Emmanuel Kasiko, an evangelist, preaching on the streets of Kampala, criss-crossing between the traffic along Fairway, Yusuf Lule and Golf course in the central business area. Photo: Atuhaire Kelvin/UG Christian News.
Most Christians say they want to have evangelistic conversations with non-Christians. But mostly, those conversations aren’t happening, according to an Evangelism Explosion study conducted by Lifeway Research.
Specifically, the study found that while Christians generally wish to reach others for Christ, far fewer believers in the previous six months had shared the Good News, with many feeling unprepared to do so.
“Many Christians say they agree sharing their faith is important,” said Scott McConnell, executive director of Lifeway Research. “But many also need encouragement and to be shown how to share the good news about Jesus Christ with others.”
The survey, drawn from the responses of 1,100 self-described American Christian adults, showed that 93% of respondents are “somewhat open” to having a faith conversation with a friend, and 80% are open to talking about their faith with a stranger. And in the month prior, two-thirds had prayed for the salvation of a friend or family member.
Among the other findings:
• 53% had a conversation about their faith with a non-Christian friend or family member
• 40% spoke with a stranger about their faith
• 36% shared a Bible verse or story with a non-Christian stranger
• 46% shared a Bible verse or story with a non-Christian family member
• 38% shared how to become a Christian with a non-Christian friend or family member
• 30% shared how to become a Christian with a non-Christian stranger
A 2021 Evangelism Explosion study conducted by Lifeway Research showed that 51% of Americans, including 60% of the religiously unaffiliated, are curious why people are so devoted to their faith. Some 66% said they were open to talking about Christianity with a friend.
Yet the 2022 survey showed that despite wanting to share their faith, many professing Christians seem to be lost in knowing how to share the Gospel.
Around half of those surveyed said they are prepared and willing to share the Gospel. But among the other half of believers, 24% said they aren’t sure where to start in sharing their faith, and 19% know the basics but are not ready to put it into words. Another 6% said they preferred not to answer the question.
“Now, perhaps more than ever, people are open to conversations about faith, yet this study reveals few Christians actually take the opportunity to engage in personal evangelism,” said John Sorensen, president of Evangelism Explosion (EE). “Our mission at EE is to equip followers of Jesus to have the confidence to share the Gospel naturally, lovingly and intentionally with family, friends and yes, even strangers, which is why we wanted insights on the evangelistic attitudes of Christians. We imagine a world where every believer is a witness for Christ to His glory.”
