It was a chilly winter morning in New York City. I remember strolling into a small Seventh-day Adventist church in the Bronx, glad for the warmth of the fellowship, as well as the building. As the congregation sang, “We will build on the Rock, the Rock that ever stands,” an aged woman rose with outstretched hands, tears streaming down her face. Later, she whispered, “I felt fire again.”
Not an isolated moment of spiritual emotion, it was a prophetic spark—a kindling of something far more profound. We had not assembled for a mere seminar. Rather, we were responding to a sacred call to reclaim the very aim for which the Adventist movement began. In many places, our evangelistic zeal has languished as members settle into routine, forgetting our founding purpose of reaching the world with the gospel. Recent surveys underscore this concern. While most Adventists say the church should expand outreach, a large share have not engaged in any outreach themselves.1 We must recover the theological vision of evangelism and rekindle the flame of mission.
Not just a church
The Seventh-day Adventist Church is more than a denomination: it is a prophetic movement raised with a mission to actively engage the world for Christ. Ellen G. White reminds us, “To save souls should be the life work of everyone who professes Christ,”2—emphasizing that every believer is called to evangelism as the heart of church life. Evangelism is not a mere department or program but is at the heart of our identity. No ministry or member is exempt from our communal responsibility. When evangelism is the church’s primary obsession, every ministry becomes part of a united mission team rather than an isolated function.
Recovering such an identity demands a profound reawakening of purpose. Not simply a sanctuary for believers, the church is a catalyst for change in the world. Its vitality hinges on its commitment to mission, as Jesus Himself showed by stepping into society’s brokenness and bringing healing. We must move beyond comfort to commission—to actively “go” and make disciples. In other words, we are summoned to be a movement on the move, not a people at rest.
Such identity flows from the Bible’s magnificent narrative of a God on mission. From the moment of humanity’s fall (Gen. 3:15) through the call of Abraham to bless “all peoples” (Gen. 12:3) and Israel’s commission to be “a light to the Gentiles” (Isa. 49:6), Scripture presents a God actively seeking to save. He calls us to participate in that redemptive narrative.
Christ at the center: Incarnation, cross, and commission
Jesus is the ultimate example of evangelism. He left heaven’s glory to live among fallen humanity, signifying an incarnational approach. His example compels us to step out of our comfort zones and enter the world of those we desire to reach with compassion and humility. True evangelism goes beyond preaching—it walks beside, listens deeply, and suffers with people in their need. As Ellen G. White observed, Jesus “mingled with men as one who desired their good,”3 meeting people where they were. He built authentic relationships and ministered to others’ needs before asking them to follow Him. Likewise, we must build redemptive relationships—listening, serving, and loving—so that our invitation to follow Christ comes in the context of authentic care.
When we proclaim the cross, we strike at the heart of Satan’s dominion. Believers overcome “by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony” (Rev. 12:11). Thus, evangelism is not just persuasion—it is warfare against darkness, apathy, and deception. Paul reminds us that “our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against . . . spiritual forces of evil” (Eph. 6:12, NIV). We engage in outreach prayerfully and boldly, knowing that sharing Christ confronts the enemy’s hold on human hearts. Every time we lift the cross, we are inviting people into the victory Jesus won, pushing back the darkness with the light of the gospel. Therefore, we must bathe our efforts in prayer and depend on God’s power to break the enemy’s grip.
Finally, the Great Commission (Matt. 28:18–20) frames our mission under Jesus’ authority. He has “all authority,” and we go to make disciples of all nations under His lordship—not as a human strategy for church growth, but in obedience to our King. Jesus entrusts His followers with the work of calling others into His kingdom. Evangelism does not end at baptism—it continues as we instruct new believers to follow all that Christ commanded. The objective is not simply to count converts, but to make disciples who enter a saving connection with Jesus and mature into faithful members of His body.
The role of the Holy Spirit in mission
Even with the best message and methods, the church’s mission will fail without the Holy Spirit’s power. Jesus told His followers to wait for the Spirit before launching out (Acts 1:4–8). The early church had truth and passion, but not until Pentecost did they receive the power to change the world. We face a similar danger today—being well-organized and resource-rich yet spiritually powerless. Programs and human efforts alone cannot ignite true revival—only the Holy Spirit can set hearts ablaze. The early church possessed organization and truth but lacked the critical element of power until Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit was poured out.
We, too, must earnestly seek the Spirit’s infilling if we are to fulfill our calling. “The presence of the Holy Spirit with God’s workers will give the proclamation of truth a power that not all the honor or glory of the world could give.”4 Our most eloquent sermons or innovative ministries mean nothing without the Spirit’s presence. Therefore, prayer for the Holy Spirit’s outpouring must saturate our plans and programs.
The book of Acts shows how indispensable the Spirit’s guidance is to mission. The Holy Spirit directed Philip to a seeking Ethiopian official, leading to his conversion (Acts 8:26–39). The Spirit also instructed the Antioch church to set apart Paul and Barnabas for missionary work (Acts 13:2–4). The impulse for evangelism comes from God. The Spirit orchestrates evangelistic opportunities, prepares hearts, and empowers the messengers. Where the Spirit leads, lives are transformed. History and experience show that Spirit-dependent ministry yields lasting fruit, whereas mere human efforts accomplish little of eternal value. We must therefore make room for the Spirit through prayer, surrender, and sensitivity.
Helpful steps for mission
Theological convictions must lead to practical moves. How can we rekindle the evangelistic flame in our local churches and personal lives? Consider a few key steps:
Personal preparation. Revival begins with individuals. Each of us needs to seek a deeper relationship with Christ through constant prayer and daily Bible study. By seeking God and repenting of our complacency, we invite the Holy Spirit to renew our hearts and ignite a burden for souls. As we experience Christ’s love anew, we are compelled to share it. Reformation in the church begins with revival in our own hearts. When God revives us personally, it will naturally rekindle our passion for soul-winning.
Strategic involvement. Get involved in the outreach ministries of your local congregation. Rather than standing on the sidelines, join or start a witnessing team. Participate in Bible study groups, visitation programs, community service projects, or literature distribution—whatever avenues of evangelism are available. Such activities not only reach the lost but also deepen your own faith. If your church’s outreach is lacking, work with your leaders to organize an evangelistic series, health seminar, or neighborhood Bible study. Every member can do something for Christ. When even a few lay people (especially young people) are empowered to lead in outreach, it builds momentum and a sense of ownership in the church.
Wholistic ministry. Christ’s method combined preaching truth with meeting practical needs. Likewise, our evangelistic efforts should blend service with proclamation. Look for ways to bless your community: a health expo, a food or clothing drive, or assistance to those in crisis. Meeting physical and social needs demonstrates God’s love and often opens hearts to spiritual truth. As Jesus showed, acts of compassion give credibility to our message. Plan initiatives that address real needs (health programs, community clean-ups, etc.) so that acts of mercy accompany the message of salvation. Author Jim Wallis maintains that such efforts create opportunities for spiritual conversations and lend credibility to our witness.5
Faithful witnessing. Finally, effective evangelism is relational and intentional. Pastors, let us be role models. Begin with prayer—ask God to place someone on your heart and provide opportunities to connect with them. Then be proactive: invite a neighbor over for a meal, lend a listening ear, offer to pray with a friend in need, share a story of what Jesus has done in your life. Your personal testimony can be an influential bridge to the gospel, bringing authenticity to your witness. At the same time, develop the art of listening. By genuinely paying attention to people’s questions and pains, you earn the right to speak to their lives. Jesus’ practice of mingling with people, ministering to their needs, winning their confidence, and then bidding them follow Him remains the blueprint for personal evangelism.6 If each member commits to this kind of intentional friendship outreach, the collective impact will be tremendous.
The flame must burn brighter
We stand at a pivotal moment in the church’s mission. As Seventh-day Adventists, we have a distinctive opportunity to impact our world for Christ. By committing to personal preparation, strategic involvement, a wholistic strategy, and faithful witnessing, we can effectively share Jesus’ message of salvation with those around us. We must be bridges of light in our communities—uniting with people across cultural and generational divides. Together, let us embark on a voyage of service and witness, allowing our collective faith to transform lives and communities.
We are preparing not just for a single event or initiative but for the final outpouring of the Holy Spirit—the “latter rain”—and eventually for the return of Jesus Christ. The flame of mission is ignited not by human strategy but by divine revelation. When we recognize that God Himself is a Missionary and calls us to join His work, we will burn with holy urgency. Let us aim at glorifying Christ and finishing His work. Will you respond, “Lord, here am I—rekindle the flame in me”?
- Jon L. Dybdahl, ed., Community Engagement Survey Results, North American Division Office of Strategic Planning and Research, 2018 (Hagerstown, MD: Review and Herald Pub. Assn., 1999); The Great Commission: A Call to Success in Mission (Silver Spring, MD: Office of Adventist Mission, General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, 2019); North American Division of Seventh-day Adventists, North American Division Year-End Report, 2021; North American Division of Seventh-day Adventists, Community Engagement Survey Results (Columbia, MD: North American Division, 2018).
- Ellen G. White, Christian Service (Washington, DC: Review and Herald Pub. Assn., 1925), 10.
- Ellen G. White, The Ministry of Healing (Mountain View, CA: Pacific Press Pub. Assn., 1942), 143.
- Ellen G. White, The Acts of the Apostles (Mountain View, CA: Pacific Press Pub. Assn., 1911), 51.
- Jim Wallis, Christ in Crisis: Why We Need to Reclaim Jesus (San Francisco, CA: HarperOne, 2019).
- See Gary L. McIntosh, Growing God’s Church (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 2016), 34.
