The spiritual gift of evangelist is the Spirit-given ability to communicate the Good News of Jesus Christ to those who do not yet believe in a clear, compelling, and Spirit-led way. Evangelists are specially burdened for the lost and are energized by sharing the gospel and inviting people to respond.
Scripture lists evangelists among Christ’s gifts to the church:
“It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets,
some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers…”
—Ephesians 4:11
We see this gift in action in Philip the evangelist (Acts 8; Acts 21:8) and in Paul’s charge to Timothy:
“Do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.”
—2 Timothy 4:5
All Christians are called to share the gospel, but evangelists are those who are especially effective, persistent, and gifted in doing so.
“Incidentally, the evangelist in his proclamation may teach and do the work of a pastor, but his primary message centers in the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ, His coming again, and the need for all men everywhere to repent and believe.” (Graham, 181)
What Evangelists Do
The evangelist’s primary focus is bringing the gospel to unbelievers. They:
- Seek out those who do not know Christ
- Build relationships with people far from God
- Clearly explain the message of salvation
- Invite people to repent and believe
- Help connect new believers to a church where they can grow
It is not the evangelist’s job to convert anyone—that work belongs to the Holy Spirit. Their job is to faithfully present the message and extend the invitation.
Their ministry often takes place outside the formal structures of the church—in homes, workplaces, public spaces, and everyday life—yet always in partnership with the local church.
Makes Way for the Pastor
Once the evangelist has proclaimed the Good News and people respond in faith, shepherds/pastors/teachers step in to:
- Disciple new believers
- Teach sound doctrine
- Help them mature in Christ
- Integrate them into the life of the church
This highlights the key difference:
- Evangelist’s primary message: Come to Christ
- Pastor/teacher’s primary message: Grow in Christ
Both are essential and complementary. The evangelist often “opens the door,” and the shepherd/teacher helps new believers walk further in.
Evangelists may also use their own story—like Paul did in Acts 22 and 26—to connect with unbelievers. God often uses their past struggles, failures, or dramatic conversions as bridges into the lives of others.
Characteristics of the Evangelistic Gift
People with the spiritual gift of evangelism often:
- Have a strong burden for those who are far from God
- Think naturally about opportunities to share Christ
- Are comfortable initiating spiritual conversations
- Communicate the core gospel (sin, cross, resurrection, repentance, faith) clearly
- Are persistent and patient with people who are resistant or skeptical
- Are willing to go into uncomfortable or unreached spaces
Graham notes that evangelists “speak to the will of someone to believe and their intelligence; [evangelism] may or may not produce emotion.” (Graham, 181)
Evangelists aim not to stir mere feelings, but to present Christ in a way that speaks to both heart and mind.
Cost and Spiritual Warfare
Those with this gift often demonstrate:
- Sacrifice and empathy for those not following Christ
- Courage, enabled by strong faith, to share in hostile or indifferent environments
- “Thick skin”—they accept rejection and ridicule without giving up
- Awareness that they are frequently under spiritual attack and in need of continual prayer
They especially need the church to:
- Pray for their protection and boldness
- Support them as they go
- Help disciple the people they reach
Historical Perspectives on Evangelism
Martin Luther
Luther saw the proclamation of the gospel as central to the church’s mission. He believed:
- Evangelism is an essential work of the church
- The Spirit gives some believers a particular ability to communicate the gospel effectively
- Preaching and personal witness both matter
- All believers share some responsibility to bear witness to Christ
For Luther, the gift of evangelism served the core Reformation conviction that people are saved by grace through faith in Christ alone—a message that must be continuously proclaimed.
John Wesley
Wesley placed evangelism at the heart of the Methodist movement. He emphasized:
- Both personal witness (how believers live and share their faith)
- And public preaching (open-air preaching, large gatherings, etc.)
- The necessity of personal conversion and a living relationship with God
- That evangelism is not just getting people into church, but leading them into a real encounter with Christ
Wesley believed that all believers should share their faith in ways that are authentic, compassionate, and effective, while recognizing that some are especially gifted as evangelists.
The Catholic Church
The Catholic Church understands evangelism as a charism—a grace of the Holy Spirit given for the good of the Church and the world.
Key emphases:
- Evangelism is essential to the Church’s mission: bringing the Good News of salvation to all people
- The laity have an important evangelistic role in daily life
- Public preaching and teaching are also vital, especially by those formed and trained for that ministry
- Evangelism must be in harmony with Church teaching and lived out in charity and unity
People With This Gift Often…
- Feel deep compassion and urgency for people who don’t yet know Christ
- See opportunities for spiritual conversations where others see “just normal life”
- Are led by the Spirit to seek out unbelievers
- Speak clearly and persuasively about the gospel
- Use their own story to connect with others
- Are willing to go wherever needed—not tied to one place or comfort zone
- Live with great faith and courage
- Face frequent spiritual and emotional opposition and benefit from strong prayer support
- Are “thick skinned” enough to handle rejection without losing love for people
Bible References
| Acts 9:1-19 | Paul’s conversion |
| Acts 14:7-21 | Paul and Barnabas evangelize |
| Acts 21:8 | Mention of Philip the evangelist |
| 1 Corinthians 1:17 | Paul’s mission |
| 1 Corinthians 2:1-5 | Paul’s words come from the Spirit |
| 2 Corinthians 3:7-18 | Paul talks about how within the Spirit of the Lord there is freedom |
| 2 Timothy 4:3-5 | People will turn away from the truth |
| Ephesians 3:1-13 | Paul’s mission is to preach to the Gentiles |
| Ephesians 4:11 | Evangelism is noted as a greater gift |
| Colossians 4:2-16 | Paul’s instructions; pray that “God may open a door for our message” |
| 1 Thessalonians 2:1-6 | We speak to please God, not the people |
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- Graham, 180-184
- Hodge, 224-226
- Zondervan, 443-444
Other Greater Gifts
- Spiritual Gift of Apostle
- The Spiritual Gift of Prophet (Prophecy)
- The Spiritual Gift of Shepherd/Pastor (Pastoring / Elder / Shepherding)
- The Spiritual Gift of Teaching
