26 & 27 Jul 2025 (Pastoral Page) JESUS’ STRATEGY FOR EVANGELISM

By Asst Ps Patrick Chan Yin

As we emphasize outreach and evangelism as a church this month, have you ever wondered what Jesus’ strategy for evangelism in the first place is? How did He go about telling people about the Kingdom of God and about Himself?

When we think of “strategy,” we often think of carefully mapped-out plans, corporate programs and events, or measurable KPIs. But Jesus, the ‘Master Evangelist,’ demonstrated a strategy for outreach that was deeply relational, counter-cultural, and Spirit-empowered. His method was not mechanical but profoundly intentional. If we are to follow in His footsteps as a church, especially in a time when many are searching for hope and truth, we must recover and re-embody the simplicity and power of His approach.

Let us consider a few key elements of Jesus’ outreach strategy, as revealed in the Gospels and fleshed out in the early Church.

1. Incarnational Presence: Living Among the People

John 1:14 says, “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.” This is where Jesus' outreach begins – not from a distance, but by stepping into our world. He didn’t wait for people to come to Him in the synagogue. He went to where they were – along the sea shores, in the streets, in homes, at wells, and even at parties. He entered the rhythms and messiness of ordinary life.

Jesus’ presence was His first evangelistic act. He chose proximity over position. He didn’t separate Himself from the broken, the poor, the sinners, or the outcasts. Instead, He befriended them. He spent time with them. This was revolutionary then, and it still is now. For us as a church, this means we must go beyond the walls of our church building and bring the presence of Christ into our neighbourhoods, schools, campuses, workplaces, and online spaces.

2. Relational Discipleship: Investing in the Few for the Sake of the Many

Jesus' most effective outreach strategy was to make disciples. Not just crowds but committed followers. He first chose twelve disciples, and among them, He deeply invested in three – Peter, James, and John. This was not accidental. Jesus knew that multiplying disciples would extend the reach of the gospel far more than mass events.

This is why He calls us not just to make converts but disciples (Matthew 28:19–20). Discipleship is slow work. It requires walking with people, teaching them, correcting them, and modeling a life of obedience. But it is Jesus’ way. Churches who focus on relational discipleship become communities of transformation that naturally bear witness to Christ.

3. Compassionate Action: Meeting Needs with Love

Jesus didn’t only preach; He healed the sick, fed the hungry, and delivered the oppressed. In Matthew 9:36, we read, “When He saw the crowds, He had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.” Compassion moved Him to action.

In today’s world, especially, outreach must include both word and deed. A gospel without love-in-action is a muted gospel. When we care and feed the poor, visit the sick, help the marginalized, or serve our communities during times of crisis, we make visible the invisible love of God. Outreach is not just an event – it’s a lifestyle of radical, everyday compassion.

4. Gospel Proclamation: Speaking the Truth with Grace

While Jesus showed love through action, He also proclaimed the good news boldly. He declared, “The time has come... The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news!” (Mark 1:15). Jesus was not shy about calling people to respond to God. He spoke with clarity, conviction, and grace.

In our increasingly pluralistic society, we may feel pressure to be silent. But Jesus shows us that truth and love must go together. Our calling is not just to be kind, but to speak the hope of the gospel - the forgiveness of sins, the promise of new life, and the coming kingdom of God.

5. Empowered by the Holy Spirit: Dependent, Not Self-Driven

Jesus' public ministry began only after the Spirit descended on Him (Luke 3:22), and we are told that He was “full of the Holy Spirit” as He was led into the wilderness (Luke 4:1). Later, He in turn told His disciples, “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses…” (Acts 1:8).

Jesus did not operate independently. He modeled what it meant to be led by the Spirit. For our evangelism to be fruitful, we too must pray, wait, and be filled with the Spirit. Techniques can help, but only the Spirit transforms hearts. Our outreach must be birthed in prayer and sustained by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Jesus’ “strategy” for evangelism was not a program – it was a way of life. He modeled incarnational presence, relational discipleship, compassionate action, truthful proclamation, and Spirit-led dependence. If we, the Church, embrace this model, we will become not just event organizers but kingdom ambassadors. This is not to say that we should ignore completely the church’s evangelistic plans, programs and events. They still serve its purposes. Like getting everyone involved as a church.  But we also need to take a good look at each of our own lives and see whether we are really modeling and pointing people to Jesus.

May we go where Jesus would go, love as Jesus would love, speak as Jesus would speak, and serve as Jesus would serve. And in doing so, may the world see not just a church doing outreach, but a people embodying the good news of the kingdom.

Let’s live His mission. Let’s walk in His ways. Let’s be His witnesses. 🙏

Source: Robert E. Coleman, The Master Plan of Evangelism