At YWAM Lancaster, being a bold gospel witness is one of our four core values. As with any ministry, we have values for a reason: they are things we delight in and deem as important! They help keep us on track with our goals, align us with the Lord, and remind us of who we are as a ministry. It’s part of our DNA.
When becoming friends with someone, you can often determine quickly if their values align with yours. Even unknowingly, people often reveal their values through their actions and conversations. Similarly, if a value is truly important in ministry, it will be evident and memorable.
Being a bold gospel witness is something we value highly. But what does it actually mean to be one? Let’s break it down.
What does it mean to be a Bold Gospel Witness?
Being a bold gospel witness might seem the least natural of all our values on paper. It means to boldly proclaim to others what you have witnessed and experienced through learning about and following Jesus Christ. What have you learned from the gospel of Jesus? What have you witnessed Him do in your life and in the lives of others?
Although it shouldn’t be so difficult to share, culture often encourages us to stay silent and keep our beliefs to ourselves. Contrary to this worldly belief and expectation, the Bible provides numerous examples of bold gospel witnesses stepping out and speaking up. Here are a few of those examples:
Biblical examples of a Bold Gospel Witness
Jesus is the ultimate example of a bold gospel witness. In Matthew 28, before His epic ascension to return to His throne, He instructs His disciples to go and make disciples of all nations. This command came after a period when the disciples were hiding in fear—a tendency they might have been tempted to fall back into. By sending them out, Jesus demonstrated that they could be bold for Him.
In Acts 2, soon after Jesus’ death, Peter courageously stood up and addressed a crowd who had mistaken a movement of the Holy Spirit among the disciples for drunkenness. Peter boldly corrected them and shared the truth about Jesus, leading to about 3,000 people being added to the number of disciples that day.
The story of Stephen is one of the most powerful accounts in the Bible. If you want to witness boldness in action, this is a story to explore. In Acts 7, despite knowing that his words could lead to persecution, Stephen, filled with the Holy Spirit, boldly declared the truth about Jesus to an audience of supreme religious leaders who were actively opposed to the gospel. Ultimately, this event led to Stephen losing his life. Yet, even knowing the risk, he remained unwavering and continued to proclaim the truth.
Paul, another prominent figure in the book of Acts, was once a fierce persecutor and enemy of God, actively opposing Christ’s followers. Before his personal encounter with Christ, he boldly acted on behalf of evil. However, after discovering that Jesus is the Messiah and the true living God, Paul allowed the Holy Spirit to guide him through any circumstance—whether into danger, imprisonment, or beyond. He shared his transformation story with many and did not keep the gospel of Jesus to himself despite knowing that it would lead to further persecution.
Legends. We can often idolize people from the Bible for their boldness, but we, too, can share with boldness!
Working the Muscle
As with many things that don’t come naturally, sharing the gospel often requires practice. It’s similar to going to the gym and working out the same muscles: it can be extremely uncomfortable and sometimes even painful, but with consistent effort, your muscles grow stronger.
Many people have experienced painfully awkward moments when sharing the gospel with strangers. It can be especially challenging if you’re an introvert or prefer staying within a familiar circle. However, as you continue to practice and grow in sharing, you’ll build a rich history with God and develop meaningful stories of your own.
Why is evangelism so important?
There is an undeniable reality: one day, everyone will face death. Heaven offers an eternity of life with Jesus, our King. However, there is a flip side: many may miss the honor and joy of this eternal life if they aren’t told about it. Imagine sitting through an entire game without understanding the rules or purpose behind it.
This is life without knowing Him. He is the core reason we’re alive. Knowing that people can go through an entire lifetime without realizing this purpose is heartbreaking. This is why we boldly share. Our compassion for the lost and our simple act of boldness could impact eternal life.
In some seasons, compassion and a desire for the lost might easily and naturally overflow, compelling us to speak out. In other seasons, it is a choice we must make, even when it seems difficult.
Story from YWAM Lancaster staff:
I remember a season of life when I felt as if I was waiting for someone to invite me into a lifestyle of evangelism. I wanted someone else to initiate it because stepping out on my own felt too scary. Then, a shift happened. This was around a time when I was fasting and spending significant time with the Lord. Although I can’t recall the exact sequence of events, I do know that one day, I made a decision to step out. Sure, I was afraid, but there was something happening in that season that compelled me to talk to people about Jesus anyway.
Time with Him changed everything. The closer I got to Him, the more real He became to me, and the more heaven felt tangible while the things of earth became less intimidating. I didn’t dwell on the awkwardness of the situation or what might go wrong. All I knew was that I loved Jesus so much and felt His love and longing for others. So, I had to tell them.
I started by saying something simple: “Jesus sees you, and He loves you.” I had shared similar messages before, but this time, the response was different—perhaps because I truly believed it and wanted them to know. Person after person looked at me with tears in their eyes and thanked me for taking the time to tell them.
I have learned that there is no formula for being a bold gospel witness except spending time with God. It is only from that place that we can share the gospel with a genuine heart’s desire to see others come to know Him. We share what we have.
What is produced when we share the gospel with others?
So, you see, sharing the gospel can have a significant impact on people’s lives. Even if the immediate result is simply making someone pause to hear something good, that in itself is valuable. They might go home and share the encounter with their family, creating a ripple effect.
At the very least, you’ve caused someone to think about something they hadn’t considered before. At best, you might lead someone to encounter the gospel’s truth and surrender their life to the Lord, joining us in eternity.
Whether the outcome is small or significant, it’s worth stepping out and being a bold gospel witness. Remember, God can accomplish more through your small acts of obedience than you might ever realize!
Are you ready to step out in boldness and share the gospel? Join our Discipleship Training School, and be equipped to make an eternal impact! Learn more here.
