Little Preachers


Among the greatest tools for spreading the gospel is the printed page. I praise God for organizations like The Gideons who distribute Bibles throughout the world. Sometimes I give away their New Testaments to people who don’t have a copy of God’s word. Other times I give out gospels of John produced by the Pocket Testament League.

Still, I believe the greatest evangelism tool is a simple gospel tract. This handy “little preacher” is able to do what many of us often fail or are unable to do. Consider the following advantages of using gospel tracts…
  • The gospel tract never stumbles over words or forgets important Scriptures.
  • The gospel tract can be given during extremely brief encounters (when making a purchase, passing someone on the street, etc.).
  • The gospel tract never gets sidetracked or caught up in an argument. It just gives the message of salvation, plainly and clearly.
  • The gospel tract is never intimidated or fearful.
  • The gospel tract is never tempted to compromise the message of Christ.
  • The gospel tract can wait on someone’s door until they get home.
  • The gospel tract can be left in public places and wait until someone’s curiosity causes them to pick it up and read it.
  • The gospel tract never gets tired and gives up.
  • The gospel tract never gets discouraged or disheartened.
  • The gospel tract is inexpensive to produce.
  • The gospel tract travels easily in letters, purses, and pockets as it goes into communities we could never personally reach. 
  • The gospel tract will speak over and over when read and reread, whereas our verbal witness is usually only heard one time. 
Adolf Hitler’s personal bodyguard came to Christ as a result of reading Dr. Ford Porter’s famous tract “God's Simple Plan of Salvation.” After Hitler’s death and Germany’s defeat in World War II, Kurt Wagner’s life was in shambles. Everything he had owned was gone. Everything he had believed in was destroyed. With his life ruined and his future bleak, Wagner wandered the streets of Frankfurt penniless, hungry, and downcast. With thoughts of ending his life ringing in his mind, he turned into a YMCA for a free meal.

Wagner sat down in a chair and happened to pick up Dr. Porter’s tract printed in the German language. As he read the tract over and over, deep conviction set in. Wagner sought out a godly pastor who then led him to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. His life was transformed and eventually became a pastor himself.

No doubt stories like this are more than we could ever document. Communists and cults are aware of the power of the printed page and use them to advance their poisonous ideas. 

It seems like such a simple thing to hand someone a gospel tract or leave one in a restroom, on a table, in a waiting room or phone booth. We will never know this side of heaven how God will use our efforts to get His word to lost sinners unless we step out. Only eternity will reveal the exact number of souls saved and lives impacted by these “little preachers.”

Prayerfully consider setting a goal to give out a certain amount of gospel tracts. It wouldn’t take much time and effort to give out at least three tracts a day. By consistently doing so, you would reach over a thousand people within a year. All of us can do that regardless of our age or background. 

The “little preacher” will remain faithful and true presenting the gospel beyond our circle of influence…but only if we give Him out and make Him available.

“How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher?” - Romans 10:14

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The Gospel Soul Winning Script

Image
During my early days with evangelism, I developed an approach called the Survey Technique . By asking short direct questions, you can maintain control of the conversation and find out quickly what a person’s spiritual beliefs are. Although the Survey Technique has helped me lead thousands to the Lord, I’m still open to utilizing new methods in reaching people with the gospel. Rodney Howard-Browne 's ministry uses a tool called the Gospel Soul-Winning Script , which originated during their Good News New York campaign in 1999. I became familiar with it a few years later during evangelism outreaches with Rodney’s church in Tampa, Florida. At first, I resisted using the script. I found it restrictive and thought sinners wouldn’t be receptive to me reading the whole thing to them. Then while taking part in a 2009 outreach with Rodney’s ministry in Washington, D.C., my team leader asked me to “stick with the script.” Wanting to maintain unity, I complied with his request. Initially it fe...
Read more

Toking the Ghost Revisited

Image
Back in February 2007, a fellow missionary I was traveling with started talking about “smoking the weed from heaven.”   He would pretend to have a joint of marijuana between his fingers and have “smoke breaks with Jesus.”   He also encouraged other believers to take “hits.”   I was a bit uncomfortable with this idea but didn't contest it. Then in October of that year, I heard John Crowder preach on “toking the Ghost” at a church in my hometown of Fargo, North Dakota.   I was inspired to make a video with John to share with my missionary friend.   During the filming, I experienced much laughter. I decided to make the video public figuring other people might enjoy it also. Two weeks later at a church in Minnesota, I heard Benjamin Dunn share testimonies of people getting healed from “toking the Ghost.”   This was just before he and John Crowder started ministering together.   I believed this was God confirming His word in the mouth of ...
Read more

A Tribute to Al Best

Image
October is Pastor Appreciation Month. This tribute is for one who went home to be with the Lord last Sunday. Al Best oversaw Light in Anoka Church in a northern suburb of Minneapolis. Originally from Florida, Al first gave his life to the Lord at 17 but then backslid. Meanwhile, he served 21 years in the Navy and worked various jobs. That included selling Rainbow vacuum cleaners. I would eventually get to know his sales manager. Eric Gonyon became an associate pastor at Rodney Howard-Browne ’s church (I usually attend services there when in Tampa).  A few years after recommitting his life to the Lord, Al became a pastor. In 2007, the Lord directed him to head north to Minnesota, where his wife Jean is from. First, they ministered in the small town of Dassel. What started as a youth mission transitioned into regular services for all ages. Then in 2016, Al and Jean moved to Anoka to take on a church originally called New Day Fellowship. To counter the city’s motto as the “Hallowee...
Read more