The Reluctant Evangelist: Moving from can't and don't to can and do

by Richard Coekin

Indeed, this is a book by someone who has been a reluctant evangelist. Some years ago, before I was a pastor and church-planter, I managed to invite a friend I’d known at university called Rachel to come to a guest service at my church in London. When I phoned to remind her to come, her flatmate Sarah explained that Rachel had gone away for the weekend with friends. “Why, what were you inviting her to?” she asked. “Oh, nothing much,” I replied, feeling embarrassed. “No really,” she insisted. “Where were you going?” “Oh, just church—don’t worry about it,” I mumbled. “Oh great—can I come instead?” said Sarah brightly. So she came to church that Sunday, and when the evangelist finished preaching, he asked if those who wanted to become Christians would come to the front of the congregation to be prayed for. To my complete shock, Sarah stood up and walked down to the front to become a Christian!