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Evangelism
Evangelism
Evangelism is the proclaiming of the Christian Gospel.
The word evangelist comes from the Koine Greek word "euangelion"
via Latin "Evangelium", as used in the canonic titles of the four
Gospels, and thus The Evangelists are the authors of the four
Gospels -- traditionally known as Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.
The Greek word "euangelion" originally meant a reward for good
news given to the messenger (eu = "good", angelion = "I bring a
message"; the word angel is of the same root) and later "good
news". The latter term gives rise to the word "Gospel".
Ministry of Evangelism
by: Fred Spann
Our council president, Richard, has asked each of the council
members to write a mission statement for this next year. As Bill
Nock and I have reflected on this, we have outlined a series of
goals we would like to set for the Evangelism team. But, as I
ask the Lord what His mission statement would look like, I hear
His words from Matthew, “Go and make disciples from every kind of
person . . . teaching them to do all I have commanded you.“ To
me, this sounds very much like a mission statement I have heard
summarized as, “More People, More Like Christ.”
Dave Andrianoff has shared with some of us the startling
statistic that our community of Jefferson County is one of the
least churched counties in one of the least churched states in
the United States. I wonder how Jesus would seek to reach into
this largely secular community with the Good News that living as
His followers is “real living.”
Paul’s words to the Corinthian church come to mind.
“ . . .you are a letter from Christ . . . written not with ink
but with the Spirit of the living God, written not on tablets of
stone but on tablets of human hearts.” (2 Corinthians 3:3,
NIV)
So, from this perspective, WE are letters written by Jesus to
each of our neighbors. That is a very sobering thought. Our way
of thinking and talking and living is a way Jesus is communicating
to this mission field that is Jefferson County.
It is a beautiful thing to see the character of Jesus being
reflected in the face of His many followers that make up the LCR
fellowship. Many within this fellowship have expressed a desire
for an even greater knowledge of the Lord and His power in their
lives to reach out into our community. The intention to “know
more and become more like Jesus,” as well as gain skills in
understanding and ministering to our neighbors, is the focus of
discipleship evangelism. “More People, More Like Christ.”
Please pray for the Evangelism ministry and the other ministries
of the Council as we work together this coming year to provide
significant discipleship training opportunities for each one in
the LCR family.
Evangelism Links:
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