Encouragement
My name is Pam and I am the most introverted introvert on the spectrum of introverts. That makes me the most qualified person to teach the most reluctant evangelist how to evangelize. Don’t get scared because God is going to give you an incentive towards the end, and He is going to use you in the way you are designed. DO NOT BE AFRAID!!!
It all began…I was at a church where we watched a video on Bill Johnson’s church and then the next week we went to the streets and shopping malls. I was terrified. I did not want to go but God wanted me there. Mostly, I tagged along with others and joined them in prayer. Intensely and intentionally, I watched others and tried to figure out how they did it.
Some were just chatty Kathy’s and it was easy for them. My roommate had her thing, which was to be her bubbly-self as she asked people at the bus stop, “If you were to die today would you go to hell?” This always threw people off because she was so cheerful and a lot of people actually got saved with that approach. I don’t think that will work for you or me. Don’t try that! It’s her anointing.
For two years I watched and then I stepped out and failed. The first person I approached might’ve been on drugs because he was starring off into nowhere and unresponsive. FAIL! The second person I tried to evangelize to thought I was soliciting him for prostitution. That put me in a tailspin because I was wearing the least seductive outfit a woman could wear. But I did smile at him and that probably was the wrong approach (Note to women: don’t smile at a guy on Hennepin Avenue). But again FAIL!
I was a failure until one day when I went to a church and the guest speaker didn’t show up. So they grabbed some willing guy from the audience to preach. The substance of his sermon was that he told God every morning: I am available to you.
So, the next day, which was Father’s day, I said those words and God began to show me my process. Give it a try because it might work for you.
God used the baseball analogy for me. I’m not a sports person but the concept is easy. This did not all happen at once – I learned in stages. So pick up the bat and say, “God, I am available to you.”
First Base
First base is looking for the opening. A stranger may approach you and ask you a question or they may ask for help. Remember, you did say you were available to God and He may send someone your way.
An extrovert may start a conversation with you. Great, go directly to base two.
But sometimes, God might point someone out. He may tell you what to talk about. Keep your eyes open. But sometimes you have to look for clues.Introverts are great at observing people. If it’s a woman, you can approach her with, “That’s a cute scarf.” Not that hard so far. If it’s a guy you might say, “You look like a designer.” Designers are always flattered that you noticed.
Second Base
Second base is to listen. Hey, this is what introverts specialize in. Just follow their lead. Do your part and keep the conversation going but always be listening for a need. When the time is right, ask if they want prayer for that. If they look shocked then say, “I can pray for you now or I can pray at home, whatever you are more comfortable with.” You can be low key.
Third Base
Third base is asking them about their faith or spiritual belief. Once again, listen. They will get long-winded – I promise you - and this is good. Nobody asks them about this and nobody really listens. Fight the urge to correct them and just listen. Listen attentively – just like an true introvert would. If they are already a Christian then encourage them.
After they’ve explained their belief system, ask, “Can I share my faith.” I have not met one person who did not listen to my story after I’ve listened quietly to theirs. I usually pull out testimonies from their expressed need.
Home Run
If they are not a Christian than use this very soft sell line: “Can we pray that if Jesus is truly real that you will encounter Him in the next 24 hours?” There, you’ve prayed a prayer of agreement and when two agree on anything on Earth God will answer (Matthew 18:19). I have found this awakens their curiosity. You can almost here them thinking: Well, that isn’t too risky. WRONG! They WILL get an encounter but you don’t have to emphasize that.
Don’t feel bad that you did not lead them into a sinner’s prayer or the prayer of salvation, because you may have done something even better. There is nothing better than ushering them into a personal relationship right off the bat and it only takes a prayer.
Don’t get too hung up on the order of this. Take it slowly. At the very least, practice listening for people’s needs. The pieces will slowly come together. Be gentle with yourself on this. God does not need you to be an extrovert. He has created you for such a time as this.
Here’s an inspirational story. I was just sitting there reading a book while eating at Noodles when some older guy started a casual conversation with me. I put down my book and simply responded. He was dirty – not spiritually – but it looked like he had been through a dust storm. He wanted to show me his hands and feet. It seemed like he had been through some kind of surgery or something and expressed the pain he had gone through. I could hardly stand it. I refused to look at his healed wounds, but instead I asked if I could pray for the healing of his body. He said, “Sure.”
After I was done he said to me, “Can I pray for you?” I was shocked because I thought I was evangelizing him and so I let him pray. As he prayed I was completely humbled. After the “Amen” closure, I said to him, “That was the best prayer anyone has ever prayed for me.” And I meant it. I was almost going to ask him if he was an angel because it was so out-of-this-World and amazing. I left the restaurant and drove away in a state of awe. Then it occurred to me: I think that was Jesus and I think He was trying to show me His scars!
Yes, sometimes Jesus actually shows up and so you want to show up to see if He does.
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