Evangelism.

Every Friday morning our team meets at the girls apartment to receive ministry training from Canada. It's called Ministry Prep 101 (Campus for Christ). We have been going through the section of Evangelism during the past few weeks and today as a team we had to discuss some of the struggles that we face when it comes to keeping evangelism a priority. As many of you know evangelism plays a huge role in what we do here in Panama. We are here as missionaries working at the national university in Panama City and the majority of our time on campus is spent telling students about Jesus. It was encouraging to know that all six of us have struggles when it comes to sharing our faith. A few of us talked about how it's hard to continually have passion for it when we seem to be doing it day in and day out or how discouraging it can be when we don't see fruit. It was good to discuss what our motivation should be for telling others about Christ. I love what 2 Corinthians 5:14 says "for Christ's love compels us..." Our love for Jesus should naturally draw us to want to tell others about God's love for them. We looked at some Scripture passages on evangelism as a team. I was really encouraged by them. Here are a few of the passages:

Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field." Matthew 9:35-38

Yet preaching the Good News is not something I can boast about. I am compelled by God to do it. How terrible for me if I didn’t preach the Good News! 1 Corinthians 9:16

Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." Matthew 28:18-20

All over the world this gospel is bearing fruit and growing, just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and understood God's grace in all its truth. Colossians 1:6

How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!" Romans 10:14-15

A key point that a team member of mine reminded us of is how vital it is to be Spirit filled when we go out sharing. He mentioned how he needs to be right with God before he can tell others about Jesus. Often when there is garbage or something blocking his relationship with the Lord, he will go and spend time with Him before he goes out to evangelize. It's so true; we as Christians need to be continually abiding in Christ (John 15:5) so we won't be able to help but speak of God's great love for them (Acts 4:20).