The Power of Service in Evangelism

A young woman, fresh out of prison with an ankle monitor, stood in her doorway unleashing years of pent-up rage against Christians. She had no idea the two men who’d just paid her rent were from a church. When she finally paused for breath and learned the truth, she broke down weeping.

This is the power of service evangelism—breaking down walls that no argument could ever penetrate. Her stereotype that all Christians were hateful hypocrites was destroyed. At the end of the conversation, she even asked us to pray for her before we left.

Why Your Actions May Matter More Than Your Arguments

We live in a world saturated with words. Social media debates, political arguments, religious discussions—everyone has an opinion, and everyone’s sharing it. But what if the most powerful evangelistic tool isn’t just what we say, but also what we do?

Research shows that 64% of people who leave Christianity cite judgmental or hypocritical behavior as a primary reason. Meanwhile, acts of genuine service are remembered for years, sometimes decades. When we serve without strings attached, we create what psychologists call “cognitive dissonance”—forcing people to reconcile their stereotypes with reality.

The Beautiful Disruption of Unexpected Kindness

In Philippians 2:14-16, Paul describes Christians as lights shining in a dark world. The Greek word Jesus uses in Matthew 5:16 for “good works” is kalos—meaning not just morally good, but beautiful. Our service should be so striking, so aesthetically stunning in its selflessness, that it stops people in their tracks.

Think about it: When was the last time someone did something unexpectedly kind for you? How long did you remember it? Now imagine that moment coupled with a clear, loving explanation of the gospel.

Real Stories, Real Impact

Over the past 11 years, our small church in Livingston County, Michigan, has tested a simple hypothesis: What if we said yes to every legitimate first request for help with a genuine need? The results have been staggering:

• 620+ families helped
• $207,000+ invested in helping people in our community
• 100% heard the gospel
• Countless walls torn down

But the numbers don’t tell the real story. Let me share three encounters that changed my perspective forever:

The Man Who Felt Rejected

Rob (not his real name) told me he’d abandoned faith because churches constantly judged him for being gay. After I just paid his rent to prevent homelessness, I asked, “Do you think I hate you?”

He couldn’t say yes. How could he?

That cognitive dissonance opened a door for me to share truth in love—believing that I genuinely cared about him AND wanted him to know the path to eternal life and forgiveness of his sins. No debate could have achieved what that simple act of service did. Rob heard my call to repentance and faith in a loving and kind tone, rather than thinking this message came from a place of hatred and intolerance.

The Midnight Crisis

One evening in early November a few years back, my phone exploded with hateful messages while my wife was in labor. A transgender individual, assuming Christians would never help “someone like them,” was unleashing years of hurt via text. They were in a bad situation, and someone gave them my number, but they assumed we’d never help because they viewed Christians as their enemy.

When my friend Aaron and I showed up anyway—leaving my wife in labor (with her blessing, by the way) to help them escape a dangerous situation—their rage evaporated. Once again, I was able to share the gospel message and know that it was heard without being callously dismissed as a message of hate.

Sometimes the most powerful sermon is preached without words. And yes, I did make it back in time for the birth of our son.

The Woman Who Hated Christians

Already mentioned at the beginning of this article, she’d been beaten by parents who claimed Christ. She’d been rejected by churches. She thought she had every reason to hate Christians. But when she discovered the men who’d just paid her rent were Christians, her carefully constructed walls crumbled.

We couldn’t undo her past, but we could reframe her future and change some of her incorrect preconceptions. She received the gospel from us in a context of loving service, whereas she would have rejected anything related to Christianity in virtually any other context.

The Uncomfortable Truth About Service

Here’s my confession: I’m terrible at noticing needs. At church workdays, I literally need someone to give me specific tasks or I’ll stand there useless. Service doesn’t come naturally to me. That’s putting it kindly.

But that’s exactly why this method is so powerful. If God can use someone as oblivious as me to impact hundreds of lives, imagine what He could do through you.

The secret isn’t ability—it’s availability. It’s not about being naturally compassionate or observant—it’s about being willing to interrupt your schedule when God highlights a need and to do whatever it takes to fulfill that need in love to the glory of God.

The Hidden Cost Nobody Talks About

Let’s be honest about what service evangelism really costs:

• Time: Crisis calls at 11:30 PM when you’re exhausted
• Money: Average cost per need for us over 11+ years is $335—much more expensive than other evangelism approaches
• Emotional Energy: Hearing heartbreaking stories regularly
• Convenience: Interrupted plans, delayed dinners, postponed projects
• Pride: Serving people who may never say thanks and who may not even like you

But here’s what I’ve discovered: Every time we thought we couldn’t afford to help, God provided. When our church account hit zero and we set our first-ever limit on benevolence, God orchestrated events so we never had to say no to a legitimate first-time request. The very week we thought we’d have to turn someone away, He showed us His faithfulness in ways that still can bring tears to my eyes.

Your Action Plan: Start This Week

You don’t need a formal ministry or a church budget. You can start today:

Level 1: The Neighbor Approach

• Notice one need in your immediate circle this week
• Meet it without being asked
• When thanked, share the gospel verbally or with a gospel tract

Level 2: The Workplace Witness

• Become known as the person who helps
• Cover shifts, assist with projects, bring coffee
• Build relational equity for spiritual conversations

Level 3: The Community Champion

• Contact local organizations about volunteer needs
• Partner with other believers for bigger projects
• Always couple service with strategic gospel conversations

The Strategic Follow-Up

• Give a “You’re Welcome” gospel tract when thanked
• Send a handwritten note explaining why you helped
• Check in later: “Did you read what I shared? What did you think?”

The Reputation That Opens Doors

Today, local government officials give out my phone number. Other churches—even those who disagree with us theologically—refer people to us. We’ve become known as the church that actually helps. This is quite the contrast to the idea in many people’s minds that the church only exists to oppress people and to take their money.

This reputation wasn’t built through marketing, creative branding, or programs. It was built one “yes” at a time, one family at a time, one gospel conversation at a time.

But here’s the crucial point: Service without evangelism is just humanitarianism. Evangelism without service can seem like manipulation to some. When paired together, they display the full beauty of the gospel. We can love in both word and deed. In fact, we must.

The Challenge: Will You Shine This Week?

In a world where everyone’s talking and nobody’s helping, simple acts of service create shocking contrast. While others debate theology online, you can demonstrate it in person. While others share opinions, you can share your resources.

This week, ask God to open your eyes to one need you can meet. Not because you’re trying to earn salvation or manipulate someone into listening. But because the gospel is good news that should be accompanied by good deeds.

The fields are ready for harvest. Sometimes the key to a person’s heart is found not in winning an argument, but in meeting a need. Sometimes the most powerful apologetic is a Christian who actually acts like one.

Will you be that beautiful light in someone’s life this week?

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Remember: Every act of service is a potential gospel conversation. Every met need is a removed barrier. Every “yes” to helping others is a “yes” to God’s mission in the world.