelines. 

So, don’t be discouraged just because someone isn’t interested in knowing Christ right from the start. Patiently continue to journey with them and show them the love of God.

Love them, win them over and we’ll eventually reap the harvest in due course.

Trust that in due time, God will change their hearts.

“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” (Galatians 6:9)

While I might not get an “A” for evangelism right now, I can definitely start with these 3Bs to play my part in the Great Commission.

As we think about how to share the Good News with our friends, let’s not just shove the gospel in their faces. There are so many ways we can break down those invisible barriers. 

Even in the digital space, we can be real and authentic with our struggles, and through them share about the goodness of God that transforms lives (check out our new #PublishPeace challenge!).

How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who publishes peace, who brings good news of happiness, who publishes salvation, who says to Zion, “Your God reigns.” (Isaiah 52:7 ESV)

Most importantly, before we share the gospel with anyone, we should always remember to pray first. Though we water or sow, it is ultimately God who gives the growth and changes hearts!

Love them, win them over and we’ll eventually reap the harvest in due course.

FOR MORE STORIES FROM SUMMIT 2022: