The Role of the Evangelists in the church and the decline of the church with the absence of the Evangelists.

The Urgent Need of the Evangelist in the Local Body In today’s rapidly changing world, where darkness seems to increase and many hearts grow cold, the Church must return to one of its most essential and often neglected gifts, the evangelist. The local body of Christ cannot fully function in its divine assignment without the active presence and operation of the evangelistic ministry. The evangelist is not an optional role it is a divine necessity.

1. The Evangelist Is a Gift to the Church Ephesians 4:11, 12 (AMP) “And [His gifts to the church were varied ] and He Himself appointed some as apostles… some as evangelists… to fully equip and perfect the saints (God’s people) for works of service…” The evangelist is a gift given by Christ to the Church for the purpose of quipping believers and expanding the Kingdom. While many local churches focus heavily on pastoral care and teaching, the evangelistic dimension is often underdeveloped. Without it, the church becomes inward-focused instead of mission-driven. The evangelist brings balance.

2. The Evangelist Carries the Fire for Souls. That's the primary burden of the evangelist soul winning. They carry a divine urgency, a burning passion to see the lost saved. Luke 19:10 (AMP) “For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.” This same mission lives inside the evangelist. When the evangelist is active in a local church: Soul-winning becomes a priority, outreach becomes intentional The church grows spiritually and numerically. Without the evangelist, churches can become comfortable, stagnant, and disconnected from the harvest.

3. The Evangelist Activates the Church to Witness An evangelist does not just win souls, they train others to do the same. 2 Timothy 4:5 (AMP) “…do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.” This command was not only for Timothy, it reflects the heart of God for every believer. The evangelist: Imparts boldness, trains members in personal evangelism and demonstrates how to share the Gospel effectively. The result? A church that multiplies, not just gathers.

4. The Evangelist Breaks Spiritual Apathy Many believers struggle with fear, complacency, or lack of urgency when it comes to sharing their faith. The evangelist carries a grace that confronts and breaks this apathy. They stir the church out of comfort and into action. Like a spiritual alarm, the evangelist awakens the body to the reality of eternity— heaven and hell are real, and souls hang in the balance.

5. The Evangelist Brings Revival and Fresh Fire Throughout history, every major move of God has been marked by strong evangelistic thrust. Cities transformed, Nations awakened, Multitudes saved. When the evangelist is given room in the local church: revival fire is ignited, passion is restored. The presence of God intensifies Evangelists carry revival DNA.

6. The Evangelist Connects the Church to the Harvest Field. The Church was never called to stay within four walls, Matthew 28:19 (AMP) “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations…” The evangelist pushes the church outward Into communities, Into streets and into nations. They remind the church that the mission is not maintenance but it is multiplication.

7. The Danger of a Church Without Evangelism. A church without evangelistic focus risks:

• Spiritual stagnation

• Declining growth

• Loss of Kingdom impact

• Becoming inward and self-centered.

The early Church grew because evangelism was central, not secondary.

Conclusion: Restoring the Evangelist to the Local Church. The local body must recognize, receive, and release the evangelist. This is not just about having someone who preaches salvation messages, it is about restoring a divine function that fuels the Great Commission. A healthy church must have: Apostolic vision, Prophetic direction, Pastoral care, Teaching Foundation and Evangelistic fire. Without the evangelist the Church loses its edge. With the evangelist the Church becomes a force.

Call to Action! It is time for pastors and leaders to create space for evangelistic ministry. Train believers in soul-winning, organize outreach consistently partnering with evangelists and for every believer to make soul-winning a lifestyle, not an event.

Final Charge! The harvest is ready, the world is waiting. The time is now! Let the evangelists arise in the local body and let the Church burn again for souls.