We began this article speaking about evangelism in distant lands. Without a doubt, this is a noble and indispensable work. But in thinking only to venture to faraway lands, we may forget that there are also many souls who are very close by - souls that appear hopeless in their ignorance and who may need the very message we possess. Even in our own home can be “lost coins” who, due to our coldness or neglect, have stayed away from God. A few steps from our home, a neighbor unknown and misunderstood may be hiding in his or her heart an emptiness, a pain, which our message will help to alleviate. But often we prefer to go far away, on the other side of the city or even to the other side of the world to harvest our fruits while the ripest may be right beside our house or maybe even inside of it. This is illustrated in the Spirit of Prophecy.1

“Every church member should feel it his special duty to labor for those living in his neighborhood. Study how you can best help those who take no interest in religious things.”2

In order for evangelism to be effective, it is crucial that we first take heed to the following concept: The successful missionary does not depend on the quantity of work as much as the quality of the impressions made. After the descent of the Holy Spirit, a unique sermon given by an apostle on fire with the love of Christ for a perishing world accomplished a magnificent result: That very day around 3,000 souls became believers in Christ! Notice how the quality of the work finally resulted in quantity. In this equation, the order of the priority changed the product! In an attempt to achieve much, working to exhaustion without spiritual quality will end up as a fruitless effort. This is not to say that some serious effort is not required. The Bible bids us work perseveringly and untiringly. “Cast thy bread upon the waters: for thou shalt find it after many days. Give a portion to seven, and also to eight; for thou knowest not what evil shall be upon the earth. . . . In the morning sow thy seed, and in the evening withhold not thine hand: for thou knowest not whether shall prosper, either this or that, or whether they both shall be alike good” (Ecclesiastes 11:1, 2, 6). But the same inspired word also makes it clear that this work is only truly effective when performed in the spirit and power of Christ:

“With great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all” (Acts 4:33). We need to possess within us this power and abundant grace so that our testimony will effectively touch hearts. Otherwise we could end up preaching 3,000 sermons without winning a single soul to Christ.

Therefore, what is the first and most important prerequisite for effective evangelism? There is only one answer that the Spirit of Prophecy emphasizes:

“A vital connection with the Chief Shepherd will make the undershepherd a living representative of Christ, a light indeed to the world. . . .

“The worker who knows the meaning of union with Christ, has a constantly increasing desire and capacity to grasp the meaning of service for God.”3

“No one can tell what is lost by attempting to preach without the unction of the Holy Spirit. . . . In this age of moral darkness, it will take something more than dry theory to move souls. . . . Living truths, falling from the lips of the man of God, will cause sinners to tremble, and the convicted to cry out, Jehovah is my God; I am resolved to be wholly on the Lord’s side.”4

To attempt at success in any evangelistic effort without the unction of the Holy Spirit is as useless and absurd as trying to see when there is no light. Then this is the first and most important condition for success, and certainly the only one, because by connection with the divine Teacher and Guide, we will receive every instruction and all the power that we need. He will direct us with what we need to say or do. Thus He will mold the character, refine the personality, and fill our heart with love for souls. When we truly love the souls for whom Christ died, difficulties that appeared as enormous as mountains will disappear, and the preaching of the gospel will be done spontaneously and in a pleasing style, first through our conduct, then by our missionary initiatives.

Today, unfortunately, the popular churches have cheapened the name of Christ. The professed religionists cast a reproach upon the cause of truth because of their unbecoming behavior. This tends to harden people in unbelief, or utterly swing them into a position of prejudice. The prejudice thus triggered is no small difficulty faced by the modern evangelist seeking to accomplish his or her mission. Certainly all of us have encountered many who seem to say: “I have my religion, and I am satisfied. Go preach to others who have no religion.” This is their excuse.

“Ultimately, all religions lead to God,” say others with an air of sincerity. There are those who protect themselves behind the New Age ideology, saying that happiness can be found in some hidden recesses of the human mind. There has never been a time when so much was said about love and peace while paradoxically there have never been so many wars and rumors of wars. Never before in history have there been so many doctors and hospitals, but the challenge of diseases has also never been as threatening as now. Houses and real estate subdivisions are multiplying all around us, but homes are disappearing in the real sense of the word. Finally, there is much talk about religion, while the authentic missionary spirit succumbs to the “virus” of Laodicianism. Could we also be affected by this “virus” of leisureliness, insensibility, and spiritual pride? The paradox continues when today there is so much talk about Christ, yet He has never been so absent from the human heart. We should examine ourselves on these points.

Satan has developed, over the millenia of experience in his laboratory of evil, innumerable strategies that he and his cohorts use to seduce and deceive. Christ declares, “if it were possible, [false Christs, and false prophets] shall deceive the very elect” (Matthew 24:24). At this point, many are of the opinion that nothing is more difficult than evangelism! But here there is a risk: We must recognize the sharpness of the enemy, but never exalt it. There is at the disposal of the faithful, fervent believer an infinite reserve superior in power and wisdom. The Spirit of God can never be vanquished. When we are imbued with His power and superior intelligence, none can resist our advances. Only then can we be victorious instruments, impressing hearts and guiding souls to the feet of Christ, even though we face hordes of cynics and deceivers. We need to remember that clothed with the magnificent armor of God, the small, poor and humble group of Jesus’ disciples were able to revolutionize the world of those days with the preaching of the gospel, and that spiritual revolution continues to this day!

As we have seen, in the midst of today’s prejudice, it is often difficult to approach people with a direct proposal of religion. Some may achieve a good grade after taking a Bible course, but this does not necessarily ensure success as we see that many have a tremendous religious prejudice. It is necessary to go from house to house, from city to city preaching the gospel, and we can be most successful by appealing to souls through the use of certain strategies which the Spirit of Prophecy suggests. Before anything else, as was already emphasized, we need to bear in our heart the love of Christ, and to demonstrate sincere interest in the well-being and salvation of all with whom we come in contact. This signifies Christian sympathy. Since our subject is about evangelism in the neighborhood, we suggest some strategies below:

This was how Abraham influenced so many people. The fragrance of a well-ordered, exemplary family will benefit every neighbor. I know of the experience of a family who was being observed unawares by a neighbor on Sabbath mornings as they were on their way to church. Their behavior and careful manner of dressing had caught her attention. One day she herself took the initiative to ask them about their religion, opening the door for Bible studies. As a result, she became a member of our community! People observe us - and even read us like an open book, and we can be a powerful influence for good in our sphere.

But the opposite can also occur. If our home is a battlefield, if we are rough with people, or our dress or deportment is no different from the world, how can we evangelize our neighbor? If our own home is not benefited by the gospel, our influence will certainly be negative. Therefore, it is never enough to insist that the home is the first objective of religion. On one hand we must restore the family altar. On the other hand, the influences of evil must be put away. A red warning light against instruments of alienation and depravity is the misuse of the television or the Internet.

Persons of refinement, good nature, and kindness exert an irresistible influence for good. Our neighbors may be reserved and even disagreeable, but often they cannot resist true Christian courtesy. It is guaranteed to break down prejudice. We are not expecting a favor, but are offering to help! There is a saying, “the one who seems closest is the neighbor.” We are exactly this to them. Little gestures of attention and courtesy are never lost. Whenever possible, offer your help to change a tire, push the wheelchair of a sick person, or carry a bag of groceries for an elderly person, as well as many other spontaneous gestures of courtesy. Be willing also to accept a favor, showing gratitude. Simple attitudes such as these can be means provided by God to establish a friendly relationship that opens the door for evangelism.

If someone is sick, with necessary prudence and understanding as to the cause, and within the limits of the law, we can suggest or apply some simple, natural treatments. If persons have no interest in this type of help, we can offer our prayers in their behalf, that God will minister to them according to His will. In some cases, poor neighbors need our help, and this will be a guaranteed means of eliminating prejudice as we help them in their needs. But many times they feel reluctant to ask for anything. They need to be cordially asked, “How can I help you?” We must act not only to educate, but above all to impart Christian love. Every such act performed in behalf of someone must be followed by prayer such as this: “Lord, touch this soul with the restoring power of Thy Holy Spirit, and use me here and now as an instrument of Thy salvation. Give me tact and wisdom to accomplish a good work for Thee.”

The indispensable condition of success is the power of the Holy Spirit. But in many cases, the media resources available today could be a significant means employed by God for the salvation of souls. We obtain a list of e-mail addresses of friends and neighbors and send them spiritual appeals, carefully hidden. We obtain also a list of birthdays, and do not fail to send them at every opportunity messages of faith, invitations to study the Bible or even a hymn or impressive sermon. Everyone must be reached somehow, and this is where we need divine wisdom. A person can be attracted initially by a health talk. For another, there will be opportunity for a doctrinal study on the Sabbath. Still another soul will be stirred and comforted by a sacred hymn. To offer gifts of our literature on special occasions such as birthdays or Christmas, is another good strategy. “I would like to present you with this book that has brought a great blessing to me, so I thought it would do the same for you.” We can say this to our neighbor when we place our literature in his or her hands.

“If all who know the truth will take hold of this work as opportunities are presented, day by day doing little acts of love in the neighborhood where they live, Christ will be manifest to their neighbors. The gospel will be revealed as a living power and not as cunningly devised fables or idle speculations. It will be revealed as a reality, not the result of imagination or enthusiasm. This will be of more consequence than sermons or professions or creeds.”5

In conclusion, I would like to mention that if there is a duty that is often neglected among us, it is evangelism among our neighbors. Let us conscientiously beseech the Spirit of God to help us make this mission a priority. What a pleasure it will be, when encountering the redeemed in eternity, to recognize familiar faces - including the face of our neighbor!