Why I Usually Avoid Door-to-Door Evangelism

Some Christians are reluctant to share the gospel because they think it involves going door to door (as Jehovah’s Witnesses and Mormons are well known for). Unless the Lord directs me to somebody’s house, I avoid this type of evangelism. Usually, I find more receptive people in public places.

Nevertheless, I have gone out with a few door-knocking ministries. Twenty years ago, I attended a church in Northern Virginia that went to townhouse complexes on Saturday mornings and knocked on one door at a time. They were okay with me talking to people walking around or standing outside. I always had more salvations than everyone else who knocked on doors. 


Another time in Tennessee, I went with a church doing door-to-door ministry at a newer apartment complex. Because it was a weekday afternoon, most residents were probably away at work. I was also in a group of five people (evangelism works better in pairs or three people max). A man in my group named Lee encouraged me to knock on one particular door. A young woman named Ellen answered and prayed to receive salvation. After we went to another housing complex, Lee and I became a duo. He was okay with me talking to people outside instead of door-knocking. Six salvations resulted. That included a mother and her son sitting outside their home.


Now when strangers come knocking on my door, they become evangelism opportunities. Once I was at home about to have dinner with a friend when a vacuum cleaner salesman showed up. As I witnessed to him, I discovered that this man used to be in the ministry. Abuse from spiritual authority figures prompted him to back off from his calling. Fortunately, he was willing to pray with me and recommit his life to the Lord. We also prayed that God would lead him to the right church and restore his ministry. 


Another time, I was hanging out at a friend’s house when a Cub Scout and his mother knocked on the door. They were collecting cans of food. While my friend went into the kitchen to find something to donate, I ministered the gospel to the two. Both of them prayed to receive salvation.


A few months ago, a young man promoting a home improvement business stopped by the house I was staying at. I told him the homeowner wasn’t around and eventually asked for a flyer. That was after I ministered to Justin, who said he’s Catholic and thought being baptized made him a Christian. He thanked me after praying to get saved, receiving a gospel of John, and a pen from the church I attended.


I don’t want to discourage those of you who feel led by the Lord to do door-to-door evangelism. Some ministers have success reaching people that way. Once I read about an elderly woman who came close to hanging herself. She was interrupted when a boy knocked on her door and offered a gospel tract. She read it and got saved. 


Regardless of how you evangelize, the important thing is to get out there and fulfill the Great Commission.


“Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled.” - Luke 14:23

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