A female believer Wei Huizhu is passionate about preaching the gospel. Before retiring, she worked in administrative management. Since she came to Christ, she has served churches in two different counties and districts. Once a local Christian council had no office space and no operational funds when it was founded, she offered the first and second floors of her self-built house to the council for free as an office and gathering place for six years. Recently, Gospel Times, an online Christian newspaper, interviewed her via WeChat and asked her to talk about her experience and practices in evangelism.
Gospel Times: Wei, I know that you have extensive experience and have achieved good results in evangelism. The first question is: When did you first learn about the importance of evangelism?
Wei Huizhu: At that time, I was still working. My husband and I were in the same organization. We encountered all kinds of hostility and ridicule from the people around us ever since we followed the Lord.
Gradually people who knew us saw us living a new life in Christ, thus, little by little they became interested in the gospel. As a result, some of our colleagues who started out by hearing the truth of the Bible ended up making up their minds to follow Jesus. By participating in fellowship, reading the Bible, praying, and serving, I came to learn that evangelism was the great mission entrusted by the resurrected Lord to every child of God.
Gospel Times: How did you preach the gospel to unbelievers?
Wei Huizhu: In the past, mostly when I went out on visitation ministry with other Christians, I preached the gospel to the unbelieving relatives of the people we were visiting or people who were interested in the gospel. Whenever we worshiped, praised, and shared together, I paid special attention to the reaction of the recipients of the gospel. Later I would be willing to listen to their complaints quietly and then spread the gospel with the topics of their interest.
Our own attitude is also very important. We must not be aggressive or feel superior to others, nor should we give up easily or judge others. We must "believe what we say and say what we believe".
Gospel Times: According to our observations over the years, when sharing the gospel, some people often say: If you believe in Jesus, you will be healed, or you will be safe, etc. In general, what kind of message did you share with them?
Wei Huizhu: More than ten years ago, when I turned to God, He revealed a picture (vision) to me that I usually shared with people when preaching. This picture was about where people came from, what was the meaning of life, and where people would go afterward (after death). If the recipients had a positive response, which was like seeds being sown on fertile soil, then I would start talking about the Lord Jesus who gives life. If they didn’t accept or refute what I said, then I would speak of other topics. I never force anyone, but just try to do my duty as a Christian.
In addition, I think it’s not the real gospel if trying to convince people that God will heal the sick and promise them safety if they follow Him. Even they come to faith for it, it won’t sustain. Because regular people can all possibly fall ill sometimes since we eat all kinds of food. Moreover, God is sovereign. The true gospel is the message of salvation by grace through faith, i.e., the message of Jesus' birth, death, burial, resurrection, ascension, and return as summarized in the Apostles' Creed.
Gospel Times: What do you think Christians should pay attention to when preaching the gospel today?
Wei Huizhu: I think that when sharing the gospel with others, as long as one person shares in a methodical and systematic manner, it is best for others next to them not to interrupt, in case the listeners do not know whom to listen to. Because evangelism is a spiritual battle, and to put it bluntly, it means fighting to save souls for Christ. Therefore, staff working on this ministry should pray quietly, asking God to cleanse the surrounding environment, and to give the speaker an appropriate message to open the ears and hearts of the listeners, so that they can be willing to repent, believe in the gospel, and reach a decision to turn to God.
Gospel Times: Based on your observations and understanding, why do you think Christians today do not like to share the gospel with others?
Wei Huizhu: As far as I can see, there may be several reasons. First, they don't know what to say or how to say it, lacking an entry point for evangelism. Second, it may be related to their past experiences. Every time people who heard the word "Christianity" didn't want to listen to them anymore. The intention of evangelism has got them nowhere (hit a wall) and so on, therefore, they no longer have the courage to do it. Third, they are unfamiliar with biblical truth and don’t know the soul’s purpose. Nowadays, people hear much negative information about faith every day, for which in fact, very few people really know of the Christian faith.
If everyone feels responsible for the souls of others and is willing to practice the Great Commission promulgated by God, then they will naturally practice evangelism.
Gospel Times: From your (or layman's) perspective, what can the church do today to inspire more members to carry the burden of evangelism?
Wei Huizhu: In fact, firstly, it requires the powerful work of the Holy Spirit. Secondly, the pastors of the church must truly and systematically teach believers the truth of the Bible, so that they can stay rooted in the gospel truth, and then naturally continue seeking and working for the benefit of all. Thirdly, believers can be trained to become good soldiers of Jesus Christ, who understand the importance, skills, and methods of evangelism, and practice them in work and life. Discipleship is one of the ways for the church to grow.
- Translated by Shuya Wang
韦惠珠姊妹是一位爱传福音的好姊妹，退休前她从事行政管理方面的工作。自她信主后，分别在两个不同的县、区参与教会侍奉。曾有一个地方基督教协会成立时，没有办公地点和经费，她将自建的房子一二楼免费给协会作为办公和聚会场所长达六年之久。近日，笔者微信采访了她，请她谈谈关于传福音方面的经验和做法。
韦姊妹，我知道您过去在传福音方面比较有负担和经验，而且效果甚佳。我想问的第一个问题是：你是从何时开始晓得传福音的重要性的？
那时我还在上班，老公和我同一个单位。我们夫妻俩自跟从主后曾遭遇各种逼迫、周围的人冷嘲热讽。
慢慢的认识我俩的人看到我们在基督里的新生命、新生活，开始逐渐对福音感兴趣，于是也有的同事从听闻真道，到决志跟主。通过参加团契生活、读经、祈祷、侍奉，我慢慢知道传福音是复活主托付给每个神儿女的大使命。
你每次是如何跟未信主之人传讲福音的？
过去我在传福音的时候，大多数都是跟弟兄姊妹一起外出探访，遇到家中有未信主的亲人或对福音感兴趣的人而将福音传给他们。每当大家在一起敬拜赞美分享交通时，我特别留意福音对象的反应，并且愿意安静聆听他（她）诉苦，然后从对方感兴趣的话题讲起。
我们自己的态度也很重要，一定不要咄咄逼人或高人一等，也切勿轻易放弃或存着批判他人的心，要“信我们所讲的，讲我们所信的”。
根据多年的观察，有人在传福音的时候经常会说：你来信主病就得医治，或者就有平安等诸如此类的话题。一般情况下，你都是跟他（她）分享什么样的信息？
十几年前，我信主的时候，神给我启示一副图画（异象），我就用这个画面跟人分享福音比较多。这幅图画就是讲到人从哪里来？活着有什么意义？以后（死后）要到哪里去？如果对方听了有好的反应，如种子撒在好土地上，那就开始讲到赐人生命的主耶稣。假如对方不接受或反驳，那就另讲别的话题，我从不勉强任何人，只是要尽到做基督徒的本份。
另外如果传福音时，跟人说关于病得医治、信主应许得平安等这类话题，我认为即使有人信了根基也不稳，而且容易跌倒，因为吃五谷杂粮的人谁不会生病，何况主权在神，这其实不是真正的福音。真正的福音是得救的信息，即《使徒信经》所总结的关于耶稣的降生、受死、埋葬、复活、升天与再来的信息。
你认为现今弟兄姊妹在传福音的时候当注意些什么？
我认为在跟人分享福音的时候，只要一个人有条理、有系统的分享即可，旁边的弟兄姊妹最好不要插嘴，免得听者不知听谁说的好。因为传福音是一场属灵的争战，说白了就是在打仗，为基督抢救灵魂，因此一起同工的弟兄姊妹宜安静默祷，求神洁净周围的环境，恳求主给予讲者合适的信息，开启听者的耳朵和心窍，让人愿意悔改信福音，并决志归主。
根据你的观察与了解，你认为今天基督徒为何不喜欢跟别人分享福音？
据我看可能有这么几个原因：一是不知道要怎么说或者是不知说什么好，找不到传福音的切入点。其次或许是与过往的经历有关。每想到别人一听到基督教这几个字就不想听下去，曾经碰了一肚子灰（碰壁）等，故再也没有勇气去面对。第三就是对圣经真理不熟悉和对灵魂没有负担。因为现代的人每天听闻关于信仰的负面信息比较多，其实真正了解基督教信仰的人很少。
假如每个人都对他人灵魂有负担，愿意践行主所颁布的大使命，这样的话他（她）自然会去传的。
如果从你（或说平信徒）的角度看，今天教会要怎么做才能激励更多的肢体挑起传福音的负担？
其实这个首先需要大能的圣灵动工才行。其次教会牧者要确实全面系统地教导弟兄姊妹圣经真理，使大家在福音真道上扎根，那么他自然会不断地向上结果。第三要培养信徒成为基督的精兵，让他们懂得传福音的重要性、技巧和方法，并在工作生活中实践出来，因为门徒训练是教会增长的途径之一。
【专访】广东韦惠珠姊妹谈如何传福音：要“信我们所讲的，讲我们所信的”！
A female believer Wei Huizhu is passionate about preaching the gospel. Before retiring, she worked in administrative management. Since she came to Christ, she has served churches in two different counties and districts. Once a local Christian council had no office space and no operational funds when it was founded, she offered the first and second floors of her self-built house to the council for free as an office and gathering place for six years. Recently, Gospel Times, an online Christian newspaper, interviewed her via WeChat and asked her to talk about her experience and practices in evangelism.
Gospel Times: Wei, I know that you have extensive experience and have achieved good results in evangelism. The first question is: When did you first learn about the importance of evangelism?
Wei Huizhu: At that time, I was still working. My husband and I were in the same organization. We encountered all kinds of hostility and ridicule from the people around us ever since we followed the Lord.
Gradually people who knew us saw us living a new life in Christ, thus, little by little they became interested in the gospel. As a result, some of our colleagues who started out by hearing the truth of the Bible ended up making up their minds to follow Jesus. By participating in fellowship, reading the Bible, praying, and serving, I came to learn that evangelism was the great mission entrusted by the resurrected Lord to every child of God.
Gospel Times: How did you preach the gospel to unbelievers?
Wei Huizhu: In the past, mostly when I went out on visitation ministry with other Christians, I preached the gospel to the unbelieving relatives of the people we were visiting or people who were interested in the gospel. Whenever we worshiped, praised, and shared together, I paid special attention to the reaction of the recipients of the gospel. Later I would be willing to listen to their complaints quietly and then spread the gospel with the topics of their interest.
Our own attitude is also very important. We must not be aggressive or feel superior to others, nor should we give up easily or judge others. We must "believe what we say and say what we believe".
Gospel Times: According to our observations over the years, when sharing the gospel, some people often say: If you believe in Jesus, you will be healed, or you will be safe, etc. In general, what kind of message did you share with them?
Wei Huizhu: More than ten years ago, when I turned to God, He revealed a picture (vision) to me that I usually shared with people when preaching. This picture was about where people came from, what was the meaning of life, and where people would go afterward (after death). If the recipients had a positive response, which was like seeds being sown on fertile soil, then I would start talking about the Lord Jesus who gives life. If they didn’t accept or refute what I said, then I would speak of other topics. I never force anyone, but just try to do my duty as a Christian.
In addition, I think it’s not the real gospel if trying to convince people that God will heal the sick and promise them safety if they follow Him. Even they come to faith for it, it won’t sustain. Because regular people can all possibly fall ill sometimes since we eat all kinds of food. Moreover, God is sovereign. The true gospel is the message of salvation by grace through faith, i.e., the message of Jesus' birth, death, burial, resurrection, ascension, and return as summarized in the Apostles' Creed.
Gospel Times: What do you think Christians should pay attention to when preaching the gospel today?
Wei Huizhu: I think that when sharing the gospel with others, as long as one person shares in a methodical and systematic manner, it is best for others next to them not to interrupt, in case the listeners do not know whom to listen to. Because evangelism is a spiritual battle, and to put it bluntly, it means fighting to save souls for Christ. Therefore, staff working on this ministry should pray quietly, asking God to cleanse the surrounding environment, and to give the speaker an appropriate message to open the ears and hearts of the listeners, so that they can be willing to repent, believe in the gospel, and reach a decision to turn to God.
Gospel Times: Based on your observations and understanding, why do you think Christians today do not like to share the gospel with others?
Wei Huizhu: As far as I can see, there may be several reasons. First, they don't know what to say or how to say it, lacking an entry point for evangelism. Second, it may be related to their past experiences. Every time people who heard the word "Christianity" didn't want to listen to them anymore. The intention of evangelism has got them nowhere (hit a wall) and so on, therefore, they no longer have the courage to do it. Third, they are unfamiliar with biblical truth and don’t know the soul’s purpose. Nowadays, people hear much negative information about faith every day, for which in fact, very few people really know of the Christian faith.
If everyone feels responsible for the souls of others and is willing to practice the Great Commission promulgated by God, then they will naturally practice evangelism.
Gospel Times: From your (or layman's) perspective, what can the church do today to inspire more members to carry the burden of evangelism?
Wei Huizhu: In fact, firstly, it requires the powerful work of the Holy Spirit. Secondly, the pastors of the church must truly and systematically teach believers the truth of the Bible, so that they can stay rooted in the gospel truth, and then naturally continue seeking and working for the benefit of all. Thirdly, believers can be trained to become good soldiers of Jesus Christ, who understand the importance, skills, and methods of evangelism, and practice them in work and life. Discipleship is one of the ways for the church to grow.
- Translated by Shuya Wang
Exclusive Interview: Guangdong Layperson Says Christians Must 'Believe What We Say, Say What We Believe' When Sharing the Gospel With Others
