THE EVANGELIST
Preached by Apostle Aje Pelser
Harvester Reformational Church, Cape Town

Here are some Characteristics of the office of an Evangelist – a true gift ot the Body of Christ. What we see now is how an Evangelist can flow with the other five fold ministry gifts and relate to a local Body or Church while being allowed to reach out way beyond the boundaries and influence of that church. With mutual submission and a clear understanding of the calling of an evangelist relating to apostles and prophets there can be a mutually beneficial relationship that sees souls not only get saved but discipled long term in a caring church.

1. Urgent message

An evangelist is one who announces or proclaims good news:

– Primarily salvation (Acts 14:15)
– Presents Christ crucified (1 Cor 1:23)

The reaction is normally repentance (Matt 12:41)

2. Message has advantages and disadvantages

Advantage: It will supernaturally advertise itself
Disadvantage: Message needs other ministries to co operate (Acts 8:14)

3. Message of Phillip and Timothy
Preached Jesus in all cities (Acts 8:12, 35, 40; 21:8)
Did the work of an evangelist (11 Tim 4:5)

Two fold Ministry:

– Public evangelism (Acts 8:1 3)
– Personal evangelism (Acts 8:26 40)

4. Message of Jesus

Jesus was an evangelist who preached peace (Acts 10:36)
The development of His message:
? Repentance (Matt 4:17)
? Gospel of Kingdom (Matt 4:23)
? Deliverance (Luke 4:18)
? Jubilee (Luke 4:18)
? Later He preached to spirits in prison (1 Pet 3:19)

5. Message is rewarding

Preach the Gospel and live by it (1 Cor 9:14)
Realize it is foolishness (1 Cor 1:21)

You cannot preach except you are:
o Sent (Rom 10: 15; 1 Cor 1: 17)
o Anointed (Luke 4:18)

The Holy Ghost may forbid you to preach (Acts 16:6)
Preach boldly (Acts 9:27)

6. The message must be pure

Not of contention or in pretense (Phil 1:16,18)
Should be preaching in His Name (Luke 24:27)
Not himself or selfish gain (11 Cor 4:5)

7. The ministry of the Evangelist

The evangelist functions as a part of an apostolic team, being associated with the apostle, and ministering under his authority. As such the evangelist is sent forth as a missionary preacher of the gospel (Acts 8:39, 40; 21:8), a messenger to the churches (1 Cor 16:10; 11 Cor 8:23; Phil 2:19), and a member of the apostolic company (Acts 16; 11 Cor 1:1,19)

The evangelist may also be sent to certain churches especially to those newly founded, to \”set in order the things that are wanting\”. (Tit 1:5) This may include duties and responsibilities ranging from ordaining elders, preaching the word (11 Tim 4:2), and guarding the body of truth as delivered by the apostle (1 Cor 4:17), to always being \”an example of the believers in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity\” (1 Tim 4:12)
A preacher once pointed out that the list in 1 Corinthians 12:28 is incomplete and it made him think. The evangelist is missing. The other concept missing is the pastor, a term that is not mentioned too often in the New Testament but the word shepherd and overseers are used. See the chapter on pastor for more information.
1 Corinthians 12:28 “And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues.”

When considering orbital structures in ministries centered on Christ. “Those sent out are accountable to those who remain in orbit supporting the mission…”
The point is an evangelist needs to go out and seek and save that which is lost. Then the counterbalancing force to bring into the fold, the local church where new souls can be built into a holy habitation, built on apostles and prophets with Jesus Christ the Chief Cornerstone.
Without this symbiotic relationship between Evangelists and a home base church where there are strong leadership that can relate to the call of the evangelist without being intimidated, there will be a lack of follow up work, because the evangelist will be focused on reaching the next soul.

I have a few friends that have large evangelistic ministries. They are not concerned with Apostolic Doctrine or prophetic insight and the long term development of the new soul, but they tell me to take care of that. Through the church the great harvest will not be lost to all sorts of winds of doctrine and para-church organizations.
They at least have the perspective to integrate local churches in the follow up effort instead of just drawing people around their ministry. Where evangelists miss it, is they set up programs that counter what local churches are trying to do for Jesus. Having endless camps and activities that are not building the church, not preparing the Bride of Christ at all, but often just inflating the egos of those who attend. \\They get pumped up for ministry without the apostolic doctrine and prophetic insight centered on Jesus plan for His Church to keep them grounded and safe. Many people like this have sold everything to go off without being sent from a local body of believers. And they lose everything and end up disillusioned with Church. I regularly meet Christians who are hurt in ministry and with a little investigation you realize that they went about it all wrong. At the end of the book of Judges the people all did what right in their own eyes. There are standards in the spirit that are important to understand. Giving a novice a tank can be dangerous! But every Christian wants to drive his own tank when he gets inspired to do something for Jesus! That initial excitement wears off and then the reality sets in, but it is often too late and the damage has been done. Ambition is
The fact remains that Jesus is building His Church and the gates of hell will not prevail against it. That church is not just a philosophy but is made up of actual believers who gather together in His name and who circle around Jesus blueprint and intentions for His Church.
When ministries venture into spiritual warfare the only covering worth anything is a church –
Ephesians 3:10 “to the intent that now the manifold wisdom of God might be made known by the church to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places,
Ephesians 3:11 according to the eternal purpose which He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord,
Ephesians 3:12 in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through faith in Him.”

So if you are up against a principality in your area, even just a local demon, make sure you fight as a part of a body of believers.
Evangelists are so important to the Body of Christ. If you think about babies being born, it is the most important moment – that first breath – that welcome to earth! We need to pray for and understand the office of the evangelist more and more in this great harvest of the end times. If Evangelists can see that they are valued and if they can become accountable to that body – share news, ask for prayer and covering when needed, work with Apostles and Prophets and build the local Church of Jesus Christ, it would be awesome! Mutual submission and godly correspondence has become a key to the nations and currently we are reaching into Asia and Africa through Apostolic Missions and Harvester Church plants with Bible Colleges. The most accountable worker undoubtedly is Apostle Andre the founder of this specific move of God. Leaders of Churches are seeing their synergy forms become the road maps for future generation to build accurately on foundations laid. The access to a wider network of resources and experience is great riches for the body of Christ and we share our Bible College with multiple denominations and across 6 continents. Well to God be the glory. There is much need for accurate evangelists that are humble enough to see the value of relating to apostles and local churches. Watch this space!

See also “Evangelism” and “Five Fold Ministry” subject manuals, available for Correspondence Learning from Miracle Bible College. Contact aje@harvesterchurch.net