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? Television evangelists? Tent revivals?

These methods of evangelism are common, but although Jesus Christ is the only way to be saved, there are many salvation “vehicles” through which we can achieve this goal.

The local church is the most familiar. Even though each congregation is different, and each wins the lost in their own unique ways. Every Sunday, and during the week at various times, salvation messages go forth.

Mission work is another effective vehicle of salvation. W e 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 does not represent all of the ways mission work is effective. Short-term mission trips to third-world countries, as well as locations within the United States, have become commonplace. Missions continue to be an effective vehicles of salvation. One type of mission may not be what a specific person is called to, while another may be just right fir the job. 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.

One church I knew of began serving in a Probation Detention Center. The center’s library initially held only a few paperback books, randomly placed in a tiny bookcase. Within the first five years, the church had catalogued over 2,500 books, the record-keeping was computerized, and they even set up a card catalogue. However, the resemblance to public libraries ended there. The shelves were stocked with Christian books, classics, and biographies – just good, clean literature. As the detainees visited the library, they had the opportunity to speak one-on-one with volunteers from that church along with invitations to attend prison Bible studies. The church also provided greeting cards to the detainees. enabling them the ability to send cards to family and friends. These free cards showed the detainees that the volunteers loved them, and more importantly, so did God. As a result, many detainees gave their lives to the Lord right there behind the prison walls, discovering freedom and identity in Christ.

There are many vehicles through which the gift of evangelism operates. Which of these vehicles is the right fit for you to serve in?

Father God, show me what You have for me to accomplish for You today. Let my spirit be open for opportunities to draw others to You.

In the holy name of Jesus. Amen.

Genre: Non-fiction

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