Missio Colonia | Kevin and Kathi in Cologne, Germany

Kevin: A friend of mine told me a story last night about a missionary she knows in London. She related how the man had come to faith after living an outrageous wild lifestyle. After his conversion, he threw himself into ministry and began sharing his faith boldly. He would stand up in the middle of a crowded streetcar and start talking about Jesus. He moved to London and opened up a pub and through this has been able to reach so many. And people were coming to the Lord through him! He was a Soul-Winner.

I want to be a Soul-Winner. I don't know how you become one, but I want God to use me in that way. Unfortunately, the questions that dominate writings about missions and evangelism have to do with culture and context. What's the best method for sharing the Gospel with post-moderns? Is relationship evangelism the way to go or is proclamation better? What sort of nice, pretty packages can we wrap the Gospel up in to make it appealing to people today? That seems to be the attitude underlying most of that conversation. But is that not the "human wisdom" and "wise and persuasive words" that Paul talks about in 1 Corinthians 2:4? I hate to be sounding too radical here, but doesn't real Soul-Winning come through boldness and the Spirit's power?

That's not to say God doesn't use all of those evangelistic methods to save the lost. Most people who ascribe to those methods and philosophies would declare first and foremost that evangelism is the work of the Holy Spirit. But, how do you move from evangelistic methods to Soul-Winning, from cautious and timid encounters to people coming to faith through boldness and power?

I don't know. I know for certain though that I don't have it in me. Another aspect of the man who my friend told me about was that he was persecuted...I mean persecuted. He has been beaten, mocked, threatened, and cursed. He had to pay for his boldness. But, the reward has been people coming to faith. I want the reward without the sacrifice. I short, I fear. But, 1 Corinthians 2:1-4 give me hope. Paul says that he came to Corinth "in weakness and fear, and with much trembling". And yet, God still used him.

We're going to Germany with much trembling. I'm afraid that my weakness and my lack of boldness will hinder any impact we could have possibily had in Cologne. But, my one prayer to Jesus has been: Lord, I pray that our ministry in Germany would be a ministry not of fancy packages, timid encouters, or "wise and persuasive words" but one of power and boldness. I come to you as one who is not bold, not powerful, not capable. Meet us in our weakness, and transform us into Soul-Winners.