Licensed Evangelists

The ministry of an Evangelist is more than you may think.  Although some are sceptical about the word ‘evangelism’, it plays a key part in Christian ministry.

Evangelists want to reach beyond the church building with the Good News of Christ in actions and words.  They help other Christians to be confident about their own faith story, and enable them to get in involved in missional activity where they are.  Some who do the training will simply go back to the neighbourhoods and get on with what they can do there, whilst others will go on to be selected and then licensed to a local church context.

Across our diocese, Evangelists minister in Church groups, pubs, within new housing estates and run courses like Alpha and Faith Pictures. Some are involved in running Fresh Expressions like Café Church or are involved in chaplaincy, online church services and other outreach activities. 

The Suffolk Centre of Mission (CoM) is a Diocese-wide hub for Evangelism and Pioneering. It works in partnership with and in support of both parish churches and fresh expressions of church. The Centre of Mission offers training; seeks to invite others to join in mission and evangelism in a variety of ways and provides hands-on pioneering.

Envoy:

Church Army’s model of Envoy Communities is an innovative peer-led approach to developing personal evangelism and effectiveness in living missionally. Envoy communities are formed of up to 6 people including a facilitator. Distinct practices are learned and applied such that the group speak and release value for each other, deepen faith and step into mission and evangelism appropriate for each person and their context. Communities may form from one church family / Lightwave group or individuals may gather from different churches or groups. Such diversity can often bring enrichment and insight from outside contexts.

Church Army’s Faith Suite:

Offering a set of resources which enable churches of all traditions to explore sharing faith both as individual members and corporately as a church family.

  • Faith Pictures helps individual Christians of all traditions speak about their own faith story with confidence.
  • Faith Shared helps churches of all traditions think about how they connect with the communities around them.
  • Faith Questions explores how to answer difficult questions about faith.
  • Faith Empowered helps churches explore specific calling to evangelism.

If you’re wondering about whether God is calling you to this ministry you can go through a discernment process during the training.  For more information please have a look at our booklet:

Evangelist | PDF

 

 

 

 

Stories from Licensed Evangelists in our Diocese

Licensed Evangelist Tracy runs a Fresh Expression Friday Café Church at St Mary’s, Haverhill. Tracy says; It’s been a year since I was licensed and what a difference it makes!  I feel able to make decisions with confidence and try out new things, and if they don’t work out, move on and try something else!  I feel part of the ministry team and that I’m really making a difference in the church and community.
Licensed Evangelist Graham is Rural Chaplain to Lightwave Community across Suffolk. Graham says; “My passion is farming, and since being licensed I’ve been privileged to work as Rural Chaplain, reaching out to farming and countryside communities across Suffolk.  I’ve been interviewed by various magazines and licensing has given a recognition that has opened many doors for my ministry”
Licensed Evangelist Julie runs a monthly meal and chat in the local pub. Julie says; "Before Licensing I ran a ‘Bring and Share Night’ in the local pub.  Monthly we share food and talk about whatever comes to mind, but since training the focus became ‘What is an Evangelist’.  We had to stop during lockdown, but villagers requested us to return so I started a ‘praying for you’ blog.  Licensing has given me the confidence to be adaptable and try something new.”
Licensed Evangelists Tracey, Liz and Dawn are part of Mission Ipswich East parish and are engaged in a variety of activities within the parish especially giving people more confidence in sharing their faith and inviting people to come and see. Tracey says; “We are encouraging one another to let people know that we are Christians and to share our faith.  We are using various materials to help equip people in our churches to be able to talk about faith with friends, family and neighbours.” 

More information

To further find out whether this is for you, do contact one of us to find out more:

Gail Southgate,Lead Evangelist at the Suffolk Centre of Mission

And if you want to read something more, we recommend this book: Martyn Snow (Ed), 2019, Anglican Evangelists Identifying and Training a New Generation, SPCK.

Our Evangelist programme is supported by the Benefact Trust:

 

 Photos above by Lisa FotiosJanis KnorrAna Madeleine Uribe and Helena Lopes.


Case study - Evangelist - Helen Prior Townsend

I help build people’s confidence in their faith

Powered by Church Edit