What Every Christian Is Called to Do

I remember when we were in New York for a Harvest Crusade, and one of the members of our group was leading a lot of people to faith. Her energy and commitment knew no boundaries. She left everyone else in her dust as she was leading people to faith left and right. Unquestionably in my mind, she has the gift of an evangelist.

In Romans 10, Paul gives us the very technique God has established to communicate our faith: “How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher?” (verse 14).

From the original language we could translate this verse, “How shall they hear without one preaching?” The J. B. Phillips New Testament puts it this way: “How can they hear unless someone proclaims him?” Therefore, the emphasis is not on a preacher but on preaching.

We might think the work of evangelism is only for those who are called to be evangelists. Granted, there are those in the church whom God has raised up to be evangelists. And though it is true some are called to be evangelists, it is also true that every Christian is called to evangelism—to evangelize. It’s a mystery to me that God has chosen to communicate His message through preaching, through the proclamation of His Word.

I can tell you that next to knowing that my sin is forgiven, the privilege of personally leading someone to faith is one of the greatest joys I have known. Have you ever done that? Maybe you think God could never use you. I think He could. And I think He would, if you would say, like Isaiah, “Here am I! Send me.”