The goat program has opened doors and
hearts in the villages. Our people establish relationships with village
leaders, who help identify the poorest of the poor, who are then given a goat.
One goat can, over time, lift a widow from destitution. Pictured are some of
the latest beneficiaries of the goat program.
How
would Christ have us preach the gospel? Three broad approaches are in use
today. Evangelism can be thought of as presence, proclamation or persuasion. Or
in more colloquial terms, show up, declare, or win.
Persuasion evangelism (which of course
involves being present and declaring the gospel) is by far the most effective
and biblically supported model. We fall short of Christ’s intent if we define
presence or proclamation evangelism as the primary goal.
This is not to say that the activities
involved in presence or proclamation evangelism are not good Christian
endeavors, but we must realize that even unbelievers can alleviate suffering
and do good works. But only those who are in Christ can lead others to Christ.
God’s primary purpose for us, and for the
people we meet, is that we will all share eternity with him. That’s why Paul,
though he cared very much for the needy (consider the offering for the saints
in famine-stricken Judea), he sought by all means to persuade people of
salvation through Jesus Christ.
However, sometimes we face a situation
where persuasion is either not possible or too dangerous. Sometimes even
proclamation is not viable. In those cases, we revert to presence evangelism,
but we never resign ourselves to making presence or proclamation our only
goal—we always strive to return to persuasion evangelism.
The church’s efforts in Bangladesh are an
ideal example. Bangladesh is one of the most difficult mission fields in the
world, and therefore one of the areas that has the greatest need for the
gospel. John Biswas began with proclamation evangelism. Before long, several
gospel workers were nearly killed, and our training facility was nearly burned
down by angry mobs. We backed away to reconsider how to proceed.
John set out to establish a presence and
let Christ be known through sharing his love with people round about.
Everything was done with the intent of being able to see changed lives and
permanent spiritual communities being formed. There is now a beautiful and
effective progression in Bangladesh, from presence to proclamation to
persuasion. Spiritual communities have been and are being formed, and they are
gaining in strength and spiritual health. They remain a blessing to all who are
round about.
Definitions
Presence Evangelism: Letting your light shine, often through good works. Example: World
Vision, Mercy Ships, Kids Alive, local outreach projects.
Proclamation Evangelism: Creation of situations where people are told about Jesus Christ
and invited to accept him. Example: Crusades, door-to-door evangelism, musical
touring evangelism, Jesus Film project.
Persuasion Evangelism: Establishment of relationships that lead to conversion and
discipling of converts to a basic level of spiritual maturity. Example: church
plants, World Impact, cell churches.
Proclamation
Gone Wrong
Ranjon Roy and his wife are part of the
gospel work we support in Bangladesh. It’s a risky occupation, but Ranjon
patiently establishes a presence in a village. Based on the goodwill generated
at the “presence” level, Ranjon introduces those who are open-minded to the
Scriptures. As the Holy Spirit opens minds further, people are led to accept
Christ as their Lord and Savior.
Ranjon’s
brother was also a gospel worker, involved in strictly “proclamation”
evangelism—in this case, showing the Jesus film. He was stabbed to death in
reprisal for attempting to indoctrinate villagers away from Islam. He was
hailed in a U.S. Christian newsletter as a martyr. Perhaps he was, but perhaps
there was a little lack of wisdom there as well.
Presence Evangelism
Goats arrive on the upper
deck. The goat program has opened doors and hearts in the villages. Our people
establish relationships with village leaders, who help identify the poorest of
the poor, who are then given a goat. One goat can, over time lift a widow from
destitution. Pictured (right) are some of the latest beneficiaries of the goat
program.
Presence
Evangelism
The nurses training
program is the latest of the “presence” evangelism efforts in Bangladesh.
Professional training in home-care nursing is given. Pictured above is the
second class to graduate from the training program. These young women will fan
out across the countryside providing home-care for elderly and invalids. The
nurses represent all faiths, but the Christian nurses have a special mission to
share Christ’s love with as many as possible.
Proclamation
Evangelism
Our ultimate goal is
always to see people who are dead in their sins become alive in Christ.
Pictured is a Bible study being conducted at our training center. Many of these
women were reached through one of various “presence evangelism” programs. But
their desire has gone beyond the physical to a desire to understand the
Scriptures and to come to know the Christian God. The vast majority of
attendees are women. This is common in many mission fields. The women teach the
children, and eventually many husbands follow.
Persuasion
Evangelism
Cell groups are formed
where new converts can be part of a growing spiritual community. After
conversion and a time of discipleship, these brothers and sisters in Christ
become part of the presence and proclamation process. Each new household opens
the door to relationships that are open to persuasion evangelism from the
outset.
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