Indonesian Impression Journal (JII)

Vol. 4, No. 1, January 2025

p-ISSN: 2828-1284 e-ISSN: 2810-062x

Website: https: //rivierapublishing.id/JII/ index.php/jii /index

Doi: 10.58344/jii.v4i1.6287

1097

dannysumarauw@gmail.com1, herybudiyosef@gmail.com2, endangpasaribu262@gmail.com3,

guntursilaban@gmail.com4

Keywords

Abstract

Evangelism, Christian

Theology, Church

Growth, Church Mission,

Discipleship

Evangelism is one of the fundamental aspects of Christian theology that

evangelism contributes to the growth of the church. In addition, the study

also identifies evangelistic strategies that are relevant to the global

context and challenges of the church today. This study uses a qualitative

approach with a literature study method. Data were collected from a

variety of academic sources, including theological journals, missiology

books, and Bible studies. The analytical techniques used are descriptive-

qualitative, which aims to understand the relationship between

evangelism and church growth based on relevant theological and

empirical sources. The results of the study show that evangelism has a

significant impact on the growth of the church, both in terms of the

research contributes to the development of a more contextual and strong

theology-based evangelistic strategy. The church in the modern era

needs to adapt a more inclusive and digital-based approach to

evangelism without eliminating its theological values.

Correspondence Author : David Neyland Sumarauw

E-mail: dannysumarauw@gmail.com

INTRODUCTION

conversation in various global contexts. In this modern era, the dynamics of evangelism face

challenges from secularization, religious pluralism, and technological advancements. Bosch

(1991) in Transforming Mission emphasized that evangelism needs to undergo a paradigmatic

transformation in order to respond to the needs of the times. In line with that, Mello & Martince

G, (2022) underlines the role of social media as an increasingly effective evangelistic tool in

reaching the global community.

the gospel throughout the world (Matthew 28:19-20, New Bible Translation, LAI). Wagner

(2003) in Church Building Strategy emphasizes that without strategic evangelism, the church

will stagnate. Salukhu (2020) added that a multicultural strategy in evangelism can be a

solution for the church in facing the challenges of ethnic and cultural diversity.

church growth. Huston (1984) in Crusade Evangelism and Local Churches examines the

effectiveness of mass evangelism in attracting new congregations, while Sampitmo (2017)

explores evangelistic theology in the perspective of the Old Testament and New Testament.

Laia, (2019) in her research on evangelism in the Nias Islands shows how a contextual approach

and academic literature. Analyze the influence of evangelism on church growth in the modern

context. Develop evangelistic strategies that are relevant to the global and specific challenges

facing the church today. Thus, this research is expected to contribute to the church in

developing an evangelistic strategy based on strong theology and contextual with the times.

RESEARCH METHODS

Type of Research

Sampitmo (2017), evangelistic theological research can be analyzed through written sources,

both from the Bible, academic journals, and related literature. Therefore, this study will explore

Research Approach

strategies in the context of the modern church. Halim (2003) mentioned that the Jesus

evangelism model can be applied in various cultural contexts and times, so this study will

analyze approaches that are relevant to the current state of the church.

Population and Sample

growth. The samples used were scientific journals, theological books, and the New Translation

Bible.

Data Analysis Techniques

process includes:

With this method, the research is expected to provide a deeper understanding of

evangelism strategies in the context of the church today and its implications for congregational

growth.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Evangelism in the Old Testament

evident in how God called Abraham and also how God dealt with the Israelites until the Savior

came later in life. In the Bible it is said that humans are given a cultural mandate by God. God

4:4, Matthew 1:21, 1 Tim 2:25). The deliverance that God planned to do through the Lord Jesus

Christ. From this promise of deliverance, God's power of deliverance is revealed, in which He

continues to deliver man from sin until His power of deliverance culminates in the sacrifice of

Jesus Christ.

New Testament albeit in different terms. Abraham's calling was as it is said in the book of

Genesis" "The word of the Lord to Abraham: Go out of your land and from your relatives and

from your father's house into this land that I will show you; I will make you a great nation and

give you and make your name famous and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who will

bless you, and I will curse those who curse you, and by you all the nations of the earth will be

that in Old Testament times, there was no gospel message as a covenant in the context of the

New Testament. The words spoken by the prophets in the Old Testament actually radiated a

testimony of God to the nations around Israel. That is what it says that evangelism in the Old

Testament is centripetal (toward the center), while New Testament evangelism is centrifugal

(out of the center).

Evangelism in the New Testament

from the beginning of Jesus' coming and ministry on earth and his climax at the crucifixion.

Then through His teachings or His sermons always speak of the kingdom of God or evangelism.

am sending you" (John 1:14). 20:21 But you will receive power, if the Holy Spirit descends

upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and Samaria and to the

mission, affirming that: "The dynamics (power/power/authority) of God's mission is His

mighty and great POWER, which is in His sovereign self". Therefore, the source of the

contextual mission dynamics is the Triune God.

First: God is the source of mission. From a mission perspective, God the Father is the primary

source of mission. Mission is God's heart. This is known as "Missio Dei" (God's Dispatch).

This means that God took the initiative to send Jesus Christ to this world to carry out His will,

because God wants sinners to be saved and have the eternal life that God provides for those

source, initiator, dynamic and implementer and fulfillment of His mission. He was the Great

Envoy. He is also the alpha (the first) and the omega (the last) of His mission. Thus, missions

are conceived by God, born of God, nurtured by God, carried out by God and fulfilled by God.

The target of God's mission is sinful humans. The motive of God's mission is love for God's

sake.

1) God the Father existed before everything existed. The heavens and the earth, including

humans, were created to honor God. 2) God the Father created everything in a very good state.

As a creator, He does not want anyone to live outside of a relationship with Him. 3) God the

God called Abraham and the nation of Israel to be a blessing to all nations throughout the world

(Genesis 12:1-3). 8) God the Father, who is just and holy, punishes man honestly. 9) God the

Father sent His Only Begotten Son as the Savior of mankind. (John 3:19) This is the greatest

sacrifice of God the Father for mankind". This misio Christie ( Messenger of Christ) means

Jesus Christ as the person who took the initiative to send His disciples to make others His

disciples. (Matthew 28:18-20; John 20:21 – 23). Missio Ecclesiae (Mission of the Church)

means the church as the initiator to send or send missionaries better known as evangelists to

preach the gospel of Jesus Christ. (Acts 13:1-3).

Second: Jesus Christ: the example of mission. "As thou hast sent me into the world, so I have

sent them into the world" – John 17:18. David Livingstone, in his perspective on the stagnation

until the end of time. Once it grows, of course, the church will evangelize. "From this statement,

it is implied that "Allah has only one plan to bring shalom to man and all of His creation". The

presence of the Lord Jesus Christ on earth is proof of God's faithfulness in fulfilling His

promises (Genesis 3:15; Compare: 1 Timothy 2:5; Galatians 4:4; I John 2:1-2)". 1. The Lord

Jesus Christ was a missionary sent by God the Father; 2. The Lord Jesus Christ is the perfect

Missionary; 3. The Lord Jesus Christ is a complete, holistic and perfect Missionary; fourth, the

Lord Jesus Christ is a Missionary with the primary task of bringing shalom to sinful man and

all His creation; 4. The Lord Jesus Christ is the Perfect Example in carrying out the mission of

God the Father.

Third:

Holy Spirit: mission power. When we think of missions, we often associate missions with

pay much attention to the work of the Holy Spirit in world missions. The Holy Ghost is the

Mission Driver. In Acts 1:8 it says: "But you will receive power, if the Holy Spirit comes upon

you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria and to the ends

of the earth." The Holy Spirit was promised by the Lord Jesus before ascending to heaven so

that His disciples would be His witnesses. Without being moved and led by the Holy Spirit,

His disciples cannot witness God's love and glory throughout the world. The Holy Spirit

determines the strategy and speed of evangelism. The Holy Spirit moves people to wait until

the most opportune time (kairos in the NT) and He also leads His disciples to go and preach

so that they can understand and repent of their sins – Acts 2:4-11, 41. In addition, the Holy

Spirit always equips missionaries with what is needed when faced with the reality of difficulties

(Stephen) to speak" – Acts 6:10. Just as the Holy Spirit anoints the Lord Jesus, He also enables

His disciples for every type of missionary service, as revealed in Luke 4:18: "The Spirit of God

is in me, holistic missionary service encompasses all aspects of human life. Restoration and

transformation are not only in the spiritual realm, but also include physical life (social, political,

economic, etc.). Jesus showed that in His life of service. The Spirit of God anoints Him,

revealing what kind of service is done to the community. The Holy Ghost is the Missionary

Messenger. The Holy Spirit also knows which Christians are suitable to be sent "out" of their

rather they were actively involved as senders of the two servants. Antioch, as a missionary

church, is an example in mission history not to maintain their good energy and leaders, but to

be willing to send them and obey the Holy Spirit.

Evangelistic Methods

implement evangelistic strategies to individuals and groups who do not yet know Jesus Christ.

In its development, various models of evangelism have emerged in response to different

cultural, social, and theological contexts around the world. Over time, these models have

become an important tool in directing the church's mission and helping believers understand

how best to share the gospel message with the world.

the midst of their community. In this introduction, we will explore several different models of

evangelism, taking into account the theological foundations, practical strategies, and global

mission implications of each.

expand the vision and mission of the church, increase the effectiveness of evangelism, and

empower believers to be witnesses of Christ in every aspect of their lives. Thus, this

introduction will help us prepare to learn more about the different approaches and strategies

for spreading the good news of the gospel to a world in need.

Gospel of Luke

1. Personal Evangelism

message, which is about the Kingdom of Heaven or the Kingdom of God. Jesus did not wait,

but Jesus sought out sinners and met them personally. In addition to meeting them personally,

Jesus also cared about sinners because Jesus loved sinners, but Jesus hated sin. So evangelism

is focused on sinners who need to be saved. In addition, in His missionary ministry, Jesus also

healed illnesses individually, praying for His disciples and others. Because the key to the

success of evangelism is prayer. Prayer is an intimate communication with God, which Jesus

did in His ministry. In addition, Jesus cast out the demons of one man. In the Gospel of Luke,

have to think about answering the teacher's questions."

3. Visit

This method means that Jesus visited the target mission. There are three things that can be

described in this passage, namely: Jesus' coming into the world is God's visit to sinful man;

The Lord Jesus does evangelism by visiting His targets; Jesus did not just wait for people to

come to Him, but He went in search of the lost.

4. Examples of Spiritual Discipline

sinning, never deceiving himself, not retaliating when reproached, patient in threats,

surrendering to God's will, exemplary in righteousness.

witnessing the message of the Gospel delivered orally, but the lifestyle and deeds in daily life.

Being the salt and light of the world in terms of acts of love, holiness and obedience to God

becomes the light of truth that emanates from his life.

Jesus' Evangelistic Method in John 4:1-42

Samaritan woman lived. Avoiding others, feeling rejected and humiliated. For this reason a

preacher needs to find out about information on needs related to social, friendship and

economics and so on, so that through that the gospel can be easily preached to those who do

not believe.

2. Building Friendships

friendships with people he had never known before. So before Jesus evangelized this Samaritan

woman, Jesus first built a friendship, so that there was an openness to each other.

3. Involve Others

5. Reconstructing the Understanding of Trust

According to Tenney, the misconception is that "our ancestors worshipped on this mountain,

but you say Jerusalem is a place of worship." Jesus leads directly to a sense of trust, by

correcting this misunderstanding. Jesus began with the beautiful phrase: "To know the true God

is to know Him in spirit and truth." There is no need to go to the mountains to seek Allah, for

Allah is Spirit, and it is impossible for man to touch or make Him ablution to worship.

6. Restoring the wrong way of life

of a previous experience. In addition, Jesus also built his view of worship to God. In this way,

the Samaritan woman realized that she was communicating with the Messiah that the Israelites

7. Preaching Jesus as the Messiah

life, Jesus did not immediately instill the Jewish concept of the coming of the Messiah as king,

but Jesus slowly conveyed according to the woman's concept and understanding of the

"Messiah" as she replied to Him: "I know that the Messiah is coming who is also called Christ;

when He comes, He will preach all things to us". In preaching the gospel, the essence of the

message is about the person of Christ as the way of salvation. He is the only one who can

guarantee the salvation of every believer in eternal life.

shared the results of a study entitled "Applying the Evangelism Model in the Present", namely:

1. Interpersonal Evangelism Model

communication, understand interpersonal communication and apply interpersonal

communication. A good model of interpersonal communication can be observed when Jesus

answers, He says: "Verily I say to you, unless a man is born again, he cannot see the kingdom

of God." So Jesus' evangelism of Nicodemus was so communicative in an interpersonal way,

marked by a conversation so clear or detailed, in which Jesus stated that rebirth is the process

of seeing the kingdom of God and is spiritual in nature so that it can see the kingdom of God.

2. Personal Evangelism Model

for you, Fourth: we must accept Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord by inviting Him personally,

so that we can know and experience God's love and plan for our lives. The four spiritual facts

in question are: First, sin and its punishment, Second: human effort, Third: Jesus is the way,

Fourth: Accepting Jesus. Furthermore, AMAKI stands for Grace, Man, God, Christ, Faith. And

Wordless Books are colored paper without the slightest word. These colors include: gold,

black, red, white and green.

3. Mass Evangelism Model

community en masse. This can be done in the form of a Resurrection Service (KKR). In the

KKR, after the Word of God has been preached, it is usually accompanied by miracles such as

healing, inner healing, deliverance from the entanglement of evil spirits and the challenge of