Once, we took our son to see the Rose Bowl Parade. Before start time, an unofficial parade-before-the-parade began. A group of “Repent or go to hell” sign carriers walked the route, shouting through bullhorns, “Confess your sins or go to hell.”
A man sitting near us started heckling them. Then one of the sign-carriers took offense and yelled back at him through his bullhorn. Soon, a tense in-your-face screaming match began. It was a teachable moment for our son—a real-life example of what not to do as Christ’s ambassador.
Sadly, the sign-carrier embodies what many people think of evangelism today. Just the word “evangelism” is loaded with negative connotations of pushing one’s agenda onto other people like this sign-wielding man.
Unfortunately, the cancel culture we’re living in is a reaction to some zealous people like this who may have overstepped boundaries in the past. Now in an effort to not “push” their faith on people of another faith, many Christians aren’t sharing their biblical faith at all. In fact, according to a Barna study, almost half of practicing Millennial Christians now believe it’s “wrong to share one’s personal beliefs with someone of a different faith in hopes that they will one day share the same faith.”
Yet we can and should persevere and share our biblical faith in loving, respectful ways. In fact, immigrants, international students and refugees who come to this country typically already assume you are Christian. They may even be disappointed if you held back from sharing what you believe. A Muslim friend recently confided, “If Christians really believed their faith, more would be talking about it.”
If you know you should be sharing your faith and want to practice good evangelism, listen to this episode of iHOPE Empowers on the Charisma Podcast Network. You’ll be inspired by how religious freedom in America opens doors for you to share your faith. Plus, you’ll be energized with practical, real faith-sharing stories that you can replicate for your family.{eoa}
Karen Bejjani is the co-founder and executive director of iHOPE Ministries, a non-profit ministry that is changing the way Christians think about sharing their biblical faith with people of other faiths. Since 2011, iHOPE has empowered tens of thousands of Christians with the courage, confidence and know-how to cross religious boundaries and extend God’s transformative love. As a fearless, relatable visionary and empowering coach, Karen has trained, coached and mentored thousands of entrepreneurs to build successful businesses while a senior corporate executive. Now she uses those same strategic skills to catalyze everyday Christian women to cross religious boundaries to share their faith. Karen champions iHOPE Ministries’ women’s initiative called the Blue Cord. Her powerful stories and practical coaching have catalyzed believers around the world to change lives for eternity. When she’s not empowering others to cross religious boundaries to share Jesus, Karen spends her time hiking forests and enjoying good Lebanese food with family and friends.
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