Articles
THE WORK OF AN EVANGELIST
Among the individuals listed by the apostle Paul to help in “equipping the saints for the
work of service” (Ephesians 4:11-12) is the evangelist. The evangelist is also recognized as a
“minister” (1 Timothy 4:6), the “Lord’s servant” (2 Timothy 2:24), and a “man of God” (1
Timothy 6:11). His task is to preach the gospel. Yes, the minister can be found visiting the sick,
involved in benevolence, counseling individuals struggling in life, officiating at funerals and
weddings, but the main task is to be about preaching the gospel.
Timothy was instructed by the apostle Paul to “do the work of an evangelist” (2 Timothy
4:5). In the verses prior to this command, Paul states clearly, “Preach the word; be ready in
season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction” (2 Tim.
4:2). In his letter to the church in Rome, Paul gives answer to the need for evangelists or
ministers. “How then shall they call upon Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall
they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher?
And how shall they preach unless they are sent? Just as it is written, ‘How beautiful are the feet
of those who bring glad tidings of good things’” (Romans 10:14-15)!
I have been fortunate to have been raised in a family whose father was a gospel preacher.
I doubled my blessings when marrying into a family whose father was a gospel preacher. I have
been involved in preaching the gospel to some extent for about 40 years. No, not everything
about preaching is wonderful. There are times of frustration and discouragement. The apostle
Paul also shared the struggles he had in regards to the concerns for the church (2 Cor. 11:28). As
I grow from day to day, I am beginning to understand more clearly how he must have felt. And
even though there are other things I am qualified to do, I cannot think of anything I would rather
do with my life, than serve the Lord in the capacity of an evangelist!
There was a time when our young children in Christian families would be encouraged to
pursue the work of an evangelist. We need to instill that desire in our children again. I fear the
reason we may steer our children (even discourage them) is because of our pursuit of material
wealth and ease. But in so doing, we have diminished the number of faithful ministers in the
church today. I pray that we may encourage our young boys to be leaders in the church. If not
ministers, then elders, deacons, Bible teachers, and leaders in worship. It is not enough to
encourage with words. Dads, we need to be about showing them by accepting those same
leadership roles. May our young boys grow up ready to “do the work of an evangelist”!
~P. Mowrer
