Remember those who are in prison, as though in prison with them …

~Hebrews 13:3a ESV

What do you envision when the word, evangelism, is mentioned? Do you think of street preachers? Or television evangelists? Tent revivals? However, evangelism is offered in many forms.

There are those who preach to people on the streets, and there are those on television who bring the message of the gospel. Revivals, tent and otherwise, are occasions to reach people with the good news of Jesus Christ. Evangelism, hopefully, results in the salvation of the lost.

Consider the phrase, Vehicles of Salvation. What does this mean? It obviously does not mean a mode of transportation such as a car or truck. One definition of vehicle is a medium through which something is transmitted, expressed, or accomplished. So, when we expand this definition to explain a vehicle of salvation, we see it as a medium through which something, salvation, is transmitted (introduced), expressed (explained), or (and) accomplished (received).

Now, we know Jesus as the only road to salvation, but there are many salvation vehicles that travel that road. Our local church is probably the most familiar to us, as this is usually where people are introduced to Jesus, taught about His life and His word, and, hopefully, respond to these lessons by receiving Him as Savior and Lord. Even though each church and congregation are different, with unique ministries and personalities of their own, sometimes we are so focused on this particular vehicle, we fail to recognize other vehicles as being valuable.

Mission work is an effective vehicle of salvation. When we hear the word, missions, we tend to envision third-world countries where faithful missionaries are living and ministering to nationals, driving dusty Jeeps over deep-rutted paths through jungles populated with wild animals. This scenario is accurate in many cases, but it certainly does not represent all of the ways in which mission work is effective. Short-term mission trips to third-world countries, as well as locations within the United States, have become commonplace. Whether long-term or short-term, missions continue to be one of the most effective vehicles of salvation, and participants often find themselves ministering outside the box.

There is nothing wrong with this type of vehicle. After all, we see many types of transportation on our trips down the interstate. Out of necessity, a large truck is used to transport lumber instead of it being transported in a sedan. This is how it is with ministry. What works with one group of people sometimes will not work for another group. God has gifted us with different abilities.

One type of mission may not be what a specific person is called to, but another person may be just the right one to accomplish it. Among the many ways to serve God, such as feeding and clothing the hungry, providing school supplies to indigent children, serving in disaster relief, is prison ministry. It is a vital vehicle of salvation.

I know of a church that ministers to area prisons in an effective way. More than twenty years ago when the church first began to serve in one of the facilities, a Probation Detention Center, the Center’s library held only a few paperback books which were randomly placed in a small bookcase. Within the first five years of ministry there, the church had placed over 2500 books in a much larger room; the record-keeping of the library had been computerized, and a card catalog had been set up just like the ones found in public libraries at that time. The resemblance to public libraries ended there. The shelves in the Detention Center were stocked with Christian books, classics, and biographies – just good, clean literature. As the detainees went into the library to borrow books, they had an opportunity to speak one-on-one with volunteers from that church.

Countless lives were changed forever because this caring church chose to be a vehicle of salvation…

~Evelyn Mason Wells

The detainees were offered an opportunity to attend Bible studies. Many gave their lives to the Lord as a result of the faithful volunteers who ministered to them. The church also provided greeting cards to the detainees for occasions such as birthdays, Christmas, Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, and Father’s Day. This enabled them to send cards to family and friends on special occasions. These cards cost the detainees nothing and showed them God’s love through the volunteers’ provision.

Countless lives were changed forever because this caring church chose to be a vehicle of salvation to the detainees at that facility. We cannot change the whole world, but we can help change the world we live in when we answer God’s call to love and care for others and to tell them the good news of Jesus Christ.

We cannot change the whole world, but we can help change the world we live in when we answer God’s call to love and care for others and to tell them the good news of Jesus Christ. #VineWords @Venable_wells #AVehicleofSalvation Click To Tweet

Reflect on the different ministries you have been involved in. Which ones have been special to you? Which ones resulted in salvation to the lost?

Father God, show me what You have for me to accomplish for You today. Let my spirit always be open for opportunities to draw others to You. Give me wisdom and discernment, as I walk in the paths You have laid out for me. Above all, let all I do be for Your glory.

In the holy name of Jesus.

Genre: Non-fiction

Copyright 2021: A Vehicle of Salvation: Evelyn Mason Wells: All Rights Reserved

Meet Our Contributor

EVELYN MASON WELLS

Evelyn Mason Wells is a Bible study and devotion writer for VineWords: Devotions and More. She is a contributing author to Love Knots: Stories of Faith, Family, and Friendships (VineWords Publishing).

She is an award-winning author who has contributed to Heart Renovation: A Construction Guide to Godly Character (2019 Selah finalist, Lighthouse Bible Studies), Glimmers of Heavenly Light (Faith Books & More), Let the Earth Rejoice (Worthy Inspired), Breaking the Chains(2018 Selah finalist, Lighthouse Bible Studies),  Just Breathe (Worthy/Ellie Claire), and Feed Your Soul with the Word of God (Lighthouse Bible Studies).

Evelyn is published at Refresh Bible Study Magazine and Christian Broadcasting Network.

Passionate about glorifying God through her writing and speaking, Evelyn enjoys spending time on short-term mission trips, both domestic and foreign.

Evelyn loves attending Bible studies, spiritual retreats, and having good conversation with friends over lunch or a glass of tea. She is an avid fan of the Georgia Bulldogs and Atlanta Braves. She enjoys good books, her cats, traveling, and spending time with her family—especially her grandchildren.

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