My first evangelization

I must say, personally, I get anxiety and unpleasant first feelings when I hear: “Evangelization”, “You have to evangelize”! I don’t feel comfortable in my own skin. It relates to the past and the first steps in evangelization. The first time was at the very end of the 80s. I did it for the first time without understanding what I was doing. I remember, at that time, a large ship-library from the USA had docked in the port of Riga. (Later I realized it was an organized mission project.) We, a bunch of young girls from the then Lutheran Church, were invited to visit there. Just like that: it will be interesting, the tables are set – let’s go! After a delicious meal and very pleasant conversations with a wonderfully relaxed, smiling and exceptionally good-smelling young woman (I emphasize this because I had never met such a woman or human being before in my life) we were told: “… and now you will go to the nearby park and talk about God with passers-by for 3 hours!”. Directly, concretely and without variations. Since the said woman was likeable, extremely ethereal and smelling good, and we had enjoyed the company of the dinner table, it was awkward to hide somewhere in the corner of the park and don’t do anything. I got over it, overcame a very strong feeling of discomfort, even shame and despair. With trembling legs and an even more trembling heart, I approached an old and well-dressed gentleman sitting on a park bench. I was shaking and the last thing I wanted was to talk to him about God. But it has to be done! I don’t remember what exactly we discussed for quite a long time, but I clearly remember the end of the conversations. The Lord concluded that he has his own opinion about God, which if it remains unchanged – there is no God. In turn, I received a compliment that I know how to conduct a conversation with people well in order to work in this field. Only the Spirit of God knows what was the continuation of this person’s life and whether our conversation changed anything in him. Let it remain a secret, but I got one compliment, which was worth its weight in gold for a very shy, insecure young girl. I must say that I am still not a supporter of planned, group evangelism. It’s not mine. I know it works for others, but not for me. God doesn’t call me or equip me for this kind of evangelism. My way is different – ​​personal, natural and unplanned, I would say even casual. My first comfortable evangelism took place in my family without me really realizing it. The family admits that it was through me that they approached and opened themselves to God. Without a specific plan and well-thought-out actions, just being there. Also, work colleagues, especially doctors, use daily trips and conversations in which they also want to hear God’s Message. The Spirit of God works and changes not only those to whom You bring the Message, but probably much more precisely You, who brings the Message. You don’t need to know what happens to a person after that, because it is no longer your responsibility, give freedom to the work and mystery of God’s Spirit! 

Astra Dannenfelte