Getting 'er Done

“A Christian should so shine in his life that a person could not live with him a week without knowing the Gospel.” – C.H. Spurgeon

There are natural-born evangelists… and then there is me.

I love talking about my faith – and pointing people to Jesus – but doing so doesn’t come naturally. However, as Paul instructed young Timothy, his son in the faith, that doesn’t let me or anyone else off the hook. On the contrary, we are to “do the work of an evangelist” whether we feel gifted in that area or not.

One of the ways I have found to be an effective witness is to establish a connection with someone that naturally opens the door to having a spiritual conversation. For instance, when I meet a person for the first time I often ask where they are from originally. (Since only 37% of Floridians are native to the Sunshine State, that’s a natural icebreaker).

When they answer by saying New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, or virtually any state east of the Mississippi River, my reply is “I was in prison there.” The same goes for states as far west as Colorado, Texas, Arizona, New Mexico, Washington State, and Oregon.

As you can imagine, they generally look shocked and take a step back… or two. After letting them squirm for a few seconds, I add the punchline “as a minister.”

You would be surprised how often that simple little exchange opens the door for me to talk about how God called me into full-time prison ministry and how He has allowed me the privilege of ministering to an estimated 500,000 inmates around the world. From there, all it takes is me sharing how as “the chief of sinners” I was able to identify with some of America’s most notorious criminals because I was also a “lawbreaker” on my way to hell.

Then, like any good salesman would tell you, I “ask for the sell” by telling them that I found forgiveness and purpose through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ… and asking them if they would like to experience that same peace, joy, and hope.

One other “trick of the trade” I like to use is wearing a shirt that contains a Bible verse or one that advertises my ministry. I can’t tell you how many people have commented about my attire in airports, restaurants, or other public places.

I may not be a natural-born evangelist, but with God’s help and a little creativity, I manage to “get ‘er done.”

“But you, be sober in all things, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.” 2 Timothy 4:5 (BSB)

- Rev. Dale M. Glading, President