We initiate spiritual conversations in 3 ways: Natural Mode, Ministry Mode, and Body-Life Mode.
Natural mode evangelism is just like it sounds. As we go about the natural things of the day, we open up discussions about spiritual topics. We share the Gospel through our testimonies and by relaying scripture that we've memorized. Students do this in the community as they work, mostly in food service jobs. We all do this on the beach as we are playing or sunning, and we naturally begin conversations with other beach visitors. Also as we go about our day, chatting with our Walmart cashiers, restaurant servers, and neighbors, we sow seeds of the Gospel in natural settings.
Ministry Mode gets its name because it doesn't occur during the normal events of the day. Ministry Mode happens during special times that we carve out in the schedule to initiate with people whom we wouldn't cross paths with otherwise. For this, we typically use a conversation tool that's designed to open discussion in a non-intimidating and effective way. The tools give focus to the conversation and allow us to learn a person's religious background. We engage with questions like, "On a scale of 1-10, what's your desire to know God?" Many times we get to share the Gospel and bring someone to the point of salvation because of initiating with a conversation tool.
The third mode of evangelism is called Body-Life because when someone who doesn't know Jesus experiences the Body of Christ in action, that itself is a witness. Most people in New England have never known a Christian yet alone attended any Christian event. We invite people from the community to come to church with us and to join us for dinners and social events. They see the love we have for each other and for the Lord, and it draws them to Christ. Many people become more curious about the Gospel after having spent time in Christian community.
During the summer months, this stretch of beach welcomes approx. 500,000 visitors. We come here both strategically and out of compassion for the lost.
We always pray that initiating a spiritual conversation would lead to a Gospel presentation--where we joyfully share scripture and the path for anyone to accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior. Not all conversations do, so we like to ask respectful questions, listen with genuine interest, and leave people with something so they can continue to explore God's word. We'll give them a Gospel track, point them to the website EveryStudent.com, and let them know about Bible apps for their phones.
Over 60 years ago, Bill Bright, founder of Campus Crusade for Christ, coined this definition of successful evangelism:
Successful evangelism is taking the initiative to share Christ
in the power of the Holy Spirit and leaving the results to God.
This is our aim as we reach out in Christ's love to have spiritual conversations in 3 ways. Through natural conversations, ministry style evangelism, and a body-life witness, we make the most of every opportunity, while keeping a heart of surrender.
Ephesians 5:13-20:
But everything exposed by the light becomes visible—and everything that is illuminated becomes a light. 14This is why it is said:
“Wake up, sleeper,
rise from the dead,
and Christ will shine on you.”
15Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, 16making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. 17Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. 18Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, 19speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, 20always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
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