Evangelism Networking

One of the most powerful actions an evangelist can take is to actively network with other Christians and churches beyond their own fellowship. This is not just important; it’s essential for any evangelist aiming to enhance their ministry. Building relationships with a diverse range of believers allows for the exchange of ideas, resources, and support that can strengthen individual and collective missions. Networking also helps evangelists gain insights into various outreach strategies, community needs, and changing cultural dynamics that can inform their approach. Here are five compelling reasons why this is crucial:

1. Avoiding spiritual isolation and burnout

Evangelists can be incredibly lonely in their own fellowships. Depending upon the size of their congregation, most of the time, there is only one. As an evangelist, you need fellowship and encouragement from like-minded Christians who are doing the same thing. Where else would you find others like yourself if it weren’t for people outside your congregations? Connecting with other evangelists and believers outside your immediate congregation provides fresh encouragement, mutual edification, and reminds us that we are not alone in the work.

2. A wider pool of disciples

It’s difficult to find people in our congregations who are willing to hit the streets consistently. If your congregation is 100 people, chances are you’ve tapped out and are struggling for help. It’s been said that the square root of the entire congregation is the only ones actually doing anything, and I would insinuate that evangelism is even less than that.

Fellowship in the church is shared life in Christ, not limited to geography or local congregation. The church is one body with one Spirit and transcends denominational or congregational boundaries. As long as we are like-minded believers of Jesus Christ, building the kingdom of God and advancing the gospel and not our own kingdoms, then we have the freedom to go beyond our own flock. 

3. Sharpen your skills

By fellowshipping and networking with believers outside of your congregation, you discover different gifts, insights, and approaches to evangelism; how else would we be exposed to this? This helps you refine the message of the gospel, your methods of sharing it, and fresh analogies that unbelievers can better understand. Variety is positive. Intentionally connecting outside your home church with other evangelists helps us learn how others communicate the gospel and prevent tunnel vision and stagnation.

It also allows people in other congregations to learn from you and share what you have learned through the years. Everyone has something to share. Even if you are a new believer, you have fresh insight into the sinner’s social paradigm we are in right now, and can help guys like me who have been saved for over twenty years. There are new technologies, new hangouts, and new beliefs that many of us are oblivious to that you can bring to the table. 

4. Expand gospel impact

Being a congregation that is willing to help and participate with other like-minded fellowships and advance the kingdom of God and cross denominational boundaries is really what being “the church” is all about. Not increasing our own memberships, but the church as a whole.

There is a particular church in my area that forbids its congregants to be a part of what other churches are doing, but has no problem with them inviting others outside their building to what they are doing. That’s not only shady “sheep-stealing” but paranoid thinking that their people will go somewhere else. Not to mention prideful to think they have the market on the gospel.

“Many hands make light work.” The church can impact the world if we are united under the headship of Christ and not denominational banners.

5. Renewed vision and joy in the Great Commission

Hearing testimonies, strategies, and victories from other parts of the Body powerfully reignites our passion for evangelism and fills the evangelist with immense joy. It also softens the heart towards people that you wouldn’t normally witness to. It serves as a profound reminder that God is actively at work both globally and locally, compelling us to look beyond ourselves and focus on advancing God’s Kingdom, not our own.

Nothing brought me more joy than when I was invited by another church to participate and share the gospel to Mormons at the Mormon Manti Miracle Pageant in Manti, Utah. Together, we trained for months, learning about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS) and how to counter false beliefs. We trained and built friendships on our way to the event by bus. While we were there, we worshipped God and trained every day, meeting the leaders we learned from watching their YouTube videos and reading their books. Over 100 sold-out evangelists in one room lifting up our voices in worship to the King of kings, and Lord of lords. Then, when we went into battle on the streets defending true Christianity and countering a false gospel, we were a tight-knit group willing to help each other out in one purpose—to advance God’s kingdom and pull LDS out of the fire. 

By the time I got back to Des Moines, the ember in my heart lit ablaze, and I couldn’t wait to hit the streets and hope some LDS came to my door so I could share what I had learned. 

Through the years, I have ministered with many brothers and sisters who are not a part of my fellowship; from all different states, denominations, and backgrounds, coming together under the one banner of Jesus Christ. Some of the best witnessing events took place with those of different denominations.

• Working with ministries like Freedom for Youth, Answers in Genesis, and Precept Ministries International.
• Missions trips to Utah for the Manti Mormon Miracle Pageant and Salt Lake City tours.
• Creation booth at the Iowa State Fair
• Tulip Gospel Outreach evangelism conference and outreach.
• Taking churches out to help lead, especially when the leaders are new and inexperienced in sharing the gospel.

In the end, evangelism was never meant to be a solo effort carried on weary shoulders, but thrives in community. By intentionally building networks with other believers, you create space to share the load, learn from one another, and stay spiritually refreshed rather than drained. Join me this year to see what it could be like for you. Lots of ways to get your feet wet in an ocean that is wide and deep in evangelistic opportunities.