This month I was asked to be on the advisory board of the Next Generation Alliance (NGA), an organization dedicated to helping evangelists. Over 700 evangelists from a broad spectrum of Christianity are members of the NGA. By serving on this board, I will be able to encourage and train evangelists. Because of this new opportunity, your support of our ministry will be multiplied in a mighty harvest of souls around the world.
Daniel King Showing Luis Palau
a picture of the Kid’s Fest in Juarez, Mexico
If you are an evangelist, I encourage you to join the NGA. Click here for more info. The Next Generation Alliance is led by Evangelist Luis Palau, who is known as the Billy Graham of Latin America. When I was fourteen years old, he came to Juarez, Mexico to do an evangelistic festival. I was invited to minister to 7,000 children at his KidsFest. It was partially his example that put the dream in my heart to be an evangelist.
Luis Palau shared a powerful message on evangelism recently. He read from 1 Corinthians 9 and made three big points.
- WOE to me if I do not preach the gospel!
Paul writes, “For when I preach the gospel, I cannot boast since I am compelled to preach. WOE to me if I do not preach the gospel!” (1 Cor. 9:16)
What drives this idea of “WOE?” We feel “WOE” because we do not want to make God upset. We feel “WOE” because our hearts are moved with compassion for the lost. We feel “WOE” because we know the losses are only a footstep from hell.
As an evangelistic ministry, we feel compelled to preach the Gospel. We preach the Gospel because we love the lost. We will not give up preaching the Gospel no matter how hard it is or what obstacles we face.
- We are called to WIN souls.
Paul continues, “I have made myself a slave to everyone, to WIN as many as possible. To the Jews I became like a Jew, to WIN the Jews. To those under the law, I became like one under the law…so as to WIN those under the law. To those not having the law, I became like one not having the law…so as to WIN those not having the law. To the weak I became weak, to WIN the weak. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some. I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.” (1 Cor. 9:19-23)
Five times in this passage, Paul mentions the word “WIN.” He says he wants to WIN as many souls as possible. He becomes all things to all people so that he can save people from hell.
The word “WIN” implies warfare. Evangelism is the epitome of spiritual warfare. When we preach the Gospel, Jesus is the winner and the devil is the loser. Winning is important to God.
As evangelists, we use our words to persuade people. We can never have enough converted. We still have more people to reach for Jesus. We are in a battle and we want to WIN the fight for every soul!
- We are called to RUN for a prize.
Paul writes, “Do you not know that in a race all the runners RUN, but only one gets the prize? RUN in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not RUN like someone running aimlessly…” (1 Cor. 9:24-25)
Four times, Paul mentions the word “RUN.” We RUN to get a prize. Paul preached for a reward. The Lord motivates the soul winner with the promise of a reward.
An evangelist is always on the RUN. We are in a hurry. We RUN to the next place to preach the Gospel. We RUN as fast as we can because time is passing quickly. When God opens up a door, it is important for us to RUN through the door before the door closes.
We need to take advantage of open doors. We do not dare give up preaching no matter how hard it is. We continue to RUN because there is an everlasting crown that is waiting for those who WIN the lost.
So, in 1 Corinthians chapter 9 we find these three important words: WOE, WIN, RUN. Today I encourage you with these three sentences that motivate me:
WOE if we preach not the Gospel.
WIN as many as you can.
RUN through every open door.
Thank you so much for all you do to help us to WIN souls and to RUN to the nations! You are so valuable to us and we appreciate you.
Excited About Reaching the Lost,
Daniel King
P.S. In a few short weeks, we leave for our next Gospel crusade in the Buddhist nation of Burma (Myanmar). We still need funds to pay for this outreach. Will you help us rescue people from hell with the Good News of Jesus Christ? I’ll be waiting to hear from you. Thank you for your generosity!
