The Apostolic Evangelist

It was the centerpiece of Peter's powerful evangelistic sermon on the Day of Pentecost which added 3,000+ to the Church. The Resurrection:  That singular message launched the Church of Jesus Christ! The role of the 5-fold ministry is to prepare the way of the Lord's return! What should be the evangelistic message in this hour?

The Church has become so complacent, that we live our lives as if this (this world as we know it) is it!  As if the way it is, is the way it will always be; but Jesus Christ is coming back!   That's why the apostolic calling of the evangelist in this hour is absolutely critical to 5-fold ministry.

The Apostolic Evangelist

The role of the 5-fold ministry is to prepare the way of the Lord's return!   So let's talk briefly, about the role of the Apostolic Evangelist as part of the 5-fold ministry team and what it should look like now.

If you have an evangelistic call on your life, you can look back over your life to see how God has prepared you for this function of the 5-fold ministry.  You have no doubt worked in occupations and areas of ministry that exposed you to all types of people.  The evangelist is a people person; they love people, especially the people of God.  You have a burden for the lost and a special love for seeing them give their lives to Jesus Christ.

It is important to understand that the very nature of the evangelistic call requires one to be a fluent communicator - one that can relate to people of all walks of life - from the elite to the disenfranchised - without regard to race, creed, color, ethnicity, political party, nationality or religion.  Like Paul, the evangelist is able to become all things to all people.  Collette Toach, in her book "Practical Prophetic Ministry", says it this way:


Therefore, today's Apostolic Evangelist is mature, humble, flexible, and walks in forgiveness as a lifestyle. He is all things to all people.  They must also move in prophetic ministry to be effective in this end-time hour.  The focus of ministry is "meeting the needs" of the people - not in general, but specifically.  To do that, the Apostolic Evangelist needs the power and anointing of the Holy Spirit.

Not Just a Message of Salvation

The Apostolic Evangelist has a multi-faceted dimension to ministry. Just as he/she is a multi-faceted, skilled communicator to a diverse population, even so they must have a diverse message.  The message is not just one of salvation, but also:

• that Jesus Christ is coming back! (preach the Gospel) The Bride must make herself ready! Time to repent, to prepare, to be equipped
• of healing to those wounded and abused by the Church (bind up the brokenhearted); calling the lost sheep back to the fold
• of change/transition/transformation; coming out of darkness into the light - out of the old and into the new (recovery of sight to blind)
• a message of deliverance from bondage (set the captive free) - that the Apostolic and the Prophetic would be released and God's order for the Church be established in 5-fold ministry leadership
• of encouragement:  faith, hope and love (preach the Gospel)

The central message for the Apostolic Evangelist is: 

"The Bridegroom is coming! The Bridegroom is coming!  The Bride must make herself ready!"  

A Vision of the Bride

I believe this vision I received from the Lord is a fitting conclusion to the matter:

I saw a huge crown coming down out of the sky.  It was brilliant and set with all kinds of beautiful gemstones.  It appeared to be riding on a white horse shrouded in a cloud.  It was very majestic and it shined with glory!  I heard the voice of the Lord saying:

"The first time I came to you, I came as a Lamb - the Lamb who was slain.  But when I return to you, I will come as a Lion - The Lion of Judah - The King of the Kingdom.  

When I came the first time, you were children, new to the faith, just beginning your walk; but when I return, I am coming for an adult - a mature Bride - not a child - not a little girl, but a Bride - radiant, and full of grace and truth, without spot or wrinkle." 

Ephesians 4:11-15  Jesus gave us the 5-fold ministry... (Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Pastors and Teachers) for the equipping of the saints...until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. That they will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming.  Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of Him who is the head, that is, Christ. (some paraphrasing)

Apostolic Evangelist, you are A Way Maker - preparing the way for the Lord's return!  Rise Up!  Take your place!  The Bridegroom is Coming!  

To learn more about becoming an Apostolic Way Maker - one who "prepares the way of the Lord", in this end-time hour, order your copy of "The Way Makers - Ambassadors for Christ, Preparing the Way of the Lord"  TODAY!  Click on the cover - top right.