Leisure ministries make personal evangelism fun
ONTARIO, Calif. (BP)--A bowling-alley missionary or beach evangelist might not be the first to pop to mind when people think of missions service, but it is in these sorts of settings that Christians can be most effective in sharing the gospel, a North American Mission Board evangelism leader said.
Jeff Wagner, manager of special ministries evangelism for NAMB, said personal evangelism can be fun, particularly if it occurs naturally within relationships formed through shared recreational interests and activities.
"Jesus sent us as disciples into non-church situations, and that's where we rub shoulders with people," he said. "And the most natural place to rub shoulders with people is when they're having fun, and you already naturally have an affinity with them."
Wagner led a workshop on the topic during the April 10-13 Connection 2002, the first of three conference being sponsored by NAMB this spring for pastors, missionaries and other denominational partners.
Wagner suggested that churches examine the community around them to see where people are gathering around common interests. It might be a resort area, small-track car racing, soccer field or antique row. For the church, it can be an intentional effort to set up some sort of servanthood evangelism presence in these areas, while for individuals it can be simply building relationships with others around their own interests and looking for opportunities of sharing Christ.
When individuals express an interest in beginning an intentional ministry, Wagner said it is important that they first be active within the local congregation -- and that the church encourage and support those called to that particular ministry.
"You have to be tied to a local church," he said. "It's the responsibility of the leadership of the church to equip them, encourage them and send them out."
Once a particular leisure ministry has been identified, Wagner outlined a process for following through with a ministry -- beginning with identifying the group of people being served, identifying needs, bathing the effort in prayer and enlisting volunteers.
Sometimes opportunities for evangelism can be developed by individuals, he noted, recounting how earlier in his ministry he would fly a kite near a picturesque white church popular with tourists. The kite-flying attracted interest, and the location prompted discussions of church, and ultimately Jesus Christ.
"They kind of got into a thoughtful mood as they came to look at the church," Wagner said.
