To know God and to make Him known. - YWAM Mission Statement
What pops into your head when you hear the word "evangelism"?
Often times we think of it was scary. Many will say that evangelism is about "winning souls", but if you see yourself as a "soul winner" you'll set yourself up for failure. We need to see ourselves as "seed planters" because it's not our job to save people - that's God's job. We get to be the messengers apart of that job. It's not about arguing with people and convincing them. We can't view this as something where we have success or failure.
If you go up to someone and ask them if you can pray for them and they say "no", that's not failure. A seed was planted where they might walk away thinking "Why would they want to pray for me?". Seeds were planted and now they have questions.
When we think of ourselves as "seed planters" rather than "soul winners" we take the pressure off of ourselves.
Carly used a number scale as an analogy.
Someone who's not anywhere close to saved may be at a "-5" and someone who's saved may be at a "5". You can't go up to someone at a "-5" as expect them to be saved with one conversation. Salvation is a process. Every encounter you have may make one step closer to salvation.What our job as believers is to simply be available and obedient. Maybe you're in the grocery store and feel a nudge in your heart to go talk to someone. Often we fight it, but that is when the Lord is asking us to step out and be bold. He does the work, we are the vessels.
1 Thessalonians 2:4 - "On the contrary, we speak as those approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel. We are not trying to please people but God, who tests our hearts."
We aren't doing any of this for people. We are doing this for God. He doesn't need us - he could do this by himself, but he loves us so much that he invites us into partner with him.
Carly then shared what she did with YWAM.
First, they would pray and ask God what He has. This part takes a lot of faith, obedience, and trust. Many times you get a picture or phrase or name or scripture.
The first time Carly went out in Thailand, she saw in her mind's eye someone in a green shirt, but heard "yellow shirt". She and her partner went out and they saw a man with a yellow shirt with a green apron on. Carly was blown away.
Another time, her school leader was praying with his team and kept hearing a Lady Gaga song in his head before going out. As the team went out they pass a coffee shop with the song playing. They enter the coffee shop and talked with the owner and had some great encounters with the Lord.
Each time as they'd go out they'd be praying "God open my eyes to whatever you have" and listen to where the Lord leads. When God says to go up to someone, just go out of love and relationship. Ask them about what they're doing, their family, activities, etc. It's not hard to simply be caring to them. Then ask God for a word to share with that person.
It often feels like you're going out and doing prophesy. We just share the love of God with people and let God do the rest. We don't get the victory for the salvation so we also don't take the blame. It's not on us, we're just being obedient to what the Lord says.
This is an every day type of thing. The nations need to know God, but so do our neighbors, friends, coworkers and families. We just need to wake up with obedience in our hearts.
Carly then shared a couple stories.
When she was in Thailand, they went out and a man came up to them and just began conversation. He began sharing a ton about bars and the red light district which was very near. He shared how he didn't like going to that area of town. During the conversation the man said he used to pray with his grandma but isn't really a Christian anymore. Then the man had to leave and go across town. Carly and her partner wished they could've talked to the man more, but went to the area he had talked about and were able to talk and pray with some people. A little while later they ran into the same man they were hoping to see again. They talked with him again and he shared how he might need to start thinking about faith again. The team felt very blessed by the encounter and was able to help him take a step closer.
When Carly was in Orlando, her team was in a park praying for people. They were praying for healing for a guy. When they were done and walked a way a bit. A guy came up and asked if they had been praying and when the team responded yes, the man said "I want that - I want your Jesus." He was so ready for Jesus and had the desire so the team was able to pray with him and lead him in that.
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