Faithful Public Witness
Part One: The Evangelism Square
By Dr. DJ Coleman and Rev. Joshua Blake
If you were to meet with Jesus face-to-face in two minutes, how would you feel? Excited? Intimidated? Defensive, as if you needed to prove yourself?
It’s a that gets to the heart of how we view Jesus, but it’s also an essential question in determining our approach to public witness. It’s very difficult to invite another person to follow someone you are scared of or intimidated by.
Understanding who Jesus is and what His Gospel is about is essential if we’re trying to share Jesus with others. When I first became a Christian, I was eager to share my faith, even though I didn’t always know what to say. Some people ignored me, others swore at me, but a few took the time to listen.
With each conversation, my confidence grew. I began to see that God is always moving to reveal Himself and restore all things to Himself. I started feeling less alone in evangelism because I realized God was already at work in the lives of others, and all of our work is just a partnership in the mission God is already doing.
One of the most empowering realizations I’ve had is that the same Spirit who was in Adam, Moses, Esther, Mary, Peter, Phoebe, and Paul is in us today. That Spirit gives us courage and the words to say when speaking to unbelievers. The Spirit also helps us discern how the Good News meets each person at the level of their need.
While the Gospel remains the same, the aspect of the good news that resonates most can differ from person to person. For some, it’s finding purpose; for others, it’s discovering hope or experiencing Living Water that cleanses and restores them. Too often, we oversimplify the Gospel as a “sales pitch,” without really listening enough to the people we’re speaking with to understand how the Gospel may come alive in their lives, personalities, and circumstances.
To help with this, I’ve developed a tool I call the Evangelism Square. It’s a simple method inspired by the way Jesus reached people.
The Evangelism Square
Corner 1: Intentionality
Where are we spending our time? If we’re not in places where unbelievers are, how can we witness to them? Jesus intentionally went to the lost. We must do the same. I’m always searching for where God is at work in the person’s life I’m talking to. Asking God to make me aware of his work in their life, even if they don’t believe in God, or have no idea about Jesus, I’m always painfully aware and reliant on the reality that God is at work in all people and in all places drawing people to himself, his Kingdom, and his will.
Corner 2: Initiation
This means starting a conversation, perhaps by asking what someone does for fun or what brings them joy. It’s okay if the moment isn’t right to go deeper; what matters is taking the opportunity in front of you. Some may brush you aside, but others might lean in. The goal isn’t to push your beliefs but to join in the work God is already doing in their lives. Jesus always started where people were and moved the conversation forward from there.
Corner 3: Invitation
Invite unbelievers to a neutral space or an environment that encourages them to seek Christ. This could be your home, or your favorite barber shop, gym, coffee shop, or other gathering space. Jesus did this by inviting His disciples to follow Him into a new kind of life.
Corner 4: Imagination
Help them envision what their lives could be like with God. Show them how Christ is the answer to their searching. One of my favorite examples is when Jesus said, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of people” (Matthew 4:19). That simple statement sparked the imagination of His disciples, showing them a new purpose and calling.
The Evangelism Square is just one way to join in God’s redeeming work, but its effectiveness depends on our willingness to faithfully obey His call to witness. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is truly good news and is meant to be shared. So, I’ll leave you with this question: Are we excited about what Christ has done for us, or are we too afraid to share the best news the world will ever receive?
About the Authors
Dr. DJ Coleman serves as Assistant Professor of Practical Theology at Indiana Wesleyan University in Marion, IN. DJ has served in diverse pastoral roles, including children's ministry, student ministry, refugee ministry, prison ministry, and special needs ministry, and frequently travels the world to learn and preach. When he’s not teaching, grading, or preaching, D.J. can be found cheering at IWU's sporting events, alongside his wife (Sarah) and three kids (Jubilee, Benaiah, and Abel).
Rev. Joshua Blake is an ordained minister within The Wesleyan Church, a writer with the Resonant Writing Team, and has extensive global experience, having grown up in a missionary household. Josh resides in Greenfield, Indiana, along with his wife, Kirsten, and their dogs: Angel and Rev.
*This article is adapted from a teaching series at College Wesleyan Church’s “Tabl•Ed” Seminars, which are available online.
