Doing the Work of Evangelism

In the Apostle Paul’s final words to his pastoral protégé Timothy, he gives Timothy several imperatives or commands. One of them is, “do the work of an evangelist” (2 Tim. 4:5).

The execution of evangelistic effort is a multi-faceted enterprise. In other words, evangelism is not one-dimensional or one-sided. It has many forms or may employ different methods that work together toward its objective of winning souls to Christ. For instance, God used Paul to plant and Apollos to water (1 Cor. 3:6). They each had a role in the process of God causing the work to grow.

There is a three-dimensional model, called the 3 P’s of evangelism, that depicts three levels of responsible action in the ministry of evangelism—presence, proclamation, and persuasion. The evangelist’s role varies at each level, yet each level is a vital and integral part in evangelizing the gospel.

The first level is presence. This level is foundational to the other levels of evangelism because it prepares the pathway for furthering the work of evangelism. It is at this level that we show the love and good works of the gospel by letting our light shine and sprinkle the salt of savory saints (Matt. 5:13-16). This level is where we let our presence be felt and known particularly outside the four walls of the church into the community. The goal is helping and loving people—feed the hungry and homeless, provide clothing, visit the sick, advocate for the hurting, helpless and social justice. This level is the music of gospel; witnessing in warmth. Presence evangelism enables people to feel and see the “good news” of the gospel. It has been said that “people don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.” Additionally in our post-modern society, people won’t come to church until we show we care first.

Presence evangelism is the music of the gospel, whereby people feel and see the “good news” of the gospel.

The second level is proclamation. At this level, we make the gospel known. This is where good words are added to good works. Proclamation evangelism is presenting and preaching the gospel message of God’s love and forgiveness to people, and to help them understand the implications of the gospel to respond to it. People are evangelized by the preaching of the gospel (Rom. 10:14, 17). Proclamation evangelism is the sound of the gospel; witnessing in word, whereby people hear the “good news” of the gospel. Personally, at this level, as individuals we connect with people by sharing our journey out of sin into a life of salvation and sanctification through Jesus Christ. As a church community, proclamation is done through many means including church services, distribution of gospel literature, and group Bible studies. Social media is a premier tool to use in this post-modern era for proclamation evangelism.

Proclamation evangelism is the sound of the gospel, whereby people hear the “good news” of the gospel.

The third level is persuasion. Grounded in the fact that we all will be judged by Christ, as committed and faithful ambassadors we endeavor to persuade people of the truths of the gospel, and to live a life pleasing to God (2 Cor. 5:9-11a). Persuasion evangelism is a tug of the gospel on the heart, whereby people are encouraged to respond to the “good news” of the gospel. This persuasion to believe is not a forceful manipulation but a convincing, reasoned argument or a reasonable response coupled with the conviction of the Holy Ghost (Acts 17:2-4; John 16:8-11). The true persuader is the Lord who opens people’s hearts to respond to our proclamation (Acts 16:14-15).

Persuasion evangelism is the tug of the gospel on the heart, whereby people are encouraged to respond to the “good news” of the gospel.

Presence evangelism is foundational in building caring relationships with people and the community. But souls are won and disciples made through proclaiming the gospel and persuading people to accept and follow Jesus Christ. 

For further reading on these three levels of evangelism, consult Growing God’s Church: How People Are Actually Coming to Faith Today by Gary L. McIntosh and Life-Style Evangelism by Joseph C. Aldrich.

Copyright © 2023 Johnson Beaven III. All Rights Reserved.

Johnson Beaven III is Principal of Johnson Beaven III Ministries LLC. He serves in the Church Of God In Christ (COGIC) as Executive Secretary and Director of Education in the International Department of Evangelism, and Chairman of District Superintendents in the Indiana North Central Jurisdiction. He's also a religion columnist for the Indianapolis Recorder Newspaper. He's a former pastor, local site coordinator and instructor for the Interdenominational Theological Center (ITC) Certificate in Theology Program. For information, check Linktree. Follow him on X (formerly Twitter) @jbeaven and @jbiiiministries.