Gathering the Harvest

"Are you willing to do contact evanglism?" "Are you willing to teach students contact evangelism?"

Over six months ago, I came across these questions on my application for InterVarsity staff. The answer didn't require much thought because I knew, as all good staff applicants know, "yes" is the only appropriate answer. Perhaps if the question had asked, "Are you willing to do contact evangelism today?" or "Are you actually going to participate in contact evangelism on your campus?", I would have thought longer about my answer.

Today I came face to face with those questions as we were sent out to do contact evangelism as part of our training as new staff. Of course they would do something like this -- backing up our answers to that application question with a real life challenge. Most of my experiences with evangelism includes relational evangelism, proxe stations (where people come to you), and preaching situations. Never, ever, have I shared the Gospel with someone who I approached and who I would never meet again.

Fast forward several hours. My partner Alex and I are at a park in downtown Madison. After having five fairly unproductive conversations, we are ready to leave the park and start heading back toward the hotel. Our path back goes right by a bench, and a man who had not been there before now sits alone and unoccupied. As far as we are concerned, there really isn't a much better candidate, so we decide to talk to one last person before moving on from the park.

"Hi we are with InterVarsity Christian Fellowship and today we are talking to people about identity. Would you be interested in talking with us?"

"Sure," he says hesitantly. And introduces himself as Cory.

As we proceed, the man begins chuckling to himself. Is he making fun of us? We continue nonetheless.

He explains that he is unemployed and has come to the bench to think about... his relationship with God... and how he feels separated from Him. A former heroin addict, he feels unworthy and ashamed; he feels like there are so many barriers he needs to take down in order to be a Christian. Well, it just so happens that the story we are sharing today is the prodigal son. And to him it sounds very familiar.

As he reads the story, he begins chuckling again. You see, he is thinking this is a set-up (and says so out loud). It is too much coincidence. And quite frankly, I am amazed myself. God had pursued this man relentlessly, even to the point of having two out-of-state strangers approach him at a park.

We share the Gospel story with Cory and I ask him, "Have you ever made a commitment to following Jesus?" No. There have been barriers. He still has questions. Alex shares the story of Peter stepping out of the boat and onto the water... "Would you be willing to step out today and believe?"

"Yes." The heavens rejoice, and we rejoice with them.

I feel ashamed that my view of God had been small. God is faithful when He sends us out. He goes before us and behind us. It really has nothing to do with our abilities, only our obedience. One of our trainers, Ram, told us that our unwillingness in this day and age to do evangelism is not a fear problem, it is a compassion problem. If we really had compassion on those around us, it would move us past our fear.

Are you willing to do contact evanglism? "Yes." Are you willing to teach students contact evangelism? "Yes." Will you do contact evangelism on your campus this year? "Yes."