Evangelism is at the heart of the Christian faith. Jesus’ final command to His disciples was clear:
“Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” (Mark 16:15, KJV)
This command, known as the Great Commission, is the foundation of evangelism. But what exactly is an evangelist?
An evangelist is someone called to preach the Gospel, leading people to salvation through Jesus Christ. The word “evangelist” comes from the Greek word euangelistes, meaning “one who brings good news.” Evangelists carry the responsibility of spreading the message of salvation, whether through preaching, crusades, media, or personal outreach.
The Bible highlights evangelism as a key ministry in the church. Ephesians 4:11-12 tells us:
“And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ.”
This passage shows that evangelists hold a distinct office within the fivefold ministry. Their role is not just to win souls but also to strengthen the church by equipping others for the work of ministry. Evangelists operate with a deep burden for lost souls, traveling far and wide to share the message of Christ. They often work closely with local churches to ensure new converts are discipled and established in their faith.
Throughout history, many great men and women have walked in the office of an evangelist, bringing millions to Christ. Below, we will look at three powerful evangelists: Billy Graham, Reinhard Bonnke, and Dag Heward-Mills.
1. Billy Graham – The Evangelist to the Nations
Billy Graham (1918–2018) is one of the most well-known evangelists in modern history. For over six decades, he preached to millions across the world, leading countless people to Christ. His ministry, the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA), reached people through massive crusades, television broadcasts, books, and personal outreach.
Graham’s style of preaching was simple yet powerful. He focused on the core message of salvation through Jesus Christ. His famous catchphrase was:
“The Bible says…”
This simple statement was the foundation of his sermons, emphasizing the authority of Scripture. One of his most famous crusades was the 1957 New York City Crusade, where over 2 million people attended over a 16-week period.
Billy Graham also had a significant impact on world leaders, counseling U.S. presidents from Dwight D. Eisenhower to George W. Bush. He remained steadfast in his calling, never deviating from the Gospel message. His ministry embodied Paul’s words in 2 Timothy 4:5:
“But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.”
Through his faithfulness, Billy Graham led millions to salvation and set an example for future evangelists.
2. Reinhard Bonnke – The Evangelist to Africa
Reinhard Bonnke (1940–2019) was a German evangelist best known for his large-scale evangelistic crusades in Africa. His ministry, Christ for All Nations (CfaN), saw over 79 million recorded salvations.
Bonnke’s passion for evangelism was sparked when, as a young missionary in Africa, he had a vision of a blood-washed Africa, symbolizing millions of people coming to Christ. This vision fueled his ministry for the rest of his life.
His crusades were known for their incredible attendance. In Nigeria, one of his meetings had over 1.6 million people in a single night. He boldly preached the Gospel with signs and wonders following, just as Mark 16:20 describes:
“And they went forth, and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following.”
Bonnke’s ministry was marked by miraculous healings and the power of the Holy Spirit. He believed in mass evangelism, often saying:
“Hell empty and Heaven full.”
His dedication to soul-winning transformed Africa, bringing millions into the kingdom of God. Even after his passing, his ministry continues under the leadership of his successor, Daniel Kolenda.
3. Dag Heward-Mills – The Evangelist and Church Builder
Dag Heward-Mills is a modern-day evangelist whose ministry has touched many nations. He is the founder of the United Denominations Originating from the Lighthouse Group of Churches (UD-OLGC), a thriving church network with thousands of branches worldwide.
His evangelistic work is deeply rooted in the biblical model of evangelism. Inspired by the likes of Billy Graham and Reinhard Bonnke, Dag Heward-Mills has dedicated his life to fulfilling the Great Commission. Through his Healing Jesus Campaigns, he has held massive evangelistic crusades, particularly in Africa. These campaigns draw thousands of people, leading them to salvation, healing the sick, and planting churches.
One of his key teachings is that evangelism must be accompanied by church planting. He often quotes Matthew 28:19-20:
“Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you…”
For him, evangelism does not end with just preaching—it continues with discipleship. As a result, he has trained thousands of pastors and missionaries who continue the work of spreading the Gospel.
Dag Heward-Mills is also a prolific author, having written over 100 books, many of which focus on evangelism, ministry, and church growth. His book Tell Them is a powerful call to all believers to take evangelism seriously.
His ministry emphasizes that evangelism is not just for full-time ministers but for every Christian. He embodies Proverbs 11:30:
“The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise.”
Through his tireless work, he has brought many into the Kingdom and continues to train the next generation of evangelists.
Conclusion
Evangelists play a crucial role in the body of Christ. They are called to spread the Good News, bring people to salvation, and strengthen the Church. Whether through mass crusades, one-on-one evangelism, or media outreach, their mission remains the same: to lead souls to Christ.
Billy Graham, Reinhard Bonnke, and Dag Heward-Mills are just three examples of evangelists who have dedicated their lives to this mission. Each of them, in their unique way, has impacted millions with the Gospel. Their ministries continue to inspire many to follow in their footsteps, fulfilling Jesus’ command in Matthew 9:37-38:
“The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.”
As Christians, we are all called to share the Gospel. Whether in our workplaces, schools, or communities, we can follow the example of these great evangelists by boldly proclaiming the name of Jesus. The world is in desperate need of salvation, and the call to evangelize remains urgent. Will you answer the call?