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Ephesians 4:11-12 indicates that all evangelists are given to equip the saints for the work of the ministry. Along with a reaping ministry, evangelists are used by the Spirit of Jesus to prepare the Church in its witness for Christ, giving information, illustration, and inspiration.
There are, however, a broad array of evangelists and evangelistic styles. Some evangelists are effective communicators through their preaching, writing and use of mass media. Some are used of God to support the work of evangelism with their gifts of administration, personal work, resource development and management. Though an evangelist, D. L. Moody spent a significant amount of his time and energy the last 20 years of his life raising funds and starting four schools to train workers in evangelism. Some evangelists are tremendous musicians.
The question to ask yourself is whether the Spirit of God is using you to bring in the harvest. If the answer is yes, to whatever degree, then you are part of the evangelistic work.
Many are called to work with the evangelist or an evangelistic ministry in strategic and fruitful roles. Cliff Barrows serves along with Billy Graham. Phil Comer, Dave Luben and other musicians serve alongside Luis Palau. Music evangelists such as Jeff Moore equip the Church for evangelistic ministry and effective preaching of the gospel in their music-oriented ministry. Youth With A Mission uses multiple musicians, actors and power teams to present the gospel in a variety of ways as they preach Christ worldwide. God has given to the Church many who have a calling for evangelism, many who are anointed evangelists, and many who are workers in evangelism. As the Church accepts, affirms and supports this host of workers ministering for the Church, we will see a growth unparalleled in human history
God has given evangelists, pastors who do the work of evangelism (see 2 Tim. 4), all believers as witnesses (see John 15-16; Acts 1:8) and many as workers (Matt. 9:37-38), along with the host of workers to whom the Lord Jesus Christ also assigns areas of specific ministry in evangelism (see 1 Cor. 12:4-7). Believers are not only gifted by the Holy Spirit but also given specific ministries in which to use those gifts.
For example, some are called to evangelize children, such as Mark Thompson and Christian Holtz, who are part of the Next Generation Alliance, or those who serve with Child Evangelism Fellowship. These men are evangelists who have a unique passion and effectiveness in reaching children for Christ. Other ministries such as Youth for Christ, Young Life, and Intervarsity Christian Fellowship focus on reaching the youth (13 to 21 years of age). Many who identify with these ministries have a special assignment from the Lord to work with the younger generations. Some are called to work in the recovery movement, chaplaincy ministry or the military. So along with gifting, one needs to identify and focus on the specific areas of ministry. For some, such as Luis Palau, the field of service is the whole world.
Evangelists are the "sales force" for the good news. This worldly metaphor may carry some negative baggage, but in fact, that is how God uses evangelists. They communicate clearly and convincingly that Jesus is the way, the truth and the life. They help those without Christ confront their need for the Savior and embrace the One who can deliver them from themselves. Evangelists who love the Church will serve the Church as reapers in the harvest.
