“My heart pounded as I wrestled with the urge to speak.”
Lual shares a bit about his first time sharing the gospel. He encourages everyone to “step across the street, knock on the door, and share Christ’s love. Be bold—for eternity is at stake.”
Nearly fourteen years ago, I (Lual) entered into deep doctrinal differences with my church. The conflict eventually drove me out and left me isolated. For two years, I had no church to attend. My heart burned with love for Christ, but I was wrestling with fear. I sensed a strong call to ministry, yet I was hesitant to step forward.
I knew the Lord was prompting me to lead a fellowship grounded in sound, biblical teaching. But how could I begin? How could I approach my neighbors and friends? I had no formal training, no theological school behind me. These questions haunted me. What if they reject me? What if they mock me?
I knew well the words of Jesus in the Great Commission: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them … teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you” (Matthew 28:19–20). But my hesitation held me back.
“My heart pounded as I wrestled with the urge to speak. It would be my first time attempting direct evangelism, and I was terrified.”
There was one neighbor who was also my uncle. I longed to share the gospel with him and prayed that he might be a man of peace for the ministry I hoped to begin. Yet fear restrained me. Days passed. Then one afternoon, I stumbled upon him on the road. My heart pounded as I wrestled with the urge to speak. It would be my first time attempting direct evangelism, and I was terrified.
Low self-esteem and feelings of inferiority whispered lies to my heart. But the Holy Spirit helped me gather courage. I asked to visit him and his family to share the gospel. To my amazement, he welcomed me gladly. That evening, I preached Christ to him, his children, and his relatives. By God’s grace, they all gave their lives to Christ. His home became our first house fellowship, which eventually gave birth to Community Baptist Church and, later, a growing network of churches.
At Community Baptist Church, we teach every believer to share the gospel with neighbors, family, and friends. This is how our church-planting movement continues to grow. Evangelism is not the work of a few trained leaders—it is the calling of every disciple. Through door-to-door evangelism and house fellowships, we see lives transformed.Who is our neighbor? Jesus answered this in the story of the Good Samaritan. Our neighbor is anyone in need. And the greatest need of every human being is salvation through Christ. That is why we boldly move forward—not only to reach those next door, but also unreached groups such as the Fulata people and refugee communities dominated by Islam at our doorstep.
My experience reminds me that boldness is not the absence of fear. Boldness is obedience to God despite fear. John Wesley once said, “Give me one hundred men who fear nothing but sin and desire nothing but God, and I care not whether they be clergymen or laymen; they alone will shake the gates of hell and set up the kingdom of heaven on earth.”Beloved, we live in a time when our neighbors are searching for hope, often silently. The gospel is not a private treasure but good news meant for all. D. L. Moody said, “The gospel is like a lion. It does not need to be defended; it just needs to be let out of its cage.” Our task is to open our mouths and let Christ’s truth roar into hearts.
Acts 4:31 tells us: “And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness.” True boldness does not come from within ourselves—it comes from the Spirit of God living in us.
“Step across the street. Knock on the door. Share Christ’s love. Be bold—for eternity is at stake.”
So I challenge you today: look at your neighborhood as your mission field. Begin with prayer. Step out in love. Trust that you are not alone. As Hudson Taylor once said: “God isn’t looking for people of great faith, but for individuals ready to follow Him.”
Your neighbor may not first need a sermon from a preacher, but the presence, courage, and testimony of a faithful Christian. Step across the street. Knock on the door. Share Christ’s love. Be bold—for eternity is at stake.