Here are some principles that I observe from the ministry of Jesus.

Evangelism should be…
Consistent
Find a convenient pace and place. It’s best to reach out weekly. At least once a month is critical for effectiveness. The consistency is important as people do not respond the first time they hear a message. People hear the message and take time to process it in their minds.
If you go to the same place repeatedly, you’ll gradually build relationships with people in that locality. It’s great when people begin to recognize you and look forward to your return to their area. Some have come to me and mentioned they were looking forward to the next time we return.

Natural
Evangelism is best when it’s personal and natural. An “official” approach is fake, and at best impersonal. After all, we’re all human. Let’s be natural with our approach. People appreciate the genuineness.

Non-Judgemental
A judgmental approach will turn people off. We are not called to judge. That’s God’s job. Allow people to be who they are, and present Jesus to them. Our aim is not to change people. We want to present Jesus to them. He will put the Holy Spirit in them and the Spirit will change them. That’s the better approach.

Giving-focused
We’re not trying to get anything from people, or even trying to get them to come to church. Our approach should be a giving mode. Jesus said to his disciples “Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give.” Look for needy people and reach out to them in a giving mode. What can we give? Healing. Deliverance, Forgiveness. Listening. A kind word. We’ve received all that and more from Jesus and he asks us to give out the same freely.

Invitational
Once people’s minds were “opened” as a result of what they received from Jesus, he invited them to follow him (Luke 9:59). The invitation is essential.

But following was just the first step. Many followed Jesus because he gave them lots of good things like healing, deliverance, food, and lots of great practical teaching on how to live the Kingdom life. Yet those who followed him, he invited them to go a step further. He said they must “take up their cross” and follow. For those who heard those words of Jesus in the first century, they knew that meant to be ready to die. Once Jesus began placing such demands on them, many stopped following him.

Jesus never called them back and reduced the terms of his demand on their lives. He let them go, along with all the blessings they received from Jesus. Only a few committed their lives and became His disciples.

So as you evangelize, be consistent, natural, non-judgemental, giving, and invitational. This seems to be what Jesus did. And it works.
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