What--An Evangelist In Our Church?

     What do you think will bring back the vocational evangelist to a more prominent role in our western culture? According to Ephesians 4: 11-12, "He [God] gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ." The evangelist, listed as one of four vocational roles in the ministry, is validated as a paid ministry according to 1st Timothy 5:17-18 and 1st Corinthians 9:9-14. Phillip's life illustrates the broad availability of an evangelist in both personal and public sharing of the Gospel in Acts 6 & 8. He served in a local church setting as well as traveled to fulfill a broader role of engaging people with the Gospel and teaching the Bible for the purpose of salvation. As for me and my house, it's been a great joy to serve in this calling for over 26 years! The reward of the WORK of Evangelism comes when I engage & lead someone to Jesus with the preaching of The Cross, enrich a believer's life by illustrating God's Word in a fresh way, or train and encourage others in their calling of creative evangelism. 
     In putting this forward for discussion among friends and acquaintances, one person responded in this very positive and hopeful way:  "I don't understand why the "Christians" of today are so different than the "Christians" of 20 years ago. We have the same Bible, Jesus is the same, and the world seems to be in a worse condition and its people are in the same desperate need of a Savior. Yet, so many Christians today are unwilling to commit and serve; everything seems to be more important to them then even attending church or spreading the Good News. I know that in the end times that this is what we can expect, but then those faithful few should be more desperate to work harder for the coming of Our Lord and to let our lives shine the Light of Jesus. Your question of what will bring back the vocational evangelist to a more prominent role in our western culture? I would have to say that Today's Christian needs to wake up and get back to work in the church and bring THEM IN to hear. "For how shall they hear without a preacher?" If we, Christians can't find REVIVAL in our lives, wake up and get back to work, then there will be little "paving the way" for others to "hear" what they need to hear. Why should "others" want Christ if they can't see any difference in our lives then theirs?"
     Another very keen Bible scholar and fellow minister asked these questions of those who feel their church is a lost cause and their ministry is over there:

1.  Are there still lost souls in this town with whom you have not personally shared the Gospel?
2. Are there people out of church or unsaved in the community that you have not visited in their homes and spoken to about God's Word and the Gospel?
3. Have you used every means at your disposal to further the Gospel here?

 Our goal as a family in full-time, vocational evangelism is to Engage all ages with the Gospel using chalk art as a viable tool, to Enrich believers with clearly illustrated Bible messages, and to ENCOURAGE CHURCH LEADERS to keep on keeping on for Christ.  God sent some evangelists to encourage the pastor-teachers in their arduous and discouraging work.  CALL and see what a revival can do for the community, the church, and the called!