Six steps to running a successful evangelistic event

Do you ever make assumptions? Sometimes, I do. I assume this doctor I am seeing knows what he is doing. I am pretty sure that guy is going to stop at the red light. I assume I will get to my destination safely. I think that student is saved.

Several months ago, we were contacted about doing a local church evangelistic event called archery tag (https://archerytag.com/). It’s a great team event played with bows and arrows. It’s an awesome time. Anyways, I called the youth pastor, and we chatted about when and where it would take place and how it would look at his church. One thing we talked about was giving the gospel about halfway through the event, which he agreed to.

Fast forward to the night of the event. We set up all the equipment and started to go through the schedule. When we got to the part about the gospel, he said: “You don’t need to give the gospel — everyone coming is saved.”

I commented by saying, “Let’s not assume everyone is saved,” and he agreed to me giving the gospel. I did not want to assume anything. That night, after giving the gospel, two middle-school students received Christ as Savior. Afterwards, I was talking with the youth pastor, and asked if he knew the two students. He said the one had been coming to youth group for about two weeks and the other was a visitor.

Assumptions. They can cause us to miss opportunities when it comes to the gospel. The gospel is powerful, and that is why we need to be intentional about giving it out at events. God works in hearts and we never know what God may do with His message. Without evangelism, the cause of Christ becomes stale and lifeless. Without evangelism, we become callous to the cause. Without evangelism, it’s hard for youth groups to grow. Evangelism is a must. Let’s assume that some students aren’t saved and need to hear the gospel. Why not plan an intentional gospel/evangelistic event for your group? Here are the steps to make it happen.

Know evangelism is important.

Evangelism grows youth groups. Evangelism is ordained by God. It fulfills the great cause of Matthew 28:19-20. Evangelism works. We must be doing it, whether individually or at a group event. It changes how we do things when we believe it’s truly important.

It starts by getting it on the calendar.

Planning the event is the next step. Where will it be? Should we do it at the church or a neutral site? How do we get students to bring visitors? Is there food involved? How long will it be? Who is helping? Remember the purpose in the planning — it’s an event to give the Gospel. Think about doing at least two a year for your group.

Cover the event in prayer

Pray to have faith to believe God can work. Pray for visitors. Pray for clarity in the message. Advertise it around the church and get other people praying for the event.

Know your speaker

Can the speaker at the event communicate to students about the gospel? Anyone can talk. Can the speaker deliver the message about the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ? Do they know how to give an invitation to receive Christ? It could be you, but I like to get outsiders in, so the students don’t have to hear me all the time.

Know what to do about follow-up

A student has come to Christ! Awesome! Amazing! Praise God! Now what? What happens next? Who will follow-up? Is there some kind of material to be used? What are we going to do to get them involved and make a plan for spiritual growth?

Evaluate the event

After the event is over, evaluate it. How did it work? What can be improved for next time? What did you do right? Evaluate the event and all its aspects. Then, put those plans into action for the next one.

Assuming students need the gospel is a good thing. Why not let that assumption drive you to give the gospel at your next event?

Here is a resource available for following up with newly saved teens: https://wolstore.org/collections/student-ministries/products/first-steps-booklet