THE SOUL-WINNING program of our evangelist husbands is the most important and most joyous part of their ministry. Since their career is our career, we should consider their evangelistic program our evangelistic program. There is an old adage: "As unto the bow the cord is, so unto the man is woman, Though she bends him, she obeys him." The understanding wife, sensing this truth, will do her utmost to cooperate with him in making his main work of soulsaving a success. After all, his success is her success and his failure is her failure.
It is in this area of soulwinning that a man's call to the ministry is tested to the limit. Any contribution we can make to help our husbands succeed in adding "to the church daily" strengthens their conviction of their divine call to the ministry. At the same time a delightful experience comes to our own needy hearts as we recognize that we, too, have helped bring lost sheep into Christ's fold.
A Christlike Character—A Breath of Fresh Air
To begin with, our evangelist husbands are constantly battling Satan, seeking to wrest souls from his grasp. Our own spiritual natures must be strong and sturdy or else we become a burden. Our companions often see the worst side of life. Every conceivable type of sin in the lives of those with whom they work presents a constant challenge. After living in this atmosphere all day long, they need a breath of fresh air when they arrive home. That fresh air is our own Christlike character. What a burden a continually complaining sick wife must be for a doctor husband. What a burden a spiritually sick wife must be to her preacher husband.
To personally acquaint ourselves with Christ through daily private devotions is a must. To set aside a special time for prayer and study is just as necessary for us as for our husbands. We are in the ministry with them. Satan is as eager for our spiritual downfall, if not more so, as he is for the downfall of our companions. If the enemy of all souls can keep us in a dwarfed, sickly, spiritual condition, he not only affects us personally but also our husbands, and this in turn affects their service for the Master.
Consider carefully that Satan really doesn't want to see preachers drop out of God's service. He would much prefer to keep them in service but on his terms. A spiritually ailing minister's wife adversely influences her husband's evangelistic endeavors. Listen! "The most effectual way in which he [Satan] can work is through home influences, through unconsecrated companions. If he can control their minds, he can through them the more readily gain access to the husband, who is laboring in word and doctrine to save souls."—Testimonies, vol. 1, p. 449.
Certainly, the husband will take the lead in family worships and will always stand ready to counsel and guide, but it is unfair to demand his spiritual energy to shore up our own faulty Christian experience. To do so is demanding his strength, which be longs to God's cause in the saving of those who have little or no knowledge of salvation through Christ. Spiritual self-development is our first duty in aiding our husbands in evangelism.
Mental Growth Stimulates
We are individuals and have our own minds to develop. Maintaining a constant growth of mind is an invaluable aid to our husbands. Why shouldn't we keep up with world events? Why shouldn't we possess a knowledge of things other than fashions and foods? The mentally alert wife can be a supplier of ideas and stories that will en rich her husband's evangelistic preaching. Exchanging ideas with our companions stimulates their thinking as well as ours. Furthermore, they can readily use a good sounding board on which to test their logic and illustrations. We can be Bible students too! "With meekness and humility, yet with a noble self-reliance, she [the minister's wife] should have a leading influence upon minds around her, and should act her part and bear her cross and burden in meeting, and around the family altar, and in conversation at the fireside. The people expect this, and they have a right to expect it."—Gospel Workers, p. 201.
One of the most inspiring illustrations of this type of evangelistic teamwork found in the Scriptures is that of Aquila and Priscilla. The name of Aquila is mentioned six times in the New Testament. But his name is never mentioned alone. Priscilla's name always appears beside his. Both were united in service, study, and teaching. Both had lovely Christian characters. Bible writers found it impossible to mention one name without the other. This fact was most unusual because a woman's role two thousand years ago was infinitely more subordinate than it is today. If an active layman's wife can expound the Word of God along with her husband, is it too much to expect this of an evangelist's wife?
His Lifework Our Lifework
Obviously, a wife who loves her husband and is eager for his success will never at tempt to embarrass him through a display of superior mental talents. If a wife has been blessed with abilities above that of her companion, she will do well to use them strengthening him and his program. To seek a career or position of her own apart from his inevitably detracts from his influence.
Be content to let your husband's lifework be your lifework. Learn to talk his language not only at home but in public. Be come known as a soul-saving corporation where perfect unity of action is constantly displayed. This is an unbeatable combination. It is so much more pleasant to hear a person say, "Oh, you are the wife of Pastor So-and-so." More than one minister owes much of his success to a talented wife who stood beside him, not above him. "Woman, if she wisely improves her time and her faculties, relying upon God for wisdom and strength, may stand on an equality with her husband as adviser, counselor, companion, and co-worker, and yet lose none of her womanly grace or modesty."—Evangelism, p. 467.
In an evangelistic team the wife cannot be an ex officio director! The husband is always the supreme commander. More than one evangelistic program has been con fused and fractured by interference from the evangelist's wife. Assuming undue authority undermines your husband's authority and may bring about a condition of resentment and ridicule.
Versatility
You should always exhibit a keen inter est in your husband's evangelistic program. Be acquainted with the entire organization and aid him in organizing for a public meeting. Be willing to fit in anywhere, any time, to keep the program moving forward. Help to involve as many church members as possible. Try not to assume responsibilities that a church member can do equally as well or better than yourself. The more members involved, the greater the chances of success. If someone can play the piano or organ better than you, don't let this threaten you in the least but share the responsibility. This is God's work and we want above everything else to see it succeed. Of course, if you have always played for your husband and know just what he wants, it might be best to continue this plan. The point is to be willing to hold or relinquish any work or position for the sake of success in the winning of souls.
Visual Aids
Visual aids in this day of sight, sound, and movement are an essential part of a modern effort. The nimble fingers of an evangelist's wife can create black-light, flannelgraph, or blackboard diagrams. You don't need to be an expert artist to make use of the many guides and patterns avail able at a good stationery store. Simple words or phrases placed on the flannelgraph can deepen impressions on the hearers' minds.
Running the slide projector or training someone to do it properly is important. Nothing disturbs a well-organized evangelist more than to have the slides flash on the screen at the wrong time. It takes skill and practice to perform this task expertly. Of course, a wife can't do everything, but wherever the need is greatest, she should efficiently and willingly fill that need.
Precious Names
The focal point of evangelism is people! During an effort people materialize from the names we receive in one way or an other. Nothing deserves greater care, attention, and protection than these names. They must be organized and kept up-to-date by pertinent information being recorded on the master-card filing system. This takes time and plenty of hard work. Next to the evangelist himself, his wife should carry the greatest burden for the names. Not that she has to do all the work herself, but if she possesses the skill to type and organize, she can render one of the greatest services possible by being responsible for them. By the way, if you cannot type, attendance at adult night classes for typing yields rich dividends.
The Evangelistic Marine Corps
In a campaign, the first impressions are received from the receptionist. If we have been blessed with an outgoing friendly personality, what better position can we fill than that of a receptionist? It is nothing unusual to find people in the church to day who were caught by the smile and welcome of a well-groomed, minister-wife receptionist. If we are a bit timid, practicing the art of smiling and welcoming can help us develop a soul-winning personality. Any successful evangelist realizes that the marine corps in his team who are the first to break down prejudice are the receptionists!
During the meeting, we should listen attentively to the message, even if we have heard it a dozen times before. To be talking with others in the foyer not only sets a poor example but tends to weaken the husband's courage. The evangelist has his spirit lifted when he sees his wife intently listening to his sermon. Knitting, crocheting, reading, or whispering, is entirely out of place during the meeting. Let us do our work at home, not in a public service!
Someone has said that compliments are like perfume—to be smelled but not swallowed. However, a sincere compliment from a loving wife means more to a husband than all the praise combined from others. A tactful suggestion or correction should not be withheld. The preacher who seeks to multiply his talents and abilities appreciates suggestions given in the right way. On this point, always make sure you do all your tutoring in private. The wife who unthinkingly corrects her husband in public not only undermines his influence but fails to benefit him. Undue praise, especially in the presence of others, is also out of place.
Health
An evangelist is usually under a far greater strain than any other type of worker in God's cause. His constant preaching and the visiting program demand that he have a strong constitution. If his health breaks, souls that are in the valley of decision may be lost to the enemy. Nothing is more important than to see that your husband's health is kept up by a properly balanced diet, plenty of exercise, and rest. If he is overweight plan meals that are tempting and delicious but have fewer calories. While your husband runs the evangelistic campaign, you can run a silent campaign against poor health by feeding him those things that build him physically. Do not tempt him with a rich, fattening, tantalizing dessert just to make him happy. This indulgent love is as wrong as to give in to the uncontrolled desires of children. Nagging about his overweight is useless. Rather, beat the game by preparing food that is tasty and healthful. Avoid fried foods and make light suppers using plenty of fruit. What a blessing it would be if all could take courses in nutrition!
Let us remember, a cheerful, optimistic spirit can do more than anything else to help a soul-winning husband continue successfully in his evangelistic endeavors.
