What is an evangelist?
‘How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news.’ – Isaiah 52:7
Equip the body for the work of ministry
There has been little debate in the church over the fivefold ministry of the evangelist. After all, who could debate the need for salvation and people turning to the Lord?
The role of an evangelist
What is the role of the New Testament Evangelist? As all the other fivefold ministries, the role of the evangelist is to equip the body for the work of ministry and to co-work in bringing the body of Christ to attain the unity of the faith.
Timothy, Philip… and the ‘Four Evangelists’
Traditionally the Gospel writers have also been referred to as the ‘Four Evangelists’ and the Apostle Paul encourages Timothy to do the work of an evangelist. Timothy however did not have the fivefold office of an evangelist. Interestingly, in the New Testament, Philip is the only one who is explicitly named as an evangelist (Acts 21:8).
What are they graced to do?
The evangelist is marked with the grace to clearly explain the gospel and with that, bring people into a relationship with God and the way of salvation.
The office has a strong emphasis on communication, and is often marked with healing and deliverance (Acts 8:7).
Supernatural
The Holy Spirit directs this ministry, even to the point of supernatural relocation, as demonstrated by Philip, who, after effectively sharing the gospel and baptising the Ethiopian Eunuch, was immediately transported to continue his evangelistic work (Acts 8:39-40)!
A catalyst for growth
The evangelist is the most outward looking of the Fivefold and is a catalyst for growth, they ensure that the declaration of the gospel remains central to the church’s mission, stirring a passion for outreach and equipping the entire body of Christ to participate in winning souls.
Bringing many to faith
I’ve known evangelists who can walk into a room and immediately locate those who don’t know the Lord, engage them in conversation and bring them into a place of knowing the Lord.
Some have a grace for a large crusade gatherings, like Reinhard Bonnke and Billy Graham and others, to write courses and training material that equips the wider body to share the gospel. The Alpha Course has been run in tens of thousands of churches of all denominations worldwide, leading millions to faith and providing a framework for churches to engage in evangelism and discipleship.
One of the greatest miracles we will ever witness
We need more evangelists and those, like Timothy, who do the work of an evangelist. What a privilege to lead people into the place of knowing the Lord – possibly one of the greatest miracles we will ever witness.
By Simon Baddeley, Filling Station Regional Consultant for South West England, co-leader of our online training sessions (Equip & Empower) and also our Prophetic Mentoring Course, All Shall Prophesy.
Join our Evangelism Training!
Join Laura Brett, our Evangelism Consultant, on Monday 14th July 2025, 7:30 – 8:30pm.
Register HERE.
