Let’s be honest, sharing the Gospel is intimidating. Why? Just as public speaking causes great anxiety for many people across the nations so does evangelism. This fear may derive from an innate desire to be liked among our fellow humans, but sometimes, we must
That is what it took for me. God pushed me out of my comfort zone by sending me on a short-term mission trip to Cap Haitien, Haiti, where I participated in door-to-door evangelism in a rural village with no electricity or running water, but with a rich voodoo presence.
As the team prepared to go out, fear and anxiety took the lead in our minds. I could tell from the facial expressions of my teammates that I wasn’t the only one who felt ill equipped and a little shaky at the thought of confronting a witch doctor with the Gospel of Jesus Christ, but despite my anxiety, I decided to put my faith in God for he can do all things.
2. The Daunting Step of Faith
We met with the local pastor in this rural village, went over the evangelism technique we were to use, prayed together, and then set out on our mission. The visit to the first home was a little rough. My partner and I equally had no clue what to say. Despite the brief evangelism overview prior to going out, we had no true training or preparation to “properly” share the Gospel.
I kept frantically praying in the back of my mind for the Spirit to speak through me, but was met with what felt like silence from the Lord. As we approached the fifth house, I felt the Spirit nudge me saying, “Just share what I have done in your life, like Paul did.” So, I told my partner to give the presentation of the Gospel, and I would share my testimony.
3. Faith Being Rewarded with a Response
We greeted the five boys who were sitting outside of the home, and I felt the Lord with me. I knew he was going to do something miraculous. Even though there was a language and cultural barrier, as I shared my testimony, I could see one boy, who seemed to be the leader of the group, genuinely connected with my story. His name is Johnny. The Lord clearly drew my attention toward him, which set him apart from the group.
When I was done sharing, I simply asked if they would like to have a story of transformation similar to mine by giving their life to Jesus. They all said yes! As we said the prayer of repentance, all the boys, except Johnny, slowly stopped repeating the words in the prayer. Later, we walked by the house on our way back to the church and Johnny was eagerly listening the Resounding Hope radio we gave him.
This radio, fix-tuned to OMS’ Radio 4VEH radio station and downloaded with an audio Bible in Creole, serves as a wonderful discipling tool because most Haitians who live in rural areas are illiterate, so cannot read the Bible. I am excited for what God has in store for Johnny! I have faith that he will do great things for God in his village.
4. What I Learned
This trip has taught me that sharing my testimony is completely essential in the light of eternity, and although it may be a little intimidating, when given to the Lord, it is absolutely empowering and beautiful. It was something I wouldn't have learned if I hadn't but my faith in Christ to help me as I stepped out with the Gospel.
I have returned from Haiti with a fiery passion to share what God has done and is doing in my life with those I encounter daily. You can make a difference where you are right now with what God has given you. I exhort you to not let fear cause you to hide God’s greatness. The power and transformation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ does not come from any evangelism training or knowledge but purely from the Spirit of the living God.
He deserves to be shared with your neighbor, parents, kids, that woman in the grocery store, that man on the street, and with all people. So today, pray that God would help you
1 Corinthians 2:1-5
