We are all aware of the fact that evangelism is and shall remain the most urgent, the most important, task that a servant of the Master can perform. This is true today even more so than in the time of Christ, for the hour has grown late. "The fields are white unto the harvest," and great is the work to be brought to a successful culmination.
Therefore, it is the duty and privilege of every worker in God's service here on earth to cooperate with all his might in saving the multitudes who are living in sin, and who, consequently, are doomed to eternal death.
Facing such an imperative and prevailing necessity, should not we be more fervent, more untiring in our efforts to carry the message to the entire human race? True, there are faithful evangelists who, with zeal and courage, are wholeheartedly consecrating themselves to this mission. Some are even wearing themselves out at the task. But, speaking generally, are we convinced that we have done our utmost to save souls? Is that sacred flame burning brightly within our hearts, transforming us into more efficient ministers of the Word? Have we received that permanent unction of God's Spirit with which all our labors would be divested of power? Are we satisfied with the results we have obtained? Or must we admit that we could have improved on them?
It is a sad reality that more than one worker in our ranks has, for one reason or another, slackened his evangelistic pace. No longer does he bend all his talents to persevering fruitful labor. Too many ministers, particularly among those who are working alone, seem to be satisfied with meager results, forgetting there are still many sheaves waiting to be garnered for the Master of the harvest. It is to these we would, on God's behalf, address the words: "Take courage again! Go, reap! The Lord will not leave you to work alone."
As we have traveled around the field we have met a number of workers who felt handicapped in their endeavors, and who were dissatisfied with the poor results of their labors. When we sought the reason for this state of mind, we found that they had been looking at other evangelists who had at their disposal facilities which they had had to do without—large, well-located halls, large budgets that permitted them to carry on an efficient publicity campaign, modern equipment, and many assistants. "Oh, if only all that were given to me," one sighed, "I too could do better work and obtain better results. Unfortunately the hall where I preach is too modest, my equipment is limited, my budget for evangelism is practically nonexistent, and I have not a single helper. Under these conditions, how can great things be expected from me?"
Though it is true that the responsible organization of the denomination must endeavor to replenish, ever more abundantly, the funds for evangelism, though it is true, also, that we are bound to utilize (in the measure of our financial possibilities) the most perfected media of work that we can procure, it is nonetheless true that never can all the desired equipment be placed at the disposal of all workers. However, no one should lose courage because of that. The Lord is not dependent upon these outward agencies to carry forward His work here on earth. He entrusts each of His servants with a positive message, with marching orders that do not leave him in uncertainty, doubt, or discouragement. He assures every worker, as He did Gideon, "You are the man I am depending upon for this task. 'Go in this thy might'; the strength you are now using to thresh wheat, use it for a nobler cause."
When God calls a man for service, He endows him at the same time with all the necessary qualifications to accomplish that service. Dear brother in the ministry, go forward, not in your own strength, but in the strength you have received from the Lord, and success will be yours whatever your surroundings, whatever the circumstances in which you must carry on your work.
Gideon well knew that the requirements of the divine call far exceeded his own powers. That was why he cried, "Oh my Lord, wherewith shall I save Israel? behold, my family is poor in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father's house" (Judges 6:15). But God assured Gideon, "I will be with thee."
When God is our Leader, when He commands the battle, lifting aloft His banner before us, we may set out in search of souls and fearlessly encounter the enemy of truth without worrying unnecessarily about our equipment. "The Lord shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace." (Ex. 14:14). Our heavenly Father has placed the most exhaustless power in the universe at our disposal for evangelism. He assures us that Jesus Christ our Saviour will undertake for us. It is He who is leading us in battle, and who stands as security for our victory. Jesus and the Holy Spirit constitute our best instruments in laboring for the lost.
In more than one country of the Southern European Division our workers must carry on their ministry under extremely difficult and distressing conditions. They are not permitted to preach the message openly. They cannot rent halls to hold evangelistic efforts. All propaganda or publicity is strictly forbidden. And yet most of these evangelists are doing a noble work and winning souls.
When I visited one of these less favored fields an evangelist was pointed out to me. He had been used of God to bring forty-two persons to Him that year. A short time ago the president of that field informed me that this same worker—whose only weapons of warfare are his faith and his Bible—had brought forty-six more persons into the church in 1958. And his experience is not exceptional in that country. Another evangelist baptized forty-one souls in one year. Others baptized twenty and thirty. These faithful servants of God, upheld and assisted by loyal church members, are going forward "in this thy might," and the Lord is with them.
In keeping with these facts, we would do well to consider the following quotations from the messenger of the Lord:
There is a necessity, it is true, for expending money judiciously in advertising the meetings, and in carrying forward the work solidly. Yet the strength of every worker will be found to lie, not in these outward agencies, but in trustful dependence upon God, in earnest prayer to Him for help, in obedience to His word. Much more prayer, much more Christlikeness, much more conformity to God's will, is to be brought into the Lord's work. Outward show and extravagant outlay of means will not accomplish the work to be done.—Gospel Workers, p. 346.
Human strength is weakness, human wisdom is folly. Our success does not depend on our talents or learning, but on our living connection with God. The truth is shorn of its power when preached by men who are seeking to display their own learning and ability. . . Had there been more lifting up of Jesus and less extolling the minister, more praise rendered to the Author of truth and less to its messengers, we would occupy a more favorable position before God than we do today.—Testimonies, vol. 5, pp. 158, 159.
He [the divine Son of God] has given us evidence that prayer is essential in order to receive strength to contend with the powers of darkness, and to do the work allotted us. Our own strength is weakness, but that which God gives us is mighty and will make everyone who obtains it more than conqueror. —Ibid., vol. 2, p. 203.
All these teachings from the pen of the servant of the Lord show us what is essential for a fruit-bearing ministry. It is not outward means —budgets, equipment, or human wisdom—that are the most important. What counts is that we should be willing to go forward in every instance, whether favorable or unfavorable, in the strength we have received from God. A blessed ministry and much fruitage will be the result of a holy, peaceful, and deep communion with the Saviour.
