My new word for this academic year is “Gather”.

I don’t enjoy evangelism. I think it’s because I don’t like being rejected. Pastor Tim Keller once said that evangelism is kind of like dating. I’ve never asked anyone out for a date but it must be very hard to put yourself out there! Perhaps if you do this enough you get used to the rejections? I’d imagine there are some people who enjoy sales and they would be better at evangelizing than people like me.

As I’ve been mulling over my new word for the year, it is making me more sensitive to the Holy Spirit’s promptings when I am out and about.

To encourage my pastors I shared this story with them last week:

“Hello pastors. I just wanted to encourage you with my story. I don’t like to evangelize but I have been inspired and convicted by Pastor Jeru’s message on Sunday, and Pastor Brian’s sharing in our Community Group leader’s meeting. 

Yesterday, I was at a medical lab to get blood drawn for my annual check up. I saw a lady in a wheelchair there who was very sick. Her son and husband were taking care of her so lovingly. 

While I was getting my blood drawn, I felt the compassion of the Holy Spirit for this family. When I came back to the waiting room I saw that only the son was there. I left and got into the elevator. When I was in the elevator, the Holy Spirit brought to my memory some key words shared on Sunday. I felt both the conviction and compassion of the Holy Spirit to share with them what I know. I immediately went back upstairs to the waiting room. 

I shared with the son about our church and that my mom recently finished her chemo treatments for blood cancer. My mom’s blood is clear and there’s no trace of abnormal blood cells. I shared with him that I asked for prayers throughout her entire cancer treatments and for him to do likewise. And if his mom is open to going to church to please bring her. His mom is receiving treatment for breast cancer. 

He said that he has a couple of friends who attends our church. He was very appreciative about my sharing. There was also many people in the waiting room and I believe they heard me sharing about our church and my mom’s successful cancer story. 

For people like me who don’t like to evangelize, we need the weekly reminders on Sundays. I appreciate how you have been offering the opportunity to say yes to Jesus on Sundays, and the pep talk to step out of our comfort zone for the lost souls out there in our church and community. Please don’t stop reminding us. 🙂

Our women’s prayer group will start back up soon and we will be praying for you, your families and our church. God bless you.”

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I came across this Bible verse today. Just like Jesus’ disciples, we follow Jesus and see what he does. I think when we see Jesus doing his incredible works, then non-sales people like me will be naturally evangelizing. Until then I will continue to be sensitive to the promptings of the Holy Spirit and put myself out there. Who knows perhaps I’ll get used to the rejections and move on quickly to the next one…😂

Jesus: Come, follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men. – Matthew 4:19 (VOICE)

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%204&version=VOICE