Evangelism - A Long Game
Prashanti and Ashley
Ashley works with Campus Outreach in Ohio. One fall, the ministry held an evangelism blitz on campus; everyone committed to sharing the gospel a certain number of times before leaving campus for the day. During the blitz, Ashley met Prashanti, and their paths have crossed several times over the past year and a half. Prashanti has been invited to campus meetings and Bible studies but has never attended. Most of the time, Ashley intentionally listens to Prashanta as she shares about her Hindu faith, school stress, and relationships.
Prashanti recently asked for a ride to the grocery store, and Ashley saw this time together as an opportunity to have an evangelistic conversation. She did not want to force the topic and tried to be sensitive to the Spirit’s leading as she listened to Prashanti. Ashley shared that she was shocked by how quickly it seemed they were driving home.
As they pulled up to Prashanti‘s apartment, Ashley knew the time had come and asked several purposeful questions. Calling on things she had heard Prashanti share over time, Ashley asked what she did when she felt stressed with school and relationships and that praying to Hindu gods wasn’t working. Prashanti shared her coping mechanisms and added, “But I don’t feel like they are working either.“ Ashley took the opportunity to share how she had found true peace through her relationship with Jesus. After sharing God’s offered gift of grace, Prashanti responded, “Maybe I should come to a Bible study you lead to learn more about this.”
In recent years, it has taken longer to effectively evangelize students on college campuses. Staff report an average of two years of gospel conversations before seeing students accept Christ. Establishing them in their faith is like starting from Ground Zero. Campus Outreach SERVE is committed to empowering our staff to meet the spiritual needs of college students — no matter how long it takes — to see laborers built on the campus for the lost world. Pray with us as Ashley points Prashanti to Christ as the only way of salvation.