The Messiah gave the Church different types of ministries: Apostle, Prophet, Evangelist, Pastor, Teacher. (Eph 4:11; 1 Cor. 12:28-29).  In our day Pastors and Teachers seem to possess the mic and the stage, but I have known Evangelist and they are marvelous, or more accurately, the Spirit’s working in them is amazing.  I’m not referring to famous evangelists, but rather inconspicuous men who have a passion for sharing the goodness of God with others, as lead by the Spirit.  I mention the Holy Spirit because any true work of God is accomplished by and through the Spirit.

So, the crux of the matter and my central observation is the evangelization of a generation. Someone keeps naming each subsequent generation and characterizing them, which is rather interesting, but merely generalization and I suspect very inaccurate in substance.  It is the work of God in the individual heart that has substance and meaning. Men can no more reach a generation than they can cast a net into the sea and gather only one species of fish or simply fish.  The netting process can at times drag up numerous creatures that happen to get it its way.  But those who are acquainted with the scripture, may say, “Did not Jesus say, ‘I will make you fishers of men’.”  Most certainly, but He was talking about Evangelists, not their methods.

Another scholar of God’s word may say, “Were there not thousands added to the church at the preaching of Peter on the day of Pentecost.”  Absolutely, God is not restricted, but Peter’s message related to those gathered based on their shared experience of seeing and hearing Yeshua personally.  In the revival of the early 1970’s, labeled the Jesus Movement, God opened the eyes of many who came to faith and gathered together.  This was not the work of men, although men were used of God.  Moreover, distinctions of the movement did not draw thousands to God, on the contrary, the breaking down of denominational barriers, fresh Spirit-led praise and other freedoms in faith were the product of God’s work in the heart of individuals.  God knows the wheat from the tares, and He has an unlimited supply of seed to sow, broadcasting it far and wide seeking that it finds good soil and to bear a large harvest.  In Phillip we see the gifting of Evangelist, lead to individuals by the Spirit, proceeded by the word of God, and carried far and wide with the Good News. Do not mimic the world or its ways, God’s message should not be hawked like an “As seen on TV” product or “Get two for one, just pay additional  shipping and handling.”