Many Christians feel called to evangelize or share the gospel message with others, but some may wonder what the benefits are.
There are many good reasons why Christians should evangelize.
And even if they’re not so evident at first, God always has a purpose for our evangelism.
15 Important purposes of evangelism
1. To proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ
The gospel is the good news that Jesus Christ died on the cross for our sins and rose again, providing the way for us to be forgiven and have eternal life.
When we proclaim the gospel, we are giving people the opportunity to hear about Jesus and to make a decision about Him. We cannot make that decision for them, but we can pray that God will work in their hearts and draw them to Himself.
2. To make disciples of Jesus Christ
Discipleship is a lifelong process that involves equipping others with the tools they need to follow Christ.
When Christians engage in evangelism with this purpose in mind, they can help to build up the body of Christ and make a lasting impact for the Kingdom of God.
3. To grow in discipleship
The purpose of evangelism is discipleship.
When we share the gospel with others, we are inviting them to take up the call to follow Christ.
We are inviting them to turn away from their old life and instead live a life devoted to Christ.
It is only when we see evangelism as discipleship that we can truly understand its importance.
Only then can we see its power to change lives and transform society.
4. To equip disciples to share the gospel
When done correctly, evangelism can be a powerful tool for discipleship.
It gives Christians an opportunity to connect with others on a personal level and share the hope that they have in Christ.
In a world that is increasingly hostile to hearing others preach the gospel and especially with changing times, evangelism provides a much-needed witness to the love of God.
5. To seek and save the lost
Seeking and trying to save the lost is a commandment given by God to His people, and it is something that we are called to do.
There are many lost people in the world, and we are called to reach out to them and share the gospel with them.
This can be done in many ways, such as through personal witnessing, tracts, or other evangelistic materials.
It is important that we are bold in our witness for Christ, and that we be willing to share the gospel with anyone who will listen.
6. To minister to the spiritual needs of believers
The act of evangelizing is often seen as a way to minister to the spiritual needs of believers, as it allows them to share their faith with others and potentially lead them to a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
While evangelism can be conducted in many different ways, it typically involves sharing the gospel message through personal testimony, preaching, or teaching to convert unbelievers.
7. To minister to the physical needs of believers
Evangelism doesn’t just mean preaching the gospel. It also means meeting the physical needs of believers, as Jesus did throughout his ministry.
In Matthew 25:34-46, we see that when Jesus returns, He will judge us based on how we treated the least of his brothers.
This means that caring for those in need is not optional for Christians; it’s part of our commission from God.
When we minister to the physical needs of believers, we are representing Christ to them and showing them his love in a tangible way.
This often opens the door for further conversation about spiritual matters, and it gives us an opportunity to build relationships with people who may not yet know Christ.
8. To unite the body of Christ
Evangelism is an act of love and compassion, not just for the person being evangelized, but also for the body of Christ as a whole.
When we evangelize, we are working to unite the body of Christ by bringing people into a relationship with God.
In doing so, we are fulfilling our purpose as individual members of the body of Christ and working together to build up the kingdom of God.
9. To build relationships with unbelievers
Preaching to others about God is not enough.
In order to see hearts transformed, we must also build relationships with unbelievers.
Building relationships with unbelievers is also an important part of evangelism.
Only by developing genuine relationships can we hope to understand their true needs and offer them a message about Christ in a way that is relevant to their lives.
When we take the time to get to know unbelievers, we open the door for God to use us in their lives in amazing ways.
10. To be a witness for Jesus Christ
It is our privilege and responsibility to share the good news of salvation, and we must be diligent in our efforts to reach those who are lost.
As we obey Christ’s command to “go into all the world and preach the gospel,” we can have confidence that He will work through us to bring about His eternal purposes.
11. To glorify God
When we share with others about the greatness and love that God has for us we are giving God the glory He deserves.
We are also helping to advance His kingdom here on earth.
And as we share the gospel with others, we have the opportunity to build relationships and show Christ’s love in a tangible way.
12. To edify believers
It is our purpose as Christians to build one another up in faith (Ephesians 4:11-16).
And how can we do that if we never talk about our faith with one another?
How can we encourage and challenge each other to grow deeper in our relationship with Christ if we never share the gospel?
Evangelism is essential to the spiritual health of the Body of Christ.
It gives us an opportunity to bear one another’s burdens (Galatians 6:2), exhort each other (Hebrews 3:13), and advise each other (Colossians 3:16).
13. To evangelize the world
Evangelizing the world means that we try our best to help everyone know that the word of God exists and help them know Jesus Christ as their personal savior.
It is a command that Jesus gave us to love our neighbors, and share the gospel with them (Matthew 28:18-20).
This is the “Great Commission” that Jesus gave to his disciples before he ascended into heaven.
14. To fulfill the Great Commission
The Great Commission, which calls Christians to make disciples of all nations, does not mention conversion specifically.
Instead, it says to baptize new disciples in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit and to teach them to obey Jesus’ commands.
In other words, the purpose of evangelism is not just to get people to believe in Jesus but to help them become his followers.
This can involve sharing the gospel message, but it also includes teaching people about what it means to follow Jesus and helping them grow in their faith.
15. To let outsiders know they are all welcome to serve
Evangelism is also about extending a hand of welcome to those who are searching for a community of faith.
It’s about letting them know that they are valued and loved- no matter where they come from or what they believe.
When we share the Gospel, we are offering them a place to belong.
And that is something that everyone needs.
What is the sole purpose of an evangelism ministry?
The main purpose of an evangelism ministry is to share the gospel with as many people as possible and to help them become disciples of Christ.
There are many different ways to do this, but some common methods include hosting events, going door-to-door, and handing out materials.
The goal is to reach as many people as possible with the message of Jesus Christ and to help them grow in their faith.
This can be a difficult and daunting task, but it is one that is incredibly important.
Summary
Many people view evangelism as aggressive and pushy, but the purpose of evangelism is not to force our beliefs on others or make them feel uncomfortable.
Instead, evangelism is about sharing the good news of Jesus Christ and inviting others to come to know Him.
It is an act of love, motivated by a desire for others to experience the same hope and peace that we have found in Christ.
When we evangelize, we are simply sharing the message of the gospel and offering an opportunity for others to respond.
We leave the final decision up to them, knowing that God is ultimately in control.
Whether or not they choose to accept Christ, we have fulfilled our purpose because we have shared with them the greatness of God in a loving and respectful way.