Torch, Spring 1981

1 " I I I ... vangelism is more than people receiving Christ as their Savior in the Sunday services. Evangelism is more than going out into the community on Thursday night visitation. Evangelism for the conscientious Christian must be a lifestyle. There is certainly cause to rejoice in the churches where believers are bringing the lost to services and where people are responding to the preaching and the invitation. In almost every growing, effective, evange– listic church in the country there is an effective visita– tion program wherein the pastor and people are busy spreading the "good news" door-to-door. In the early church we are told that "daily were added to the church such as should be saved ." Obviously , this was not the effort of a few . Every Christian was com– municating to others what he had received by the grace of God. Their confidence was in the fact that what the Spirit of God had wrought in their lives through the truth of the gospel could be effective for others. They said: "We cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard." For them, it was not primarily pulpit evangelism; rather, it was evangelism from the pew. That was the way they attempted to reach their world for Christ. One cannot help but ponder the impact on today's 4 1/2 bil– lion people if we were to use the example of the early brethren in reaching our world. If the church is going to be successful in reaching the lost multitudes, I am convinced that each of us must be– come involved. Thus, each morning we should look to God seeking His divine appointments for us that partic- Evangelism– A Lifestyle by President Paul Dixon ular day. We must then be alert to buy up these oppor– tunities He provides. Our weekly schedule should include some plan to spenp time with those people who need Christ. Perhaps an invitation to a meal at our home or to attend an athlet– ic contest or some other special event will set the stage for the working of the Holy Spirit in that person's life. For this to happen, evangelism must become a priority in our lives . Some months ago a Christian businessman died sud– denly . At his funeral a preacher invited all in attendance who had been led to Christ by this man to stand to their feet. More than 200 stood! Surely, evangelism was a lifestyle and priority for this person. Indeed, evangelism is important at Cedarville Col– lege. And this is why we have selected this topic as our theme for this issue of our TORCH magazine. We trust you will find the articles uplifting and helpful in your own personal life. At Cedarville College we count it a privilege and an immense responsibility to prepare young people for their personal role in God's plan of evangelism. As a Christian liberal arts college, our objective is to educate the whole person- spiritually, intellectually, physical– ly, socially, and culturally. We desire that each student leave us after graduation committed to evangelism and discipleship. Although this involves students who will end up in pulpit ministries, it also includes the countless others who will be involved in business, medicine, edu– cation, law, counseling, and many other vocations. John R. Stott said, "God sent his Son- then God sent His Spirit- now God sends His saints." D