Are you one of those believers who has a hard time sharing your faith with family, friends, and co-workers? You may be in the minority according to The Barna Group, a faith-based research organization, which found that “a slight majority of born-again adults, 55%, said they shared their faith in Christ with a non-Christian within 12 previous months”. That number has remained relatively constant over the past decade.” Evangelism, also known as soul winning, was not designed to be a tedious spiritual discipline; rather it should be a natural outpouring of a redeemed life that influences those led astray toward God. When it comes to evangelizing, the duty of a Christian is simply twofold: to sow the seed of the good news (to be a witness) and, or to water the seed (again to be a witness), the latter refreshing the seed already planted by others ( 1 Corinthians 3:6 NIV). Our job is simply to bear witness to the truth, it is up to the Holy Spirit to germinate the word of truth within a person. We just play a small but important role, and He does the rest. In my experience , soul winning is much easier than it seems Over time I have come to understand the seven approaches to effective soul winning.

1. Pre-Evangelism
Pre-evangelism is basically the work you do before presenting the gospel. In short, pre-evangelism is when you live an authentic Christian life around others forcing them to ask about your faith. This is accomplished by being a genuine example of a Christian loving and serving others, allowing them to see his life redeemed for what it is. For example, some people evangelize by feeding and clothing the poor, and visiting the sick and those in prison (Matthew 25). This form of witnessing builds up to a specific moment when the “door” to witnessing is opened for you to share your faith. Pre-evangelism is simply the work you do to break down the barriers of prejudice and skepticism that many have toward people of faith, making you more accessible to others asking you about the hope that is in you.

2. Personal Evangelism
You’ve heard of people going to the same fishing pond over and over again to catch the “one” fish that gets away over and over again. Over time you learn their habits; the type of bait it responds to and the places it inhibits at certain times so you can have the advantage of catching it. People are very much like that slippery fish; some people take longer to come to Christ. A soul winner must possess great patience and use certain skills to win him over. In this approach, you address a specific person you want to reach by praying for them, loving them, and showing kindness over time. In other words, you need to be consistent with your faith for a specified period of time while building a strong relationship based on trust. At one point during your relationship, he or she may ask, “Why are you different from everyone else in the office?” or “Why are you so nice to me?” When these questions come up, then you know the door to witness is open for you to share your faith. It is important to note that in this method of evangelism you first win a friend before you win a convert. Many people make the mistake of pushing Christ on people first before building the relationship.

3. Proclamation Evangelism
This type of evangelism is one of the most common approaches found in the Bible. Jesus drew large crowds in open spaces. Once he got his attention, he proclaimed the good news of salvation to them. In Acts chapter two, we see Peter preaching to a crowd of curious seekers. On this day 3000 believed in Peter’s message and were baptized the same day. That’s quite a trick! A few chapters later, in Acts 8, Philip is found preaching the good news in a town known as Samaria. It is clearly noted in Acts 8:12 (NIV), “…when they believed Philip, who announced the gospel of the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, men and women were baptized.” Proclamation evangelism doesn’t just happen in large crowds; it can be a small group of people in a house.

4. Prophetic Evangelism
The best example of prophetic evangelism is found in the story of the Samaritan woman drawing water from a well (John 4). Then Jesus asks for a drink. Through this encounter, Jesus reveals her true identity to her, for which, in exchange, she asks for the living water that he was offering her. However, Jesus knew that the skeptical woman needed something more to confirm her words, so he revealed her past, especially that she had five husbands and the one who was with her currently was not her husband. Immediately, he realizes that Jesus is a prophet and leaves his presence. How would she have known about his past if they had never met before? Then the woman rushes to the city to tell everyone that she has met the Messiah. A large crowd followed her to the well where Jesus refreshed himself. Prophetic evangelism is when you receive a specific word of knowledge about someone you had no prior knowledge of. The person receiving the “word” realizes that you are a man or woman of God and is more open to what you have to say.

5. Power Evangelism
Power Evangelism is demonstrating signs, wonders and wonders that attract the attention of the curious. Signs, wonders and miracles are undeniable in the eyes of the spectators, captivating all their attention to listen to the message that follows. This is evident in Acts 8:6, “When the crowd heard Philip and saw the signs that he was doing, they all paid attention to what he was saying.” Power evangelism is a strong anointing to heal the sick, raise the dead, and take authority over demonic influences. In another power encounter found in Acts 19:12 and 13, “God worked extraordinary miracles through Paul, so that even the handkerchiefs and aprons that had touched him were brought to the sick, and their diseases were healed and the evil spirits left them.” This type of evangelism is not limited to a few but every believer can walk in signs and wonders (Mark 16:17,18).

6. Presence Evangelism
Presence evangelism is when the overflowing power and grace of God flows through your life and affects those around you. In other words, the people around you feel God’s presence more than yours; you become a bringer of fire. A story is told about a holy man known for revival. He once walked through a factory without saying a word, and many workers began to fall to their knees repenting of their sins. This event was the overflowing presence of God in his life, which affected others. We also see God’s outpouring on the Apostle Peter when he was just walking down the street. The passage in Acts 5:15 (NIV) states: “Then people would take the sick out into the streets and lay them on beds and cots so that at least Peter’s shadow would fall on some of them as they passed.” Peter’s shadow is another way of explaining the strong presence of God that overflows in his life.

7. Post-martyrdom evangelism
The timeless axiom first reported by church historian Tertullian, “The blood of the saints is the seed of the church,” came true during times of great persecution. In other words, when the church is persecuted it grows exponentially. This last form of evangelism is what I call post-martyrdom evangelism. This type of evangelism is evident in the story of Stephen’s martyrdom in Acts 7:54-8:1-5, under the watchful eye and approval of a young man known as Saul of Tarsus. After approving and witnessing the first martyrdom, Saul went on a rampage persecuting the church to the north, to Damascus, with court orders to arrest the Christians living in that city. As he approached the city, a great light, brighter than the sun, shone in front of him. Saul fell to the ground and called out to a person whom he referred to as “Lord.” This brief encounter is known as Saul’s conversion experience. Many scholars believe that the remains of Stephen’s death remained in Saul’s mind, constantly removing his consciousness. Saul could not escape Stephen’s last words before his death: “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” Saul couldn’t understand why someone would die with such love without fighting for his life. Stephen’s martyrdom was the seed of the gospel planted firmly in the soil of Saul’s soul.

Saul, who later became known as the great Apostle Paul, also died a martyr thirty years later.

Go to the blog: http://latinotownhall.wordpress.com/