Evangelism, a constant of the church

Special feature on evangelism Year of World Evangelism 2004.

Ivan Omana, D.Min., is the ministerial secretary for the Inter-American Division, Miami, Florida.

For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone who believeth; to the jew first, and also to the Greek" (Rom. 1:16). This magnificent and familiar declaration reminds us of a number of things related to the gospel.

First, the gospel is always the same; second, the presentation can be changed according to circumstances; and third, the gospel is of God, which means it has the power to change those who accept it.

Old ways in the old days

I am a third-generation Adventist. My grandfather was an ordained Adventist pastor, and I listened as he told how he conducted evangelistic "efforts" in his day. He told of how he would "challenge the priest of the town where I was going to hold the evangelistic campaign to a public debate to see who knew the Bible better." These kinds of debates were generally held on a Sunday morning, and the whole town met on the plaza near the Catholic church to witness it.

When the debate ended, those of the crowd who considered the Adventist minister to have "prevailed" would listen as the pastor invited them to study the Bible with him! Some would come, and after a few weeks there would be baptisms.

In my grandfather's day this type of campaign was very successful, but things have changed. This kind of approach no longer persuades, though to this day churches still exist in those towns where the debates were first held.

I also witnessed the days of the great, interminable campaigns, when the evangelist occupied the meeting place for as long as five or six months. These evangelists never identified with the Seventh-day Adventist Church at the beginning, in order not to awaken prejudice. These campaigns were long! But they ended with an established congregation, and a pastor in charge of it. The evangelists prepared the field, reaped the harvest, and then consolidated the congregation.

Year of evangelism

Today the gospel is presented in different ways. Each area has its own pattern of presentation, adjusted to local needs and situations.

In the Inter-American Division, some use small groups; others use health evangelism; and still others focus on the family, because the family is of vital importance due to the struggles in so many of today's homes.

We also use radio and are beginning to take advantage of evangelism via satellite. Laymen are bringing new methods, and the pastors are interested in using new ways and a new evangelistic focus.

During the Year of World Evangelism, the church reminds us that, first of all, evangelism should be a constant in our church with total membership participation. Of course, we shouldn't wait for "years of world evangelism" before we proclaim the gospel. We cannot place dates on the work of proclaiming the gospel. Evangelism is a mandate from heaven that should be carried out at all times. It is a way of life, and the church was born evangelizing and it will end in the same manner.

We must also embrace the fact that during this Year of World Evangelism everything we do in the church should be geared toward evangelism. It is well that we have coined the word "evangeliving," which presents the gospel through our lifestyle.

Real evangelism

Pure evangelism is like a beautiful smile on the part of everyone in a congregation. It has to do with the warm reception a person or family experiences when they attend church for the first time. Evangelism is a timely visit to encourage someone who is discouraged.

For this reason, a friendly church will always bear more fruit, because what people need the most in today's world is a demonstration of love and affection. We are often reminded that if we humble ourselves before God and are friendly, courteous, and compassionate, there would be one hundred conversions where there is now only one.

A church school that understands its mission and opens its doors to give its message through Adventist education is evangelism at its highest level. An Adventist clinic where, through simple treatments, we present the Divine Healer, Jesus Christ, is evangelism as well.

The primary object of evangelism is to reach the total person. We cannot pretend to give the message to some one if the person to whom we are preaching is literally hungry or is visibly in need of basic medical care. We first must feed him and attend to his needs, and then he will ask the reason for our actions.

The power of love

One Sunday morning I was in my front yard working in my garden. A man, apparently in need, approached and said, "I would be willing to help you in any way you ask. I just need some money so I can feed my family." I looked at him and understood his situation. He was poorly dressed and seemed hungry himself.

At that moment my wife came to tell me that breakfast was ready, and I asked her to bring me an extra plate of food for my co-worker. When she brought the food the man looked at me and asked, "Is this for me?" I answered, "Of course, it's yours."

He began to eat, but while he ate his hands trembled. I could not believe my eyes—a man born in my own country in that condition! After he had eaten with a gusto that I will never forget, he said, "Sir, who are you to be so kind to me?" I answered, "I am a pastor of the Seventh-day Adventist Church." This man was now ready to listen to the gospel.

Anyone should be able to look into our churches and find there the manifestation of the principles of love and kindness. Psalm 122:1 says, "I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD." There should be very practical reasons for someone to say these words of David. Love, care, and kindness are the clearest evidence that we understand the gospel. Thus we can all be involved in the proclamation of the gospel, for in the end, the gospel is love.

The gospel has its own power. It is not the power that I have because I can express myself well, or because I can articulate things clearly in public. The gospel is the power of God, not of man.

When I was a district pastor on the island of Puerto Rico, I learned a great lesson from one of my church elders. This brother was simple in his speech but full of the power of God in evangelism. There was nothing impressive about him that demonstrated his power as a man or as a preacher. He did nothing to call attention to himself but hid himself well in the Lord as he presented the gospel of Christ. The people came to the church because of the power revealed in that brother.

Acts 2:47 says, "And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved." God wants to perform a work in us, and the church is the chosen place for this work. Therefore, let us make evangelism constant in our church! This is our calling. To do anything else would mean being unfaithful to the very mandate that defines our existence as a movement and a people.


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Ivan Omana, D.Min., is the ministerial secretary for the Inter-American Division, Miami, Florida.

July 2004

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