EVANGELISTICE HOME VISITS are one of the most effective ways of winning people to Christ in an overseas setting. Certainly there are many witnessing elements that are transferable to international situations, but it is wise to be aware that there are some special aspects to making evangelistic visits on your mission trip. In this three part series I will explore the different roles in a visit, the process of the visit, and finally, present some practical tips to consider.
ROLES
First, let’s examine the main roles the evangelistic visit team members will play. Unfortunately, I have seen too many home visit teams dominated by one person accompanied by other members that are all too happy to keep silent. One person should not do it all, but rather everyone on the team should have a part in the visit. This makes it easier for inexperienced witnesses who might be uncomfortable with leading the entire visit, and makes for a more credible witness with more than one person speaking. Since you should limit the number of people making a home visit , some team members will assume more than one role.
- Guide: Normally this will be a member of the congregation with which you are working who knows the area and possibly even the people you will be visiting. This person is essential in helping you identifying the homes to be visited and advising you of areas you may need to avoid. They also serve as a source of important background information about the person you are about to visit.
- Interpreter: Obviously, if you don’t speak the language your effectiveness will be limited without someone to translate. The interpreter, however, serves a much greater function by interpreting not only the words, but the cultural situation as well, advising you on what direction you might want to take a visit (even if it is out the door!). At times there are cultural clues that North Americans may not pick up on that need to be heeded. Also, most interpreters are also believers and know how to translate the message in the way it can be best understood.
- Prayer : During the entire visit, one person’s sole responsibility is to pray for the visit, the other team members performance, and the person being witnessed to.
- Personal Witness: One member of the team is ready to share their story of what Christ has done in their life.
- Biblical Witness/Invitation: One team member is prepared to share a biblical witness to lead a person to Christ using a tract or a marked Bible. Once the presentation is completed it should flow naturally into an invitation to invite Christ into their heart.
- Visit Leader: Someone needs to be designated to orchestrate the entire visit. This does not mean this person does everything. His or her main job is to make sure the visit flows. After explaining the reason for the visit and introducing the group to the person being visited, he may only serve as the visit leader, or he may serve in one or more of the other roles during the visit. He needs to be aware of what is going on during the visit, the needs of the person being witnessed to, and consider cues coming from the guide or interpreter. He is the “quarterback,” if you will, of the visit who leads the team from the introductions to the final prayer.
- Apprentice: One of the best ways for someone to become comfortable with doing a visit is to go along and observe. This person can also assist in praying during the visit.
- Secretary: It is very important that someone is responsible for recording visit information: decisions made, requests, names, needs, special instructions, return visit date, etc. Usually the best person for this is the guide from the congregation or the interpreter.
Tomorrow we will explore how these roles are incorporated into the overall process of a visit.
