“Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went.” Acts 8:4

“Evangelism” is a bit of a dirty word in the Church. In conjures up all kinds of images from people knocking on doors or standing in the streets to being asked a question they don’t know the answer to. Evangelism can be scary. Especially when we see the broken world around us and think we have to save everyone. The problem is, if we think we have to save everyone, chances are we won’t save anyone. And if we think we have to share the Gospel everywhere, we won’t share the Gospel anywhere.

There is a difference between “everywhere” and “wherever.” The early Christians who were scattered because of persecution didn’t share the Gospel everywhere – each scattered shared the Gospel wherever they were. Everywhere gives us a heavy burden that produces guilt when we don’t lead people to Christ. “Everywhere” is when you spend five minutes with a nonchristian and your Christian friend says, “Did you witness to them?”

“Wherever” means that God can use you where you are. “Wherever” is that moment when a door opens to talk to your friend about your faith. “Wherever” is when your life of faith spills over into someone else’s life and a new disciple is born. And that is what the Bible talks about. That is how the Church as we know it has spread throughout the world! Each person of faith allowing their life to spill over into the lives of people they are already in contact with. No evangelistic program. No crusade. Not leaving evangelism up to the Pastor. Not standing on the street corner. Not going door to door. Just allowing God to use us “wherever” we are.

Last Sunday at Emmaus Road we launched our Spilling Over Initiative. We are inviting everyone to identify five people that they already have relationship with and make two commitments: 1) pray for those five people daily 2) invite those five people to church.

These people aren’t your next “evangelism project.” They aren’t a target. We are simply allowing our genuine love for God and our genuine love for people to spill over and allow God to work. Would you join us in this initiative? I hope you will.

To join the movement:

1. Identify five people who are already in your life that do not know Christ.

2. Write their names down on a piece of paper and put it in a place that you will see everyday (bathroom mirror, car, Bible).

3. Commit to praying for these five people daily. Invite them to your home church between now and Easter.

This is how the Good News spreads. This is how we change the world.