Extending Grace

The world, and especially the internet, seems to grow louder and more aggressive. Voices often clamor for attention and opinions clash like swords.  In this environment, it’s easy to forget grace.

Digital evangelism requires that grace is not a commodity to be selectively distributed, but a boundless gift to be freely offered to all who cross our digital paths. In fact, that spirit and approach is often what leads people to engage in active and authentic dialogue which opens the door to Gospel-centered conversation.

If a church is truly living out the Gospel, it would never turn away someone at the door because of their appearance, their past, or their challenging questions. We want to be known as places that welcome the lost, the searching, the skeptical, and even the antagonistic with open arms.  This is where we believe they will encounter the transformative power of Christ’s love. The same principle should apply to our digital spaces.

Every visitor to our websites, social media pages, and online conversations is a soul seeking something, even if they don’t articulate it clearly. Some come with the most basic need to talk with another human being that cares. Others bring genuine curiosity, eager to learn more about Jesus. Still others arrive with baggage, burdened by hurt, doubt, or misconceptions. Some may even come to argue, to challenge, or to provoke. Our response to each of these individuals should be grounded in grace.

In an online environment, grace means listening patiently to their questions, even if they seem repetitive or disrespectful. It means responding with kindness, even when faced with hostility. It means offering understanding, even when we disagree with their perspectives. It means refraining from judgment and condemnation, even when their behavior is obviously sinful. We do this better when we remember that we were once lost ourselves.

Some claim this can go too far and that we are endorsing sinful choices when we act this way. Extending grace doesn’t mean compromising our beliefs or condoning sin. We can still stand firm on biblical truth while simultaneously demonstrating compassion and empathy. In fact, it is often through our grace-filled interactions that the truth becomes most impactful. When people feel seen, heard, and valued, they are more likely to be receptive to the message of true hope in Jesus that we share.

Our digital presence should be an oasis of love and grace in an otherwise dark and often-harsh online landscape. We should be known not for our heated debates or our judgmental pronouncements, but for our unwavering love and our willingness to share the Good News to all who come seeking. By embodying the grace that has been freely given to us, we can create a welcoming and transformative space for everyone who encounters our message online.  This in how we pave the way for them to experience the life-changing power of the Gospel.

Active Listening: The Heart of Online Gospel Sharing

In the digital landscape of online evangelism, active listening emerges as a powerful bridge between technology and genuine human connection. Unlike traditional face-to-face ministry, online interactions demand a heightened sensitivity to nuance, context, and unspoken emotional currents.

Active listening in online evangelism is more than hearing words—it’s about creating a connection and space where seekers feel truly understood. This approach transforms digital conversations from transactional exchanges to meaningful spiritual encounters.

Active listening also requires radical empathy. When a seeker shares online, they’re often vulnerable and seeking genuine understanding. It may be the first time they are sharing their story with another person. Our responses must communicate that we hear not just their words, but the heart behind them.

This means reading between the lines and conforming what you think they are sharing. Online seekers might mask deep spiritual questions with casual language, personal struggles, or seemingly unrelated narratives. An attentive Responder learns to discern underlying tensions and emotions.

Here are a few practical strategies:

Reflect and Validate – Demonstrate understanding by carefully reflecting back what you’ve heard. Use phrases that show you’ve genuinely processed their message: “It sounds like you’re experiencing…” or “If I’m understanding correctly…”

Ask Thoughtful Questions – Open-ended questions invite deeper exploration. Instead of providing immediate answers, ask questions that help seekers articulate their feelings and expectations: “What makes you wonder about that?” or “How has this experience shaped your understanding?”

Minimize Theological Jargon – Online seekers often come from diverse backgrounds with varying levels of spiritual understanding. Communicate using simple and clear language that bridges rather than confuses or alienates.

Recognize Digital Emotional Cues – Without physical presence, we must become attuned to digital emotional signals—writing tone, response patterns, avoidance, and implicit hesitations.

Active listening is fundamentally a spiritual practice. It mirrors Christ’s approach of meeting people where they are, listening deeply, and offering transformative grace. Just as Jesus engaged the Samaritan woman at the well, understanding her unique story, online evangelism requires patient, compassionate presence.

This approach recognizes that the Gospel spreads not through argumentative proclamation, but through authentic relationship. Each online interaction is an opportunity to incarnate Christ’s love—to listen, understand, and gently reveal spiritual truth.

While technology provides unprecedented connection opportunities, it also presents unique challenges. Screen interfaces can feel impersonal, making intentional listening even more critical. Our digital responses must transcend technological barriers, communicating genuine human—and divine—empathy.

Active listening in online evangelism is an art of spiritual attentiveness. It transforms digital conversations from mere information exchanges to profound moments of potential transformation. By listening deeply, we create space for the Holy Spirit to work, trusting that genuine understanding often precedes genuine spiritual seeking. In a world of constant digital noise, true listening becomes a radical act of love—reflecting the heart of Christ.

Your Story Matters

Your story is a powerful weapon when sharing Jesus with others online. You don’t need a polished sermon, but the ability to authentically share your journey. People love stories and want to hear actual experiences of transformation that speak directly to their lives and hearts.

Personal testimonies cut through scripted answers and digital noise with genuine human experience. When you share how Jesus changed your life, you’re not presenting an argument – you’re revealing a living relationship.  People can debate historical accounts and belief structures, but they can’t argue your story.

Take confidence in the fact that you are not selling a concept but sharing your experience and a relationship. Your story becomes a bridge, inviting others to encounter the same grace that changed you. Here are some tips for how to best share your story.

Authenticity Matters Most – Be honest about the hard part of the story and your struggles. It is ok show vulnerability while sharing how real transformation occurred. God often brings us people that are going through similar hard times and will relate best to our journey.

Focus Your Story on Highlights – Refine your story so you can share it easily. You should consider including some brief context of your life before Christ.  Recognize what led to your spiritual turning point and share how your life changed afterward. Use the parts of your story that move others the most.

Structure Your Story for Digital Conversation – Use concise, relatable language that is easy to read on mobile devices. Break your story into digestible segments and not a long form narrative. Focus on both the personal transformation and emotional journey rather than  theological complexities.

Be Practical – Online testimonies work best when highlighting hope and healing.  They should  address universal human experiences and demonstrate Christ’s tangible impact in your life.  Use a conversational tone including specific, memorable details and avoiding Christian jargon.

Your testimony is more than personal narrative. It is evidence of God’s ongoing grace and redemption. Let your story become an invitation, showing others that spiritual transformation is real and accessible. Remember that you are not selling a concept but sharing a relationship. Use your personal journey as an invitation to others searching for hope and reassuring them that they can also experience the life-changing grace you found in Jesus.

Asking Good Questions: One of the Keys to Effective Evangelism

When sharing Jesus with others, asking thoughtful questions can open doors to meaningful conversations about faith. Good questions demonstrate genuine interest, create opportunities for deeper dialogue, and allow the Holy Spirit to work in people’s hearts.

Questions serve multiple purposes in evangelistic conversations:

  • They help build rapport and show that you care about the other person’s thoughts and experiences
  • They encourage self-reflection and can lead people to recognize their need for Christ
  • They reveal underlying beliefs, concerns, or objections someone may have about what you are sharing
  • People like to hear themselves talk so questions keep the conversation engaging and interactive rather than feeling like a lecture

Knowing it is important to use questions to connect, it is also important to use the right type of questions. Use open-ended questions that can’t be answered with a simple yes or no. We are trying to learn what’s in the seeker’s heart so we can determine the best way to connect.

Many people want to revert to “simple” questions like “Are you saved?” or “Are you Christian?”. These are actually not helpful if we don’t know what someone believes about being saved or whether they know what it means to be a Christian.

You should also ask clarifying questions to better understand someone’s perspective. Simple asking them to tell you more or help you understand what they mean opens the doors to better communication and understanding. You can also ask personal experience questions to learn about what they have gone through and what extent they have experienced something.

There is also a time for to ask thought-provoking questions that challenge assumptions.  These can be hard, so we need to know when to use them, but they also force honesty about the bigger questions of faith. Asking “If Christianity were true, how might that change your life?” can reveal exactly what someone is really seeking and whether they are serious about faith and truth.

Lastly, we encourage transition questions. These are questions that turn the discussion towards the Gospel and Jesus Christ. We should always be looking for natural opportunities to focus on where Jesus is in this person’s life and how we might share more. These questions can be as simple as “Who is Jesus to you?” or “How is Jesus transforming your life?”. 

Remember, the goal is not to get easy answers or win an argument but to lovingly point people to Christ. By asking thoughtful questions and genuinely listening, you create space for the Holy Spirit to work through you. As you practice asking good questions, you’ll likely find that sharing Jesus becomes easier and more natural.

Dealing with Worry and Anxiety

I don’t know anyone that has not worried or been anxious at some point in life. We live in a world filled with anger, brokenness and disagreement. Sometimes those feelings are directly related to our circumstances. Other times, those feelings are related to us listening to the enemy than God.

Our view of God and how we trust Him profoundly impacts how we experience and manage those feelings. The Scriptures provide valuable insights into these feelings and offer guidance on how our faith can shape our response to worry and fear.

We never want to minimalize someone’s feelings or offer one size fits all solutions, but we can remind people that they can choose what to focus on. We can focus on our problems or the corresponding promises that God gives us to address those challenges in life.

At the core of managing anxiety biblically is understanding God’s nature. The Bible shows us that God is all-powerful, all-knowing, and ever-present. When we truly grasp these attributes, it can significantly reduce our anxiety.

Isaiah 41:10 reminds us, “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God”. This promise of God’s constant presence can be a powerful encouragement to those struggling with anxiety.

Furthermore, trusting in God’s goodness and perfect plan for our lives can help alleviate worry. Jeremiah 29:11 assures us that God has plans to prosper us and give us hope and a future. When we help people internalize this truth, it becomes easier to surrender their anxieties to Him.

Jesus also taught that our anxiety often reflects misplaced priorities. In Matthew 6:25-34, He encourages us to seek God’s kingdom first, trusting that our needs will be met. This shift in focus from worldly concerns to spiritual priorities can significantly help others reduce anxiety.

Anxiety can also stem from a lack of trust in God’s wisdom and goodness. By cultivating a deeper trust in God’s character and promises, we can combat these feelings more effectively. Philippians 4:6-7 is a roadmap for doing that. This beautiful set of verses remind us:

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

All of this can be used to encourage others that our view of God significantly impacts our experience of worry and anxiety. By deepening our understanding of His character, trusting His promises, and aligning our priorities with His kingdom, we can find peace even in challenging circumstances. While anxiety is a common human experience, faith provides powerful tools to manage and overcome it. 

Lastly, struggling with anxiety doesn’t indicate a lack of faith. Even Jesus experienced intense emotions in the Garden of Gethsemane. However, He modeled for us the importance of bringing our concerns to God and ultimately trusting in His will. The more we encourage people to focus on God’s promises, the smaller those feelings of worry and anxiety become. As they grow their relationship with God, they can increasingly find rest for  anxious hearts in Him.

Knocking Down the Obstacles to Sharing

Very few people jump into evangelism of any type without some concern or trepidation. This is natural and the enemy wants to amplify those things to keep us from sharing the Good News. There can be many reasons why believers do not engage in evangelism, but they typically fall into four general areas:

  • We are fearful                                                                                               
  • We lack faith
  • We lack obedience
  • We lack knowledge

Fear often comes because we don’t believe we know what to do. We may be afraid to talk with someone we respect or love. We want to avoid looking foolish or offending someone. We may have even tried it, and it ended poorly so we give up for fear of becoming known as “that guy”.  We allow fear to cause us to forget that all we do in this arena is guided by the spirit and done in his strength.

Another inhibitor to sharing is a lack of faith in our abilities to “close the deal” or lead someone to Jesus. We aren’t sure we can get someone to believe, especially if they have a strong personality, so we skip it. This is wrong for numerous reasons. First, and most importantly, God brings about salvation and not us. Secondly, we are not measured on the results, but instead by the faithfulness of our effort. We should think of ourselves as His instrument and not the determining factor.

Yet another reason some do not share their faith is because they do not take the Lord’s command to go and make disciples seriously. Matthew 28:18-20 states: Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”  Scripture is clear yet we think it is best left for others.

The last common challenge is because we feel like we lack the knowledge to share the Gospel and we don’t know enough about the Bible or God. Those types of excuses create an unwinnable equation where you will never be ready. No one knows God completely or has all the answers. We trust the Holy Spirit to lead each conversation in truth and love. And remember that a question you can’t answer is an opportunity to look together in scripture for the answer.

Your journey and experience are your account of how God has worked in your life. There is no argument or debate about this. It likely has hard moments and failures as part of it. When you combine the truth of God’s Word with your own testimony it makes a compelling story that God can use. He redeemed us from brokenness so we can encourage others with similar struggles and stories. The Gospel message is one of grace and undeserved love that offers forgiveness. It need not be intimidating, complicated or overly difficult. Don’t let the lies of the enemy keep you from sharing the best news ever.

Preparing for Battle

Sharing the Gospel is rarely easy.  We live in a time where many are skeptical and have turned their backs on religion. As believers, we are called to spread the Good News of Jesus Christ to those around us. However, effective evangelism requires preparation and a thoughtful approach. We understand it is not easy and some will push back or be antagonistic. Preparing for this is like preparing for a spiritual battle since the enemy wants us to fail. There are several simple ideas and biblical principles that will help us do this more effectively.

Pray in Advance, During and After Each Conversation

Before engaging in any faith-sharing conversation, it’s crucial to seek God’s guidance and wisdom. Prayer aligns our hearts with God’s will. We should invite the Holy Spirit to supply the right opportunities and words to work through us. As Paul instructs in Colossians 4:3-4:

praying at the same time for us as well, that God will open up to us a door for the word, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I have also been imprisoned; that I may make it clear in the way that I ought to proclaim it.

Be a Good Listener

James 1:19 reminds us to be “quick to listen, slow to speak”.  Many Gospel conversations start simply because the other person has no one to talk to and just wants to connect with someone else. Active listening demonstrates genuine care and helps us build trust. By truly hearing others, we can better understand their perspectives and tailor our message accordingly.

Ask Open-Ended Questions

Asking “yes” and “no” questions rarely produce actionable conversation points. Open-ended questions encourage people to reflect. They share their story and advance an actual dialogue. For example, you might ask, “Tell me what Jesus is doing in your life?” or “How is Jesus transforming your life? ” These questions lead to understanding what type of relationship this person has with Christ and allow you to share the Gospel in the most relevant way for this person. This more naturally leads to positive spiritual discussions.

Pivot Towards Christ

It is easy to get caught up in listening to someone’s story and only answering their questions and talking about their current life issue or question. We then become the “bible answer man” rather than someone that shares how Jesus wants to be in all parts of our lives and shows how the Gospel speaks into every situation. We must look for opportunities and gently steer the conversation towards Jesus. Peter encourages us to “always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have”. Look for natural segues to introduce Jesus deeper into the topic at hand.

Keep It Simple

The gospel message is profound yet simple. Many people have never read the Bible or heard the Good News in an easy-to-understand manner.  There is no need to complicate the message as you will often see much better progress keeping things in the most understandable format. Clearly and concisely communicate the core truths of sin, separation, forgiveness, salvation, and God’s love. Use questions to confirm understanding and avoid deep theological terms and concepts unless the person is specifically asking questions about this those things.

Share Your Story

Your personal testimony is a powerful tool for connecting with others. God has worked in your life so you could be an example of how He can do the same in others. Share how Christ has transformed your life and be specific about the changes you’ve experienced. This authentic approach will resonate deeply with those going through similar seasons of life.

By prayerfully preparing and applying these simple strategies and biblical principles, you can more confidently and effectively share your faith with others. Remember, our role is to plant seeds and water them while remembering that it is God who brings growth and fruit. Trust His timing and power as you faithfully share the message of Jesus Christ.

Managing Political Conversations

We are in an environment of increasing political and social unrest.  This is often manifested through aggressive demonstrations, antisemitism, hate speech, and terrorist attacks across the globe.  Elections and current events can bring anxiety, fear, anger and even depression if not viewed and understood through the lens of Christ. 

Ministries may receive various conversations surrounding current events that often fall into different categories:

  • Questions or comments about specific candidates
  • Questions or comments about specific political parties
  • Questions or comments about specific political agendas like Project 2025
  • Questions or comments about specific international political conflicts (Gaza, Ukraine, Taiwan, etc.)
  • Questions or comments about Christianity being connected to specific political candidates, parties and agendas

We do not want to shy away from the difficult topics as people come looking for help. However, our mission is always to share Jesus and turn every conversation towards Christ.  It is also important to recognize that many people that come to us with these type topics often bring an agenda and are more interested in advancing an agenda or making a point about Christians. Many of these agendas are based on some incorrect assumptions or false narratives that lump all believers into some ideology.

As followers of Christ, our attitude and our involvement with politics should be guided by our Christian faith. The Bible gives us two core truths regarding our stance towards politics and government.

The first truth is that the will of God permeates and supersedes every aspect of life. It is God’s will that takes precedence over everything and everyone (Matthew 6:33). God’s plans and purposes are fixed, and His will is inviolable. What He has purposed, He will bring to pass, and no government can thwart His will (Daniel 4:34-35).

Second, we must grasp the fact that our government cannot save us! Only God can. We never read in the New Testament of Jesus or any of the apostles expending any time or energy schooling believers on how to reform the pagan world of its idolatrous, immoral, and corrupt practices via the government.  The apostles never called for believers to demonstrate civil disobedience to protest the Roman Empire’s unjust laws or brutal schemes. Instead, the apostles commanded the first-century Christians, as well as us today, to proclaim the gospel and live lives that give clear evidence to the gospel’s transforming power.

One of Satan’s grandest deceptions is that we can rest our hope for cultural morality and godly living in politicians and governmental officials. A nation’s hope for change is not to be found in any country’s ruling class. Political entities are not the savior of the world. The salvation for all mankind has been manifested in Jesus Christ.

God knew that our world needed saving long before any national government was ever founded. He demonstrated to the world that redemption could not be accomplished through the power of man, economic strength, military might, or politics. Peace of mind, contentment, hope, and joy—and the salvation of mankind—are provided only through Jesus’ death and resurrection.

Although we each have personal political views, as a ministry, we avoid engaging in unnecessary political debates. As with all conversations, we look for the opportunity to pivot toward the Gospel, introducing the Grace of Christ.  Our goal is to share hope and grace without condemning or dividing.  We encourage every guest that God wants to walk with them through these difficult seasons and has a plan and purpose for every one of us.

When seekers want to inquire about specific candidates, we urge them to allow the Spirit of God to lead them.  For them to do their own research on what the candidate stands for, what they support and what platforms they stand on.  The ministry does not support individual candidates or parties. As Believers, we each have a responsibility to evaluate and  support candidates with biblical values and standards.  Those who will honor and support our freedoms to worship as we desire, freely.

When seekers want to discuss or debate political parties, we avoid debate.  Urge them to study and read the individual party platforms and to educate themselves on the issues that party supports. 

When seekers want to discuss specific political agendas like Project 2025, we avoid getting sidetracked by such agendas.  It is great to be informed, and we can point seekers toward biblical resources, but we should always look for a way to turn these conversations back to Christ and where Christ is in their lives.

When seekers want to discuss international political conflicts (Gaza, Ukraine, Taiwan, etc.), we urge them to focus on how God loves all people and desires mankind to resolve conflict peaceably.  Avoid taking sides or belittling groups you may feel are the issue, looking for ways to share Christ in the exchange.

When seekers want to inquire if Christianity is connected to specific candidates, parties or agendas, we avoid making statements that represent the Ministry or come across as a Ministry Position.  Again, look for ways to inject Christ into the conversation and to allow the Spirit to lead us in such matters.

The key is to avoid building walls and bringing division.  We want to bring peace and show that the hope of Christ can supersede all the political uncertainty and unrest we may see around us.

Cancel Culture

What comes to mind when you read the words “Cancel Culture”?  Is this a more positive or negative concept in your mind?

Decades ago, the cancel culture movement was about undoing social injustice with an aim for progress and change. The idea is now often used to shame, silence and negate someone’s beliefs or conduct. The new cancel culture often results in people being ostracized, their reputations smeared, and careers ruined. It makes no difference that that no laws have been broken or any malicious behavior occurred if their beliefs are counter to the most popular cultural opinions that rule the day.

The current environment was produced by postmodernism that has made truth subjective. It has been additionally fueled by political correctness that polices speech and traditional ideas.  A quick check of social media on any given day provides plenty of evidence that this new cancel culture is prevalent and part of the culture wars that competing worldviews hold.

We live in a time where social media has offered everyone a megaphone without any requirement for truth or well-informed opinions.  This dynamic has been part of the shift away from accountability to more of mob rule based on instant judgment, personal perceptions and the number of followers someone has online.

Evangelism has not been exempt from this phenomenon. Because cancel culture is often judgmental, rash, unforgiving and spiteful we see many Christians being intimidated from sharing their beliefs publicly. Traditional biblical values and faith are increasingly viewed as narrow minded or uninformed as culture tries to redefine the meaning of truth, gender, identity and even life.

Christian ministries certainly see more than their fair share of those that want to cancel us. We strongly believe anonymity can foster open, honest and transparent conversation with those seeking to find hope. However, the flip side of that is people can come online and be hateful using words they would never use face-to-face.

We never pretend sharing the Gospel is easy. We encourage you to pray for future conversations knowing some will be with those filled with misinformation and even hate. Seek God’s protection so you can continue to share Jesus with grace and love while maintaining the truth of His Word. Do not let those that desire to cancel dissuade you from the call to make disciples. We pray that you would never allow the fear of increased hostility or even persecution change the Gospel message.

The Challenge of Church

Some say Christians are their own worst enemies. There never seems to be a shortage of church scandals and character failures.  These offer people struggling with their faith, or those on the fence, the ammunition to argue against church.

Many people come online having either walked away or never having been to church. They have been hurt by others or have met too many “Christians” that have not made faith or church an attractive part of the spiritual journey. 

It has also become culturally acceptable to create your own faith without true community.  We often hear things like “I don’t need a church to grow closer to God” or “I prefer to just do church online”.

God did not design us to live alone. We are all created for community. We are stronger when we are living with others and not trying to live life outside the body of Christ. This is especially true for struggling or new believers.

We all need other believers around us to encourage, teach, pray and worship together. Church should reflect how Jesus loves us and be a place where we can connect with others, be taught according to scripture, and held accountable.

All that said, there are no perfect churches.  We encourage seekers to look at a church’s beliefs posted on its web site and visit multiple times. Here are some of the questions we encourage them to answer when looking for a church:

Does this church hold a proper view of Scripture? When investigating a potential church home, pay particular attention to how it views the Bible. Does it hold to the inspiration and inerrancy of the Scriptures? Where do they stand on such crucial issues of the Christian faith as the virgin birth and deity of Jesus Christ; the depravity of mankind; the work of Christ on the cross; His death, burial, and bodily resurrection; salvation by grace through faith alone; the second coming of Christ; and the ordinances of baptism and Communion?

Is there an emphasis on Bible teaching? Does this church practice what it preaches and provide a place for meaningful growth, worship, community and accountability based on Scripture? Are there bible study groups or classes available in addition to worship? Does this church care about sharing the Gospel in the community and is it committed to evangelism?

Is this a church where I am encouraged to serve God’s people and use my gifts for its benefit? Is this a place where the people make up the church or where the church is expected to do everything for the people? Is volunteering and service mandated or expected of all members. How does the church welcome newcomers and explain their positions on these critical issues.

It is good to be honest with people’s fear and questions. Church does not save us. It is helpful to share how church is referenced in the Bible.  The original Greek word for church is translated as gathering or assembly. The idea being that followers of Jesus would gather to live in fellowship with one another. They would be united by Jesus, study God’s word, love one another, encourage each other through difficult times, help each other grow closer to Jesus and live as a Christian family.

Another aspect to community is the concept of serving the “body of Christ.” The idea is that each follower of Jesus is part of the universal body and we each serve a different purpose that together makes us whole. We are called to care for one another and recognize that if one suffers, we are all hurting.

When church is seen for what it is meant to be, people are often more excited to find good examples of that in their community today.  Encourage people that those type places do exist and to not give up if there first attempt at finding Christian community falls short.

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