Good intentions alone are not enough to create and sustain a culture of evangelism in our lives. Women want to share their faith, but many feel unsure where to start or what to say. A clear, practical plan helps move evangelism from something we value in theory to something we practice in real life.
As ministry leaders, we have the opportunity and responsibility to guide women toward simple, reproducible steps that build confidence and faithfulness over time. Embracing a plan does not mean adding pressure. It means providing clarity, direction, and encouragement so women can live sent in their everyday lives.
When women embrace a plan for evangelism, something shifts. Evangelism stops feeling overwhelming and starts feeling doable. A clear plan turns good intentions into faithful action. So, here are three steps to help you embrace a plan for evangelism for those in your ministry.
- Choosing a tool provides direction.
- Committing to the mission builds unity.
- Mobilizing the circle of influence creates momentum.
Let’s dive into each step.
- Choose a Tool and Train Women to Use It
The first step in embracing a plan for evangelism is choosing a tool and training women to use it. There are many helpful gospel-sharing tools available, including resources from the North American Mission Board or the Women’s Evangelism Hub. Tools like 3 Circles, Best News, the Life on Mission app, or others can all be effective.
The key is that you choose one and train women to use it!
As ministry leaders, we must intentionally devote time to equipping women with a practical way to share the gospel. When women feel prepared, they feel empowered. Training provides a common language and shared confidence that helps normalize evangelism within the group.
In South Carolina, we use a discipleship model called DiscipleSC. The foundation of this model is a simple algebraic equation: X + 1.
Understanding X + 1
The X represents a woman’s current starting point in evangelism. Everyone’s X is different. The X may be:
- They have never shared the gospel.
- They don’t have any lost friends.
- They don’t know the names of their neighbors.
- They’ve never written or shared their faith story.
- They’ve never learned how to explain the gospel.
The + 1represents the next faithful step forward. It is not about jumping to the finish line—it’s about movement.
Examples of a plus one might include:
- Learning the name of a new neighbor
- Starting a conversation with someone in their circle of influence
- Going deeper in conversation with a coworker or friend
- Writing out their personal faith story
- Writing down God’s story
- Practicing sharing the gospel with one person
For example, maybe you frequent the same restaurant every week. That’s your X. Your +1 could be learning the name of your waitress and asking how you can pray for her when you pray for your meal.
This approach removes fear and replaces it with manageable obedience.
As leaders, we must lead by example. When women see your commitment to taking your own next step, it builds trust and confidence. They are far more likely to follow when they see evangelism lived out authentically.
As you guide women through identifying their X and plus one, consider breaking them into groups of two or three. Small groups provide encouragement, accountability, and prayerful support.
- Commit to the Mission Together
The second step in embracing a plan is committing to the mission. As a ministry leader, you help set the vision. You inspire, guide, and invite women to fully engage in the Great Commission.
So how do we help women commit to the mission Jesus has given us?
- Start with clarity. Clearly articulate the purpose and objectives of evangelism. When women understand why evangelism matters and how they can participate, fear begins to fade.
- Provide practice opportunities. Give women space to share their stories and talk about gospel conversations in a supportive environment. Training should not be theoretical; it should be experiential. Utilize NAMB’s Share the Gospel web app for more practice.
- Offer consistent instruction on evangelism tools and resources. Make it normal to talk about gospel opportunities. Create time in group settings for women to share how they took steps of obedience that week. Celebrate effort, not just outcomes.
- Challenge women to live sent. Evangelism is not something reserved for a select few—it is the calling of every believer.
I think of my friend Kellyann. She learned 3 Circles at her church and was encouraged to practice it. She had been building a relationship with her neighbor, a teacher and young mom. One evening, Kellyann invited her neighbor and her son over for spaghetti and asked if she could practice sharing 3 Circles with them.
After she shared the gospel, her neighbor responded that she wanted to accept Jesus as her Savior.
That moment didn’t happen by accident. It happened because Kellyann was equipped, encouraged, and committed to the mission.
- Mobilize Your Circle of Influence
The third step in embracing a plan for evangelism is mobilizing your circle of influence. As women begin building relationships and sharing the gospel, encourage them not to go alone.
Jesus rarely sent His disciples out by themselves. He took them with Him as He traveled, taught, and ministered. There is something powerful about learning evangelism together.
Help women think intentionally about who they could bring alongside them. It might be one of their children, someone they are mentoring, or a friend within their circle of influence or geographical community.
Mobilizing others builds courage. It creates shared experiences and allows women to practice together. It also multiplies the impact. When one woman takes another with her, confidence grows and obedience becomes contagious.
As leaders, be prayerful as you mobilize women. Cover their efforts in prayer. Celebrate both what God is already doing and what He is going to do. Celebration reinforces obedience and reminds women that God is the one at work.
From Vision to Movement
A culture of evangelism does not happen overnight. It grows step by step, conversation by conversation, relationship by relationship. As women take their next faithful step, God meets them there, and He does far more than we could ask or imagine.
As ministry leaders, when we embrace a plan and guide women to do the same, we create space for God to move powerfully in hearts, homes, and communities.
This article was adapted from a session of the “Creating a Culture of Evangelism for Women” online training course. To learn more or take the course, click here. Also available in Spanish.