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Finding 'The One' and Returning to the Heart of Evangelism

Watch this video for a Practical Guide to Personal Connection in a Digital Age or read below:

 

In a world overflowing with digital connections and large-scale gatherings, it’s time to refocus on personal evangelism. Jesus provided a simple yet transformative blueprint—invest in individuals. Again and again, He paused for those the crowd ignored, extending hope and igniting lasting change, one personal encounter at a time.

  • Zacchaeus (Luke 19): Hidden in a tree, he was called by name and invited into a relationship, leading to transformation.
  • Bartimaeus (Mark 10): Despite the crowd’s objections, Jesus stopped and healed him.
  • Woman with the issue of blood (Luke 8): Jesus didn’t just heal her; He acknowledged her faith publicly.
  • The thief on the cross: Even in His final moments, Jesus paused to offer salvation.

These encounters underscore a key principle: Jesus’ ministry wasn’t about drawing the biggest crowd—it was about reaching individuals. Today, many churches have drifted toward strategies emphasizing numbers at the expense of meaningful, one-on-one connections.

Personal relationships are the cornerstone of real transformation. 

Large gatherings can inspire and unite, but they often lack the intimacy that helps faith take root. Two challenges emerge from our drift toward programs over people:

1. Believers are losing a sense of personal responsibility.

When the church emphasizes large-scale efforts, individual believers can feel absolved of their responsibility to personally share the gospel. Evangelism begins to feel like the job of the church staff, Sunday services, or organized outreach events, rather than a personal calling for every Christian. 

These statistics reveal a concerning trend:

  • 47% of practicing Christian millennials¹  believe it’s wrong to share their faith, reflecting a generational decline in personal evangelism.
  • 61% of Christians²  haven’t shared their faith in the past six months, and 48% haven’t invited anyone to church in the same timeframe.² 

These statistics highlight the growing disconnect between the church’s mission and the believer’s responsibility. When evangelism becomes institutionalized, it loses the personal, relational essence that Jesus exemplified.

2. Churches are coming off as impersonal to the world.

As the church focuses on crowds, it can unintentionally create a corporate, institutional image that feels impersonal to those seeking genuine connection. People aren’t looking for polished events or elaborate classes—they’re longing for relationships, authenticity, and community.

This desire for connection is supported by staggering statistics on loneliness:

  • 58% of Americans³ feel lonely, with young adults experiencing the highest rates of isolation. 
  • 38% of U.S. adults⁴  report feeling a lack of meaning or purpose in life, with many citing a desire for deeper relationships.

This loneliness epidemic isn’t just a societal issue—it’s a spiritual one. The mental, emotional, and spiritual toll of disconnection is staggering. Sadly, too often, the church’s well-meaning efforts can come across as transactional rather than transformative, leaving people feeling unseen.

If we are to follow Jesus’ example, we must recalibrate our focus and return to the heart of evangelism: finding the one.

This shift requires intentionality, both from individual believers and the church as a whole.

Here’s how we can start:

1. Cultivate Personal Responsibility

Evangelism is not a program; it’s a lifestyle. Churches must empower believers to see themselves as missionaries in their own neighborhoods, workplaces, and digital spaces. This involves teaching practical ways to build relationships, ask meaningful questions, and share faith naturally.

2. Prioritize Genuine Relationships

Instead of measuring success by attendance or event size, churches should prioritize fostering authentic community. Small groups, mentorship programs, and personal discipleship are more effective at building trust and connection than large-scale efforts.

3. Leverage Digital Tools to Build Trust

In an age where initial encounters often happen online, the church must use digital platforms to engage people personally. Social media, messaging apps, and personalized follow-ups can create pathways for deeper conversations.

Jesus’ mission was never about the crowds; it was about individuals. 

As His followers, we are called to reflect His heart—to stop, notice, and engage with the ones who are searching, crying out, or feeling invisible in the crowd.  


Footnotes:

  1. “Almost Half of Practicing Christian Millennials Say Evangelism Is Wrong.” Barna Group.
  2. “Churchgoers Believe in Sharing Faith, Most Never Do.” LifeWay Research.
  3. “Loneliness Epidemic Persists: A Post-Pandemic Look.” The Cigna Group.
  4. “Finding Meaning in Others.” Pew Research Center.