Evangelism facts for kids
Evangelism is when Christians share messages about Jesus Christ with others. They do this with both other Christians and people who are not Christian. The main goal is to help people learn about God and find salvation, which means a forever connection with God. This practice follows a special command from Jesus, called the Great Commission. He told his disciples (followers) to share his message, as written in the New Testament (part of the Bible).
Christians who are good at evangelism are called evangelists. They might share messages in their local area or travel far away. Some Christian traditions see evangelists as important leaders. They often speak to large groups of people.
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Famous Christian Evangelists
Many people have become well-known for their evangelism over the years.
Evangelists from the Past
- Charles Finney was an evangelist in the 1800s. He was a key leader in the Second Great Awakening. This was a time when many people in America became Christians.
- Dwight L. Moody preached in the late 1800s. He also started a Christian school called the Moody Bible Institute.
- Aimee Semple McPherson preached in the 1920s and 1930s. She was a very popular speaker.
- Festo Kivengere was an Anglican Bishop. He preached in Africa in the mid-1900s and had a big impact.
- Billy Graham was a very famous evangelist in the 1900s. His son, Franklin Graham, continues to preach in the 2000s.
- Reinhard Bonnke (1940-2019) was an evangelist who mostly worked in Africa. He often spoke to as many as 100,000 people at once. Many missionaries are also evangelists. They share their faith and often help people in other ways too.
Evangelism can happen in many different ways. Here are some common methods:
Speaking to Groups
- Preaching is often done in churches or at special events. Famous evangelists can attract thousands of people to hear them speak.
Using Written Materials
- Literature helps spread the message. Small papers with a short message are called "tracts." Some Christians give these to friends or even strangers. Many books also share the Christian message. Some are clearly Christian, while others are more subtle. C. S. Lewis wrote many books in both styles. Translating and sharing the Bible is also a way of evangelism.
Talking One-on-One
- Personal Evangelism is simply when people talk to others about their faith one-on-one.
Using Media
- Radio stations often broadcast Christian messages.
- Television is used for sermons and shows with a Christian message.
- Film is another way to share. The movie "Jesus," based on the Gospel of Luke, is one of the most watched films ever. It has been translated into many languages.
- Christian Web Sites are often used for evangelism. Many churches have websites or social media pages with links like "How to find God."
Through Music and Arts
- Music can attract listeners to a message. Sometimes the song itself shares a Christian message. The song "Amazing Grace" is a Christian song that is well-known everywhere. The Salvation Army often uses brass bands playing in public. This helps them gather an audience to hear their message.
Helping Others
- Medicine is sometimes part of evangelism. Many hospitals were started by Christians. They wanted to help people's physical needs and show them Christian love. This often led patients to ask about life's meaning.
- Healing through prayer is sometimes used to get people interested in the Christian message. The Bible says Jesus often healed people. Some modern "faith healers" have been criticized for false claims. But this practice is still common in some churches.
- Social programs are used by many churches to help people. They provide food, clothing, and temporary housing. Some churches offer help without preaching. Others, like some "Rescue Missions," might ask people to attend a meeting to receive help.
- Education has historically been a tool for evangelism. Many famous schools were founded to spread the Christian message. However, many of these schools later became non-religious.
Most Christian groups do some form of evangelism. However, Evangelical and Pentecostal churches focus very strongly on this practice.
Images for kids
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Billy Graham speaking in Düsseldorf (1954)
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World Youth Day, an evangelistic event, in Copacabana, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in 2013.
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Passion Conferences, a music and evangelism festival at Georgia Dome in Atlanta, Georgia, United States, in 2013
See also
In Spanish: Evangelización para niños
