Shotgun Salvations


When doing the work of an evangelist (2 Timothy 4:5), our job is to share the gospel and lead sinners to Jesus if they are ready. One fellow evangelist I met at a luncheon last weekend asked if I do what she called “shotgun salvations.” A few other believers have suggested I spend more time ministering to each individual. I beg to differ.

Usually, I don’t witness to someone for more than two or three minutes, but there have been exceptions. One time at the University of Minnesota, I led a team that spent forty-five minutes ministering to a teenage girl who was homeless. She eventually prayed to get saved. A teenage girl on my team then felt led to give her coat to our new sister in Christ (it was a bit cold outside).


Another time at North Dakota State University in Fargo, I chatted with a young atheist for about ten minutes. He wouldn’t pray with me but God kept giving me things to say to him. It was a seed-planting opportunity. One thing you want to watch out for is individuals who waste your time by bringing up repeated objections or defend a doctrine you don’t agree with.


Evangelism is often called “fishing for men.” When you catch a fish in the natural, you’ll want to reel it in immediately. If you leave a fish dandling on your hook too long, it might get away. The same thing could happen when sharing the gospel. I’ve seen Christians take too long in witnessing to a sinner who was ready to get saved, but then a distraction came up like a ringing cell phone.


Other times I’ve seen sinners get saved moments before their bus showed up. That’s one reason why I’m a firm believer in using gospel tracts. The back of the ones I use remind new believers of the importance of praying, reading the Bible, and going to a good church. Sometimes I won’t have time to tell them those things verbally.


Before ending the conversation with people I prayed with, I ask them if they have any questions or need prayer for something else. Most of the time, they say, “No.” At this point, I’ve done my job as an evangelist. How much they want to grow in the things of God is up to them. It’s their responsibility to find a pastor for further discipleship.


In our fast-paced society, a soul winner should be quick and effective in ministering the gospel to people they meet on the streets. A long sermon wouldn’t work in this case.


“Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching.” - 2 Timothy 4:2

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