How You Know if You're Called
Tuesday, February 9, 2010 at 12:56PM 
God called the first evangelist, Phillip, and God still calls evangelists around the world today! The Word of God says in Ephesians 4:12-13, that GOD gives evangelists as a benefit to the local Church. The job of "evangelist" is something that God still calls people to, and there is an evident need for it in America, around the world, and in the Church. I have met many pastors who greatly desire the help of an evangelist. An evangelist is called in the Scripture mentioned to focus on reaching non-Christians for Christ, and also to teach other Christians to do the same.
What exactly is an "evangelist?" Evangelist does not mean "traveling speaker," or "itinerant minister." Evangelist is used to denote a preacher or minister whose ministry efforts are FOCUSED ON REACHING NON-CHRISTIANS, AND TEACHING THE CHURCH TO REACH THEM AS WELL! There are traveling pastors (with ministries to other pastors), traveling teachers (who speak on various Christian growth subjects), traveling prophets (or revivalists ... like the prophets of the OT, they call the people of God back to God!), etc. But let's not call these people evangelists! They must flow in their gifting, and are just as called and just as anointed as evangelists. But many churches are bringing in so called evangelists, and missing out on the help they need to reach their communties! They are learning to be financially sound, to raise their kids, to bless their pastors, to tithe, to help the poor, to care about missions, to de velop goals and dreams, to lead, to survive ... by "evangelists," and yet the lost will never be focused on appropriately without the true evangelist helping out.
Some people have more than one calling and gifting. Paul said to Timothy that God had called him to be an 1. apostle 2. teacher 3. herald of the gospel. Paul taught alot. He also did apostolic work. Some people are both a teacher and an evangelist. Both a prophet and and apostle. Both a pastor and and evangelist. Some pastors don't need evangelists as much as others. All pastors are called to "do the work of an evangelist." But there is a great need around the world today ... for emerging evangelists! For people focused on reaching non-Christians, and teaching the Church to reach non-Christians.
Why emerging? Emerging evangelists are a new breed of evangelist that God is raising up all over the world. Rather than being innovative in the sense that they are nothing you've ever seen before, they are innovative by being called back to a Biblical model. They're roots are found in following an ancient model, one which has been followed by various movers and shakers through the 20 centuries of Christian history thus far. In the past 100 years, the term "evangelist" has come to denote a certain sense of fear. Fear because of the failure of evangelists even within our generation. On a recent poll, "televangelists" were the second least trusted individuals out of 50 vocations (right after car mechanics). This should not be. Because of the failure of "famous" individuals, evangelists are viewed with contempt and disdain by many. Thus the need for evangelists everywhere to EMERGE! Emerge to a new leve l of character, a new level of wisdom and a new level of influence. Beyond the culture of church, and into the realm of American culture. America is at an all time need for these emerging evangelists. We need more God appointed evangelists than ever before! We need those called, of all ages, to EMERGE!!! God is calling evangelists everywhere to emerge from the rubble of impurity and lack of character caused by the fall of several great televangelists and pastors. God is speaking to evangelists everywhere to rise up from the pain caused by past evangelists during the healing movement with poor theology and lack of study. God is raising up a generation ... an army ... emerging evangelists, who will set a new tone, and who will sing a new song. Those who will represent the call with a new image and voice. They are less like the authoritarians of the past, yet they have a new air of confidence. They a re: pure. holy . godly. passionate. gentle. leaders. connected. understanding. confident in their call. reachable. compassionate. broken. weeping. prayerful. hungry for the Word. deep. studied. lively. full of hope. preachers of hope! full of joy. rejoicing with change. trusting in God. full of faith. faithful. anointed. dependant on the Holy Spirit and the anointing. desperate. never giving up. powerful. humble. repentant. teachable. under authority. gracious. pastor's best friends. the church's greatest ally. theologically sound. thoughtful. medatative. great thinkers. expounders of Scripture. focused on outreach. personally involved in evangelism. preach their toughest sermons to themselves. prophetic. gifted. striving for excellence. practical. do whatever it takes! planning world domination for the glory of Christ!
The role of "evangelist" is changing. Churches are doing less and less extended services and Sunday nights, which used to be the time for bringing in evangelists and itinerant speakers. I want to express that THIS IS OKAY! There will always be room for evangelists. Just because our role is being redefined, doesn't mean we need to throw in the towel early and all become pastors (unless God calls you to be an evangelistic pastor). I personally would rather do a single service. I would also rather do the main Sunday morning service, rather than the typical Sunday night. With less Sunday nights, there is more of an opportunity and chance to do the largest and most important services a church holds. Let's look positively and how church culture changes in America can help us, rather than being discouraged or upset.
There are emerging evangelists rising up all over America. All over the world. You may not know their names yet. In fact, you may never hear of them at all. But they are there. They are rising up and becoming faithful to their calling. God is doing it. People's hearts are being turned towards God because of these ... pillars of the faith. So many times we forget that just because we've never heard of people or churches, that they are not there. That God's work around the world is confined to our little "box," our small memory and our lack of insight. There's a church in Bogata, Columbia of 250,000 each week ... have you heard of it? A church in South Korea of 750,000 weekly ... heard of it? An evangelist in Argentina who's reached 3 million ... know his name? An evangelist who's altar call saved over 1 million ... one altar call ... one night ... one moment ... ever see the ne ws clipping? A guy in Mexico who's raising the dead ... ever heard of his ministry? Churches and evangelists all over that you'll never know, but that are reaching more people for Christ than the original apostles did! Than Jesus himself did! And that's just in our generation! Don't get me started with the one before us and beyond. Is there a reason for hope? Do you hear Paul shouting out ... rejoice ... again, I say rejoice! Live for that call ... for that cry ... when Christ will come back again from heaven ... with a shout ... with a loud command .. and trumpets! The dead will rise first ... then all of us ... billions of us ... to give glory to Jesus! Live for eternity! Dedicate your lives! Rise up emerging evangelists! Rise up! Fulfill the call ... preach the Word ... save the perishing souls ... EMERGE!!!
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All of my evangelist friends are now poor financially, gone home or are close to home. My wife fears I have become just like them. Since developing a passions for souls, my business opportunities have dried up. My passion is for souls and most christians want nothing to do with me. Is the true evangelist poor and alone? If it is God's will, I can except that, but wife is not pleased. Please pray for me and my wife. I trust you JESUS. I am yours. I'll let you lead, because I have failed.
Well, I am a young Ghanaian currently working with a German Development Agency in Tanzania. Just next door my hotel room in a small border district called Kyela was a witch doctor. In the night young girls will come for native abortions. They will make noise with the groaning and pain while a certain light will come from the room. I tell you the sound and the thought of what was happening made me very worried. I cried in the night and felt a deep pain for the souls. Since then my determination has been with the Souls, those lost.
Dear Bill, there is no amount of business opportunity greater than these souls. I will tell you, let your God do the worrying over what you and your wife will eat but make it your worry where these souls go. Jesus will come soon and our businesses wont be raptured with us, only the dead in Christ and the living for Christ. Amen