Someone said “Mobile Evangelism is fulfilling The Great Commission one phone at a time. It is inspiration anytime,
anywhere, anyplace. It is a brand new way of getting the message of Christ out to mobile phone users all over the
world. It is discipleship on your mobile phone.”
What do you think of mobile phone evangelism? Proponents of this idea believe it is a great way to share the gospel in
an informal way, but others say it could be intrusive and at times counter-productive. James is for mobile evangelism;
Jeanette is concerned about it.
James
I am clearly for using our mobiles in evangelism: many people are scared to do street evangelism, and phone evangelism
is connecting with people in a safe way. Some may not be interested, but what if someone gets saved? Here are some
ideas...
Suggestions For Phone Evangelism
1. Send an SMS gospel message to a friend, or ‘accidentally’ to someone. If the SMS does not send, it should not cost
you anything, so experiment with phone numbers. After all, big companies text us selling their products, so why can’t
we use our phones for good?
2. You can also buy mobile numbers from companies. Some phones contracts give you free texts every month or you may
be able to ‘bolt them on’ similar to a ‘pay as you go’ for a greatly reduced price.
3. By logging on to certain websites you can send free SMS via your computer.
4. You could phone up a telephone box or people’s homes (numbers found in the telephone directory) ask them for a few
minutes of their time for a religious survey. Never phone the same person twice and don’t phone in unsociable hours
and always be polite. You may only want to use a few of the possible sample questions below. You could ask question
like:
1. Do you believe in God?
2. Do you believe in the Devil?
3. Why do you believe or not believe in God or the Devil?
4. What do you think life is all about?
5. Are you satisfied or content with life?
6. Do you ever read the Bible?
7. Do you ever celebrate Christmas of Easter? What do these festivals mean to you?
8. What does Jesus Christ mean to you?
9. Do you hope to go to heaven?
10. Why do you think you will go to heaven?
11. If you could know God personally would you want to?
Have your questions written down on a piece of paper ready and a few salvation Scriptures, which you may be able
to quote in the conversation. Don’t keep the person waiting unnecessarily, especially if you hear children in the
background or if they are irritated with the conversation. Do not give out any of your personal details. If possible
encourage them to read the Bible for themselves. Tell them that God loves them and that He can help them, and thank
them for their time and wish them a good day.
Use Wisdom
It’s important to use wisdom and to always be safe. With all forms of phone evangelism it is best that you withhold your
phone number. Never give out your personal details even if the person seems interested. This safeguards you from any
prank calls or individuals phoning you up at midnight!
You could always phone from a telephone box, make sure you have enough change or a phone card. In some countries this
may be illegal and you do not wish to frighten people, especially the elderly. If you don’t pay the phone bill then
don’t use the phone. If you are under age, or a young Christian, then this form of evangelism is not for you.
Many mobiles give you free inclusive minutes or texts every month or a reduced rate at weekends or off-peak. When
speaking to individuals always be polite. A man with an experience is never at the mercy of a man with an argument. Never
give out your personal details even if the person seems interested. Encourage them to read the Bible and attend a lively
Bible believing church. Tell them that God loves them and that He can help them, and thank them for their time.
With the advent of advanced handsets and Third Generation bandwidth, there will be the potential for new ways of digital
evangelism, using graphics, music or even video link. There are some churches or organisations that send a short
inspirational message about Jesus to mobile subscribers, some for free and others for a small fee.
Jeanette
I know that James has given you a ‘how to’ ideas guide, so what I say here will look a little short when compared. I
actually have done street evangelism and can see James’ point that we are getting the message out. Anyway, these
are my thoughts.
Could phoning people be intrusive? I know what it's like, I have had a busy day, I’m really busy and the phone rings. It’s
a man called Fred Downs Jrn, from TGXF Industrial Hoovers, who wants to sell me a £500 hoover. I am trying to be polite, but
he keeps holding me on. Eventually I say, “Look I am sorry, I have to go” and put the phone down. By the end of it, not
only do I not want to buy their hoover, but I am actually turned away from it. We need to give people a positive
experience of Christianity and not hound them and thus push them away from Christ.
But to be honest, I can’t see many problems with sending a text message to someone you know, which could inspire him or
her to think about God. If you sent more than one, it could be annoying. People need to know that they should send good
messages, not, “You’re a wicked sinner.” We need to promote God’s love towards mankind, which leads to repentance.
What ever you decide you must always stay safe: use wisdom, and never share any personal information about yourself. Talk
to your youth pastor or a mature Christian about this first. It is probably best only to text friends or acquaintances.
Only if you are mature would I phone someone with a survey. I have done surveys on streets and found it can be
effective.
Mobile Phones
Mobile phones are great devices to use for ease of convenience. They are every-where; over half the UK owns at least
one mobile. Mobile phones are low power devices that emit and receive radio waves. These waves can interfere with
sensitive electronic equipment, such as in hospitals, planes and can even cause sparks at petrol stations, hence the
banning of use on petrol forecourts.
Research, commissioned by the British government, recommend “a cautionary approach to the use of mobile phones until
more research findings become available.” The exposure that we have to mobile phone radio waves probably does not
cause health problems. Yet is has been proven that it does affects brain activity, scientists are unsure why. This is
due to ‘gaps’ in our scientific knowledge. Children and young people may be more vulnerable than adults. The UK Chief
Medical Officer said “Children and younger people should only use mobile phones for essential purposes only and to keep
calls short; prolonged exposure should be discouraged.”
Phones And Driving
British law says that ‘drivers must have proper control of their vehicle at all times’ (Regulation 104 of the road vehicles regulation
1986); any lack of concentration or momentary inattention may result in a driver being prosecuted. Even using a hands-free
kit can distract you, as your mind will not be fully focused on driving. The penalties include an unlimited fine,
disqualification and up to two years imprisonment.
On the 1st December 2003 a British law was introduced stating that it is an offence to hold a mobile phone, or cradle
it in your neck whilst driving. Initially offenders were fined £30, which can be increased to a maximum fine of
£1,000 if the matter goes to court. On the 1st December 2004 under the Road Safety Bill the fine for being caught
using a mobile was
doubled to £60 and three points would be added to the drivers driving licence.
Be on the safe side and switch off your phone, or if you need it to be switched on then use voicemail or call
diverting and later on retrieve the message. If you have a passenger with you, asked them to take your call. If
you do have to answer your phone or make a call, then pull over and park the car but only if it is safe to do
so (this doesn’t include the hard shoulder on a motorway). It probably will not matter if you miss the call, after
all is it worth paying a £60 fine and having three points on your licence? Is a call worth endangering some else’s
life? If it is important they will phone back!
