Africa Church Evangelism Institute
About
Four Challenges of Evangelism
as identified by ACEI African pastors
1
Evangelism Is for Every Believer
For too long, evangelism has been seen as the responsibility of a select few—those specifically called as evangelists or assigned to the church’s evangelism team. But this limited view has left many believers on the sidelines.
We need senior pastors and church leaders to model an approach to evangelism that every believer can follow. Jesus calls each of us to be “fishers of men” (Matthew 4:19). Evangelism is not for a chosen few—it’s a calling for all who follow Christ.
3
Rediscovering the Power of the Gospel
Evangelism is no longer among the 5 top priorities in some local churches, and we have lost hope for the gospel’s power.
Rather than being driven by the Great Commission, we are shaped by fears of church decline.
What does a clear, biblical vision of evangelism—rooted in the Gospel’s power to transform lives (Romans 1:16)—and pursue a Kingdom impact that flows from obedience and hope look like?
3
Evangelism: More Than a Moment
Today, evangelism has become seasonal and specialized, often seen as the work of credentialed evangelists or large public events. As a result, many believers no longer view it as something they can do themselves. We’ve lost the power of personal and relational evangelism in our local churches.
It’s time to rethink and restore the full spectrum of biblical evangelism. Sharing the Gospel isn’t just for a few—it’s meant to be a way of life. Jesus calls every believer to live on mission, making evangelism a culture and lifestyle in the church (Matthew 28:19).
4
Reconnecting Evangelism with Discipleship
In many church contexts today, evangelism, discipleship, church planting, and Bible-based community transformation have become disconnected. Church growth is often driven by transfers from other congregations—mistakenly counted as evangelism—while true Gospel impact remains limited.
Too often, churches are producing ministry professionals rather than disciple-makers. This shift has led to congregations filled with consumers rather than disciples who multiply.
Let us reclaim a biblical vision: evangelism is not a one-time event but a process of making disciples. As Jesus commanded in Matthew 28:19, “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations.”
