The preacher was delivering a powerful message about salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. I sat in the pews listening, thankful to be reunited with him. It was fifteen years since this preacher and I were college classmates. God used this man to lead me to Jesus Christ in my sophomore year in college. After we graduated, we parted ways and he attended law school and I went to medical school. Through the succeeding years, we remained in contact and he recently reached out to me. He was now leading a Korean-American church and he asked me if I could assist him by leading his music ministry. The members were all young adults that he initially met and discipled in Jesus Christ when they were college students, attending the same university where he attended law school.
I was delighted to accept his request. For nearly six months, I drove an hour every Sunday morning to attend his church and lead other talented musicians in his congregation to perform traditional hymns and contemporary praise and worship songs. My Korean was limited but I did learn some new Korean words, particularly the ones that were used by the congregation to address my friend.
“Jun doe sa neem.”
When I inquired about the meaning, one of the leaders stated, “It is the Korean word for Evangelist. We address our Brother with this title because he is not an ordained minister.”
I reflected upon this statement. At the time, I was unfamiliar with the nuances of church administration and titles but in this setting, it was of minor importance. My friend was always doing the work of an evangelist. Whether it was in a college dormitory room on a Sunday evening, explaining the Bible to me, or leading younger college students to understand the rich life of following Jesus Christ, he did not need a formal title to do what all believers in Jesus Christ should be doing.
Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; correct, rebuke, and encourage with great patience and teaching.
2 Timothy 4:2 (CSB)
But as for you, exercise self-control in everything, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.
2 Timothy 4:5 (CSB)
In his second letter to his young protege Timothy, the Apostle Paul exhorted the young preacher, in the city of Ephesus, with these words that outlined the mission that all believers in Jesus Christ are charged. Whatever situation Timothy found himself in, he was to be ready to preach the Word of God and give witness of a life following Jesus Christ. My friend truly lived his life by these words. His consistent lifestyle encouraged me to investigate for myself who Jesus Christ really is and within a year, I had confessed and repented of my sins and accepted Him as my Lord and Savior.
Jun doe sa neem.
God is calling all believers in Jesus Christ to live the life of an evangelist, in any language or culture.
Love and trust the Lord; seek His will in your life.
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