So Christ Himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip His people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up.
Most churches understand the importance of pastors and teachers. We need leaders who teach Scripture clearly, so people know what they believe and why they believe it.
But many churches overlook something crucial:
The evangelist is just as essential for spiritual maturity.
Emphasizing Evangelism
Biblical knowledge without evangelism can become stagnant. It’s like pouring milk into a sponge that never gets squeezed out. But when believers take in God’s Word and then share it with others, they come back thirsty to absorb more.
That’s where the evangelist comes in.
The role of the evangelist (a.k.a. outreach pastor, missions director, etc.) is to equip every believer to share the Gospel clearly and confidently.
When a strong preaching pastor, solid Bible teachers, and a committed evangelist work together, the church grows into full maturity. Remove the evangelistic focus, and churches often drift into spiritual stagnation or theological pride.
I’m grateful to be part of a church with strong preaching, faithful Bible teaching, and a passionate outreach pastor who’s equipping people to share their faith.
Elevating Evangelism
Pastors, elevate the role of the evangelist in your church. Make sure someone is actively mobilizing your people to share the Gospel.
Jesus said:
‘Follow me, and I will make you fishers of people.’
If we aren’t helping people fish for others, we aren’t fully discipling them.
Healthy churches prioritize both deep Bible teaching and active evangelism.
And youth ministry should lead the way.
Encouraging Evangelism
Young people who take risks, break rules, and drive us crazy at times, can be used by God to accelerate His Kingdom forward in fresh and exciting ways. What if we commissioned our teenagers as ambassadors of the Gospel (which they already are according to 2 Corinthians 5:20) and mobilized them to share their faith with their peers?
When this movement comes alive in your church, your congregation will never be the same. An on-fire youth ministry can become the thermostat for the rest of your church. They can set the pace for outreach, evangelism, and discipleship.
As a pastor, make sure you’re helping your youth leaders prioritize the right brand of youth ministry. The time is past for just fun, games, and a quick lesson. The time is ripe for teenagers praying together, learning together, and reaching the lost together.
I challenge you to think strategically about the youth ministry at your church. Don’t settle for the typical. Start the fire in your youth room, and let it set your whole church ablaze. Lead your youth leaders to lead the way.
If you want to see what that looks like, check out Dare 2 Share’s Energize Youth Ministry Conference. This national gathering brings together trusted Christian speakers to equip and encourage youth pastors and their teams to build transformational youth ministries.
Register at Energize2026.org.
