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Evangelism is a big fancy word that means sharing the message and teaching of Jesus Christ with others. You do not have to be a preacher. A simple thankfulness for what God has done for you today can be evangelism. In response to the virus, people have turned to the internet to reach others with examples of God’s power in their life or trying to be a blessing to others. Personal space never got associated with isolation like it is with the Coronavirus. The isolation that has come up as a protection strategy can be emotionally and psychologically damaging to people. Loneliness is a terrible feeling, and seeing no immediate end to it can be devastating. More people right now need personal evangelism than possibly any other time in our lives.
William Beaumont
Everybody calls William “Bo.” Bo was very active in his church before the state closed it down. He has a concern for the souls of people that stays at the top of his thoughts and pushes him forward in his interactions with other people. From his home on the outskirts of a small town, Bo heard sirens. It was not an unusual sound, but Bo had been feeling trapped and useless staying at home. When he listened to the sirens, it occurred to him that he was probably not the only person that was struggling in this situation. The next morning Bo walked away from his house in the direction of town. He was looking for anyone willing to talk to him. That was the day Bo met Don.
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James Donaldson
James also is called by a derivation of his last name, Don. Don had been out of work for weeks and was starting to receive phone calls about overdue bills. He lived alone in a small house in a small town. He could not believe how everything had just shut down. Even the bar was closed. Don was very depressed, and every day seemed to weigh heavily on him. Last night, for the first time in his life, he thought about suicide. He had cried himself to sleep. Today, he had decided to try to stay busier and see if that helped. As soon as the grass was dry enough, he would cut it and do some yard work. He sat on his porch, drinking coffee when Bo walked by.
It Was Not Fate, It Was Faith
Don called out to Bo as he walked down the street, and Bo nearly ran across Don’s small yard. Both men had a spiritual need that God was preparing an answer for, and neither realized it. One of Bo’s first questions was, “Do you personally know Jesus Christ?” Don laughed hard at the question and, through his laughter, answered, “I know I look old but come on!” They laughed together, and eventually, Bo approached the question differently. “If you died today, do you know for certain that you would go to heaven?” This question stopped Don. His face froze, his body was still and stiff, and he realized how close he had come to death just hours before. Bo used his phone and showed Don Bible verses about salvation and his need for it. God had already prepared Don’s heart before Bo got there, and Don recognized that preparation. He understood before Bo did that God has sent Bo to him. By the end of that day, Don had started to build a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. He invited the Lord into his life, the grass got cut, and the two of them had cleaned out the gutters on the house.
Following The Rules Will Be Part Of Evangelism
We can maintain a ministry in others’ lives, but at the top of the “Things To Do” list must be following the Centers For Disease Control And Prevention (CDC) rules and any other restrictions placed on you by your local government. If you forget your mask, people will see that as an indication that you do not care about them or their safety. The best idea would be to try to stay outdoors or on the computer in every choice that you make. If you go indoors to talk with someone, maintain a safe distance, wash your hands upon entering, and wear a mask. Phone calls, letters, and cards, or pictures through the mail, are also good ways to maintain a ministry. Also, if God has taken away the things that you used in service to him, perhaps you should consider the question, “Should I scale back and focus on my personal spiritual growth and maturity at this time?” Studying scripture and prayer is a ministry to ourselves and others, and it may be what God wants from us.
