When I first heard of evangelists in a technical context, I thought it was just a joke. I mean, evangelism is what they do in churches; if you do it for a certain company’s technologies, that would be very geeky. I just read that Robert Scoble’s function at Microsoft is Technical Evangelist. So it really exists, it’s not a joke? It appears not; as a matter of fact there’s a book written about it: Creating Customer Evangelists. The book is in particular about trying to let the customer become evangelists for your company’s products. Smart! [From the book,] “what is customer evangelism? When customers are truly thrilled about their experience with your product or service, they can become outspoken “evangelists” for your company. This group of satisfied believers can be converted into a potent marketing force to grow your universe of customers.”

What products or services might you be an “evangelist” for? Products and companies and technology are here for awhile, but sooner or later they are replaced by newer and better things. But we have the ever-relevant message of God's love, the message of his forgiveness and eternal life.

Our mission is to lead people to Christ and help them grow as his followers. We are helping people belong to Christ and his family, to grow to become like Christ, and to make a difference in service to Christ. In order to help belong to Christ, we have to share the message of the love of Christ. The message of God's love does people no good if it is not shared with them (John 3:16, Romans 10).

John 3:16-17 says, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” Romans 10:13-14 says, “For 'Everyone who calls on the name of the LORD will be saved.' But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them?”

Because we have received the message of God's love, and because it has changed our lives, we must join in the cause of sharing the message with those who have not yet heard or responded. Some of you are doing this very well, but we all need to pitch in in this endeavor as a church.

A. Mark 1:33, 1:37, 2:2, 3:20 – Jesus did not have a problem drawing a crowd. Even today, when Jesus is at work in a community and in people's lives, it should draw a crowd, because many people are hungry for the kind of forgiveness and grace and leadership that Jesus offers. As one person is positively affected by what Jesus is doing, they go and tell someone else, and before long, a crowd is gathered.

B. Mark 1:44, 7:36 – Some who were healed were told not to tell, but they told anyway. Jesus was more concerned with changed lives than he was with attracting and entertaining a crowd. False teachers and miracle workers would be in it for the crowd. Jesus was in it to serve people, not entertain a crowd. In fact, the crowd hindered his abilities to move freely. Some who told not to tell told anyway. We have been told to tell, and yet we do not.

The great thing about this is that you can be yourself and still be a witness for Jesus Christ. And God will help you when you become afraid (and you will). He's far more interested in reaching your neighbor than even you are!

A. Peter's confrontational approach (Matt 16:15, Acts 2:14). This is what we usually think of when we think about evangelism, but it is only 1 style, and if it is not yours, don't worry about it!

B. Paul's intellectual approach (Acts 17:15-34). He engaged an intellectual and religious community by asking about their altar to the “unknown God,” and he reasoned with them and explained to them the God that could be known. Again, if this is not your style, fine. Whether it is or isn't, get used to the fact that people will ask you questions you can't answer! That's OK.

C. The blind man's testimonial approach (John 9:25). Jesus healed a man who was born blind, and the blind man said, in essence, “I don't know much, but I know I used to be blind, and now I can see, because of what Jesus did.”

E. The Samaritan woman's invitational approach (John 4:28-30). After meeting Jesus, the Samaritan woman went back to town and invited people to come and see Jesus for themselves. Barna's research shows that 1 in 4 of your friends would accept the invitation to go to church with you (Hybels, p. 129).

F. Dorcas' service approach (Acts 9:36). Dorcas (Tabitha) was known for doing good and helping people. Research indicates that this kind of evangelism makes the biggest difference. It is not a contract with people - “We'll serve you if you trust Christ.” Instead, we are simply expressing the love of Christ and inviting people to respond to him.