Grow from Witness to Evangelist

Most of my evangelism training occurs in mainline denominational churches, where many people equate evangelism with hospitality or community service projects.

Instead of focusing on the definition of an evangelist or a definition of evangelism, I want to give you a way to identify your next growth step toward better spiritual conversations.

But there is a marked hesitancy to discuss your faith.

That could be for a variety of reasons, many of which have been talked about here (see Fears Category).

How then does an evangelism trainer, pastor, or ministry leader help a person move forward one step in increasing their ability to share their faith?

Understanding Witnessing and Evangelism

People often use the words witnessing and evangelism as if they mean the same thing. I see them on a sliding scale with helpful nuance. Witnessing at its most basic level is telling people what you have experienced in your walk with Jesus and through your local church. You are a witness to what God is doing in your life. You describe what you have seen, heard, or learned as you cooperate with the Holy Spirit.

Evangelism moves beyond telling your personal experiences. It includes sharing the message of the gospel and inviting people to consider a next step toward following Jesus. The Percy scale captures this movement. It shows how a person can grow from sharing about church life, to sharing their testimony, to explaining the gospel, and eventually to inviting someone to respond.

Read more: Ways I’ve Grown in my Personal Evangelism

From Witness to Evangelist

More than two decades ago, I first saw this simple tool from Harold Percy. It gives you a way to understand where you are comfortable in spiritual conversations and how you can grow.

Percy described four places on a scale of comfort with faith conversations. These are not steps you climb or levels you achieve. They reflect where a you feels comfortable today and where growth may occur over time.

Place One: Talking about my church and inviting others

The first place is where you are comfortable talking about your church. You are comfortable inviting others to come and participate.

You can describe what you enjoy about worship, ministry life, or special events, and you feel able to invite a friend to come with you.

The church has a meaningful place in your life, your social network at church is awesome, and you’d like your friends to participate and connect.

You love “Invite a Friend Sunday” and appreciate your church for offering events where you can invite your friends.

Your church doesn’t embarrass you. You feel no pressure to have discussion about your personal and private faith.

Place Two: Sharing what my faith in Jesus means to me

This place moves beyond talking about church activities. Here you might feel comfortable describing how your relationship with Jesus shapes your life.

You are able to describe God’s current activity in your life.  What is God doing in your life today that makes the gospel Good news?

You are able to describe your testimony, how you came to faith, and what difference that faith commitment has made.

You have moved from being comfortable talking about the church, to your personal faith. This is personal witnessing – telling others your experience.

In most of the places where I do live evangelism training, groups find that sharing your personal Christian testimony is still a challenge

Read More: Personal Testimony Questionnaire for a download to help you.

Place Three: Explaining the gospel simply and clearly

At this place you learn to give a simple explanation of the gospel message. You can describe who Jesus is, what he has done, and why the gospel is good news. You do not need a long presentation. A short outline that fits how you normally speak is enough. The goal is knowing a structured outlinet so you can ebb and flow with a conversation that you are having.

With a little practice, confidence grows.

You can explain the gosple clearly with strangers, or perhaps only with close friends that you have built a meaningful relationship with.

Read more: How to Practice a Gospel Presentation.

Place Four: Precipitating a decision for Christ

At this place you help someone consider their response to the gospel. You might ask a gentle question that invites reflection. You might pray with a person who expresses spiritual hunger. You might guide someone through a next step of following Jesus. This is not about forcing a decision. It is about recognizing when someone is ready and helping them take a step they want to take to follow Jesus.

If you are preacher, you may have great skill, or need to develop your skill in giving an invitation to follow Christ (Giving an invitation) as part of your sermons every now and then.

Using This Scale in Your Life and Ministry

This scale is most helpful when you use it to reflect on your own comfort zone and identify a next growth step. It also works well in small groups or leadership teams where people learn together and encourage one another.

Using the Scale Personally

Take a moment and place yourself on the scale. Which place describes where you are most comfortable today? Think about one step you can take in the next few months that would help you grow in personal evangelism or improve your confidence in spiritual conversations.

You might want to practice sharing part of your testimony, learn a simple gospel outline, or look for natural moments where a spiritual conversation can begin. Small steps taken over time build your confidence.

Using the Scale with a Group

In a group setting, invite people to place themselves on the scale and share why they chose their place. This opens helpful conversations about comfort zones and growth. Encourage the group to identify practical next steps they can take and ways they can support one another.

You can also use the scale in leadership retreats, training sessions, or small groups. It helps leaders recognize where their congregation may need encouragement or training and creates space for honest reflection without pressure.

Your Next Step

Once you understand the place on the scale that best reflects your comfort zone, the next step is to focus on one area of growth. You do not need to move through every place at once. You can grow by taking one clear step, practicing a simple skill, and looking for natural moments where spiritual conversations can begin.

Small steps taken with intention help you develop confidence in growing from witness to evangelist. Over time, you will notice that you can talk about faith in ways that feel natural and authentic to you.

Editor’s Note: This article was first published in 2008 and updated in 2017. It has now been refreshed with new insights and revisions for a 2025 publication date.