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"...and I will make you fishers of men."
(Matthew 4:19)
Evangelism, or sharing the good news, is not so much something we do for God but something God does through us. If we are properly related to Him vertically, then we will reach out to others horizontally.
As you read the New Testament, you can't help but notice that the primary ways the early disciples and church fished for men were through showing them the love of Christ and telling them about Christ. They passionately loved lost humanity and boldly shared with them the life-saving Gospel that Jesus saves.
We have so many great tools for fishing today. Our spiritual tackle box is loaded with great ways to help us catch men. We have marked New Testaments, wonderful Gospel tracts like Steps to Peace with God, The Three Circles, the Evangecube, Christian websites, our personal testimonies, the wordless book, witnessing bracelets, and many others! We have all sorts of tools, but very few are using them, and most have no desire to use them. I believe the fishing problem is tied directly to the following problem.
I am saddened to hear that Steve Gaines was placed on hospice. He is a friend, strong soul winner, and great preacher of the Gospel. He said that he hears many Christians say that they are having Gospel conversations with the lost. But he said it is not really a Gospel conversation unless after you explain the Gospel, you give them an opportunity to respond.
The way I go about personal evangelism is, I tell them of Man's Need, God's Provision, and Their Response. I do this primarily by using Gospel tracts or my personal testimony. At the end of the tract, there is a prayer that they can either read or pray out loud. Many times, I have had people simply repeat the prayer after me. It is not something I try to talk people into doing. My goal is not decisions, per se, but true disciples for Jesus. After they accept Christ, I give them immediate follow up and talk to them about assurance of salvation, the importance of having and reading a Bible, prayer, and going to a Bible-believing church.
On May 23, 2026, we will air our podcast interview with Will Graham, son of Franklin and grandson of Billy Graham. God is sending Will all over the world to preach the Good News. He is the Executive VP of the BGEA and holds evangelistic meetings in cities all over the world called Celebrations. When I asked about how he shares his faith with others, he said he uses his personal testimony. If you don't know Will, let me say, he is funny! He likes to joke and have a good time with people. His testimony was powerful but also hilarious. He talked about how he was a young boy and wanted to eat the Lord's Supper bread and drink the juice, but his dad would not allow him. His dad shared with him later what the elements meant. Will gave his heart to Christ as a young boy.
I encourage you to be available today to how the Holy Spirit will lead you to those who need Jesus. As you walk in the Spirit following Christ, He will give you divine appointments where you can share the greatest news ever: the Gospel of Jesus Christ!
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